Braided fishing line improvements over the past few decades have made it a widely used line type for many styles of fishing. There are a few different types of fibers used to make braided lines including Spectra, Dacron, Dura, and micro-Dyneema. These fibers are wound into 1 to 10 stands which makes a fishing line that is much thinner and lighter than a monofilament fishing line.
There are many advantages of using a braided line. This include far casting with spinning reels, easy casting with baitcasting reels, high line capacity, low stretch, high sensitivity, floating, abrasion resistant, UV resistant, long storage life, and it typically lasts for multiple seasons. When in the water for a long time a standard monofilament line will absorb water which results in a decreased line strength. Braided line strength is maintained in the water.
Disadvantages of braided lines include high visibility to the fish, the small diameter can cut hands when leading fish, and low shock absorbance. The line can also slip on reels if the spool is not designed for braided line. If it is a smooth spool, a monofilament line can be added first as backing. Braided line works as a good backing for large convention reels. The spool can be topped off with monofilament to allow for a low visible line near the hook and acts to absorb shock from fast aggressive fish.
A braided line has such a small diameter it is common to spool spinning tackle with a 50 plus pound test. This can make the line hard to break when getting snagged and can be dangerous if it gets raped around and the angler. Be careful when using braided lines. The rod size and reel drag quality should be matched to an appropriately sized fishing line.
Here Are the Best Braided Fishing Lines
1. Power Pro Maxcuatro Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.19 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.15 |
| Color | Moss-Green, Hi-Vis Yellow |
| Length in Yards | 150, 300, or 500 |
| Made in | USA |
Power Pro Maxcuatro is a top-quality braided fishing line. It is made with Honeywell Spectra HT fiber that has high tenacity 4-carrier construction. Compared to an average braided line it is 25 percent thinner. It is labeled as maximum strength, minimum diameter, and ultimate casting distance.
This line is a bit more expensive than other braided lines on the market. I would recommend this for spinning reels where a small light line will increase the casting distance. For large conventional reels, a standard braided line is already thin enough to hold plenty of fishing line. A braided line gets sweptback less by currents when fishing deep. This thinner line will be less affected by currents. Braided line also allows diving plugs to dive deeper due to less line resistance.
2. Power Pro Spectra Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 200, 250 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.23 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.10 |
| Color | Moss-Green, Hi-Vis Yellow, Multi, White, Red |
| Length in Yards | 150, 300, 500, 1500 |
| Made in | USA |
This Power Pro braided line is the most popular line and sets the quality standard for other braided lines on the market. It is made with Honeywell Spectra which is treated with Enhanced Body Technology. This makes the line round and smooth. Power Pro braid works well on spinning reels and trolling reels.
There are many good color options. A braided line is typically more visible to fish than a monofilament line. However, selecting the right color line can provide some line concealment and camouflage. A white braided line is typically the least visible underwater for clear water on bright days and when fishing near the surface. Moss-Green is best for low-light, stained water, and thick vegetation. Yellow is the most visible above the water and average underwater.
Historically, I used moss green braided line the most but I am starting to like white braided line the best. It is highly visible above the water and has low visibility underwater in many cases. I use some type of a leader 90 percent of the time when fishing braid so the line visibility above water is actually more important than underwater. The video below shows how visible braided line is above and below water in different conditions.
3. Power Pro Super 8 Slick V2 Braided line
| Pound Test | 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.23 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.11 |
| Color | Marine Blue, Hi-Vis Yellow, Aqu Green, Timber Brown |
| Length in Yards | 150, 300 |
| Made in | USA |
PowerPro Super 8 Slick V2 is made with 100 percent spectra fibers. It is constructed with the Enhanced Body Technology process. This is an 8-strand braid compared to the 4-strand of traditional Power Pro. The diameter, strength, and price are similar to standard power pro. This line has different color options and is very smooth when casting.
This 8-end braided line also offers more abrasion resistance. A braided line will get frayed when it rubs against a fish’s mouth or rough surface before breaking. Just like monofilament if the line near the lure is damaged it should be removed. This line can be spooled directly from the box. Under normal fishing conditions, this line should last several seasons.
4. Berkley X9 Braid Tresse Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 8, 10, 14, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.17 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.10 |
| Color | Crystal, Low-Vis Green, Multi |
| Length in Yards | 165, 330, 2188 |
| Made in | USA |
Berkley X9 Braid Tresse is made with 100 percent Poly-Ethylene fibers. The fibers are woven into 9 strands which is more than most other lines available. This is also one of the thinnest braided lines when comparing line diameters at given strengths.
This line is great for far casting even with lightweight lures. The PE fibers are what is typically used in a braided fishing line. What is unique is that 8 strands are woven into additional PE fiber core to make 9 strands in total. This allows for maximum strength and abrasion resistance.
5. Berkley X5 Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 8, 10, 14, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.17 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.082 |
| Color | Crystal, Low-Vis Green, Multi |
| Length in Yards | 165, 330, 2188 |
| Made in | USA |
This Berkley X5 is very similar to the X9 but is made with five strands rather than nine strands. It has four outer strands and an inner core. All five stands are made of Poly-Ethylene fibers.
Both of the lines have similar line diameters for a given pound test. The X5 line is found at a lower cost than the X9 version. The design of this line also offers some abrasion resistance.
6. Power Pro Depth Hunter Braided Line Metered
| Pound Test | 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.23 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.09 |
| Color | Muli-Color |
| Length in Yards | 167, 333, 500, 1500, 3000 |
| Made in | USA |
Power Pro Depth-Hunter is a metered fishing line. There are four colors blue, yellow, green, and orange. The line changes color every 25 feet. This means that if all four colors are used the line is 100 feet deep. A metered line can be very helpful when jigging and deep dropping. Most reels do not have line counters so estimating line depth can be difficult without a metered line. The line also has a black mark every 5 feet to estimate distances between color changes.
This line is very similar in price and performance to the J-braid metered line. This Power Pro Depth Hunter is made in the USA with 100 percent Spectra. If you have never used a metered line you might be surprised how often it comes in handy. When trolling the metered line allows the lines to be set the same distance back. This is nice for surface lures and diving plugs. This line also works great for deep dropping with electric fishing reels.
7. Daiwa J-Braid 8 Strand Braided Line
| Pound Test | 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 120 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.23 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.09 |
| Color | Multi-Color, Chartreuse, White, Dark Green |
| Length in Yards | 164, 328, 1,640, 3600 |
| Made in | Japan |
Daiwa J-Braid is 8-strand Poly-Ethylene braided line. This line is popular for deep drop electric reels. It is a tightly woven fiber that results in line diameters similar to that of standard Power Pro. This line can also be used on baitcasting and spinning reels.
The multicolor line is good for deep dropping since it is metered and changes color every 10 meters. In the specification of this line type, the spool line capacity has been converted into yards to allow for comparison to the imperial units of other line types.
8. Spider Wire Dura-4 Braid Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.25 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.067 |
| Color | Moss-Green |
| Length in Yards | 125, 200, 300, 500, 1500, 3000 |
| Made in | USA |
Spider Wire Dura-4 is made of 4-strand braided lines made with Dura fibers. The outside of the line has a slick coating to make the line low friction for far casting. It has a line diameter slightly larger than the standard Power Pro.
Like all braided lines, this line has a diameter much smaller than monofilament lines. It is also sensitive with very little line stretch. With spool capacities up to 3000 yards, this can be used for high capacity conventional fishing reels. A braided line is good for deep dropping applications because the thin line diameter is not as affected by currents. This means that less weight is needed to keep baits near the bottom.
This line is good for freshwater or saltwater applications. When bass fishing braided line is used when jigging to help cut through the weeds. Also, a 20-pound test setup is typically strong enough to break lily pads off if the line gets snagged on them. When fishing light monofilament line it can be difficult to fish in thick cover.
9. Spider Wire Stealth Braid Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.25 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $.088 |
| Color | Moss-Green, Hi-Vis Yellow, Blue Camo, Camo, Pink Camo, Translucent |
| Length in Yards | 125, 200, 300, 500 |
| Made in | USA |
Spider Wire Stealth is made from Dyneema PE microfibers. The stealth part of his line comes from fluoro-coated microfibers. Dyneema is a very strong fiber. This line is smooth, round, and quiet which is makes it great for casting.
The line comes in unique color patterns including a translucent braid. This line has very little stretch and is very sensitive. If you fish without a leader the colors of this line can be less visible depending on the fishing conditions. If you used a long leader just get the color braid that you think has the best appearance.
10. Berkley Fireline Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.30 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.11 |
| Color | Smoke, 5-Color, Flame Green, Crystal |
| Length in Yards | 125, 200, 300, 500 |
| Made in | USA |
Berkley FireLine is made from micro-fused Dyneema PE fibers. Smoke Fireline was the original Berkley FireLine color. Now Berkley offers this line in other colors and the X5 and X9 braided line types.
This line is offered in a multi-color metered line with five 10 foot alternating color sections. The different colors allow line depth to be estimated when dropping baits deep. There is also a smoke flame green tracer that has alternating colors in 5-foot sections. This braided line has a larger diameter compared to other braided lines on the market.
11. Sufix Ice Braid Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.23 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.34 |
| Color | Ghost, Neon Lime, Camo |
| Length in Yards | 50 |
| Made in | Taiwan |
Sufix Ice Braid is designed for ice fishing in cold weather. The line is made with 8-strand fibers, seven of which are Dyneema and one is GORE performance fiber. This line is hydrophobic which means that it repels water. This is good because the line is less likely to freeze. The line has dense fibers with 32 weaves per inch.
Most people know GORE fibers from GORE-TEX boots which are made from waterproof fibers. In a fishing line, these fibers also offer fray and abrasion resistance. This line is expensive per foot but comes in 50-yard spools since small reels are typically used for ice fishing. The three colors are a ghost white line, camo which is a light blue line, and neon lime which is a bright yellow high visibility line. Flourcaboin is also a good line to use when ice-fishing as it sinks which helps get light baits deep in the water.
12. Kastking Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 6, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 120, 150 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.18 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.052 |
| Color | Gray, Yellow, White, Moss Green, Multi, Ocean Blue |
| Length in Yards | 327, 547, 1097 |
| Made in | China |
Kastking Super Power braided line is popular because of its low price point. The line has a thin line diameter compared to other braided lines on the market. KastKing KastPro is a different braided fishing line that is made in the USA. This KastKing Super Power line is made in China.
KastKing SuperPower is a Polyethylene braid fiber. The line is made into 4-strands. This is an affordable line that works in both saltwater and freshwater.
13. Reaction Tackle Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 120 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.20 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.043 |
| Color | 16 Different Colors Options |
| Length in Yards | 150, 300, 500, 1000, 1500 |
| Made in | China |
Reaction Tackle is a popular braided fishing line found at a lower cost than many other braided lines. The line is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. It is shipped from a warehouse in the USA but is made in China.
For line strengths, 10-100 pounds the line is made with 4-strands and for 120-200 pound test, the line is made with 8-stands. Color options include blue camouflage, dark blue, gray, green, high-vis green, orange, yellow, multi, black, red, sea blue, and timber brown. This is way more color options then most braided line companies offer. This line can be used in both fresh and saltwater. It has low stretch and is very sensitive.
14. Hercules 8 Strand Braided Line
| Pound Test | 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 120, 200, 300 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.20 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $.043 |
| Color | 15 Different Colors Options |
| Length in Yards | 109, 328, 547, 1094 |
| Made in | China |
Hercules is another brand that makes an affordable 8-strand braid. This is very similar to the reaction tackle braid above but has an 8-strand braid even for 10-100 pound test lines. The braid is said to be a diamond weave for a round and smooth line.
This line is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. The line is made in China and is found at a lower cost than most USA made braided fishing lines. The line diameter is small even when comparing to other braided lines. Hercules braid is a static fishing line with a very little stretch. Color options are green, black, blue camouflage, yellow, red, orange, pink, white, and multi-color.
15. Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 150 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.18 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.046 |
| Color | Ocean Blue, Black, Green, White, Yellow, Multi-Color |
| Length in Yards | 150, 300, 547 |
| Made in | China |
This is Piscifun ONYX braided fishing line. It has a nano resin coating that makes it have a higher abrasion resistance. This is one of the thinnest braided lines on the market for a give line strength. The line is round, sensitive, and has minimal stretch.
For a line strength of 6-50 pounds, the line is made with 8-strand PE fibers. Heavier line strengths from 65-150 pounds are made with 9-strand PE fibers. This line is made in China as is a decent line for anglers on a budget.
16. Piscifun Braided Fly Fishing Line Backing
| Pound Test | 20, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | Around 0.32 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.065 |
| Color | Fluorescent Yellow, White, Orange |
| Length in Yards | 100, 300 |
| Made in | China |
This is Piscifun braided fly fishing line-backing. The backing is made of dacron and is for fly fishing reels not spinning or conventional reels. This is not a fly fishing mainline which is thicker and floats on the water. The purpose of the backing is extra line capacity on the spool in case a large fish takes a long run.
It is abrasion-resistant and had minimal stretch. This line is also smooth to not damage fly rod guides. A 20-pound test backing is good for trout, grayling, bass, and crappie. When flying fishing for salmon, bonefish, striped bass, and tarpon a 30-pound backing is better. The 20 pounds works well for 1-6 weight fly reels while the 30 pound is for 7-10 weight reels. Other braided lines can work as fly line backing but could damage the ceramic eyes of the pole.
17. Tuf-Line Braided Dacron Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 130, 160, 180 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.48 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.050 |
| Color | Black, Green Spot |
| Length in Yards | 100, 300, 600, 1200 |
| Made in | USA |
Tuf Line Dacron is a braided Dacron fishing line. The diameter is much larger than other braided fishing lines. This can be a good thing for a backing line as a thin braided line can cut into itself if not spooled properly. Also, this thicker line can save money when spooling up large reels that do not need always need the large line capacity from a thin braided line.
The line is IGFA rated for strength. It uses high-quality dacron fibers to make the fishing line. This type of line is commonly used as a backing material on large conventional fishing reels. This is because a dacron braided line can last for many years. Adding a monofilament top shot of line allows for some line stretch to absorb shocks in the fishing setup.
Braid vs Monofilament Line Diameter Chart
The chart below compares the diameter of the Power Pro braided line to the Berkley Trilene Big Game monofilament. Power Pro is a widely used braided line and Triline is a very popular monofilament fishing line. Some reels show the line capacity based on monofilament line diameter. This chart is helpful to determine how much of a braided fishing line the reel can hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ice braid fishing line?
Ice braid is a braided fishing line that is specifically designed for ice fishing. The line is made with fibers that are hydrophobic and repel water. This helps the line not freeze as much in very cold temperatures. The braid is also abrasion-resistant which can be important if the line rubs along the side of the ice. Some ice braid in light blue to offer low visibility. Also, the braid is typically in 50-yard spools as the fish do not fight as hard in cold water requiring less line on the reels.
What is a metered fishing line?
Metered fishing line is a braided line that changes colors at set distances. The line typically changes colors in 5, 10, or 20-foot increments. When a color repeats then a certain amount of line has bet set out. Knowing the amount of line out is a good way to estimate the depth of a bait. Also, the metered line can help determine the distance a lure is behind the boat. When using diving plugs when trolling the amount of line let out determines the depth of the lure.
A line counter reel is the easiest way to determine the amount of a line set out. However, spinning reels and large conventional reels do not have line counters. Many anglers overlook using a metered line. This is likely because the monofilament line can not be metered. The color of a braided line is not very important because a leader is almost always used. I would recommend using a metered braided line in most cases when using a braided fishing line.
What are the best knots for braid fishing line?
It is important to know good fishing knots when tying a braided line. This is because the line can be slick and poor knots can pull through. Good knots to tie on hooks include the uni knot and the Palomar knot. To connect the line to the leader a double unit knot is an easy and effective knot. Ball-bearing snap swivels can also be used to attach a braided fishing line to a leader. In the video below I show how to tie the 7 most important fishing knots.
Is a braided fishing line better?
Braided fishing line has advantages and disadvantages to monofilament fishing line. This is why both types of line are widely used by recreational and commercial anglers. Braided line floats, has high sensitivity, is lightweight for far casting, has minimal stretch, and is thin which allows for increased line capacity. The main disadvantage is that the line is more visible in the water to fish and is typically fished with some type of leader. Also, the low stretch can be good to get a quick hookset but the line does not stretch to offer shock absorbance from a thrashing fish.
A braided fishing line is also easy to use on a baitcasting reel. The line casts far and with less backlash than the monofilament fishing line. The main reason I like a braided line is that it allows for light lures to be cast far. When bass fishing I use a spinning reel with a 20-pound braid and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. This allows me to quickly reel in large bass but also be able to cast soft plastics a respectable distance. I also like braided because it allows for high line capacity on smaller reels. When jigging and fishing deep the low stretch allows for good line sensitivity even at deep depths.
What is the most invisible braided fishing line?
The most invisible braided line is a thin braid that best matches the background of the fishing environment. When fishing offshore near the surface white line blends in with the sky and becomes less visible to the fish. A white braided line also blends in well on bright days in clear water. There is also several types of camo braided lines that change color periodically to help blend in. It may be better to get a solid color-specific for the conditions. Moss green is a good color for stained water and low light conditions.
That being said it is best to use an appropriately long fluorocarbon leader when fishing for fish that are leader shy. Also when fishing for toothy fish a single strand wire or multi-strand cable is likely going to be more visible than the braided line. Thinner lies are less visible so if a fish is being leader shy going to a smaller diameter line is an option.
How do you spool braid onto a spinning reel?
Spinning reels can have smooth spools or braid ready spools. A braid ready spool has a high friction knurled area or rubber gasket section. Braid touching smooth metal has low friction and the line can spin on the spool making it very difficult to reel in a fish. If the spool is super smooth a monofilament line should be placed on as backing. The problem is the braided line can get caught on the knot that connects the two line types when casting.
The video below shows a great way to connect a braided line onto a spinning reel spool. A large loop is tied as a uni knot. The loop is wrapped around the spool several times. As the knot gets pulled tight so are the several wraps of line. If the spool is braided line ready a simple one-knot uni knot can be used but this method is still the better way to connect the line. Conventional and electric reels may have a knob to initially tie the braided line to on the bottom of the spool.
Does braided line spook fish?
Yes, braided lines can spook fish. More often though the line visibility makes the bait or lures presentation look unnatural and can cause the fish not to bite. This is called being leader shy. The line itself is lightweight and floats on the water. This makes a braided line quiet and does not spook the fish due to line noise. The main way to not spook a fish with braided line is to use a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. Also, a braided line that matches the background can help to prevent the line from spooking the fish.
Some fish like bass, trout, tarpon, snapper, and tuna are leader shy, others like catfish, pickerel, and halibut are not leader shy. Most of the time a 5-foot leader is all that is needed. Exceptions to this are mutton snapper and tuna which require longer leaders. Also how much a line spooks a fish varies depends on the condition. When fish are feeding aggressively they are less likely to be leader shy. Sometimes tuna with their large eyes and great eyesight will even bite a thick multi-strand cable rig made for wahoo. This does not mean that a clear leader is not a good idea in general, it just means that sometimes you get lucky.
Should I use a braided line on my spinning reel?
Yes, a braided line works best on spinning reels in most cases. The braided line offers three main advantages. First, it is light for a given strength witch allows it to be cast further than monofilament. Second, the spool can hold more lines which means smaller reels can be used to target bigger fish. Finally, the line is sensitive and had low stretch allowing quick hooksets. When fighting fasst aggressive fish like tarpon, wahoo, kingfish, and sailfish a monofilament line can be the better choice because the stretch in the line can be used to absorb shock from a thrashing fast-moving fish. I have caught plenty of tarpon on both 50-pound braid and 30-pound monofilament so sometimes it comes down to angler preference.
Do you need a leader with a braided line?
Yes, using a leader with a braided line is almost always a good idea. This can be for several reasons. First, a fluorocarbon or mono leader reduces line visibility near the lure or bait. This is what the fish is going to see as it approaches the bait. The more natural the setup looks the more likely the fish will be to bite the bait. Second, a leader is used to protect the line from being cut from sharp teeth and from the line rubbing on the fish. These steel leader can be single strand wire or multi-strand cable. Finally, a 20-50 foot monofilament leader can be used to add stretch to the setup. This leader acts as a shock absorber when fighting fast strong fish like swordfish and wahoo.
Will braided line damage my rod?
A braided line should not damage a fishing rod. However, a braided line with a high test value can be used on small reels and fishing rods. This means that a max drag value and rod line weight can likely exceed the recommended values when using a braided fishing line. Anglers should be careful not to exceed the max force specification of the gear being used. Let’s say a small rod and reel have 80-pound braid, the rod can almost certainly break if 80 pounds of force is actually applied.
A strong thin line can even press into ceramic guides causing damage and resulting in line fray. I have not had any issues with this but it can be an issue on light fly fishing rods. Ultimately a quality reel should control the drag regardless of line type and not damage the rod. When fishing with a 65 plus pound line a big game rod should have roller guides to ensure the eyes are not broken.
What size braided line should I use?
The best size braided line depends on the fish being targeted. In freshwater, a 20-pound braided line is perfect to catch most types of fish including, bass, pickerel, catfish, musky, hybrid striped bass, and striped bass. For smaller fish like crappie and trout, an 8-pound braided line is a good option. With a 20 pound braided line, I like to use a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. With 8 pound braid, a 2-6 pound leader is best as trout can be leader shy. For saltwater fishing 50-pound braided line is perfect for spinning reels and an 80-pound braided line is great for conventional fishing reels. Realize that this line is strong and will be difficult to break if snagged. Be careful when leading fish as a braided line can cut into the skin.
How often should you change a braided fishing line?
A braided line does not break down as quickly as a monofilament line. Braid typically has a shelf life of about 7 years. Once on a reel braid can last anywhere from one day to 5 years depending on how it is used. If the line is backing and is not the section of line typically used it can last for multiple years. If the line is being used rubs on the boat or rubs on the bottom and gets frayed it should be changed as the damaged line will not be as strong as expected.
Some experienced anglers keep a braided line until a fish breaks the line. Then it is time to change the line. Typically the max drag on the fish is nowhere near the break strength of the braided line being used. Every time a fishing knot is tied the line should be pulled hard to ensure the line and knot strength is not weak. If the line breaks when checking a knot it is likely time to get a new line.
When should you use a braided fishing line?
A braided fishing line is a good option anytime the line strength is over 10 pounds. The thinner lighter line then has advantages over a monofilament line. Personally, I like using braid on spinning reels for bass, spinning reels for jigging, and for deep dropping with electric fishing reels. Monofilament or fluorocarbon line is best when fishing for trout as a 4-pound line is thin and less visible to the fish without a leader. Also when trolling offshore a 60-pound monofilament is a good line for dragging surface lures for big game fish like marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi. A braided line is better when using diving plugs and planers as less line drag allows the lures to dive deeper into the water.
Does the color of braided fishing line matter?
In most cases, the color of the braided line does not matter. This is because a less visible fluorocarbon or monofilament line will be used as a leader line. The color of the braid can be picked based on what looks the most visually appealing. Different color lines are more visible above the water and many anglers like to see their line and use a highly visible color like yellow. A great feature available in braided lines is a metered line. This is when alternating colored sections of braid are made at specific lengths. This allows anglers to determine the length of line set out which helps estimate the depth of the bait.
Can you tie braid directly to the spool?
Braid can be tied directly to the spool if it is a braid ready spool. A braid ready spool will not be a smooth metal. It will have a knurled section or rubber gasket which adds grip to the line so it does not spin. A fishing knot should be tied to the spool so the line is pressed tightly on the spool. Also in the event that all of the fishing line comes off the reel the knot at the end might prevent the line from breaking off the reel. On some electric reels that have a smooth spool, there is a knob where the beginning of the line should be tied. Most conventional reel spools are designed to take a braided fishing line.
Is braided line good for baitcasting reels?
Yes, a braided line is great for baitcasting fishing reels. This is for several reasons. First, the braided line comes off the fishing reels with ease and is much less likely to get a birds nest and backlash. Professional anglers even say not to learn a baitcasting reel with a braided line because it is to easy. Second, a strong thin braid is perfect for jigging in thick weeds and lily pads. The line can cut through the weeds and break off lily pads in the event the line gets snagged. A braided line is also very sensitive which is great for feeling the smallest bites. Finally, the braided line is stiff and allows for a quick hookset when a fish bites. This makes it more likely to hook the fish before it spits the bait.
Should your leader be stronger than your mainline?
In most cases, the leader should be as strong or stronger than the mainline. This is because the leader is more likely to get damaged and would then be the weak spot in the fishing setup. It is nice to know what the weakest link of the fishing setup is so that if the line breaks it happens as expected. Typically it happens at a knot because even good fishing knots are only about 80 percent the strength of the mainline. When bottom fishing I typically try and tie the weight with a low strength knot so that it is less strong than the mainline. This is so that the weight will break off and the rest of the rig can be saved and not leave as much debris on the bottom of the ocean.
Captain Cody has worked on charter fishing boats in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska. Growing up in Pennsylvania Cody has also done extensive freshwater fishing including bass fishing tournaments. Cody strives to provide detailed information about the best fishing gear and tactics to help both novice and experienced anglers have a more productive and enjoyable time on the water. Cody also has a background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience but really only takes pride in being good at one thing and that is fishing!
Great Information for fishermen like me who do more freshwater fishing in South Carolin but travel to Blue Mountain beach Flordia every year for family vacations and love to surf fish. Thanks again for explaining the difference in braids.