Recreational fishing can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable time to spend with your family and friends.
Fishing trips and vacations are becoming increasingly popular as they give you an opportunity to get away from your busy life and relax. But what is the point if you cannot catch good fish while you are at it? For that, you need quality equipment.
Fishing lines are at the forefront of things that affect your fishing experience. This article will look at everything you need to know about them and list the best fishing lines for a spinning reel.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Fishing Line For Spinning Reels
- OUR TOP PICK: Power Pro Spectra
- RUNNER-UP: Berkley Trilene Monofilament Custom Spool
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line
Comparison of the Best Fishing Line For Spinning Reel
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What Are The Benefits of Using Special Line For Spinning Reels?
Along with different types of fishing lines, there are also different types of fishing reels. The main types include Baitcasting, Conventional, and Spinning. They all excel in different environments. A spinning reel is the most common reel as it is easy to use and is accurate. It is perfect for beginners. Keeping in mind that you will be using a spinning reel, some of the benefits of using a quality fishing line are given below.
No Line Twist
Fishing lines can often get twisted and lose their straight shape because of being rolled and reeled multiple times. This affects the casting, which in turn affects the ability to catch fish. It is also very inconvenient and tedious to untangle the wires. A good fishing line will not have this problem. Though it is not possible to eliminate the problem completely, a quality line will make it much less frequent.
Invisibility
A line that is very visible underwater can spook the fish, causing them to not turn towards your bait. This is especially a problem in clear water. To avoid this, good fishing lines are made to be as invisible as possible to increase the chance of catching a fish. At the same time, you should keep in mind that at night, you will need to see the line to keep track of the fish.
Strength
A strong fishing line is important, no matter where you are fishing. It should be able to handle any fight put up by the fish, big or small. For that, fishing lines are made to have high tensile strength. A good quality braided line is one of the strongest and does not break when pulled. A large diameter can also add to the strength, but it also adds to the visibility, so it is a trade-off between the two depending on your preferences.
How to Choose Fishing Line
There are different types of fishing lines, deepening on certain characteristics. These characteristics determine when and how they should be used. The main things you should consider when buying any fishing line are as follows:
Material
There are three main types of fishing lines, namely monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided.
Monofilament lines are probably the oldest and are used a lot despite their shortcomings. They are good for small fish and have some stretch. Stretch is not always a good thing because it reduces the sensitivity of the line, and you are not able to detect small pulls. This type also has a twisting problem, but it is very cheap and easy to handle, so many fishermen use it for normal day to day fishing.
Fluorocarbon is a newer line that has a single strand. This line is almost invisible underwater as light simply passes through it. It is more resistant than monofilament and has less stretch. But it is stiffer and heavier, which means it sinks faster and is not suitable for fish that stay near the surface. Being heavier also means that it has more strength and can handle bigger fish.
Braided lines are used for their no-stretch and high strength features. Because of no-stretch, they are very sensitive, and you can feel even the slightest pull on it. This quality is not loved by everyone because sometimes you need some room for stretch if the fish is too big and is putting up a fight. Braids are also difficult to trim and tie. They also sometimes need leaders in the front for better invisibility. For deep water fishing, they are a good choice.
Color
The main colors of fishing lines include clear (fluorocarbon), white, green, blue, yellow, and red. The clear and white lines are general-purpose lines that you can use in most situations, especially the clear one. They become the least visible underwater. You must be thinking if invisibility is the goal, then why have colored lines. Well, water is not always clear. More often than not, it is muddy or has a green tinge (because of algae). If you are going to be fishing in such an environment, then a green line will blend in easily with the surroundings. For muddy water where you cannot see what is going on underneath, yellow is recommended to add some visibility. Blue can be used in water bodies that have less green and more blue. Red lines are probably the least used ones. They become more black underwater but are never invisible.
Memory
Fishing lines, when used and stored, are rolled up, and because of this, many of them can lose their straightness. This is their memory. A fishing line with high memory is never good. You need a line that can retain its straightness and not get tangled to make casting and reeling easier. Mono-filaments often have this problem, so you should check for the type of line before buying.
Review of the Best Fishing Line For Spinning Reels
Out of the many options available on the market, these are our picks for the best fishing lines for spinning reels. All of these are great options.
Best Overall:
Power Pro Spectra
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This line is thin yet very strong, which is perfect for a spinning reel. The different test weights let you choose which one you will need. They all work well, even the lighter ones. It is highly durable and can be used for months without the need of spooning again. The sensitivity is very high, and it lets you know about the slightest movement below.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Braided lines are always the best for spinning reels. This line is very thin so you can be sure to get invisibility and the fish won’t be scared away. Its diameter varies from 0.05 to 0.035 inches. It has no stretch, which means it will be easy to cast, go long distances, and be very sensitive. It has good tensile strength as well, so it will not break easily.
Who Will Use This Most
This line can be used in clear water because it is so thin and transparent. Depending on how much you want, it offers varying sizes, i.e., 150 to 300 yards. They can be used for almost any kind of fish like Trout, Panfish, Bass, and Walleye, etc.
Bottom Line
If you are going to be using a spinning reel, you will always hear that you should switch to a braided line. These lines have no twisting and coiling problems and are easy to use. This Power Pro line is made from top quality fibers and is smooth and round. It can handle harsh conditions as well.
Product Specs
Material:
Spectra Fiber
Color:
Moss Green, Hi-Vis Yellow , Vermilion Red , White
Available Line Weights:
3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250 lbs
Length (yards):
100, 150, 300, 500, 1500, 3000, 3500
Line Memory:
None
Runner-up:
Berkley Trilene Monofilament Custom Spool
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The stretch on this line is not too much that it becomes a hindrance. It is pretty cheap, considering its quality. This line handles well in saltwater as well. It is very strong and can handle very large fish. For a monofilament line, it does not disappoint and delivers what it promises.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Monofilament lines are some of the most common lines as they are cheaper. This line offers great strength and can be bought in test weights of up to 50 pounds. It is abrasion-resistant and is safe against sharp objects. The knot strength is also good, so you are sure that it will hold.
Who Will Use This Most
Because this is a monofilament line, it has some stretch, which means you can use it for small and large fish. It has a great shock-resistant design as well, so you can fight back when a big fish puts up a fight. You can buy it in clear, coastal brown, green, steel blue, solar, and ultra-clear colors. This means you have options for any kind of fishing environment.
Bottom Line
Many fishermen are more comfortable with monofilament lines as compared to newer models. They will work in just about any situation, you just need to know how to use it properly. This line is thin and smooth to make its use on a spinning reel easy. You also get large yard sizes i.e., 1500 yards at a low price.
Product Specs
Material:
Nylon
Color:
Coastal Brown, Solar Collector, Clear, Green
Available Line Weights:
8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120 lbs
Length (yards):
235 to 10800
Line Memory:
Low
Best for the Money:
KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This line is very cheap and loved by those that don’t really need to spend too much on a fishing line. Its invisibility helps a lot in catching fish like bass. It also does not give frequent twisting and coiling problems you often get with spinning reels.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This line is made from copolymer with fluorocarbon coating on top. This helps reduce the line’s visibility underwater and its memory. Reduced memory means easier casting and little management. This line also has low stretching, which gives you more sensitivity, and you can tell what is going on underneath. It is also abrasion-resistant and has good knot strength.
Who Will Use This Most
This line is good for clear water fishing because of the invisibility underwater. It also sinks fast so it can be used for deep-water fishing. This line will probably be the go-to choice for those looking to buy on a budget. It has a very low price, given its great quality. You can also buy it in varying diameters, i.e., 0.18 to 0.48.
Bottom Line
For a cheap fishing line, this one offers great strength and reliability. It is easy to use and cast. You can use it in any fishing situation. It can handle rocks and other obstructions well. It is very durable and should be the choice for beginners and casual users.
Product Specs
Material:
Polyvinylidene Fluoride
Color:
Clear
Available Line Weights:
4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 lbs
Length (yards):
150 and 300 yd
Line Memory:
Low
Best Fishing Line for Bass Spinning Reel:
Piscifun Lunker Braided Fishing Line
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This line is very smooth and easily spooled. It also holds up to its strength test and does not break easily. There is almost no stretch, which is appreciated by some while not so much by others that want to catch bigger fish. It all depends on usage. Other than that, the quality and ease of use are excellent.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This line has an extremely thin diameter ranging from 0.002 to 0.020 while still offering great strength and abrasion resistance to obstructions and other things. It has a braided design, which adds to its strength with a Nano-coating. Nano-coating helps with durability and smoothness. It can hold its color longer than other braided lines and retains the smoothness as well for easy casting every time. Its sharpness lets it cut through underwater plants to remove obstructions.
Who Will Use This Most
This braided line comes in different colors 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.
Bottom Line
This line uses Netherlands technology to reduce the diameter of the wire without reducing its strength. This is why you get a .20 inch thin line with 80 pounds test weight strength. This line offers good resistance and durability as well. It is everything you expect from a braided line and more.
Product Specs
Material:
Netherland PE Fiber
Color:
Black, Green, Yellow
Available Line Weights:
6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 65 lbs
Length (yards):
300 and 546 yd
Line Memory:
Low
Best Saltwater Fishing Line for Spinning Reel:
Berkley XL906-15 Trilene
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This monofilament line ties very easily and can hold the knot as well. There is some line memory, but it is to be expected with a monofilament line and is easily managed. It casts well and is pretty strong. The clear line becomes very transparent in the water, which is good for skittish fish.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find that this model makes a mark on us since this line has little memory to reduce coiling, twists, and kinks. This also reduces the management of the line. It is also very strong and can handle large fish because it has some stretch. It is also abrasion-resistant.
Who Will Use This Most
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.
Bottom Line
Saltwater fishing requires good abrasion and corrosion resistance, which this line offers. It can be used in freshwater as well. It has some stretch but not too much that it will be a problem. Its strength and durability are great, given its price. It is easy to cast and can be used with many kinds of bait.
Product Specs
Color:
Clear, Low-Vis Green, Blue Flourescent
Available Line Weights:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, 30 lbs
Length (yards):
110, 270, 250, 300, 330, 1000, 2600, 2300 and 3000 yd
Line Memory:
Low
Best Braided Line for Spinning Reel:
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Like many other braided lines, this one also fades over time, but that is not considered an issue by most users. The strength and other features remain the same. A braided line at such a low price is what attracts many buyers to it. Its durability, ease of use, and strength are what keep them coming back.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This braided line has varying diameters from 0.07 to 0.8 mm, with increasing test weights as well. It is very strong and can handle big obstructions easily. It is made from the fiber that bullet vests are made of so you can be sure of its strength and abrasion resistance. It has an 8-strand design, which adds to its strength. It is smooth and easy to cast with no memory problems.
Who Will Use This Most
The larger diameter line variation can handle up to 150 pounds. It can be used for big fish like sharks and smaller ones like trout. You can use it in both saltwater and freshwater. It has great strength. You can also buy it in different colors like Low Green, Moss Green, Multi-Color, Ocean Blue, and yellow. This gives your line the ability to blend with different fishing environments.
Bottom Line
This braided line adds to its strength with an 8-strand design. It can handle an impressive size and variation of fish. It does all that at a very low price as well. Its size varies from 327 to 1097 yards. The different colors and abrasion resistance make it suitable for all kinds of fishing.
Product Specs
Material:
Double-Knit-fabric
Color:
Low-Vis Gray, Moss Green, Yellow, Ocean Blue, Multi-color
Available Line Weights:
6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 120, 150 lbs
Length (yards):
327, 547, and 1097 yd
Line Memory:
Low
Best Mono Line for Spinning Reel:
P-Line CXX-Xtra Strong
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many people seem to use this as a leader line rather than the mainline. The moss green color blends easily in green water environments. It also has good strength, but because of its ability to stretch, it makes for a better leader line. The price of the line is also considered reasonable for its quality.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This line is available in different test weights from 4 to 40 pounds. It has high abrasion resistance and shock absorption qualities. It is also very strong and does not break easily. All of these factors make it stand out to us.
Who Will Use This Most
This line is very invisible underwater. That and the great strength make it a good choice for a leading line. It has a lot of stretch, so it is often not used as a mainline. Leaders have more advantages than disadvantages, so it is often advised to use them to protect the mainline. It is also quite cheap.
Bottom Line
All in all, this line has good invisibility and strength to fight big fish. Its abrasion resistance is good for rocks and other obstructions in the way. You can buy it at a very low price as well.
Product Specs
Material:
Polyvinylidene Fluoride
Color:
Moss Green, Smoke Blue, Crystal Clear, Hi-Vis, Flourescent Blue
Available Line Weights:
4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, 30, 40
Length (yards):
400, 600 yd
Line Memory:
Low
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
Fishing lines like other fishing equipment are made keeping in mind in what environment and for which type of fish you will be using it. But some aspects are common to every type. The things you should keep in mind are.
Stretch
Fishing lines always have some stretch to them except if it is braided. Being stretchable can be both good and bad, depending on the type of fishing you are planning on doing. If you want to feel even the slightest tug on the line, then you will prefer a non-stretch fishing line. On the other hand, some stretch can be helpful when fighting large fish as they are more forgiving. If you are not sure what to go for, then choose a line that comes in between the two extremes. Advertisers of both will highlight their benefits and the other’s disadvantages, but they can both be useful depending on how you use them.
Durability
Durability is important for anything you buy because you need to get appropriate value for the money you spend. Fishing is not done in a controlled environment, and there are many factors that can damage your equipment like rocks, dirt, etc. Your line should be able to handle that.
Leader
The fishing leader is a smaller line that is attached at the end of the mainline. They are added to increase strength and visibility. Leaders protect the mainline from getting damaged and improve casting distance. They are mostly recommended to be used with braided lines. You can also add a clear monofilament leader if your main line is too visible.
How Do You Put Fishing Line on a Spinning Reel?
If you are a novice, then it might have taken you a couple of tries to put the fishing line on the reel properly. So it is always good to have help. You can follow these steps to do it properly the first time.
- Open the bail.
- Thread the line through the first guide of the rod, making sure there are no twists.
- Do an overhead knot at the tag end.
- Make one round of the spool by the line and do a double overhand knot.
- Pull on the mainline to get to the first knot you did on the tag end.
- Cut off the tag end with scissors.
- Start winding it using the reel handle.
- Make sure there are no twists or snags.
- Stop when you get to 1/8 below the spool rim.
- When winding, the direction of the line should be the same when coming off and going on the spool.
For a clearer list of steps, it is good to have visuals. You can watch the video given below for instructions and tips.
Conclusion
While reading this article, you will have guessed that when choosing a fishing line, there are many options. But neither one is bad; they all have their uses. If you know what you are doing, then you can tell when to use what. All of the products on our list are chosen, keeping in mind the different types of fishing environments one might go to. Which one you choose really depends on your preference as they are all durable and high-quality.
People Also Ask
If you still have some questions about fishing lines, you can refer to these frequently asked questions below. These will help to clear out any ambiguities you might have in mind.
Can You Use a Fluorocarbon Line on a Spinning Reel?
You can use fluorocarbon on a spinning reel, but it is preferred to use a thinner braided line for this reel. This is because they are made for lighter lines. Other lines can still be used when needed with a little practice.
How Much Line Should be on a Spinning Reel?
Generally, you fill the reels completely and leave ¼ or 1/8 inch distance from the top. It is recommended to have at least 200 yards of line on the reel.
Does Braided Line Twist on a Spinning Reel?
Braided line has the least amount of problems with twisting compared to other lines. They are better for spinning reels.
