Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels – Ultimate Guide on 2022


Are you searching for the best fishing line for spinning reels? It can be refreshing to go fishing away from the busy life and have a good time with friends and family. Such trips can become fulfilling if you can catch some good fish. To make that happen, your fishing equipment needs to be of top quality.

Your fishing experience highly depends on how good is your fishing line. In this article, you will find out everything about fishing lines and what are the features of the best fishing line for spinning reels.    

Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels – Ultimate Guide

Spinning reels make it easier to learn fishing. This is especially helpful for people new at fishing. While it is easy to learn how to use a spinning reel, choosing the best fishing line for spinning reels according to your specific needs can become overwhelming. 

The breaking strength, material, its thickness and its cost are some features that make a fishing line better than others. The specific preferences of different anglers can make different options best for different individuals. For example, what species of fish you are going to catch and what type of tackle you’d use will have a great impact in determining the best fishing line for spinning reels for you. If you are clueless about the fishing line or spinning reel, let’s find out what those are.         

Contents show

What is a Fishing Line for Spinning Reels?

best fishing line

The cord that is used for angling is called a fishing line. The length of a fishing line, its weight and material are some of the important features that make a fishing line betters than others. If a fishing line is thicker, the fish will be able to see them. Anglers can choose different fishing lines for different fishing environments according to different characteristics such as knot strength, castability, limpness, breaking strength, UV resistance, abrasion, visibility and abrasion resistance. Usually, modern fishing lines are manufactured with braided polymers, nylon and silk.

A spinning reel is a cylinder-shaped device on a fishing rod that helps to wind and stow the fishing line. A spinning reel is located below the fishing rod taking advantage of the gravity. This way, you don’t have to use your wrist strength to keep the fishing reel in place. If you are right-handed, you can hold the spinning rod and cast with your right hand. This way, you can operate the crank handle of the spinning reel with your left hand. Spinning reel prevents backlash problem because there is no rotating spool that makes the reel overrun and fouls the line. Spinning reels are best for competitive casting and recreational fishing.    

What Are Fishing Line For Spinning Reels Used For?

ultralight spinning reel

Fishing reels come in different kinds. The major types of fishing reels are conventional reels, baitcasting reels, and spinning reels. Each kind is designed for different fishing environments. The most common fishing reels are the spinning reels. These are known for ease of use and accuracy.    

Anglers choose spinning reels because they are easier to use. Beginners can learn fishing with great ease with spinning reels. They allow you to cast more accurately and over bigger distances. Finesse fishing becomes super easy when you have a spinning reel equipped with an appropriate fishing line for the specific fishing environment. 

The best fishing line for spinning reels has strength and smoothness. It complements the capacity of the spinning reel and its sensitivity level and visibility level complement the fish you want to catch and the fishing environment. With a good fishing line, you can cast better and reel your catch successfully. Your fishing line can make or break your fishing experience. If you choose a fishing line that doesn’t suit your specific fishing conditions or spinning reel, you will lose lures, and the fish will get away. A bad fishing line will mean wastage of time because of tangles and twists. 

Fishing lines with thin diameter occupy less space on the spinning reel, allowing you to use lengthy cord which makes it easier to cast on longer distances. The tension of the fishing line serves the purpose of keeping the bait steady. The stretch of a line allows reeling in the stronger fish easily. 

Some fishing environments have murky water, and some places have clear water. Some fish are big and fight the line more than others. Your fishing line has to be designed with your fishing environment in mind. The best fishing line for spinning reels will have the right balance of strength and visibility.          

Benefits of Using the Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

fishing lines

As discussed above, your fishing line must compliment your spinning reel and your fish and its environment. Following are the benefits of using a fine fishing line.     

No Twists in the Fishing Line

You will have to roll and reel your fishing line multiple times during your fishing trips. This can cause twists in the line resulting in loss of the straight shape of the line. When your line is not straight, you won’t be able to cast better, and your chances of catching the fish become low. Untangling the wires is also a very tedious and inconvenient job. Using a good fishing line will minimize line twists and maintain its straight shape for a longer time.  

Invisibility

If the fish can see your fishing line, they will get spooked and won’t turn towards your lures. Visible fishing line can be a problem, especially when the water is clear. This is why good quality fishing lines are designed to be almost invisible to allow you to catch more fish. However, if you are fishing at night time, you would want to be able to see the fishing line to keep track of your fish.            

Strength

Your fishing line must be strong irrespective of your fishing environment. When your bait lures a fish, it puts up a fight that your line must be able to handle for both small and big fish. A good quality fishing line will have higher tensile strength. A fishing line braid is designed to be the strongest so that it won’t break even when it is pulled. Fishing lines with a bigger diameter are stronger; however, they are also more visible. You will have to strike a balance between strength and visibility of your fishing line according to your fishing environment.

Read More: Best Tandem Fishing Kayaks

What are the Types of Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

Fishing lines for spinning reel come in different types suited for different fishing needs. The most common lines are:

  • Braided fishing lines
  • Monofilament fishing lines
  • Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines   

Braided Fishing Lines

Braided Fishing Lines

Fishing line braid is very tough and doesn’t stretch much. These are the strongest fishing lines among all. These don’t break easily and maintain their shape. This is why with fishing line braid your chances of catching the fish are higher. Braided lines are tense, which helps you set the hook and reel in the fish. 

Fishing line braid is best for kayak fishing. The tense and tight braided line helps counter the floating of the kayak on the water and setting the hook. These are quite thinner as compared to other fishing lines. This is why, they pass through the guides easily enhancing the casting, especially when your bait is lightweight. 

A six-pound Fishing line braid occupies less space as compared to a six-pound monofilament line. So you can use a lot extra line on your spinning reel. 

However, these are the most expensive type of fishing lines. These cost five times more than the other types. The chances of it being visible for the fish are higher. The tension of the braid fishing line is generally good; however it might work against you some times. This is especially true in case of big and strong fish which may put up a fight and dislodge the hook with its mouth. This can be prevented by using monofilament fishing line or fluorocarbon fishing lines because they have a certain level of stretch. 

Braided lines are best fishing line for bass, ideal for murky waters and further casting.              

Monofilament Fishing Lines

Monofilament fishing lines

Monofilament fishing lines are also known as monolines. These are the cheapest of all when it comes to the cost. They are great for top water fishing as they float well.  

They have less tension and more stretch than the braided lines. This increases the likelihood of the fish reeling in the fish that bite, as the hook will not tear out of the mouth of the fish easily because of the stretch. 

However, monolines have less tension and less sensitivity. This is why fish may bite the bait, and you may not feel it.

Because of their stretch, monolines tend to coil up if kept in the reel for too long. This results in line twists that can mess up your reel. 

These are thicker as compared to the braided ones, which means you can use less amount of line around a reel, which reduces the casting distance. The thickness of the monolines does not make them stronger. Monofilament lines have higher chances of breaking. 

They also have a greater likelihood of sun damage. This means monolines are not very durable.

Monofilament fishing lines are best suited for beginners for all-round fishing.                                   

Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

These are best known for their invisibility. This is why it is best to use fluorocarbon lines in clear waters so that the fish doesn’t get spooked. 

Fluorocarbon lines are pricier than monolines but cheaper than the braided ones.

These have less line memory, which is why they can twist easily and cause tangles in the reel. 

Fluorocarbon lines are thicker, just like the monolines. This is why they don’t offer a lot of casting distance. These are not completely resistant to sun damage. While these are not as durable as the braided lines, they do last longer than the monolines. 

It is best to start with monolines when you are learning fishing as a beginner, and then move on to the fluorocarbon ones. 

In short, when you are a beginner and want to go fishing in clear water, fluorocarbon line is your best bet. While it does have its downsides, it is good for the price and great for the intermediate or recreational fishing. Fluorocarbon fishing lines also come in better quality with a coating to make them thicker and abrasion-resistant.  Good quality fishing lines cost higher and are strong as well as durable with a high level of invisibility. Better fishing lines also maintain their shape for a longer duration.

How to Choose the Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reel?

Like we’ve discussed, different fishing lines are designed with different traits. Choosing the best fishing line for spinning reels depends on the size of the fish you’re going to catch and the clarity and condition of the water where you are going for fishing along with other factors. Here’s a basic understanding of how you should choose a fishing line based on your desired fishing environment. 

Material

Majorly, you will find three types of fishing lines for spinning reels: the monolines, the fluorocarbon lines and the braided lines. 

The oldest most commonly used fishing lines are the monofilament lines. If you are planning to catch small fish, these are a great choice, offering some amount of stretch. Keep in mind that while stretch does allow you to reel in the fish even when they are only slightly lured, it minimizes the sensitivity of the fishing line, making it difficult to detect pulls.

Mono lines also twist easily, so they will tangle frequently and not last very long. But because of being very low priced and easy to use, they are commonly used by fishermen to catch their fish daily. 

The fluorocarbon fishing lines are also single strand based and relatively newer. It is best known for being highly invisible underwater because it lets the light pass through it. It has less stretch as compared to the monoline and more resistance than those.

However, the fluorocarbon lines weigh more than the monolines and have stiffness that makes them sink quicker, so they are more suited for deep water fishing. Fluorocarbon lines are not recommended for fishing on the water surface. Because of their weight, these are stronger and suited to catch the bigger fish. 

Braided fishing lines are the strongest of all and have zero stretches. Since they do not stretch, they offer a high level of sensitivity which lets you feel even the slightest of the pulls. However, no all anglers like the braided lines as at times some level of stretch is required, especially for big fish that fight the line. Trimming and tying the braided lines is also tough. You might need to use a leader with a braided line to be invisible to the fish. Braided lines work as a great mainline when you go for deep water fishing. 

Colour

You will find different colour variations in fishing lines, but the most commonly used are clear (made of fluorocarbon), green, white, blue, red and yellow. The clear fishing line and the white line work well for most situations. The clear lines are especially useful as they become almost invisible to the eye. Colored lines are also useful because not all waters are clear all the time. Many times the water gets muddy or greenish due to algae.

For such waters, it is best to use a green line that will easily blend in the fishing environment. If the water is so muddy that you can’t see anything underneath, then choose a yellow line to be able to keep an eye on it. There is a fishing environment where the water is bluer and less green; this is where blue fishing line works best—only some angler’s use red fishing lines. Redline appears to be black underwater.                

Memory

Because of the rolling and reeling of the fishing lines, they tend to lose their straight shape. This feature is referred to as the memory of the fishing lines. High memory in fishing lines is considered to be bad. Your fishing line should stay straight and tangle-free so that it becomes easy to cast and reel. The memory issue is quite persistent with the monolines.

Comparison Table for Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

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Review of the 6 Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels 

01- Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Fishing Line

Features

  • The Trilene Big Game by Berkley comes in various sizes ranging from 250 yards to 1350 yards.
  • It is available in seven colors, including three invisible and other earthy shades.
  • The Berkley big game fishing line offers superb shock resistance.
  • This monofilament fishing line has a lot of stretches, making it essential to replace the line frequently to avoid line breaks.
  • This line comes with superb abrasion resistance. 
  • The Berkley big game also has decent resistance to the damage by sun and water for a short time.
  • Its line memory is quite high, causing it to lose its square shape.
  • You can get a lot of lines at a low price.
  • As the name suggests, these are best suited for big game fishing.
  • Regular fishermen don’t have a problem with its line memory, but people who keep it stored in roll form might not want this line.         

Description

The Berkley big game should be your first choice among monofilament lines. These are super strong and available in great bulk at a really low price. Its abrasion resistance and environmental resistance make it the best monofilament fishing line out there. It works as a great mainline. It offers great shock resistance and some amount of stretch. You can choose from various colour options to suit your fishing environment.    

Pros
  • This monoline is available in very big lengths ranging from 250 yards to 1350 yards.
  • Its price is low for the amount of line you get for it.
  • There are seven options of colours, including three invisible shades and four earth tones.
  • These lines are very shock resistant.
  • These are quite strong to handle the fight by the big game fish.
  • These lines have good abrasion resistance as well as decent resistance to UV and water damage.
  • It is great for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Cons
  • Its line memory is very high, so it will gradually lose its straight shape resulting in poor casting.
  • Because of its stretch, it needs to be replaced frequently to avoid line breaks.

What is Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Fishing Line Best suited for?

These are great for anglers who regularly go fishing and want the best value for their money. These are the best monofilament fishing line because of their abrasion resistance and shock resistance. 

What is Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Fishing Line not so good for?

People who go for occasional fishing should not get these as they have a high line memory and won’t retain their straightness if kept too long stored in rolled form. 

Final summary

If you want to invest low and still get the best results in terms of fish caught, this is the best monofilament fishing line you can ask for. It is super strong, resistant to shocks and abrasion, sun damage, and water damage. You can find it in multiple lengths and various color choices. 

02- Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line

Features

  • The power pro spectra braided line has a three end braided design.
  • It has almost zero stretches offering a high level of sensitivity.
  • Its diameter is quite small, ranging from .005 inch to.035 inch.
  • The small diameter makes it easy to cast.
  • Because of being a braided line, it has an exceptional amount of strength.
  • It has an incredibly rounded shape that allows strong and versatile knots.
  • This fishing line offers superb abrasion resistance.
  • This line communicates underwater moments pretty well, letting you feel everything.
  • This line sits well on the water.
  • You can do a great casting with the power pro spectra braided line.        

Description

The Power Pro Spectra braided line is undoubtedly the best-braided fishing line for spinning reels that lets you feel the bottom structure of any fishing environment complete with the full transference of energy. Its amazing strength and abrasion resistance combined with its no stretch design.

Pros
  • Its diameter is very small, making the casting very easy.
  • This braided line has superb strength.
  • They perform very well on spinning reels.
  • It allows us to tie strong and versatile knots.
    They offer high sensitivity letting you feel every movement underwater.
  • It offers good abrasion resistance.
Cons
  • It is slightly costlier as compared to other fishing lines.
  • There are counterfeits of this line being sold in the market.

What is Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line Best suited for?

The power pro spectra are the best trout fishing line for spinning reels and best fishing line for bass because of its zero stretch and high sensitivity. They allow superb casting with their no-stretch structure. Finesse fishing also becomes easy with these.

What is Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line not so good for?

When fishing and clear water, this line is not suitable as the fish might be able to see it. You can use a fluorocarbon leader with the braided lines.  

During finesse fishing, you have to be careful not to set the hook too early because of their high sensitivity and zero stretches. 

Final summary

This highly sensitive and super strong fishing line is no doubt the best-braided fishing line for spinning reels, makes finesse fishing in structured areas easy, by letting you know all about the bottom surface underwater.

03- KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line

Features

  • The FluoroKote by KingKast is a really low priced fluorocarbon fishing line.
  • It’s almost invisible nature makes it the best fishing line for bass.
  • It is made up of copolymer named Polyvinylidene Fluoride with a fluorocarbon coating.  
  • Its line memory is very low because of the coating protecting the line from twists and tangles. 
  • It offers some amount of stretch, allowing for a decent level of sensitivity.
  • Its sensitive nature lets you have a good idea of the movement under the water.
  • It has good knot strength. 
  • Abrasion-resistant.
  • Sinks quicker, which is ideal for deep water fishing.
  • Its structure facilitates accurate casting. 

Description

The kast king fluorokote is a low priced but high performing fishing line. Its coating gives it an invisible look and reduces its line memory, making it the best fishing line for bass catching. Its low memory helps prevent the coiling issue and maintain its straightness for a longer amount of time. It comes in different diameter ranging from 0.18mm to 0.48mm.

Pros
  • This fishing line sinks faster, which is great for fishing in deep water.
  • Its coating makes it nearly invisible underwater.
  • These have a low amount of stretch as compared to monolines.
  • They can deal with obstructions and rocks because of its abrasion resistance.
  • The KastKing FluoroKote has good knot strength.
  • It has a copolymer make to facilitate better casting.
  • Its fluorocarbon coating offers low line memory to prevent line twists.
Cons
  • Its line memory is not as low as other coated fishing lines.

What is KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line Best suited for?

Because of being almost invisible, this is best for clear water fishing. Since it sinks faster, you can use it for fishing in deep water as well. Its low price makes it a good choice for anglers on a budget and beginners.     

What is KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line not so good for?

These are not suited for the free lining. If you are a complete novice, you might lose lures with this line. It could have done better if the line memory could have been reduced further.

Final summary

These are low priced, offering reliability and superb strength. These are user friendly and easy to cast. Suitable for almost all fishing conditions, beginners and recreational fishermen can use it with great ease. It offers a great level of durability and abrasion resistance.     

04- Berkley XL906-15 Trilene XL Smooth Casting Service Spool 

Features

  • The Berkley Trilene XL has a rounded, smooth structure. 
  • It offers low line memory making it manageable to take out kinks and coils.
  • Available in three low visibility colors: clear, blue, and green.
  • It comes in different sizes in a range of 250 – 9000 yards. 
  • It communicates the underwater movements pretty decently.
  • Promotes easy and accurate casting. 
  • This monofilament line has superb resistance against abrasion and corrosion.
  • It has great knot strength and non-versatility.
  • Being a monofilament line, it has a remarkable stretch.
  • It comes at a really low price.

Description

The Berkley XL906-15 mono line is great tying knots and holding them well. For a monofilament, its line memory is pretty decent and manageable. It has great strength. You can cast well with this mono line. Its clear line is almost invisible when in water not to alert the fish.

Pros
  • The Berkley Trilene XL is an abrasion-resistant and strong monofilament fishing line.
  • You will find it in various choices of sizes ranging from 250 yards to 9000 yards.
  • It comes in 3 color choices that blend well in the fishing environment.
  • Its line memory is low making it a manageable line for twists and coiling.
  • It offers a decent amount of sensitivity, allowing you to feel every pull.
  • It has a rounded shape and smooth design, promoting easy casting.
Cons
  • This monoline has a lot of stretch to the line.

What is Berkley XL906-15 Trilene XL Fishing Line Best suited for?

It would help if you had resistance against corrosion and abrasion when you want to go saltwater fishing. The Berkley Trilene XL offers both of those, so ideal for saltwater as well as freshwater fishing. It offers easy casting and works well with various types of bait.  

This line can be bought in clear, blue, and green variations for different water types. It also has varying sizes from 250 to 3000 yards, depending on your needs. The price, of course, changes with size but is still very reasonable. It has a 6-pound line test.

What is Berkley XL906-15 Trilene XL Fishing Line not so good for?

Being monolines, these are not meant to last for a longer amount of time, and you would have to get new ones every six months of use or storage. 

Final summary

It is one of the best monofilament fishing lines with low memory for a monoline, to minimize the coiling, kinks, and twists. Being quite strong, these can handle big game fish because of its stretch. It can also fight abrasion due to rocks and structures underwater.

05- Stren Original Service Spool

Features

  • This is a highly tough monofilament fishing line. 
  • It comes in five color options: clear, blue, gold, and green.
  • various sizes range from 300 to 1000 yards.
  • It has a UV guard that protects its color from fading.
  • It has superb tensile strength and knot strength.
  • Its line memory is low to prevent line twist and coiling.
  • Easy to handle and cast.
  • It is also available in high visibility colors to let you see the bites from the surface.
  • Long-lasting fishing line.
  • It is affordable and offers good value of money.

Description

The stren original service pool is a highly strong fishing line as it is long-lasting and abrasion-resistant. You can easily tie knots in this line. It has a low line memory. Its UV guard protects its colour from sun damage. This line offers easy handling and easy casting.

Pros
  • The Stren original service spool is highly strong to handle the big fish.
  • It has a fair amount of abrasion resistance.
  • It is designed with a mechanism not to lose its color upon sun exposure.
  • The stren original line lasts longer than other monofilament fishing line.
  • Its line memory is low, allowing you to manage it easily.
  • Casting is quite easy with this mono line.
    It is available in five low visibility colors.
Cons
  • This is not a versatile fishing line.

What is Stren Original Service Spool Fishing Line Best suited for?

People with weak eyesight or just a preference to be able to see the line, especially at night time should get the high visibility of colours of this line. 

What is Stren Original Service Spool Fishing Line not so good for?

These are mainly popular for their high visibility along with all-around performance. 

Final summary

Its high visibility colors allow you to see your line day or night without compromising on the underwater invisibility. These are strong, durable with low line memory and easy casting.

06- Piscifun Lunker Braided Fishing Line Multifilament

Features

  • The Lunker braided line has a thin diameter. 
  • Its line memory is very low, almost none ensuring no twist and tangles.
  • It has an especial coating that makes its braids abrasion-resistant.
  • The coating also protects its color from fading.
  • Being a braided line, it has zero stretches.
  • Because of zero stretches, it offers superb sensitivity. 
  • It cuts through vegetation like a knife making it easy to snag big fish from thick cover.
  • The Piscifun Lunker braid is manufactured with Netherlands PE fiber.
  • It has super strength to reel in big game fish quickly and efficiently.
  • Its neon coating protects it from corrosion and UV rays.

Description

The Lunker is a smooth line that you can spool easily. It stands true to its strength test and shall not easily break. Some anglers like its zero stretch feature, while others who want to catch big fish don’t. It comes in superb quality and is user friendly.  

Pros
  • The Piscifun Lunker Braided line offers a high level of sensitivity.
  • It has the lowest possible line memory resulting in the rare occurrence of twists.
  • Nano coating smoothes out its shape, promoting easier casting.
  • The coating protects it from damage and extends its life.
  • It has an abrasion-resistant design.
  • It comes in 3 different colours.
  • You can choose from various test weights and lengths.
Cons
  • This braided line has almost no stretch making it tough to reel in the big fish

What is Piscifun Lunker Braided Fishing Line Best suited for?

This braided line comes in different colours so you can use it in different situations. It has zero stretch and memory, so it is not best for large fish. But it sinks fast so it can be used for deep-water fishing. It is extremely sensitive and can handle any fight the fish might put up.

What is Piscifun Lunker Braided Fishing Line not so good for?

Because of no stretch, it can be difficult for some people to catch the big fish that slip out of the lure. 

Final summary

This is made with Netherlands PE fiber to minimize its diameter without compromising the line strength. It is completely possible to have a 0.20-inch line having a test weight of 80 pounds. It is no doubt the best-braided fishing line for spinning reels with its quality fiber and Nano coating.

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Features You Need to Be Aware Before Picking Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

Invisibility

Anglers choose fishing lines that offer some level of invisibility, especially when they are headed to fish in clear water. When the fishing line is not visible to the fish, there are higher chances that they will take the bait. 

But, with invisible in fishing lines, you will also have difficulty viewing it if you are one of those anglers who like to be able to see the fishing line to know if a fish has taken the bait. 

Fluorocarbon fishing lines are the most invisible lines; you might want to use them as a leader with some other line as the main fishing line. This way, you can get the advantage of both the types of lines being able to see the mainline and keeping an invisible leader line.           

Line Colors

Fishing lines are created in various colours. The reason behind this is that some colours blend in well in certain waters. For instance, if you are fishing in a pond where the water has a green shade, using a green fishing line is a wiser choice as compared to a clear fishing line. 

Invisible or clear fishing lines are best suited for clear water fishing. Some lines have a very obvious and visible colour, but that is only visible to humans, and the fish won’t be able to see it. Choosing a line with a high visibility colour is preferred by anglers who want to see the line moving when a fish bites, especially if the line is not highly sensitive. 

Be careful that, some high visibility colours can be seen by the fish as well, like yellow colour, except in murky waters. Some colours become invisible below certain depths, for example, pink colour. This way, deep water fish might not see the fishing line, but you can easily distinguish it on the surface.      

Twisting Lines

Fishing lines that are used on spinning reels can twist, especially if the bait somehow rotates on the end of the fishing line. Good fishing lines are designed to have a low frequency of line twists. A twist on one end of your fishing line can soon tangle the whole line eventually.  Line twist can cause problems in casting by getting the fishing line tangled or by reducing the casting distance. You can use some tips to avoid line twist, like making sure that the flat side of your line-spool faces you when you put the fishing line on the reel. This way, the fishing line will go on the reel spool and come off the line spool maintaining the same direction.

Buyer Guide for the Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

best fishing line for spinning reels

To make an educated decision for choosing the right fishing line for your spinning reel, let’s discuss the core traits of each of the major three types.

Monofilament Fishing Line

The monolines are made with single strand fibre of nylon. These are the cheapest among all types and best suited for beginners. These are also the most common fishing lines throughout the world. Their unique traits are as follows:  

High Stretch-Ability

These are the most elastic of all fishing lines, and they stretch readily. It helps absorb shocks by stretching on the application of weight and recoiling on the removal of the weight. 

The high amount of stretch is a good thing to fight a big game fish for shock absorption against the fight it puts. The low tension of the cord minimizes the likelihood that the hook will tear out before setting in the fish’s mouth.

However, high stretch-ability makes the monolines less sensitive. Detecting a bite can be hard if your fishing line has a lot of stretches. It also gradually weakens the strand and increase the chances of a line break. This is why monofilament lines require frequent adjustments and replacement after a short amount of time.     

High Memory

The major problem with monofilament lines is their high line memory. A monoline spooled for a long duration will lose its straightness and start coiling. 

These coils make casting difficult and result in twists and tangles.   

Thick Line Diameter

The thick diameter of monolines puts you at a disadvantage for using it on a spinning reel. You cannot roll a lot of the efficient line because its thicker diameter acquires more space. This way, your casting distance is reduced. 

Be sure to use a fishing line that has the same pound test as your spinning reel’s rating. If you try using a thicker line, it will come off your spool during casting and make a huge mess that you will have to fix.     

Tends to Float

If you look at the buoyancy, the monolines have low density than water, which is why they float on the water. They might gradually absorb some water and sink a little, because of being slightly permeable. This is why monofilament lines work best for topwater fishing and are not suitable for deep water fishing.         

High Invisibility

Because of being very transparent, monolines work well for clear water fishing. They also come in colour tones that easily blend in the right fishing environment.    

Abrasion Resistance

Mono lines have low abrasion resistance. They can get damaged by dents, nicks, scrapes and sunlight. It can also get frayed because of its high stretch.      

Strong Knots

Mono lines have superb knot strength, and they also hold the knots well, even if faced with big fish. 

Braided Fishing Line

These are made with synthetic fibres like Dacron, Gore, Spectra and Dyneema having tightly woven strands in a braid form. The traits of the braided lines are as follows. 

High Tension, Low Stretch-ability, and High sensitivity

Braided lines have nearly had almost no stretch. They have high tensile strength making it easy to detect even the slightest motion underwater. This is why braided lines are great for finesse fishing. Their high tensile strength makes them superb for snagging big game fish out of thick cover. The high tension of the braid is also suitable for boat or kayak fishing.

But high tension can also be a disadvantage, making you set your hook too hard or too early. If the fish is too strong and fights hard, the high tension and zero stretches might rip the hook off the fish’s mouth. 

Almost Zero Memory

Braided lines have the least, almost no line memory. So it won’t twist and will retain its straight shape despite being spooled for long durations of time and won’t coil up like mono or fluorocarbon lines. It makes casting smooth and easy, even for long distances.  

Thin Line Diameter

Braided lines have a thin diameter and a lot of strength. They occupy less space on a spinning reel, letting you spool a lot of a fishing line. This results in maximizing your casting distance.

Sinks Readily

The braided line sinks faster. These are great for deep water fishing. 

High Visibility

You and the fish, both can see the braided line. Visibility is good for you but not for the fish.

Coloured braided lines can be a solution, but they lose the colour with time. You can also use a fluorocarbon leader with a braided line not to spook the fish.          

High Abrasion

Braided lines are resistant to nicks, bumps and scrapes. It might fray because of friction with abrasive objects and lose their round shape. It is best to remove the weak line when such problems occur.   

Poor Knots

Unless they have some coating, braided lines cannot hold their knots because of being slippery and slick.  

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

The fluorocarbon lines are an upgrade to the monolines. Their trades are as follows.  

Medium Stretch-ability

Their stretch is less than monolines are more than braids. They have medium sensitivity. 

High Memory

They tend to coil when left in the spool for a longer duration. This is why they are tough to manage and cast. 

Thick Diameter

Their diameter is thick but not as much as the monolines.

Sinks Readily

Fluorocarbon line sinks faster, so they are good for the deepwater fishing but not good for topwater fishing. 

High Invisibility

These are the most invisible lines. They are great for clear water and as a leader line.  

High Abrasion Resistance

Their thick coating makes them resistant to abrasion and corrosion.

What Leader to Use on a Spinning Reel?

best fishing line

Using a leader in combination with the main fishing line is a smart way to lure the fish while still being able to see the line. When fishing with a braided line, attaching a leader is almost always beneficial. The leader is a small piece of invisible line attached to the braided line and the bait. A leader is helpful in almost all fishing environments, except when the water is super dirty or when there is a risk of getting snagged.         

You can use either a monofilament leader or a fluorocarbon one. If your fishing environment has highly clear water or you want to catch seep water fish, choose a fluorocarbon leader for top water fishing, where your bait has to float on the surface, monofilament leader is your best bet.

The leader of your fishing line should be at least three to four feet long. The leader cannot be too long as you don’t want to let the knot go inside the spool. It is best to have a medium length for the leader line. You can attach five to six feet of line as the leader and change it when it becomes less than three feet, because of tying and cutting.           

How to Spool a Spinning Reel?

The first thing you want to make sure when you’re spooling a spinning reel is that you are putting an appropriate pound test line on the reel for what it’s rated for. Look for the line capacity on your spool. If you try to put bigger pound test line on your reel, it will make the line unmanageable will severely limit your casting distance. 

The next thing you want to do is you want to lay your rounded wheel flat. Open your bail, and you want to run your line through the first guide on the rod. Tie a regular overhand knot, right at the end of your line. Next, you want to take your line and wrap it around your spool and tie another knot to secure it around the spool. The key is to make sure that the first knot you tied is outside of your next knot. Tighten the second knot carefully down on the reel. As you do that, the line is going to slide right through, it’s going to tighten up, and it’s going to pull the slick knot, and it’s going to tighten up. Then you’re going to come back and clip your tag in. 

Now that, you’ve got your line tied to your reel.

The first thing you want to do is go ahead and set the spool on a flat surface and make sure that line is coming off in the correct direction. Now you want to flip your bail over and hold your hand out towards the left guide and apply a little bit of pressure to the line as you’re spooling it on the reel.

Start winding the line on the reel. You can feel the line right through your thumb and the index finger of your extended hand and keep a nice steady pressure on that reel as you reel it in. And while you’re doing that, you want to make sure that the line goes on there tight. If you put it on their loose, you’re going to get tangles all day when you first start casting. As a rule of thumb, make sure that there is an eighth of an inch to a sixteenth of an inch gap right between the top of the spool and the line.

Once, you’ve got your reel filled with line, go ahead and clip your line. Thread it through the guides. Tie your favorite lures, and you’re ready to start fishing.

Read More: Best Fishing Sunglasses

How to Put Line through the Rod?

It is very simple to put a fishing line through a rod. It only requires only a few simple steps. 

  • Lay your fishing rod on a flat surface. Now open the bail on your reel and then you’re going to take your fishing line and feed it through the guide that is closest to the reel. 
  • Now tie an arbor knot to secure the line to the reel and tighten that down and clip the extra line out. 
  • Pick up the rod, close the bail on your wheel. Check to make sure that the line is coming off your spool in a counter-clockwise direction, which usually means that the wheel is facing up. 
  • Now, either you’re going to pinch the line together to maintain some steady pressure or pinch it up against the rod. Start reeling that line onto your reel. 
  • Keeping reeling until you’ve got enough line on the spool of your reel so that there’s just about an eighth of an inch of space between the line and the end of your reel spool. 
  • When you get to that point, set your rod back down on your flat surface. Trim the line off from your spool, and you’re just going to feed it up through the remaining guides. 
  • Just make sure you’ve got maybe 3-4 feet of line hanging down from the end of your pole, and you’re ready to either tie on a hook or tie on a lure and go fishing!
That’s it!!

You have just strung a fishing poll on your own. It is super easy. Just make sure that the line goes on there tight. If you put it on the spool loose, you’re going to get tangles all day when you first start casting. It is important to do it right otherwise even the best fishing line for spinning reels will not perform well, and you might think something is wrong with the fishing line when it is all about your technique. As a rule of thumb, make sure that there is an eighth of an inch to a sixteenth of an inch gap right between the top of the spool and the line. That’s going to allow you to make sure that it is not under-spooled or over-spooled.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

What is a spinning reel? 

Fishing rods come with different mechanisms. Spinning reels is one of this popular mechanism. It consists of a cylindrical device joined at one end of the fishing rod to wind and stow the fishing line.     

When do you use a spinning reel?

People new to fishing should start with a spinning reel. They also work best in ponds and small creeks.   

Why the fishing line does gets tangled up when I cast?

Tangling can occur if you spool your fishing line too loose on the spinning reel. If you alarm a lot of fishing line out on the cast, it can also result in tangling. 

What is the ideal pound test fishing line?

Ideally, your fishing line’s weight test should match the weight rating of your spinning reel or less than that. Your choice of weight test depends upon the size of the fish you are going to catch.

In case you are not sure what fish might come your way, choose a fifteen-pound test as it will be sufficient for small to big fish.    

Is the fluorocarbon line good for spinning reels?

It is best to use fluorocarbon line as a leader with a braid as the mainline as fluorocarbon line has high memory so it can twist and tangle. If you have to use fluorocarbon as your mainline, make sure that its weight test is under 8 pounds. If you go over 8-pound fluorocarbon, the line will get tangled and won’t give good casting performance.  

What is the best all-around fishing line?

Fluorocarbon line is best for both top water fishing and deep water fishing. You can also use it as a leader with a braid as the mainline.

What is the best fishing line for baitcasting reels?

There are two schools of thoughts on this issue. Some anglers consider braided lines best for baitcasting because of their high sensitivity and casting accuracy. Others think that monolines have better knot strength and knot versatility. 

Which is better monofilament or fluorocarbon?

Fluorocarbon lines are better than mono lines as they have medium stretch, high resistance to abrasions and corrosion and high invisibility. 

Can you use fluorocarbon as a mainline?

If you wish to use the main fluorocarbon line, make sure its test weight is under eight pound. Anything over this will tangle and create a mess.   

Does the color of the fishing line matter?

Yes, some fishing environments have a green or blue tinge, where green or blue lines blend well. At times, anglers want to be able to see there line so high visibility coloured lines help in this case.  

What is the colour fishing line best?

Generally, clear fishing line blends in most fishing environments. Other times you can pick a colour closer to the shade of your water. There are some high visibility colours as well, such as red and gold for people with weak eyesight.   

Is fluorocarbon worth the money?

Fluorocarbon lines are slightly pricier than the monolines but offer much better line strength, medium stretch, lesser twist, and better casting. They are also highly invisible, cost much less than a braided line. They are definitely worth the money.       

Who makes the best fluorocarbon line?

KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line

Should the leader line be stronger than Main Line?

Yes, generally the leader line is thicker and stronger than the mainline, especially if you’re using live bait. 

Does the fluorocarbon line make a difference?

When you switch from a monofilament line to a fluorocarbon line, you feel a major difference because of its medium stretch and higher invisibility. You catch more fish, you cast better, and you feel the pulls better. 

Our Recommendation for the Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels

After reading this brief guide you are now in a good position to buy the best fishing lines for spinning reels. As well as you are now aware of a lot of things about fishing lines for spinning reels. Yet if you are confused and asked for our recommendation we would say go for Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line.

Among many fishing enthusiasts, the Power Pro brand is known for bringing top and reliability caliber into the dining table.

It includes a rather narrow diameter, so permitting you to get the absolute most line in your own spinning reel as you can.

In case your main target is catfish, this will be a superb option. Whenever you hook on a monster blue catfish, you are going to want just as much line as you may get.

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Last Words

This guide has covered all that you need to know about fishing lines. You’re going to find the top of the line product reviews of the best fishing lines for spinning reels of all three types. Summing it up, there are three major kinds of fishing lines, all suitable for different purposes.

Braided lines provide high tension and high sensitivity with almost no stretch. Fluorocarbon lines are highly invisible with medium stretch and good strength. Mono lines have maximum stretch, a decent amount of strength, and invisibility but very low sensitivity. Mono is best for beginners and frequent users. Fluorocarbon is best for clear water and works as a great leader line. Braids offer great casting accuracy and work best as the mainline with a mono or fluorocarbon leader line. 

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