Choosing the Right Line

Fishing line can be a very confusing thing. There are many types of it, and we’re going to look at a few types that are popular. Before we get into details, let’s get to the bottom line.

For bass fishing, use a 6-12lb monofilament line with low memory and a green or blue tint.

In case you’re looking for some, I recommend this Trilene line.

What does “pound test” mean?

Pound test is the amount of pull a line can handle without snapping. This means that 6 lb test can handle 6 lbs of force as you reel in a fish. However, it is a common misconception that if you want to catch a fish over 6 lbs, you must use test stronger than 6 lbs. You can reel in a large fish on thin line if you are careful enough, and tire the fish out instead of muscling it in. How can you do this? Loosen your drag so that the fish can run with your line when it wants to, and reel in your line once it stops struggling. Rinse and repeat this process. After a while the fish will be too tired to exert much force and you can pull them in. Remember not to support the full weight of the fish on the line, so use a net to bring it to your boat, or keep it in the water until you can pick it up off the shore.

With that being said, beginners will want to use a heavier line than an experienced fisherman. While your first reel may have come pre-spun with 4 lb test on it, you might want to think about changing it to 8 or 12 lb test. This allows you some trial and error in learning how fish react, without loosing all of your decent sized fish.

What line is right for my reel?

If you look on your reel, it should state the range of test you can spool. Trust your manufacturer to know their product best. A reel rated for 4-8 lb test won’t operate as well with 12  lb test on it. Putting too heavy or too light of a fishing line on your reel can upset the balance that causes it to rotate at it’s optimal performance rate.

When should I use lighter pound test?

Use lighter test when you’re doing precision fishing. If you’ve got soft plastics on the end of your line and want a good response, a light line will ensure the fish can’t see your line and that your lure can move naturally.

When should I use higher pound test?

Use higher test when you’re fishing with heavy lures that have a lot of resistance or a lot of action. It is normally a good idea to put a higher pound test on your reel if you’re fishing with crankbaits, since they involve a lot of resistance in order to operate well. It’s almost always a good idea to use thicker line when you’re fishing with a spinnerbait or buzzbait because of their weight. Also, chances are, a fish that attacks a buzzbait making massive amounts of noise won’t be scared of your line.

Monofilament vs Fluorocarbon

Monofilament line is a made of a low memory material that absorbs water when submerged and stretches under tension. The stretch of a monofilament makes for a good match with fish that are line shy. A fish that tugs on a monofilament won’t get too much resistance and is more likely to take a bait. However, once a line is stretched, it’s weight capacity is weakened. Aside from this, monofilament has excellent line strength and is an all-around solid line.

Fluorocarbon line is a thicker material than monofilament, and because it is denser than water, it doesn’t absorb water in the same way, or stretch nearly as much. Fluorocarbon is popular for leader because of it’s low visibility and it’s low stretch in situations where setting a hook is important and slightly difficult.  The only bad thing about fluorocarbon is that is is not as low memory as monofilament. This means that the line retains, or remembers, it’s shape, and thus curls instead of straightening when it comes off the spool.

The popular recommendation is to use monofilament as your line and use fluorocarbon as your leader.

What color line should I use?

The color of your line should depend on the waters you are fishing. If you’re fishing clear water, then clear line is the way to go. If you’re fishing cloudy water, like most bass spots, you’re probably best off with a green color. Blue line is offered to bridge the gap between these colors. Some line companies even offer fluorescent lines so you can fish at night and during the day with a good visibility of your line, but your line disappears below the water’s surface. Line color is a matter of preference, but remember, it’s like camouflage, and you want to blend in to your surroundings as much as possible.

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