Fishing Line for Bass Fishing

Fishing Line is made up of what is referred to as the main line, in some cases with a leader in some cases with line backing. The strength of the line is measured in lbs and is called “test“. The three most common types of line are monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid each with their own characteristics and resulting usages.

Why is Fishing Line Important?

Fishing line is important for its:

Line Stretch Tradeoffs: Some types of fishing line stretches, where stretch has its advantages and some line has very little stretch (“inelastic” or “non-stretchable”) which also has its advantages. Thus, the tradeoff:
- Stretch Advantages:
  - Forgiveness: Forgiveness is the amount the fishing line stretch can absorb small mistakes during the retrieve helping in landing a bass.
    - Retrieve Mistakes: Examples include: having too much slack in the line, reel drag not set correctly, rod in the wrong position, poor hook set, etc.
  - Lure Hook Sets: Some suggest the slight delay in the hook set that results from the stretch helps reduce the possibility of pulling the lure out of the bass’ mouth. In other words, the stretch delay allows the bass to turn to further secure the lure hook set.
  - Absorbing Shock: Shock resistance is the ability of a line to avoid breaking when there is a sudden strain caused by a hard strike, a sudden snag, or a fish violently attempting to shake the hook. Shock resistance can also be absorbed by the rod for example a moderate rod being best or mitigated by lowering the reel drag.
  - Minimize Rip Mouth: When a large bass shakes its head it can create a hole to which the lure can more easily be displaced, for example, during additional head shakes including when the bass jumps. For example, when pulling a bass out of grass cover.
  - Landing a Bass: Fish control when bringing the fish to the boat is impacted by line stretch thus braid has the most control followed by higher lb test fluorocarbon. For example when pulling a bass out of grass cover.
- No-Stretch Advantages:
  - Maximum Sensitivity/Feel: Stretch in some ways is comparable to slight slack in the line as the stretch in the line will absorb information that is transferred from the lure to the rod tip. Thus, no stretch provides maximum feedback, called sensitivity or feel.
Line Visibility:
- High Line Visibility: High line visibility allows the angler to more easily watch the line to identify fish on.
- Low Line Visibility: Low line visibility helps ensure the bass doesn’t not identify something irregular about the lure, especially in high lure visibility. Low line visibility includes line size (4 to 8 lb) and line type fluorocarbon.
Cast Distance: The line type and test have a direct impact on how far a lure can be casted. For example, some suggest a low lb test braid, when appropriate, will result in the longest casts.
Buoyancy: The line type has buoyancy characteristics which will impact surface lures action, the fall rate of the lure, the depth of a horizontal presentation.
Abrasion Resistance: Hitting cover, such as rock, wood or docks, but can also include when rubbing against the side of the bass’ mouth when the fish is shaking its head.
Thickness: The thickness of the line, generally reflected in the lb test of the lure (its strength), considerations include the many advantages to thinner line that can only be realized when stronger line isn’t required.
Memory: Line memory refers to the tendency of fishing line to retain the shape of the spool it was wound on, especially after being stored for a period of time and more common in monofilament and fluorocarbon lines as compared to braided lines. This can cause problems such as line twists, reduced casting distance, and reduced lure action.

Fishing Line Options

Test: Test is the measurement of the strength of fishing line. It is measured in pounds(lbs,) and it refers to the amount of force or weight the line can withstand before breaking (when the line is fully stretched).
- Lower Test = Thinner Line: So why not always go with the stronger line? Advantages of thinner line:
  - Lower Visibility: Thinner line is harder to see. Especially a consideration when using fluorocarbon (main line or leader) with high lure visibility. Some will go as low as 4lb, albeit 7 or 8lb would be more common.
  - Further cast: Thick line is stiff, as such the thinner the line the further the cast.
  - Fastest Lure Decent: Thinner line the least resistance and thus the faster the lure falls.
  - Horizontal Presentations Lower in Water Column: For horizontal lures the line thickness creates more resistance and in some cases more buoyancy keeping horizontal lures higher in the water column. For example, a lipped crankbait will be a lot deeper on an 8lb test than a 17lb test.
  - Best (Most) Lure Action: The thickness of the line will inhibit the natural action of the lure.
  - Less Coil Up – Memory: Thick line is more likely to coil up on a baitcaster.
  - Better Bottom Feel: Some believe the thinner line provide better feel of the bottom
  - Better Drag Retrieves: The lower the test the easier it is to keep the lure on the bottom.
  - Less Disturbance: Some believe the lighter the line the less the bass will sense it via water displacement. This is specifically for horizontal presentations as the line passes close to the fish prior to the lure so the thinner line the less disturbance.
- Higher Test = Thicker Line: So why not always go with a thin line? The advantages of higher test line:
  - Harder Hook Sets: Thin line requires lower setting of reel drag to ensure the line doesn’t break when snagged or during a hook set. This makes hard hook difficult for example drop and set firm hook set generally requires thicker (stronger) line.
  - Grass Cover: Thin line will not allow for pulling bass out of thick grass.
  - Reel Drag Forgiveness: If the reel drag isn’t set correctly the line will break on a snag or a strong hook set.
  - Boat Flip Catches: Thick line allows for bass to be boat flipped depending on the size of bass and the test. Some suggest that large bass are not to be boat flipped regardless of the test.
  - Supports Heavier Lure: The whipping action of casting a heavy lure requires heavier lb test line as the line will snap.
  - Minimize Wind Knots: Typically occurring in lower lb test braided line, is wind-induced loops or tangles that take place during casting or retrieval. Wind-knots are also influenced by casting into the wind, trying to cast long distances and using light lures.
  - Bigger Fish : Not generally considered a top consideration, but the heavier the fish the heavier the test, as light line requires better drag management on the reel.

Line Type:
- Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon is known for:
  - Low Line Visibility: Fluorocarbon is known as it has the lowest visibility. As such, common as a leader.
  - Medium Stretch – Mainline Application: Fluorocarbon is commonly used for main line for horizontal presentations largely due to its medium stretch. In other words, fluorocarbon line can help with hook sets, landing a bass, absorbing shock, etc.
    - Treble Hook Lures with Baitcaster Rod: Some suggest as a rule of thumb consider fluorocarbon first when using treble hook lures on a baitcaster rod.
    - Horizontal Presentations with Baitcaster Rod: Some suggest as a rule of thumb consider fluorocarbon first when using horizontal lures with a baitcaster rod.
  - Abrasion Resistance: Fluorocarbon has high abrasion resistance as such it is commonly used when fishing when the line can come into hard/sharp cover such as stumps/standing timber, rock piles, isolated rocks and docks.
  - Other Characteristics:
    - Sensitivity/Feel: Not the reason to choose fluorocarbon, but it is more sensitive than monofilament but not as good as braid.
    - Pull/Sweep Hook Sets: Similar to monofilament, some believe it allows for better pull/sweep hook sets.
    - Buoyancy: Least buoyancy as such generally not used for surface contact lures.
    - Inflexible Require More Reties: As fluorocarbon does not bend easily and thus is known to be somewhat challenging related to its knot strength and as such it is retied more frequently then other lines.
    - Material: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) a type of plastic material.

- Braid: Braid is known for:
  - No Stretch:
    - Rod and Reel Hook Sets: Braid provide for immediate (no delay) hook sets and the most feel.
      - Drop and Set Firm Hook Sets: Some suggest braid but also suggest fluorocarbon.
    - Sensitivity: Common as mainline for bottom contact lures to maximize feel of the bottom and when fishing slow to feel the bite. Some suggest it is best in slack line presentations.
    - Heavy Grass Cover: With a high lb test, it enables anglers to pull the fish out of the grass cover quickly.
    - Castability: As braid line is the thinnest, at the same lb test, braid line will cast the furthest. 8 strand coated braid has the furthest cast distance of all braids.
      - Spinning Rod: Common for light main line on a spinning rod when cast distance is important for example with light horizontal presentations, for long distance follow-up baits, and when skipping from longer distances.
    - Memory: Lowest memory resulting in it flowing freely for long cast as there is no, or little, coiling.
    - Maximize Lure Action: If using the rod to create action on the lure braid provide immediate action to the lure for example walk retrieve and jerk retrieve.
  - Other Characteristics:
    - Colored Line: Braid comes in colored line which can help with anglers that are line watchers.
    - Low Shock Strength: Least protection from quick sudden jerks including when retrieving a bass which in some cases compensated by heavier lb test or more moderate action/taper rod.
    - Size: Often have 1/3 to 1/4 the diameter of monofilament or fluorocarbon lines at a given test breaking strength.
    - 8 Strand: The 8 strand braid is slightly more sensitive than the 4 strand.
    - Low Abrasion Resistance: Some say braid is not abrasion resistant even though it is the best to get through grass. As such, it is suggested to check line frequently when fishing wood, rock, or dock cover. 4 strands is more abrasion resistant than 8 strand braid.
    - Higher Buoyancy: Braid floats more than the denser fluorocarbon and is one of the reasons it is chosen when fishing surface contact lures in heavy grass cover.
    - Low Memory: Braid is least likely to have line memory.
    - Leave a Small Tag: Some believe when tying braid to a lure that when cutting the tag off leave some length to it to accommodate a small amount of slippage when setting the hook or landing the bass.
    - Material: Individual strands of synthetic fibers of materials braided (or woven) in 4 or 8 strands. (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)). Some are coated to enhance abrasion resistance and color retention.

- Monofilament: Monofilament is known for:
  - Highest Buoyancy: Highest buoyancy and thus used to keep the lure higher in the water column and counter the lure sinking. As such, some use monofilament in surface contact lure applications that are not near heavy cover. Not typically used when fishing deep in the water column.
  - High Stretch = Forgiveness: As monofilament has the highest stretch (up to 25% more than fluorocarbon) it provides maximum forgiveness as the line will remain tight the longest as compared to other line types. Lower lb test has more stretch than higher lb test.
  - Other Characteristics:
    - Knot Hold: Some suggest that monofilament knots are least likely to break.
    - Material: Single strand of nylon polymer.
    - Medium Visibility: Better than braid but not as good as fluorocarbon.
    - Least Cast Distance: Partially due to its width.
    - Quality: Some suggest there is a wide variety of quality (durability) and recommend the higher quality(cost) line.
    - Sometimes Used as Leader: Not as transparent as fluorocarbon but sometimes used for non-cover contacting surface contact lures. Plus, sometimes used with horizontal presentations to add stretch and increase buoyancy. In some instances to increase lure height in the water column for example carolina rig leader.

- Less Common Lines:
  - Copolymer line: Is two different nylon polymers and has similar characteristics as monofilament line except it is much thinner at the same lb test, more abrasion resistance, less visibility and more cost.
  - Superline: Similar to braid (actually micro dyneema fiber) but more slick for long casts but it floats like monofilament.

Additional Considerations

Leaders: Fishing line tied to the end of the main line typically fluorocarbon leader line to braid main line common for spinner rod applications and generally to minimize line visibility. Also, typically used when lure visibility is high and medium.
- Fluorocarbon Leader: Common as it is least visibility.
- Monofilament Leader: Less common, as it isn’t as low visibility as fluorocarbon leader, as such used when more buoyancy is desired. Some suggest using monofilament leaders with top water lures to maximize cast distance while helping ensure lure action with buoyant leader line and to introduce some stretch to help with hook sets and landing a bass.
- Lb Test: Generally, leaders have a lower lb test, thus being thinner and to further maximum.
- Swivel to Prevent Line Twist: In some instances, some suggest using a swivel between the main line and leader, primarily to reduce line twist. Some lures, for example the carolina rig, that is how the lure is rigged. Adding a swivel can result in a reduction of the length of the leader and can make casting more challenging as the swivel needs to reside outside the guides/eyelets.
- Flipping: Some suggest that flip casting with braid to fluorocarbon leader in high lure visibility scenarios. This also provides a sight stretch that some suggest can help with heavy hook sets.
- Length:
  - Short: 1 to 3 ft leaders
    - Low Lure Visibility: Some suggest that in low lure visibility scenarios there is no advantage of a longer leader – some suggest no leader is required.
      - Leader Knot out of Guides: A short leader will keep the knot out of the rod guides as the guides produce knot abrasion making the knot weaker over time.
  - Common: Generally a length that keeps the main line/leader knot out of the bail to avoid the knot interfering with the cast. Some suggest using a FG knot will eliminate this challenge.
    - Multiple Use: Although a smaller leader will keep the knot out of the bail the longer leader will allow for multiple lure reties after break offs before a new leader is required (example drop shot).
  - Long: Some suggest longer leaders to maximize lure action.
- Knots in Cover: Some suggest avoiding using leaders or using long leaders when there is a potential the knot will come into contact with cover during the retrieve for example docks, stumps/standing timber, brush, boulders, etc.
- Check for Frays: Some suggest checking for frays after catching a fish or when the line comes into contact with cover.

Backing the Line: Backing the line is spooling on different fishing line first, typically braid or monofilament, to create a backing for the main line.
- Goal – Maximum Casting Distance: Backing the line will help ensure a full reel which helps maximize casting distance.
- Goal – Invest Most in Main Line: Some suggest using the best line for the main line and using a lower cost line for backing. Then replace the main line and preserve the line backing.
- Line Type: Monofilament or braid line can be used for backing the line but some prefer monofilament as it is less likely to spin on the reel as compared to braid, it is thicker so will use less line, and generally is less expensive.
- Colored Backing Line: Some use a different color braid backing line when using a high quality main line so it is easy to identify the backing line when the main line needs to be replaced. Backing line doesn’t need to be replaced as it isn’t used.

Line Care: Keep the reels out of extreme temperatures.
Fish Control: Fish control when bringing the fish to the boat is impacted by stretch thus braid ha
s the most control followed by higher lb test fluorocarbon.
Check for Frays: When fishing hard cover or after catching fish check the lower part of line for frays.
Reduce Line Memory: To reduce line memory in monofilament soak the line in water or purchase line lubrication, avoid storing reel in extreme temperatures, use braid line backing and replace the monofilament frequently, periodically stretch the part of the line in use and/or purchase higher quality monofilament.
Rod Recommend Test: Starting point for line test selection is often the rod itself as it will outline the optimal recommended line test. Spinning rod will have lower test recommendations then baitcaster rods.
Rod Recommended Lure Weight: Lure weight impacts the line test selection but a quick way to get guidance for line test based on lure weight is on the rods themself. Rods provide optimal lure weight near the optimal test. In other words, if you know the weight of the lure, your rods will give you a starting point and in many ways relative scale for selection line test.