What is the Best Fishing Line for Bass?

Bass fishing is an incredibly popular sport, but it can be very disappointing if you come home empty-handed after an entire day on the boat. This is why it is important to know the best fishing line for Bass before heading out for your next fishing trip.

In general, a monofilament or fluorocarbon line should hold 6-12lbs, and a braided line should hold 10-30lbs for Bass fishing. A clear line will be least visible to Bass, but blue/green also blends in and can be seen above water as well. However, different rigs and environments require different lines.

This article will help you understand the three different types of fishing lines and which is best to use for Bass fishing, including the color and weight of the line. There are also four main rigs you can use to help with your catch.

Braided Line for Bass Fishing

A braided fishing line is made from a cluster of man-made polymer strands. As the name suggests, these are braided together to form a strong, stiff fishing line. Generally, braided lines are used to catch larger bass. Braided line will also float, making it ideal for top-water fishing.

Advantages of Braided Line

The braided line is very strong. This means it is thinner than monofilament or fluorocarbon line for any given pound test rating. I will explain pound test ratings further down.

The thick braiding means it is resistant to tearing or snapping when it comes against rocks, but it can be more easily broken with sudden jots due to its lack of elasticity. But in general, a braided line is better for heavier, larger bass.

One advantage of a braided line’s lack of stretch is that it is more sensitive to movement. Therefore the angler knows when the bass has taken the bait.

Braided lines can also cut through underwater vegetation. Weaker lines will get tangled or caught, ultimately leaving you with a mess to clean up and no catch to show for it.

Disadvantages of Braided Line

Braided line does have some disadvantages. Firstly, a braided line is much more visible than a monofilament or fluorocarbon line. This may scare bass, making them less likely to take the bait. It also disturbs the water more, so Bass are able to feel the underwater vibrations from the line.

Braided line is the most expensive of the three different types of line compared to monofilament or fluorocarbon line.

Braided lines can be difficult to work with because they are tougher than other lines. This means it is harder to tie knots and harder to cut. It can also put more stress on the reel, rod, and line guides, which can wear them out quicker than if you use a monofilament or fluorocarbon line.

As I mentioned earlier, the stiff nature of the line can also make it susceptible to tears when exposed to sudden jolting movements.

Monofilament Line for Bass Fishing

Monofilament line, also known as ‘mono’, is made of a single strand of nylon. This is the cheapest and most basic form of fishing line and is the easiest to use. It is usually used to catch smaller bass because it is not as strong as other fishing lines.

Mono also has neutral buoyancy, making it float and sink slowly. This makes it ideal for top-water fishing

Advantages of Monofilament Line

As I mentioned, mono is the cheaper option out of the three main types of fishing line. The smooth surface makes it easier to use, specifically for casting and tying knots.

The stretch in the line allows Bass to get a better hold of the line to bite down and makes the line more resistant to jolts. However, because the monofilament line is the weakest of the three types of fishing line, it is most susceptible to tearing on rocks or snags.

The clear option of monofilament line is very hard to see underwater, making it almost invisible to the fish. This means you can also use it with any kind of lure.

Disadvantages of Monofilament Line

As I mentioned before, the monofilament line is not as strong as the other two types of fishing line and can snap more easily.

In order to gain strength, you need a thicker line, which takes up more space on the reel. If you want a stronger monofilament line, you must compromise on line length and casting distance.

Monofilament’s lack of strength and the lightweight nature of the line can make it difficult to fish in deep water. It is also more difficult to feel movement at the end of the line because of the high stretch properties.

The fact that monofilament absorbs water can loosen your knots, which may unravel your hook or weight. It is also UV-sensitive and has line memory. Line memory refers to the extent of curl when it is unraveled from the reel, which can lead to a tangled line.

Fluorocarbon Line for Bass Fishing

Fluorocarbon lines are another single-filament line but made from polymers such as Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF). The molecules within a strand of fluorocarbon are more tightly packed than those in the monofilament line. This increase in density is what makes fluorocarbon lines sink, unlike braided or monofilament lines.

Advantages of Fluorocarbon Line

Fluorocarbon has unrivaled translucency underwater, making it very hard for fish to see the line. It is also waterproof so that knots will be unaffected by water swelling and is easier to handle. This makes knots easier to tie as well.

There is a moderate amount of stretch, making it more resistant to wear than monofilament and less likely to snap with jerking than a braided line. This decreased amount of stretch also makes it more sensitive to movement than the monofilament line.

As I mentioned earlier, fluorocarbon line will sink when in the water, making it the easiest line to use for fishing in deep bodies of water. The line that is exposed to the sun is also UV resistant.

Disadvantages of Fluorocarbon Line

Given that fluorocarbon line sinks, this makes it unsuitable for top-water fishing. It also has very high line memory, making it very susceptible to tangles and often reducing the casting distance due to bunching.

Fluorocarbon is still on the expensive side, but overall, is a great line for most fishing endeavors.

Best Line Weight for Bass Fishing

Line weight measures the strength of the fishing line and is known as the ‘pound test rating’. This refers to how much weight the line can hold before breaking. For example, if the line has a 40lbs pound test, it can technically hold 40lbs of dry weight before breaking.

The dry weight of the fish simply refers to its weight when out of the water because buoyancy will always make an object lighter underwater.

The weight of Bass varies depending on age and type. A Rock Bass, for example, weighs approximately 1.8lbs, whereas an average Striped Bass weighs around 20lbs.  The most common game fish is the Largemouth Bass, weighing approximately 12lbs.

However, this does not mean that you need more than 12lbs line to catch a Largemouth Bass. Your fishing technique and the struggle exerted by the fish also play a part in how much your line can hold. Usually, you can use a lower-pound test line for the weight of the fish you are looking to catch.

In addition to this, fishing lines with a higher pound test become thicker and more visible underwater, scaring the Bass away. Bass can also feel the vibrations of the line underwater. So it is always best to use the lowest pound test line you can.

For these reasons, a monofilament or fluorocarbon line that can hold between 6-12lbs is recommended for general bass fishing. If you are using a braided line with a much smaller diameter for the same weight, you could get away with 10-30lbs.

If you want to fish for larger bass, you could use a bait-casting reel designed for the heavier line. In this case, you could use mono or fluorocarbon line rated at 10-15lbs, or you could use braided line rated at 30-80lbs.

Best Color Fishing Line for Bass

In general, choosing a clear monofilament or fluorocarbon line is pretty safe. This will be the hardest for Bass to see underwater.

However, a clear line is often the hardest to see above the surface, making it difficult to see subtle movements. If you want to see your line better above the water, you could use a green or blue line. This color blends in with most bodies of water, clear water being the exception.

Otherwise, you should match your line to the color of the water. For example, the yellow line is good for murky water. If you are fishing at night or targeting deeper water, all colors lose their distinction in low light; therefore, the color of the line has less impact.

Best Line for Carolina Rig Bass Fishing

The Carolina Rig is designed to situate your lure at the bottom of whatever body of water you are fishing in, whether it’s the seabed, lakebed, or riverbed.

This bass fishing rig has an offset hook and soft lure attached to the end of a leader. The leader is attached by a swivel to the main line, which has a fish eye bead close to the swivel and then a weight higher up the line.

This means the weight sinks to the bottom, and the lure is able to move freely and float around that area.

The best line to use in this situation is a combination of fluorocarbon and monofilament. Fluorocarbon will sink naturally, and the low stretch will help set the hook. For the leader, monofilament will be less visible and also float in the water.

Best Line for Drop Shot Bass Fishing

A Drop Shot Rig is a simple design where a weight is attached to the end of the line, with the hook and lure sitting 12-24 inches above. This rig allows the lure to float well above the weight, making it more visible by positioning it above dense grass or rocks. The lure also moves naturally with the water, mimicking the movement of prey.

Fluorocarbon is the best line for a Drop Shot Rig. Without a leader, strength is important, but fluorocarbon will also be nearly invisible to the Bass. The benefit of using this rig is that you don’t disturb the sediment, making it a more subtle lure. It would be counterintuitive to use line that Bass can see.

Best Line for Texas Rig Bass Fishing

The Texas Rig is a variation of the Carolina Rig. Instead of having the weight and fish eye bead on the main line, it is situated on the leader, close to the hook. This makes it easier to weave in and out of weeds.

The ideal line for a Texas Rig is a braided line. Because the Texas Rig is so good at navigating through weeds, you will be better off with a line that can cut through the weeds without getting tangled and a line that is less likely to tear. The braided line is also strong enough to handle the weight of the hook, lure, bead, and weight.

Best Line for Wacky Rig Bass Fishing

The Wacky Rig is a very simple design, consisting of a hook and lure that is tied to the end of the main line.

You can use either fluorocarbon or monofilament line with a Wacky Rig. Fluorocarbon is a more subtle choice, which will help to entice Bass. It also sinks faster than monofilament if you are aiming for deeper water. However, as a cheaper option, monofilament will still do the job.

Best Fishing Line for Bass | Final Thoughts

Overall, anglers have their own preferences for which line to use when fishing for Bass. However, there can be great rewards in choosing the best line for the type of Bass you want to catch and the location. I hope this article can help you in that process.

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