Best Line for Surf Fishing

Surf fishing often entails casting long distances in tough saltwater conditions. Many of the fish you may catch in the ocean are also larger and harder to wrestle in. This means that your choice of fishing line is important, as the line you choose will face rough conditions compared to other types of fishing.

Saltwater fishing line should be strong and durable, but also light enough to cast far out into the ocean when necessary. With so many options on the market when it comes to fishing line, it can be difficult to know which line is best for surf fishing. We’ll break down our top picks for surf fishing line and how you can make your decision.

Best Surf Fishing Line

We’ve compiled the best fishing lines for surf fishing. Whether you prefer braided, mono, or fluorocarbon line, there’s an option for you. These fishing lines are known for their strength, casting ability, saltwater adaptability, and overall performance.

These are the Best Fishing Lines for Surf Fishing

1. KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
2. Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
3. Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool
4. Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line
5. KastKing FluoroCoat Fishing Line
6. Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line

KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line

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Braided line is the top choice for most surf fishers, and the KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line is some of the best braided line out there. KastKing is well known for producing high quality, durable fishing line, and their SuperPower Braided Line is no different – it’s even the #1 Amazon Bestseller for braided line.

KastKing SuperPower Braided Line has a smaller diameter than many other braids, allowing for more line on your spool and longer distance casting. It has zero stretch and ultra-high sensitivity, so you’ll feel every nibble to increase your chances of setting a hook. SuperPower braid has higher abrasion resistance than other brands, making it durable and longer lasting.

The KastKing SuperPower Braided line creates strong, durable knots, despite traditional issues with knotting braided line. It has low memory for smoother and farther casting, perfect for surf fishing. It comes in five colors and a wide range of test strengths (10-150 lb test) for whatever strength best suits your needs.

 

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Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line

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Another great option for those who prefer braid is the Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line. This braided line is made from ultra-strong braided spectra fiber, and anglers have raved about its strength and durability. The line is also treated with Enhanced Body Technology to create a round and sensitive line.

Power Pro’s Microline technology consists of an extra-thin line diameter, so more line can fit on your spool and you can cast further into the surf. The thinner line also gives surf lures more action in the water for better presentation and a higher catch rate. Three-braid construction and no-stretch technology makes the Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braid extra sensitive, so anglers feel every movement.

Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line comes in fourteen colors, and ranges from 8 to 150 pound test strength. It also comes in various diameters (0.005 inch – 0.035 inch) and varied lengths (150 – 3000 yards), so anglers can find the best option for their next surf fishing trip.

 

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Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool

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If you prefer monofilament over braided line, Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool is one of the top monofilament lines for surf fishing. While monofilament line can fall short when surf fishing, this line is optimized for the rough surf fishing conditions that can break weaker monofilament.

Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Line is strong enough to withstand larger fish and rough surf conditions. It is extra tough and abrasion resistant, so it won’t wear down as fast as standard monofilament line. It is also shock resistant, so it can withstand heavy tackle and long-casting when surf fishing. Controlled stretch allows for better handling.

This monofilament line is ideal for knot tying, as it holds knots easily and won’t slip. It comes in six colors and a range of test strengths from 8 pound to 100 pound. For monofilament line that can hold up against large ocean fish and rough surf conditions, Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool is a great choice.

 

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Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line

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Another top choice for strong monofilament and an Amazon Bestseller, Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line is a great option for surf fishing. Designed for saltwater use, this monofilament line holds up against tough surf conditions and large fighting fish.

Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line offers extreme shock resistance for fighting line-punishing game fish. Strength is often a concern when using monofilament against large fish, but this line can handle large fighting fish. It’s also durable enough to withstand snags and other tough marine conditions.

This high-rated line comes in four colors and test strengths ranging from 10 to 30 pounds. Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing line casts well and is inexpensive, if affordability is a factor. It has some stretch to be aware of, but that stretch can be an advantage when topwater surf fishing.

 

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KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line

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For fans of fluorocarbon line, this line from KastKing is an ideal choice for surf fishing. KastKing, already included on this list, produces some of the best fishing line. The KastKing FluoroKote Fishing line is strong and versatile, and can withstand the rigors of surf fishing.

KastKing FluoroKote Fishing line combines KastKing’s Copolymer Fishing line with 100% fluorocarbon coating, so it combines the low visibility of fluorocarbon with the low memory and superior castability of copolymer line. This line features low stretch, high strength, and abrasion resistant technology, making it a great choice for surf fishing.

KastKing FluoroKote Fishing line has a thin diameter for greater line capacity and lighter casting. The fluorocarbon line sinks faster, so you can hook a fish below the surface without added weight. Fluorocarbon line is purposefully clear, as it is harder for fish to spot, and this product comes in test strengths ranging from 4 to 30 pounds.

 

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Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line

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Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line is a unique hybrid of monofilament and fluorocarbon line. This line molecularly binds nylon monofilament and fluorocarbon for a durable new material that offers the best of both types of line.

Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line is extremely abrasion resistant, so it can withstand a tough marine environment. It has the durability and resistance of fluorocarbon and the flexibility of nylon, so it won’t sink as fluorocarbon often does. This hybrid is dense and versatile, great for saltwater surf fishing as well as other forms.

Anglers use the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line as a main line as well as a leader, due to its transparency and strength as a shock leader. For fans of fluorocarbon who aren’t as confident in its use while surf fishing, this hybrid is a great option and a fantastic addition to any tackle box.

 

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Best Surf Fishing Leaders

If you’ve chosen your favorite surf fishing line but need a stronger leader, we recommend these top two picks. For fans of fluorocarbon, try the Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader. Fans of monofilament should try the KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line.

Seaguar Blue Label 25 Yards Fluorocarbon Leader

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Fluorocarbon is often used as a leader, due to its tensile strength and refractive light index that matches closely to that of water. Since it’s strong and it is hard for fish to see, it makes a great leader when surf casting. The Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader is a top-rated leader material and the #1 Amazon Bestseller for fluorocarbon fishing line.

This leader is 100% double structure fluorocarbon. It comes in test strength of 2 pound to 80 pound, and is noted for having the least stretch and best strength. It is abrasion resistant, fast sinking, and ties strong knots easily.

 

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KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line

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KastKing, a clear favorite in the fishing line market, makes a premium monofilament leader line as well. The KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line is the highest ranked monofilament leader for tensile strength, and was created to be most durable and abrasion resistant mono leader.

With low stretch, abrasion resistance, great shock strength and knot strength, KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader is an excellent leader for the rigors of saltwater and surf fishing. It is clear, so fish are less likely to see it attached to your bait or lure, and is available in test strengths ranging from 20 to 200 pounds.

 

 

What Type of Fishing Line Should I Use for Surf Fishing?

Anglers all have different preferences when it comes to fishing line. While you may have your own favorite style and brand of line, the overarching favorite for surfcasting is braided line. We’ll discuss the pros and cons for each type of line so you can make a more informed decision.

Braided Line for Surf Fishing

As we said, braided line is the most popular line for surf fishing. There are a few reasons why surf fishers prefer braided line. Braided line is often stronger than monofilament, as it consists of multiple strands of material braided together. Surf fishing often comes with tough conditions and long-distance casting, so a stronger line is helpful to prevent the line from breaking during casting or while fighting a larger fish.

Braid is praised not only for strength, but strength to thickness ratio: while braided lines are generally stronger, they are also thinner. Thinner line is useful for a few reasons: fish are less likely to notice it, more line can fit on your reel, and it is generally lighter to cast, so you can cast further with ease.

Braided line also has less stretch, which is good for surf fishing. Since it doesn’t stretch as much, it will be more sensitive to nibbles, so you can feel when a fish is starting to bite. The lack of stretch will also make it easier to maneuver fish as you reel them in.

There are cons to braided line, however. It is on the more expensive side when compared to monofilament. It also can be slippery, which makes knot tying harder. Some knots may slip if not tied tightly, so some brands of braided line will recommend specific knots to prevent this issue.

Monofilament Line for Surf Fishing

Monofilament used to be the only line around, so many traditional anglers still stick with it. There isn’t anything wrong with using mono line for surf fishing if you are experienced with it and have found success in the past.

The good thing about monofilament line is that it is easy to use and easy to cast. Inexperienced anglers may want to start with mono line for this reason. Knots hold better when tied with monofilament, and they are less likely to slip the way that braided knots can. Mono is also more abrasion-resistant, so it is less likely to break if it snags on something. Monofilament line is also the least expensive type of line, although brand choice will influence price as well.

Mono line is inherently stretchier, which can be good or bad depending on how you’re fishing. When surf fishing, stretch isn’t always a good thing if you’re wrestling a larger catch or if you miss a nibble because of lowered sensibility. If you’re topwater fishing, however, stretch can be helpful when predatory fish aggressively grab the bait and you need some stretch to set the hook. Some monofilament line has up to 30% stretch.

When it comes to surf fishing, monofilament’s stretchiness can be a pitfall. It is easy to cast, however, and cheap, so it will work well enough on a budget. With practice, you can become a pro surf fishing with monofilament.

Fluorocarbon Line for Surf Fishing

Fluorocarbon is good for surf fishing because it is the most transparent line underwater, with a refractive index almost the same  as water. This means that fish are less likely to notice that the bait or lure is attached to a line. It’s also strong and resists abrasion, so fluorocarbon is likely to last longer than other line, especially dealing with snags in marine environments.

Fluorocarbon line can be heavier and stiffer than monofilament, however. It doesn’t float, so it is not ideal if you are topwater fishing or trying to use lures over the surface of the water, although it’s ability to sink is often useful when surf fishing. Fluorocarbon line has very little stretch, so it wins in that category over monofilament, and it is strong when catching large fish.

Many anglers use fluorocarbon line for their leaders when surf fishing. Since it is strong, it reduces the chances of your line breaking when casting heavy tackle. Because it’s the most transparent, it’s also useful as a leader because fish won’t see the line as easily. It is also very abrasion resistant, so your hook and bait or lures won’t break off if they snag.

Find All Your Surf Fishing Gear

You’ve found the best surf fishing line, but do you have the best surf fishing reels, surf fishing rods, and other essential surf gear? Fishmasters has all the info you need to find the best products for your next surf fishing expedition, as well as surf fishing tips and advice on all forms of fishing.