Edited by: Kenneth Reaves
Reviewed by: Michael DarmontLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Braided Line: Sufix 832 Advanced Superline (click to view)
“The Sufix’s proprietary braided fibers give you great abrasion resistance and casting distance, and the strength to fish around vegetation and structure.”
Best Fluorocarbon Line: Berkley Vanish (click to view)
“Berkley Vanish is made from their latest technology in invisible fishing lines. The fluorocarbon refracts light like water and doesn’t absorb any water, making it a perfect line to use as a leader or around shy bass.”
Best Monofilament Line: Stren High Impact (click to view)
“The Stren is a high shock absorbing line that can handle hard strikes from big fish while fishing through vegetation. Fantastic for hard fighting bass and other species.”
Bass fishing can be a tricky and intimidating adventure for anglers. You need to have the right gear to get bites and land the fish you hook, and your fishing line is an essential equipment since it links you directly to the fish.
When bass fishing, your line should match the lure or bait you’re using, it must be durable to fish around vegetation, and be almost invisible for the bass.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which line to buy and which will work best for you. So we’ve done the research and will be giving you a breakdown of the different kinds of lines, when they work best, and our top picks for each line type.
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Table of Contents
Best Bass Fishing Lines 2021
- Best Overall Braided Line: Sufix 832 Advanced Superline
- Best Premium Braided Line: PowerPro Spectra
- Best Budget Braided Line: SpiderWire Stealth
- Best Overall Fluorocarbon Line: Berkley Vanish
- Best Premium Fluorocarbon Line: Sunline Super FC Sniper
- Best Budget Fluorocarbon Line: Seaguar Red Label
- Best Monofilament Line: Stren High Impact
- Best Premium Monofilament Line: Berkley Trilene Big Game
- Best Budget Monofilament Line: KastKing Monofilament
What is the Best Fishing Line for Bass Fishing?
The best fishing line depends a lot on personal preference and the situation you’re fishing. Monofilaments are great for beginners and topwater baits. Braided lines are susceptible and don’t have any stretch or line memory. Fluorocarbon lines sink, have the highest abrasion resistance, and make the best leaders for multiple rigs. We’ll give you three of the best lines on the market for each type and tell you where they’re best used.
Best Braided Bass Fishing Lines
A braided fishing line is made by braiding multiple strands of fibers together, typically in 4,6, and 8 strand lines. The braided construction allows the line to have the same strength as monofilament lines at a much smaller diameter. Braided lines have no line memory, are typically cast further, and are more sensitive than other lines.
Sufix 832 Advanced Superline
Best Overall Bass Fishing Line: Features excellent abrasion resistance, casting distance, and the strength to fish around vegetation and structure
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KEY FEATURES
- Proprietary GORE fiber increases durability
- Thinnest braid in its class
- Low-vis green works in most situations
One of the best qualities to look for in a line for bass fishing is for it to be able to disappear in the water. Sufix 832 Advanced Superline is incredibly thin, making it hard for fish to see, and the low-vis green blends well in most bodies of water. A solid choice for most anglers in most situations, Suffix 832 is a great choice for any angler looking to use braided lines in various situations.
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Fishing Line Specs
Suffix 832 Superline features 7 Dyneema fibers braided with a core proprietary GORE fiber, enhancing abrasion resistance and reducing line vibration. At 32 weaves per inch, the fishing line is incredibly strong and durable, making it an excellent choice for any bass angler.
Best Times To Use It
Low-vis green is an excellent overall color to help blend into most freshwater. The line works best in small ponds, lakes, and other murky bodies of water and is a solid mainline for any size bass.
PowerPro Braided Spectra Fiber
Best Premium Bass Fishing Line: Excellent casting distance and sensitivity in a braided line
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KEY FEATURES
- Variety of colors and weights
- Enhanced treatment for roundest shape possible
- Superior sensitivity
PowerPro is the best choice for anglers looking to cast long distances and have the most sensitivity. The line cuts through the air and water like butter, allowing it to cast extreme distances with precision. PowerPro is also one of the most sensitive braided lines you can find, making it ideal for fishing finicky fish.
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Fishing Line Specs
PowerPro is constructed by weaving eight Spectra fibers and then treated with a coating to ensure a round shape. Both the number of fibers and coating contribute to its abrasion resistance, and the round shape gives it a smooth feel in use or the hand.
Best Times To Use It
PowerPro is a spectacular fishing line that you can use in any situation. The best conditions are when you need to cast long distances or need the extra sensitivity to feel small nibbles around structures. Also, try to match the color to the water you’ll be fishing for added stealth. It comes in various colors and weights to match any fishing situation you might come up against and has the pedigree of being a top-quality braided line.
SpiderWire Stealth
Best Budget Bass Fishing Line: Braided line that blends in the water
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KEY FEATURES
- Colors and camos to blend into the water
- Excellent abrasion resistance and strength
- No stretch in the fibers means great sensitivity
The best choice for anglers who prioritize stealth is the SpiderWire. The lines come in camos and colors to match the water you’re fishing and blend in better than other lines. On top of this, you aren’t sacrificing any strength or sensitivity to get that blended camo.
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Fishing Line Specs
SpiderWire is made from eight woven strands of Dyneema fibers. Like other lines, it’s solid for its weight class and diameter. However, SpiderWire stands out most for its color lock technology, keeping your line from fading and making its superior camouflage last as long as possible.
Best Times To Use It
SpiderWire works best in bodies of water that match its color. So buying blue camo is an ideal choice for anglers in deep and clear lakes. Other camos include Moss Green and translucent, giving you great stealthy options for casting to bass.
Best Fluorocarbon Bass Fishing Lines
Fluorocarbon is made just like monofilament but out of heavier and denser materials. As a result, it only stretches under serious conditions and doesn’t lose sensitivity the way monofilament does. The best part of fluorocarbon is that underwater it’s almost invisible, making it perfect for leader materials. However, remember that fluoro knots can fail, and the line’s high memory can cause kinks, so it’s better for experienced anglers.
Berkley Vanish
Best Overall Bass Fishing Line: Heavy and sinks while refracting light like water does to blend in perfectly
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KEY FEATURES
- 100% fluorocarbon helps refract light
- Ever-improving Vanish Formula
- Sinking line works well for leaders
Fluorocarbon might be an amazing leader material but that doesn’t stop Berkley Vanish from being a great bass fishing line. It’s best for anglers fishing clear water when other lines are easily visible.
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Fishing Line Specs
This line for bass is 100% made of fluorocarbon materials. It is heavy and sinks while refracting light like water does to blend in perfectly. Unlike fluorocarbon, it doesn’t absorb any water, maintaining line strength and abrasion resistance.
Best Times To Use It
Since fluorocarbon sinks and is nearly invisible, the best times to use it are as leader material for Texas rigs and other rigs that you fish on the bottom. It can also make a great line choice for anglers in crystal clear lakes when other lines would be easier to see for the fish.
Sunline Super FC Sniper
Best Premium Bass Fishing Line: Ideal for fishing around structures with sharp edges like rock piles and trees
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KEY FEATURES
- Triple resin coating for softer handling
- Lower memory than other fluoros, making it easier to use
- Extreme abrasion resistance for fishing structure
Fluorocarbon stands out from the other fishing lines because of how tough it is when grinding against structures. Sunline Super FC has exceptional abrasion resistance and is best for anglers spending time around rock piles and structures that could cut them off.
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Fishing Line Specs
Along with the other benefits of fluorocarbon we’ve discussed, the triple coating on this line makes it easier to handle. It has a lower lion memory than other fluorocarbons, and that mitigates the risks of failed knots and kinks in your line. It’s also the best abrasion resistance you can find in its line class.
Best Times To Use It
This line for bass works best when fishing around structures. Any time you’re worried about breaking off or shredding your line, this is your best friend. Fish it as a leader or mainline around rock piles, trees, and other structures.
Seaguar Red Label
Best Budget Bass Fishing Line: A solid fluorocarbon line that won’t break the bank
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KEY FEATURES
- Clear finish underwater
- Solid abrasion resistance
- Better knot strength than other fluorocarbons
If you’re looking for a solid, general fluorocarbon line that won’t break the bank then look no further than Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon. It’s a typical fluorocarbon, almost invisible, with high abrasion resistance and solid sensitivity. This line is best for anglers looking for an affordable mainline of fluorocarbon balking at the price of more expensive lines.
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Fishing Line Specs
Like others, this line for bass is 100% made of dense fluorocarbon material. It’s fast to sink and great to work around structures. Sadly, nothing sticks out about its construction aside from it being a solid fluorocarbon line.
Best Times To Use It
This line for bass is best used as a leader material or to be fished around the structure. Try to use a heavier fluorocarbon than your mainline for extra strength.
Best Monofilament Bass Fishing Lines
Monofilament line is exactly as its name describes. It’s a single filament of line, typically nylon, that is stretched into a thin tube. The plastic has some stretch to it, has line memory when left on a spool, and is buoyant, making it great for topwaters.
Stren High Impact
Best Overall Bass Fishing Line: Fantastic for hard-fighting bass and other species
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KEY FEATURES
- Great shock absorption
- Monofilament stretch for hard head shakes
- Floats and is perfect for topwaters
The old classic monofilament line, Stren ups the ante with a High Impact Line. It’s best for anglers fishing for big bass that hit hard. With a few choices for line color, you can help minimize the line’s visibility.
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Fishing Line Specs
The thick monofilament line is excellent for durability and shock absorption. Where other fishing lines may break on heavy strike, this line for bass will bear the load. It comes in a few different colors and weights to match the size of fish and body of water you’re fishing as well, making it an excellent choice for most anglers.
Best Times To Use It
The best time to use monofilament is if you’re a beginner or fishing topwaters. It holds knots well and is easy to pick through if it backlashes. It’s also buoyant, allowing it to float on the surface when fishing topwaters and floating lures.
Berkley Trilene Big Game
Best Premium Bass Fishing Line: For anglers flipping topwaters across heavy vegetation
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KEY FEATURES
- Great abrasion resistance
- Controlled stretch adds to your fighting power
- Multiple colors to maximize stealth
Berkley Trilene Big Game is made to control hard-fighting fish. Their controlled stretch and strength give you the edge during longer fights and help you to keep your fish on the hook. It’s best for anglers flipping topwaters across heavy vegetation and great at pulling bass from the grass.
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Fishing Line Specs
This monofilament combines the best from other brands. It has excellent abrasion resistance and durability. It also is made to have a controlled stretch that enhances your control during a fight without overdoing it.
Best Times To Use It
This line for bass is fantastic for flipping lures in heavy vegetation. It is strong and best used around structure and on topwater baits. Use it around grass, tree, and other structures that could catch your line, as the stretching monofilament can help you get unstuck without cutting off.
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KEY FEATURES
- Unique formula for better strength and durability
- Smooth casting and low line memory
- Colors and weights for all anglers and situations
For beginners, monofilament can do it all. KastKing Monofilament Line is a great choice for beginners and anglers on a budget due to its low line memory, smooth use, and variety in colors and weights.
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Fishing Line Specs
Their unique formula makes this line for bass extra durable and hard to wear out. Its low memory makes it better at holding knots and keeps it from kinking or backlashing as often as other lines. In addition, the dense nylon strand is highly abrasive resistant and great for fishing bass.
Best Times To Use It
Like other monofilaments, this one is best for topwater lures and fishing bigger bass, but it’ll work in almost any situation. Try to match colors with the water you’re fishing to help keep it less visible in the water.
How To Choose The Best Fishing Line Based On Your Technique
Carolina Rigs
Quite simply, you’ll nearly always be fishing Carolina rigs on the bottom. Fluorocarbon is your best bet since it sinks to the bottom where you need your rig, and its abrasive-resistant qualities are great for fishing around rocks and trees. You can use a full fluorocarbon line or just a fluorocarbon leader for your rig.
Texas Rigs
Just like Carolina rigs, fluorocarbon lines are your best bet. Whether you use it as a mainline or leader, the line needs to sink to the bottom and react when you pull it. For extra sensitivity and sink, use braided lines with a fluorocarbon leader.
Deep Diving Crankbaits
Use a leader of either monofilament or fluorocarbon. Monofilament is best because it floats, and it’ll help your lure complete its natural movement easier and quicker in the water.
Questions & Answers
What is the best line color to use?
The best way to choose a line color is to match it to the water you’re fishing. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible regardless. However, when selecting a braid or monofilament, use one that mimics the water. Moss green is an excellent color for murky water, while blue or translucent is suitable for clear water. Freshwater can be tricky to judge; some areas may be clear, while others are murky in the same body of water.
Does the type of lure affect which fishing line I should use?
Absolutely. If you’re fishing a topwater, you want a line that floats. Monofilament works best since it’s buoyant and sits on top of the water. Using rigs that work around the bottom, like Texas and Carolina Rigs, you want a line that sinks like fluorocarbon.
What is the best line to use for pond or lake fishing?
Braided line or monofilament is the best choice for pond and lake fishing, with a fluorocarbon leader. You can either hide your line better with a braided line or use the monofilament stretch to your advantage while fishing a fluorocarbon leader to hide it from the fish. Try to use an appropriate line for the lures you’re using too.