When angling for the big fish, the fishing line matters. That is why we bought the best fishing lines out there and tested them to give you the information you need. Just like a gambler checks all aspects to find a trustworthy online casino, our experts tested these fishing lines in different environments. They varied from rivers to lakes and bays and anything in between.
We made notes of how each fishing line performed there. Whether it’s about strength, memory, or casting, all metrics are taken into account. Thus, our comprehensive review can lead you to the right fishing line for you.
Best Overall Fishing Line
The SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo-Braid fishing line is number one on our list. It combines strength, feel, and low visibility in the water. Indeed, this line casts better than others. It is of uncommon blue color, which camouflages perfectly in the streams and lakes where we tested it. We didn’t notice the memory of this line. And it is good if you’ve ever had to manage wind knots.
The only downside we discovered is that the line is too strong. If a hook or lure gets stuck, you’ll most likely lose it. Also, this color might not work well in all types of water. You should consider it. So, if you are in search of the best fishing line, you can’t go wrong with the SpiderWire Stealth.
Best Bet for Small Reels
When it comes to the feel, the KastKing SuperPower Braided line is beyond compare. We always knew when a fish was biting. It helped us set the hook quickly once they took the bait. It also gave us satisfactory abrasion resistance and casting distance.
The diameter of this braided line is smaller than a similar mono line. It means we could wind up more of it on a small reel. We benefited from that during our hiking to a secret spot when we wanted to take the smallest and lightest gear.
Now, we turn to the downsides. First, if you’ve ever dealt with a knot at a braided line, you know what we are talking about. This line might even be more difficult than other ones. Second, when spooling this line, we got our hands rubbed off with dye.
We face this issue neither with the SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo-Braid’s blue line nor with Trilene XL. Nevertheless, if you want to buy a fishing line with an incredible feel, KastKing SuperPower Braided is your best bet.
Best for Sneaking Up on Fish
The Berkley Vanish excels at catching big fish. According to its name, it was almost invisible in the water. Another feature is its sensitivity. We were able to feel even the smallest bites. It has a relatively low memory for a fluorocarbon line, and that’s a plus. Another plus is that it sinks faster than the other lines.
The only issue we faced was its casting distance. While it surpasses most of the monofilament lines we tested, the KastKing Superpower Braided is better. All in all, if you want a sensible and strong line that is almost invisible in water, look no further than the Berkley Vanish.
Best Choice for Regular Fishing
If you need a fishing line to get the job done well in any environment, set your sights on the Berkley Trilene Big Game. It proved to be resistant to abrasion. The line was nearly impossible to break in our tests. This line is great, whether for casting with a lure or just dropping a hook with a worm on it. When it came to knot strength, it was first among the best. We were confident that a tied knot would hold.
However, there are some disadvantages. This line had a stretch, which reduced its feel. We missed a few bites, and setting a hook was an issue several times. Some issues may occur if you leave this on the reel for a longer time. In brief, this line was good for diverse techniques. It is a good choice for everyday fishing.
A Good Value for Money
If you are looking for a mix of features at a fair price, look no further than the tried and trusted Berkley Trilene XL. In spite of the lack of some features we found on the SpiderWire Stealth and Berkley Vanish lines, it makes up for it with quality and versatility. It has a relatively low memory for a monofilament line.
This feature helps it resist kinks for smooth casting. Simply put, we consider it the best mono line when it comes to casting performance. It ran smoothly on multiple rods. And that helped us place the bait anywhere. As a versatile fishing line, it works equally well in fresh and saltwater.
One of the few drawbacks of this fishing line is its low abrasion resistance. Though it’s better than other mono lines we tried in the same conditions, breaking it was still quite easy. We faced it a few times when it ran over some rocks. For this very reason, we lost a few lures to the rocky riverbed and lakeshore.
So, if abrasion resistance matters, choose the Big Game. However, it has more memory than the Trilene XL. On the contrary, if the level of abrasion resistance isn’t important, we recommend picking up the Berkley Trilene XL. It is a good product at a low price.
Conclusion
A fishing line is crucial angling equipment. Before purchasing one, it makes sense to consider your preferred type of fishing. No matter what it is, we included a range of lines in our review. So you can find one that suits your needs. We hope our conclusions help you select the right product. Now get out there, drop a rod, and bring back a fish to brag about for years to come.