{"id":2970,"date":"2021-08-23T23:54:20","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T23:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-711416-2356891.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=2970"},"modified":"2021-12-05T18:40:29","modified_gmt":"2021-12-05T18:40:29","slug":"the-best-fishing-line-for-bass-fishing-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gofishingoutdoors.com\/the-best-fishing-line-for-bass-fishing-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The best fishing line for bass fishing | Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Whether you are just getting into bass fishing or are an experienced angler, you might often wonder “what fishing line should I be using with this lure?”<\/span><\/p> Some people only pick a fishing line for its strength, after all you don\u2019t want to lose any bass breaking off because your line is weak. But fishing line has much more impact than just being strong enough to not break off. The line you use can affect how a lure works, how far you cast, if bass can see it, and much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Because fishing line is much more complicated than some people expect, there is no one best fishing line for all applications. That\u2019s why many professional fisherman have rod arsenals all outfitted with different types and strengths (represented by pound test) of fishing line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> But how should you pick what line to use? Well read on where I will describe the 4 major types (monofilament,\u00a0 fluorocarbon, braid, and copolymer<\/strong>) of fishing line and where they shine. Then, we will briefly discuss how to pick the right pound test every time. Finally, I\u2019ll discuss every common bass fishing technique and lure and tell you what type of line you should use with each.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t If someone says \u201cfishing line\u201d, monofilament is likely the first thing that pops into your head. It can be sold in various colors but is usually clear. It is made from plastic and semi-transparent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> The main reason monofilament is the most popular fishing line is that it is versatile and cheap. This means that it isn\u2019t usually the best fishing line that you can use, though it shines with certain techniques. But it almost always isn\u2019t the worst. And you can buy it for a third of the price of braided or fluorocarbon lines.<\/span><\/p> This is the reason that I promote monofilament line, specifically Trilene XL<\/strong><\/a> In 8 pound test, as the best fishing line for beginner fisherman<\/strong>.<\/a> No matter what technique you pick, it will work to some degree of success. And if you do lose some, get knots, etc. as you\u2019re learning you can replace it without breaking the bank.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t But as you increase your abilities, you\u2019ll probably find yourself going away from monofilament in favor of fluorocarbon or braided lines in a lot of applications. The biggest reason fluorocarbon and braid are better is because they have little to no stretch. Monofilament line on the other hand has a very high stretch.<\/span><\/p> So when you set the hook on a fish, the line is stretching before the hook ever pierces a fish\u2019s mouth. Or when you\u2019re working a lure or casting, there is stretch generated in the line as well. This makes is slightly less sensitive and just creates time for a fish to spit out a lure. It also doesn\u2019t give you as much power when fighting a bass.<\/span><\/p> While monofilament is mostly invisible, it isn\u2019t as clear or close to invisible as fluorocarbon is. So when you consider mono beside fluoro, you\u2019ll find fluoro is the better option in a majority of situations. And if you don\u2019t care about the fishing line being seen, then braid is stronger, easier to cast, and has no stretch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t So why use monofilament at all? Well, it is cheap as mentioned before and that alone is a pretty good reason. There are also sometimes where you want stretch in line and it can actually help you fight a fish in by keeping tension easier. Finally, monofilament doesn\u2019t sink as quickly as fluorocarbon so is a great choice for topwater lures where you don\u2019t want the line seen. Because fluorocarbon will sink while the lure floats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Speaking of fluorocarbon, lets discuss it next since it is most similar to monofilament. Looking at them side by side, you might not notice much of a difference at first. Both are plastic, clear, and have very similar thicknesses.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Get a little closer though and you\u2019ll notice one major difference – fluorocarbon is much less visible than monofilament. This is what makes it 3 times the price at least, and what makes it one of the most popular choices for professional bass fisherman. There is very little chance that a bass will ever not bite because they can see fluorocarbon line even if you get a heavy pound test like 15 or 20.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Additionally, fluorocarbon doesn\u2019t have stretch which makes it ideal for any application where you want constant contact with your lure. You get much higher sensitivity and know what when you set the hook, there is no stretch between you and the fish to get in the way of a solid hookset.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Another underrated reason fluorocarbon is so good is because it is highly abrasion resistant. Every time you throw in a tree, rub against rocks on the bottom, or even just cast your line you are creating little nicks and dents in your fishing line. A line like braid or monofilament will need to be changed out quite regularly to avoid these building up and causing easy breakages. Fluorocarbon can last much longer because it is highly abrasion resistant and tough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Still, for all it\u2019s benefits, it\u2019s hard to outfit every rod with fluorocarbon line for the price alone. There is a great difference between low end and high end fluorocarbon lines so you always want to go with a name brand fluorocarbon. For my money, you should only ever purchase Seaguar<\/strong><\/a> or Sunline<\/strong><\/a>, both of which come in at around $30 for a spool which might outfit two rods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> If you\u2019re a beginner or use spinning reels, you\u2019ll also notice that fluorocarbon has another major downside which is it has high memory. This means that when it loops around your reel it is very likely to keep in those loops instead of going straight when you cast it. This makes it difficult to use with light lures or in general if you aren\u2019t used to managing it. A stiff fluorocarbon on a small spinning reel is almost impossible to keep loops and knots out of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t So maybe you\u2019re looking for a line that has the strength and low stretch of fluorocarbon with the low memory of monofilament. Well then braided line may be right for you!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Braided fishing line shines for several reasons. Chief among them is the low memory that makes casting it a dream. It almost never loops and creates knots in even the smallest of spinning reels.<\/span><\/p> In addition, braided line can be much stronger at smaller thicknesses. If you look at 4 or 6 pound braided line at your bait shop you\u2019ll be amazed it looks like the tiniest of thread. This is great because the smaller the line, the further it casts. Braided line can go 10 to 20 feet further on average than it\u2019s mono or flouro counterparts at the same pound test.<\/span><\/p> The low memory and small thickness make casting braided line a breeze, but you\u2019ll be happy with it\u2019s sensitivity as well. It has even less stretch than fluorocarbon which means you can feel everything your lure bounces into or the smallest of bites.<\/span><\/p> Plus, it\u2019s also usually a good bit cheaper than fluorocarbon even if it isn\u2019t quite as cheap as monofilament. So you won\u2019t break the bank completely to outfit all of your rods with braided line. And because it doesn\u2019t have memory, it can sit for a long time without being changed out and still work perfectly. I’ve outfitted several rods with Power Pro<\/strong><\/a> and find it a great bang for the buck option that lasts a good time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Unfortunately, braided line has one huge downside which is it is very easily visible to bass. Because braided line is actually made of fiber instead of plastic, it is not at all clear. Instead you\u2019ll find braided lines are sold in a variety of color, with moss green being the closest to invisible underwater.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Even then, you seldom will want to put your lure straight to braid because a bass that gets a good look will absolutely see it and not bite. So using braided line often requires you to to tie a leader line. This is just a separate type of line (mono or most commonly, fluorocarbon) which comes out for several feet from the end of your braided line. You tie the lure onto that line so that it\u2019s clear near where the bass would actually see it.<\/span><\/p> It\u2019s a great solution that lets you have all the benefits of braid with the invisibility of other plastic-based lines but is complicated and requires you to make a line-to-line knot that are never easy to tie. And are always prone to breaking every time you fight a fish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Additionally, braided line is not abrasion resistant and does fray easily when rubbed against cover. So while it is often the strongest line from force alone – it breaks down easily.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tMonofilament fishing line for bass<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
When you don't want to use monofilament<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
When you do want to use monofilament<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Pros for Monofilament Line<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Cons for Monofilament Line<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Fluorocarbon fishing line for bass<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Why to use fluorocarbon line for bass fishing<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Why not to use fluorocarbon line for bass fishing<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Pros for Fluorocarbon Line<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Cons for Fluorocarbon Line<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Braided Fishing Line for Bass\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Why use braided line for bass fishing<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Why not to use braided line for bass fishing<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Pros for Braided Line<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t