You’ve got your rigs, jigs, bait, and lures ready to go bass fishing, and now you’re wondering how to choose the best fishing line for bass. You’re in the right place.
There are three commonly used fishing lines for bass to discuss, and choosing the best one to catch bass depends on your preferences and intended fishing techniques.
Keep reading to learn about the best bass fishing lines and how your fishing style determines which line is the best for you.
The Three Best Fishing Lines for Bass
1. Braided Bass Fishing Lines
A braided fishing line is one of the best fishing lines for bass you can buy. Braided fishing lines have been around since the early 1900s and have evolved incredulously over the years. These lines have become an angler’s best fishing line for large bass in recent years.
Braided fishing lines replaced horsehair lines and were originally made from cotton, linen, and silk. Today, these materials have been replaced with synthetic plastic fibers such as nylon or Dacron, making for a much sturdier line.
When to Use Braided Fishing Lines
Braided lines are the best fishing lines for bass while game fishing and trolling.
Braided Fishing Line Benefits
A huge pro of braided fishing lines is they are strong albeit smaller in diameter, meaning they pack more lines on the spool. They also cast farther and sink faster.
These types of fishing lines have no stretch, so lures can move easier, and anglers can easily feel all movement from fish at the end of their lines. Braided fishing lines do not have line memory, which aids in casting greater distances.
Braided Fishing Line Negatives
Braided bass fishing lines are strong, which makes them difficult to cut. They can weigh down your rod and be slippery, making knotting challenging.
2. Monofilament Bass Fishing Lines
Monofilament fishing lines are basic, easy to use, and the most common fishing line used by anglers. These fishing lines are made from nylon expelled in a continuous thread. This fishing line is an all-around good bass fishing line for lake fishing for small bass.
When to Use Monofilament Fishing Lines
Monofilament fishing lines are the best fishing lines for bass in any situation with a spinning or baitcasting reel.
Monofilament Fishing Line Benefits
These finishing lines are easy to find, cheaper than other types of lines, and resistant to abrasion. The line’s ability to stretch allows it to absorb shocks, and the thin line is easy to tie.
Monofilament Fishing Line Negatives
Monofilament fishing lines are not as strong as other lines, and the nylon material that it is made from will break in the sunlight over time. It’s also visible in waters, regardless of the color you choose, meaning smart fish may catch on to its presence.
Another big disadvantage of monofilament fishing lines is they are prone to line memory, which means the line remembers the shape it’s stored in. This makes it harder to cast it at longer distances.
3. Fluorocarbon Bass Fishing Lines
Fluorocarbon fishing lines are similar to monofilament lines in that they extract a single strand, but their materials are more tightly packed and heavier than the nylon used in monofilament.
The term Fluorocarbon represents several compounds, such as organics made from fluorine, chlorine, and carbons, as well as synthetics made from hydrocarbons. Fishing lines are made from polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF).
When to Use Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon sinks easily, making it great for bottom fishing.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Benefits
Fluorocarbon fishing lines are almost invisible to fish and come in many different brands offering a range of features. The lines are incredibly abrasion-resistant and fast-sinking, and getting your lure to where you want it is easier.
These fishing lines are also incredibly sensitive, so you can feel when the fish are biting lightly. Using fluorocarbon lines as leaders can help reduce the line’s fray from the fish’s mouth.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Negatives
The line must be moistened before tying knots. Fluorocarbons are also the most expensive type of fishing line for bass you can buy. These are also the least manageable fishing lines because if a knot is done incorrectly, it will easily snap.
Comparing and Contrasting the Best Fishing Lines for Bass
Braided fishing is less abrasion-resistant, more expensive, and the most visible above the water for bass, casting shadows above the water that tip bass off. However, they are the strongest and most capable of bringing in large bass.
Monofilament lines come in various colors, allowing the angler to see its position better in the water than the other lines. They are also much easier to tie.
Fluorocarbons are the least visible of all bass fishing lines, making it almost impossible for the fish to see the line attached. This line sinks to the line the quickest.
Monofilament and fluorocarbon are the best bass fishing lines for resisting abrasion and resisting water. However, monofilament lines will fade quickly if left out in the sun.
Selecting the best fishing line for bass depends on your intentions for the line, followed by the technique(s) you plan on using.
Selecting the Best Fishing Lines for Bass by Rig
Texas Rigs
The Texas Rig is best used with a braided line because its sensitivity is better than any other bass fishing options. The lack of stretch is also critical when fishing in covered water.
However, the biggest factor in what makes braided the best fishing line for bass with the Texas Rig is the fact that there is no stretch, meaning the energy is transferred straight from the hook to the lure.
You can use a 50-pound, 65-pound, or 80-pound test braid with your Texas Rig.
If you don’t want to use a braided line for whatever reason, you can also use a fluorocarbon line with the Texas Rig. If the water is ultra-clear and visible, you should only use fluorocarbon lines for bass fishing. You can also use a fluorocarbon line as a leader to your braided line in clear water.
Carolina Rigs
A combo of fluorocarbon and braided lines work exceptionally well with Carolina Rigs because of the limited stretch provided by these lines, allowing instant fish responses to not go unnoticed. Use a 6 to 10-pound test line on a spinning combo reel or a 10 to 15-pound test on a bait-casting combo.
It’s best to use a straight fluorocarbon or braided line as your main line and a fluorocarbon as your leader because it’s easier to identify a hard or soft bottom versus a rocky or sandy bottom if you have a direct connection.
Wacky Rig
The best bass fishing line for a wacky rig setup is an eight to ten-pound fluorocarbon line or monofilament line.
Braided lines should be avoided in a wacky rig setup because they are too visible, and the wacky rig should only be used in the clearest water conditions, so you won’t want the shadows that braided lines cast on the water.
Fluorocarbon lines will work best in this situation since they are the least visible, but monofilament lines are usable. Although if you are using a monofilament line, you should use a blue or purple line.
Choosing the Best Bass Fishing Line by Water Type
Muddy, Covered, or Cloudy Water
Braids are the best bass fishing lines for dirty water conditions. Since they are highly visible in the water, you want to save them for conditions where the fish can’t see well anyway. Monofilament lines are also great to use in this type of water since they also tend to be visible in the water.
Braided fishing lines also work well for covered water because they cut through the vegetation better, while a fluorocarbon or monofilament line might get caught.
Clear Water
Save your fluorocarbon lines for the clearest water conditions. These lines will be the best line for bass in this type of water condition.
You will need a line that is as invisible as possible to avoid tipping off the bass that you’re looking for. Monofilament lines are also usable in clearwater as long as you choose blues and purples for your line color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fishing line color can bass not see?
Every fishing line color has the potential to be seen underwater by bass, though some colors are harder for bass to identify.
Researchers suggest bass see red and green the best, but they cannot tell the difference between darker colors like blues and purples, so aim for a darker-colored line.
What’s the difference between a mainline and a leader?
A leader line is sometimes required to be attached to your mainline, depending on your fishing technique. Leader lines are the part of the line that attaches to your lure or hook.
You connect a leader line to a mainline by tying them together with a knot or tying each of them to a swivel. Leader lines are especially popular in Texas and Carolina rigs setups. They are necessary for baitcasting and spinning gear to prevent the line from twisting.
How does a fishing line’s weight impact the bass fishing experience?
You need to know the line’s pound test before buying it because this will tell you how much stress the fishing line can handle before it breaks. Several factors go into choosing the right pound test for a line, including the weight of the fish you’re catching and the lures you plan on using.
Bass anglers are typically going to use a fishing line that is eight pounds or higher. You want to be careful not to get too heavy of a pound test ranking because that can cause your fishing pole or reel to break.
Wrapping up the Best Fishing Lines for Bass
Now you’re up to speed on the three best fishing lines for bass. Looking for more fishing tips before hitting the Minnesota waters? Then check out our Fishing in Minnesota page!
- About the Author
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Nicole Kinkade loves taking regular road trips with her family around Minnesota. She especially enjoys visiting the Twin Cities area, where she can often be found hanging out at Mall of America and Como Park. Her favorite Minnesota restaurant is Fat Lorenzo’s!
With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an associate’s degree in Media Communication, Nicole is passionate about sharing her experiences with others through writing. She is currently writing full-time and loves every minute of it.
Nicole can be reached at nicolek.author@gmail.com