Back in the day, the only fishing line available was monofilament. Today, however, there are different types of line, hybrids, and a long list of brands claiming that their line is the strongest.
No matter what types or brand you choose, you’ll need a quality line to catch more bass, but with so many options, it’s hard to know what line is best for bass fishing.
Well, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Pick from the top-rated fishing line for bass, whether you prefer braid, mono, fluorocarbon, or a hybrid.
Best Braided Line for Bass
Braided line is strong, and it is the preferred type of line for many bass anglers. Choose from the best braided fishing line for bass.
Top Braided Line for Bass Fishing
- PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided
- KastKing Superpower Braided
- Spiderwire Stealth Superline Braid
PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
PowerPro’s Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line is one of the best braided lines on the market. While it is great for bass, it’s also a versatile line for most fish species.
This line is made with ultra strong braided Spectra fibers. Braided line can be heavier, but PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line is microline, so it is super thin.
PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line comes with a built-in line cutter and includes arbor tape. It spools directly from the box, and the packaging protects the remaining line. This sensitive braided line has near zero stretch.
The PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line comes in 14 colors, and comes in test strengths ranging from 5 lb to 150 lb.
KastKing Superpower Braided Fishing Line
You can’t go wrong with the KastKing Superpower Braided Fishing Line – it’s even the #1 bestselling braid on Amazon.
This line is known for strong knot strength. It has a special proprietary treatment that allows it to zip through line guides for smooth casting. KastKing Superpower braided line has a super small diameter, so you can fit more line on your spool and cast long distance.
This braid has super sensitivity and zero stretch, so hooksets are strong. KastKing Superpower Braided Line has low memory and is abrasion resistant, so it is durable and long-lasting.
It comes in 5 colors, and test strengths ranging from 6 to 150 lb. Lower test strengths are made up of four strands, while test strengths 65 lbs and up are made of eight strands.
Spiderwire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line
Spiderwire is a trusted fishing brand known for their line. The Spiderwire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line is a favorite among bass fisherman and beyond.
It has strong, smooth Dyneema polyethylene microfibers for quiet performance. This line is ultra thin and durable, so it can cast long distances and last a long time.
Spiderwire Stealth Superline Braid has color-lock coating technology, so the color won’t fade as fast as other lines. The line’s round shape reduces backlashes.
This line is super sensitive with low stretch, so it’s great for setting difficult bass hooks. Spiderwire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line comes in seven colors and a range of test strengths.
Best Monofilament Line for Bass
Mono is the classic fishing line, and it works great for bass fishing. Find the best monofilament line for bass before you make your next cast.
Top Monofilament Line for Bass Fishing
- Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament
- Stren High Impact Monofilament Line
- KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament
Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament
Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament is one of the best mono lines available, and it is great for bass fishing.
This monofilament is shock and abrasion-resistant, and performs well in freshwater or saltwater conditions. It was made for big game fish, so it is incredibly strong, especially for monofilament.
Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament is shock resistant, and has controlled stretch for improved fighting power. This line is tough for big bass; for a smoother casting option with less strength, try the Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Monofilament.
The Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament line comes in 5 colors and pound tests ranging from 8 to 130 pounds.
Stren High Impact Monofilament Line
Another favorite monofilament line is the Stren High Impact Monofilament Line. This line combines strength, durability, and impact resistance to create a mono line perfect for bass.
It was designed to catch tough game fish, and works well in fresh and saltwater environments. Stren High Impact Monofilament Line performs great with casting, spinning, or trolling gear.
This monofilament was made for saltwater use, so it is tough. Although it was designed with saltwater fishing in mind, it performs just as well in freshwater.
It is shock resistant and perfect for catching hard hitting species like bass. Stren High Impact Monofilament Line comes in four colors and test strengths ranging from 10 to 30 pound test.
KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line
KastKing manufactures a variety of fishing line, and the KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line is a great choice for bass fishing if you prefer mono.
This line has a unique design, with a paralleled roll rack that reduces line memory and keeps line from sinking into the spool. KastKing’s Monofilament is great for fresh or saltwater, and known for long distance casting.
This mono is super abrasion resistant, so it works well in heavy cover without tearing. KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line is supple, so knots are easy to tie and lures can be given great action.
It was made for bass fishing tackle. This line comes in seven colors and a pound test range from 4 pound to 30.
Best Fluorocarbon Line for Bass
Fluorocarbon and hybrids that include it are often used as leader, but can be used as main line as well. Check out the best fluorocarbon for bass fishing and incorporate this style of line into your fishing arsenal.
Top Fluorocarbon Lines for Bass Fishing
- KastKing FluoroCoat
- RUNCL PowerFluoro
- Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon
KastKing FluoroCoat Fishing Line
KastKing strikes again with the top pick for fluorocarbon line. FluoroCoat Fishing Line from KastKing is an award winning hybrid line, made with KastKing’s Copolymer line and coated with 100% fluorocarbon.
Both materials together combine the advantage of fluorocarbon’s low visibility with copolymer’s low memory and superior casting. The result is a line with great durability, knot strength, and sinking action.
KastKing FluoroCoat Fishing Line is thin, for greater line capacity. It works well with sinking bait or lures, since fluorocarbon is dense.
For a low stretch, high strength and density, and low visibility line, this is a great choice. It’s also cheaper than standard fluorocarbon lines. The KastKing FluoroCoat Fishing Line is clear, with test strengths ranging from 4 to 30 pounds.
RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line
RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line is another fluorocarbon hybrid. Fluorocarbon alone can be expensive and has some downsides, which is why a hybrid with fluorocarbon coating is often preferred by anglers.
Similar to KastKing’s hybrid, RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line has a copolymer core and a 100% fluorocarbon outer coating.
This line is virtually invisible and super strong. It is fast-sinking and non-absorbent, and has low stretch for added sensitivity.
The combination of copolymer and fluorocarbon make an ideal line that is shock and abrasion resistant while also allowing for flexibility, knot strength, and reduced memory. RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line is clear and ranges from 5 pound to 32 pound test.
Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
For those who prefer pure, non-hybridized fluorocarbon line, Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon Fishing Line is a great choice.
This line is 100% fluorocarbon. Despite the standard drawbacks to fluorocarbon as main line, Berkley’s is the most flexible and easiest casting fluorocarbon. It is also incredibly invisible, with the same refractive index as water, so fish won’t notice it attached to your bait or lure.
Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon Fishing Line has 20% greater shock strength compared to other line. Since fluorocarbon is non-absorbent, it maintains its strength underwater.
It’s also highly abrasion resistant. Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon comes in three clear transition colors, and is also available as leader. Test strength ranges from 2 pounds to 100 pounds.
What Type of Line is Best for Bass Fishing?
It’s hard to say which line is the absolute best for bass fishing – it depends on your style of fishing, your location, water conditions, and the type of bass you’re targeting. Each type of line has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Braided Line for Bass Fishing
Braided line is incredibly strong and has very little stretch. Low stretch can be helpful when bass fishing, because it can be hard to detect a bite set a hook, and less stretch will make it easier. Braided line also tends to cast very well.
The main drawback of braided line is that it’s usually easier for bass to spot underwater. In murky or low light conditions, however, this won’t matter.
Another drawback is that it can be harder for beginners to cast, and may result in worse backlashes. With practice, however, this issue can be easily avoided.
If you’re fishing for big, trophy sized bass, or in conditions with poor visibility for the fish (murky waters, low light, heavy cover), braid is a great choice. Under heavy cover, use a higher test strength like 65 or higher.
For lighter cover or fishing tackle like frog lures, topwater lures, or swimbaits, aim for 10 to 40 pound test strength, depending on other factors like the bass you’re trying to catch.
Monofilament Line for Bass Fishing
Monofilament has many positive attributes that make it great for bass fishing, which is why it was the favorite for many years.
Mono line is very castable, less visible than braid, and it floats, which is great for topwater fishing. It’s better for beginners because it is so easy to cast and it is easier for tying knots than braid which is nice when you’re using smaller hooks.
Monofilament has more stretch than braid or fluorocarbon line, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the situation.
Sometimes when bass fishing, it can be helpful, because the stretch makes it easier for the fish to bite and hold.
This will give you more time to set hooks, especially with lures that use treble hooks or for reaction bites. If you need a stronger hookset, however, mono may break.
Fishing with monofilament line is best for topwater presentations, or with treble hooked lures that need an extra second of bite to set the hook. Monofilament can seriously vary based on line diameter and test strength.
A higher test strength is better for stronger hooksets. Choose your pound test based on the size of fish you’re targeting, and diameter based on distance. Generally speaking, 8 to 20 pound test strength is mid-range for bass.
Fluorocarbon Line for Bass Fishing
Fluorocarbon was initially used for leader, not main line, but more advanced fluorocarbon and hybrids have become popular lately.
In extremely clear water, fluorocarbon is great, either as leader of main line, because it is transparent. Fluorocarbon has the same refractive index as water, so it’s virtually invisible to fish.
Fluorocarbon has very little stretch, and it is extremely abrasion resistant and shock resistant, which is why it makes such a good leader. It also sinks, so it’s helpful when fishing soft plastics for bass or other lures that need to sink.
The downside to fluorocarbon is its stiffness: it can make casting and control difficult. It also tends to have a strong memory. Hybrids combat this issue, however, which is why two of our recommendations are copolymer-fluorocarbon hybrid lines.
Fluorocarbon is best used in super clear conditions, when fishing bass worms or other lures that you need to sink, or as a leader material.
Best Line for Bass Baitcaster
Your choice of gear can also affect what line you should use. Baitcasting and spinning rods and reels operate differently, so you should tailor your line choice to your gear as well as the other factors previously mentioned.
Again, there isn’t one absolute answer to what works best. Baitcasting rods and reels are more difficult to master, so if you’re just getting started, use monofilament.
Mono is cheaper and easier to cast, and it is less likely to backlash. If it does backlash, it’s easier to untangle. Use slightly heavier mono on baitcasters.
Many bass anglers prefer braid for their baitcasters, and since braid is extremely castable, this makes sense. If you’re experienced with casting rods and reels, braid may be the way to go.
Still, consider all of the other factors we’ve discussed like water conditions, distance, type of bass, as well as what kind of hook you’re using.
Best Line for Bass Spinning Gear
Spinning gear is typically easier to use, but has less power. Spinning gear is also rather versatile, so, again, there isn’t a straightforward answer.
Use braided line on your spinning gear when fishing longer distances, heavy cover, for bottom fishing, vertical jigging, or for larger artificial lures.
Use monofilament with spinning gear in extremely clear conditions, with finicky bass, or when trolling bait.
Best Line for Jig Fishing
Jigs are one of the best ways to catch bass out there, and jig fishing is its own niche. Fluorocarbon line is often overlooked, but it is a great choice for jig fishing.
In clear conditions, bass won’t be able to spot fluorocarbon, improving the already enticing jigs. Jigs are weighted, and fluorocarbon sinks, so they work well together.
Braid is another great choice for bass jigs. In clear water, use braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Many anglers have found success with all fluorocarbon lines or hybrids.
What Line Color for Bass Fishing?
The color of your line is dependant on the water you’re fishing in. In crystal clear water, you want to use clear line so that fish can’t see it.
Fluorocarbon or fluorocarbon leaders are great in clear water, because they have the same refractive index as water and are pretty much invisible.
In murkier water, match your line color to the waters you’re fishing. Mossy greens are popular, especially in areas of heavy cover.
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