Fishing reels and lures get a lot of the glory when it comes to making big catches. But the fishing line is quite literally the fiber that holds it all together. Fishing lines might all look pretty similar to the untrained eye, but they vary considerably in terms of abrasion-resistance, elasticity and buoyancy. You might assume that you’d simply want the strongest line possible, but there are a lot of factors that can affect your ability to catch fish. Part of it comes down to the kind of water you’re fishing in and the size of fish you’re planning on catching, but part of choosing the best line for you is a matter of preference. Before making a purchase, it’s worth first familiarizing yourself with the different kinds of fishing lines available.
There are three major types of fishing lines: monofilament, braided and fluorocarbon. Monofilament tends to be the most affordable, and it’s easy to tie knots in monofilament lines. They also have more elasticity and stretch, making the line less likely to snap when reeling in a bigger fish. However, the elasticity can make it harder for anglers to feel movement along the line.
Braided lines are easier to cast long distances and have little elasticity, making it easier to feel the line. As the name implies, braided lines are woven from multiple strands. That makes braided lines the strongest of the three. However, they can be a little harder to tie knots in.
Fluorocarbon lines, like mono, are made from a single strand. One major appeal of fluorocarbon is that it’s almost completely transparent, so fish are less likely to notice the line. They also have less stretch than monofilaments. However, they’re not as buoyant. They sink more quickly, which is great for fishing in deep water but can be a problem if you’re fishing close to the surface. Fluorocarbon is also more expensive.
Another thing to consider is how much weight a line can handle before breaking. This number is referred to as its test. The pound test of a fishing line will be listed on the packaging. Another term that comes up often is memory. Memory is not desirable — the term refers to how well a line “remembers” twists and curls. Fishing lines with more memory will be harder to cast.
Whether you’re new to fishing, an experienced angler, or anywhere in between, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite fishing lines, all of which you can find on Amazon.
1. KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
This option from KastKing is one of the most popular lines on Amazon, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s versatile, reliable and reasonably priced. Plus, there’s plenty of variety to choose from in terms of color, weight and length. These lines are braided — they have very little elasticity or memory, making them less likely to get kinked or tangled. KastKing’s braided lines are also very abrasion-resistant.
Pros: Good variety, you can choose between different colors, lengths and tests. These braided lines are highly abrasion and knot resistant.
Cons: Higher test lines from KastKing can tend to be thicker than similar lines from other brands, potentially making them harder to work with.
2. Berkley Trilene XL Service Spool
This option from Berkley is designed to resist kinks and twists and make it easier for the angler to feel strikes. It’s a monofilament line, and you can choose between a wide variety of pound tests, ranging from 2 to 30. Plus, the lengths vary between 110 yards to 3,000 yards. It offers the superior flexibility of a monoline while still being as strong as some braided lines.
Pros: Flexible, easy to cast, strong and little memory.
Cons: Can be too thin for some.
3. Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
Another great braided option is this pick from Power Pro. It comes in a few different colors, and you can choose different lengths and tests. The lines are incredibly strong — they’re made out of Spectra fiber, which is produced by Honeywell. Some of Spectra’s applications include ballistic vests for military and law enforcement. Not only are these lines strong, but they’re thin, making them easier to work with and less likely to be seen by fish.
Pros: Made from ultra-durable Spectra fiber. These braided lines are also thin, making them easier to work with in the field.
Cons: An award-winning fishing line with premium pricing; can get expensive if you use a lot of fishing line.
4. KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line
KastKing makes plenty of fishing accessories, so it’s not surprising that in addition to a great braided line, they also make a great fluorocarbon line. It’s made out of copolymer with a fluorocarbon coating. The fluorocarbon coating makes it almost invisible in water, but the copolymer construction cuts the price compared with pure fluorocarbon. It’s durable and has minimal stretch. Plus, it sinks quickly, making it a good option for fishing in deep water.
Pros: Features the benefits of a fluorocarbon line but saves on the cost by using a copolymer core. Highly durable and abrasion-resistant. Minimal stretch.
Cons: Line can curl somewhat easily.
5. SpiderWire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line
This braided fishing line from Spiderwire is affordable, strong and sensitive. The clever packaging doesn’t hurt, either. Each spool features the design of a spider in a web on top. It may not add any functionality, but it’ll at least prevent you from mixing up your line from someone else’s. Several different colors are available, so you can choose one that best suits the water you’re fishing in. The fibers are treated with Teflon for extra durability.
Pros: Durable, Teflon-treated fishing line. Affordable value, and available in a range of different colors.
Cons: Colored lines fade somewhat quickly.