If you got a new fishing pole recently or are just looking for a different type of line to use, you are probably overwhelmed by the number of options, as well as some of the terminology. What is a resistance rating, for example? To help you, we’ve created this essential guide. We want you to pick the fishing line that will help you catch the fish you are angling for.
How should I choose which fishing lines to use?
- Select the fish that you want to hunt
- Plan your line around the fish
- Check the temperature of the area you are fishing in.
- Pick the Type of Line
- Select the Weight of the Fishing Line
- Correctly adjust the slack in the line
- Make small corrections
- Double-check the bait and area
Choosing the correct weighted fishing line can be a challenging feat, especially if you never really paid attention to it before. You can still catch any size fish with smaller lines, but it makes more sense to purchase a line weight based on the size fish that you want to capture. Aside from the correct weighted test fishing line, it would help if you also had the proper type of fishing pole reel.
What Does lb (Pound) Mean in Fishing Line?
The pound rating is a measurement for a fishing line that tells you how many pounds of pressure it takes to break the fishing line – essentially the most amount of pressure the fishing line can take at its weakest point before snapping.
This measurement means that a 10 lb line would need a minimum of 10 pounds of force to break the line. It does not account for cuts, knicks, or anything else that could happen to your line while being cast out. If your fishing line gets caught on a rock, or in between a sharp point on a log, then it would be damaged and would not take ten pounds of pressure to break.
An eight-pound monofilament fishing line will need the same amount of pressure to break as a braided eight-pound fishing line.
The type of line will dictate the thickness and quality of the line that it takes to achieve the breaking point or pound rating. When picking a line strength, you want to consider the type of fish you are hunting.
Using the pound test is the best way to purchase your fishing line. The pound rating is used to determine what type of fish to fish. Stay in your weight class when selecting the pound ranking, if fishing for trout uses the 2-4 pound fishing line.
When saltwater fishing, you need to select thicker lines, 16+ pounds for saltwater breeds. It would help if you also had the correct reel for saltwater fishing. The fishing pole reel is just as important as the fishing line strength.
Setting the correct drag percentage will help prolong the life of a single fishing line. If you set it too low, then the fish can easily break the fishing line; if you set it too high, then the fish can take off pulling out too much line.
The most recommended setting for the drag amount is 25-30%. The easiest way to determine this is to take the rating from the line you buy and divide it by 4. Then measure the drag with a scale.
Finding the Drag in My Fishing Line
Finding the correct drag percentage is not always easy. Fishing noob.com gives a detailed guide on how to set the exact Drag percentage on a spinning reel.
Setting the correct drag in my fishing line:
- Mathematically figure out the exact weight by dividing the weight limit by 4
- Tie the fishing line to the hook of the scale
- Hold the rod at a 45-degree angle and pull down on the spring scale
- When the drag begins to slip is how many pounds of pressure it takes to make the line drag.
- Adjust the reel accordingly until you get to the proper drag setting.
Most people have trouble with setting the drag, or they set the drag one time and think that it applies to all lines. Setting the drag should be done with every fishing session. Every time you change a fishing line, and after a severe catch.
Different reels have different dials for adjusting the drag on the fishing line.
Here is a YouTube video that shows you how to check the drag on your line.
What Size Fish can You Catch With a 10 Pound Line?
The world record was a 415-pound fish caught by Richard Hart on a 2-pound line! The line strength has nothing to do with the size of the fish that you can find. You can angle any fish with any strength line; however, it is a good rule of thumb to aim for the average size of the species you are searching to find.
It could be easy to pick up a reel of 500-pound fishing line to go out and fish for just about anything, a fishing line that size on a standard pole isn’t practical. For most non-competition fishing or recreational fishing, the 10-12 pound line will work just fine.
You could catch anything 10 pounds and under with no slack tension in your fishing line. However, that is not the full case as you need to adjust for drag in the fishing line. The pull in the fishing line allows the fish to tire, lowering the chance that the fish will break the fishing line.
Adding the proper drag can help limit the fish’s ability to fight back; it prolongs the battle, which allows you to catch larger fish. You also want to use heavier fishing lines for thick vegetation areas where the tackle can quickly get stuck on aquamarine plant life.
Understanding the Species that you are Fishing For
Some fish swim faster than others, and some are lazy, some active. Understanding the species of fish that you are hunting will help you pick the perfect line strength to fish. If you are fly catching a faster fish that packs a lot of punch, then you are going to want a stronger line than the fish weighs.
The time of year or temperature can also affect how the fish move, being cold-blooded animals; the water temperature has a direct effect on the fish’s metabolism. Slower moving less hungry fish are less likely to give a massive fight due to a lack of energy.
If you are fishing for blue marlin, you would need a 400 lb line with no tension slack to catch this fish or a steel cable. If the slack is appropriately adjusted, you can pick these fish with a 30-pound line easily. They move fast, they fight a lot, and they are always migrating.
Catfish like densely wooded areas and will run away, facing minimal resistance. Catfish will try to sink away when caught, and hide; for that reason, you need a heavier weighted line than the fish because an object in motion will stay in motion unless an equal or greater force causes it to change.
Physics Plays a large Part in The Line Strength
Newton’s second law of physics states that force is equated to mass multiplied by acceleration. The marlin would need to exhort 53 Newtons of energy, to snap the 12-pound fishing line. That is the equivalent of a 200-pound marlin moving 1.57 feet per second away from the fishing line; The equivalent to accelerating at 1mph.
If the Marlin can swim 50-80 mph, then no line would catch a marlin in action or movement. The fish must be sitting still, and have enough slack tension to avoid the fishing line from snapping when the marlin is fighting back. As long as you can keep the marlin within the correct range, then you would be able to control the marlin.
The same marlin would need to accelerate at 32 feet per second or about half a mile at full strength To break a 200lb fishing line. The catfish has an easier time breaking a 12-pound line because the fish is not in motion; as it gains momentum, the catfish is applying more force to the fishing line than the marlin.
The catfish that does a straight dive at full speed can only exhort 1.53 pounds of force on the fishing line at 1 foot. However, since you are sometimes unaware that the catfish has even bitten the line until they start swimming away, the catfish has already gained enough acceleration to break the 12-pound fishing line. Or the same amount of energy as the marlin to snap a fishing line.
The difference is the acceleration in which both fish have the capability of accomplishing in a short amount of time. The marlin doesn’t have space or momentum that the catfish has with the same weighted fishing line. Remember, too, that at a 25% slack, then there is an extra 3lbs of pressure before the Marlin even starts applying pressure on the fishing line.
Always go heavier unless you are going for sport fishing.
Types of Lines and Their Uses
Monofilament fishing line is the most popular fishing line on the market; most people use monofilament fishing line without realizing that that is what they are using. The Monofilament fishing line is not as strong as other types of fishing lines. The monofilament fishing line is the cheaper of all of the options and the popular choice for saltwater fishing.
Braided fishing line is stronger than monofilament, so you can get more line on a spool than you would be able to with monofilament line. The braided line will work better than monofilament and cast farther, sink faster because of the increased diameter of the fishing line.
Fluorocarbon Fishing line is the medium strength of the three and is used as a leader and is practically invisible underwater. Fluorocarbon is also less porous than monofilament, so It absorbs less water than a monofilament fishing line. Fluorocarbon doesn’t dry or crack in the sun, making it a long-lasting fishing line as well.
Wire fishing line is a trolling line for deeper waters or even ocean fishing. The wire is stronger than all of the other fishing lines. The reason it makes a phenomenal trolling line is that it can sink without heavy-weights and stands up during strong currents and boat movement.
| Monofilament | Braided | fluorocarbon | Wire | |
| Strength | X | XXX | XX | XXXX |
| Spool Strength | X | X | X | XXX |
| High Friction Knots | Yes | NO | Yes | NO |
| Visibilityunderwater | Low | Medium | Lowest | High |
| Difficulty | Low | Medium | Medium | hard |
| Used as a leader | No | No | Yes | no |
Best Monofilament Fishing Line
In our research, we’ve found Momoi (click to view on Amazon) brand monofilament fishing line to be some of the most reliable fishing lines out there. It comes in all sorts of colors and strengths. Their high catch series tends to be the most popular of the fishing line types that they manufacturer.
The Momoi brand does have a lower memory, so it won’t spool up on you when reeling it in. This small memory feature helps to avoid the dreaded bird’s nest mishap. The chemical stability of the Momoi is slightly unstable, which means that it can corrode fast. Given that all monofilament lines have an unbalanced chemical composition, Momoi does seem to last a bit longer than other brands.
Momoi is very user-friendly, easy to install, and doesn’t snag a whole lot of rocks. I have cast this out in semi-rocky areas and didn’t have any cut lines. It is a little on the pricy side of things but will be the only spool you will need all season.
Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
The Seaguar brand red label (click to view on Amazon) is best in class for the fluorocarbon fishing line. The Fluorocarbon fishing line is easy to cast and practically invisible to fish. The Seaguar is available in most retail stores and is not an expensive line.
The Seaguar is an excellent reel to pick up if you plan on doing any bass fishing during the season. The Seaguar is perfect for fishing small to medium-sized bass. The fishing jigs are easy to thread with this brand, and I like its flexibility.
There are stronger lines out there, but this one does the job and works great for me. I have never had any issues with this brand of fluorocarbon fishing line.
Since Fluorocarbon is virtually invisible to fish in the water, this is my first pick of line for angling or fly fishing. The Fluorocarbon makes it easy to tie a knot and cast in the right direction allowing the current to take the line.
Best Braided Fishing Line
The Pro-power braid (click to view on Amazon) is perfect for smallmouth bass; it is crafted for fishing companies from Spectra Fibers. These durable, high-tech polyethylene fibers provide twice the strength of a monofilament fishing line with half of the space.
You can pack more fishing line on a single spool of the braided fishing line than you can the monofilament fishing line. The braided lines are better for tying natural knots. The monofilament is an excellent line for hard knots, but the braided lines are not as durable.
You want to keep a spool of this handy in your tackle box. If you find yourself in an especially murky area, then the braided line would be perfect for that area. You can pick up different colors, like green, or high visibility also.
The price of this brand tends to be in the middle for good quality braided lines. I don’t mind paying the higher price as this line can last years without burning, cracking, drying out, or crumbling. This specific brand has always been reliable for me.
Best Wire Fishing Line
Catch all tackle (view on Amazon) has a specific wire reel that is easy to use. The 49-strand stainless steel cable has a breaking point of 400lbs. I would only attach this to a boat-mounted pole. I have never had this line break on me for wire trolling trips.
The Catch-all Tackle wireline is excellent for big fish, or even catching some shark once in a while. Since it is a 400-pound line, it is perfect for grabbing a marlin in the Atlantic ocean.
Fishing Reels
Several different types of fishing reels can enhance your line strength or make it less reliable. Some of the more popular fishing reels are known as spin casters. This reel type is on beginner poles and are easy to use. If the spin caster reel breaks, it is inexpensive to replace. Other types of coils can help you fish better.
Different Types of Fishing Reels.
- Baitcasting
- Spinning
- Surf Fishing
- Off Shore
- Trolling (Ship Mounted)
- Fly Fishing
- Center Pin
Picking the perfect reel can be intimidating, especially when combined with choosing the correct line size. Different reels will also handle different line strengths and sizes. You could have the most durable wireline for a 400-pound fish, but if it is attached to a spin caster reel, it’s not going to work very well.
Baitcaster reels
The bait-caster is one of the more popular reels amongst anglers. The bait caster allows for a more extended cast; you can cut back on the dreaded bird’s nest with a bait caster reel. The Bait-Caster reel does require some higher-level skills to use.
Because of the added flexibility of the bait caster reel, the accuracy of your cast may suffer until you get used to it. The Bait caster reel comes in two separate types, round and low-profile. Selecting a good baitcasting reel can be challenging
If you decided to go with the low profile version, I would recommend Abu Garcia (view on Amazon). These are high-quality reels that have seven bearings to help create a smooth cast.
The Round bait-caster I would recommend the Daiwa Tatula (click to see on Amazon) reel with the three different speed settings. Also having seven bearings, it can give you three different gear ratios to cast.
| ABU GARCIA TORO | DAIWA TATULA | LEW’S FISHING TOURNAMENT | |
| CASTING SPEED | XXX | XXX | XXX |
| WEIGHT | 13.6 OUNCES | 8.1 OUNCES | 6.7 OUNCES |
| GEAR RATIO | 4.9:1, 6.2:1 | 5.4:1, 6.3:1, 7.3:1 | 5.6:1, 6.8:1, 7.5:1, 8.3:1, |
| BEARINGS | 7+1 | 7+1 | 9+1 |
| DRAG | 25 POUNDS | 13 POUNDS | 20 POUNDS |
Spinning Reels
These reels are the top pick for the anglers and sport fishermen that like to cast from shore. These spinning reels are easy to cast and don’t take much to learn. You flip the rod and throw it. When you catch something, the reel will spin as the fish is pulling away from the lure.
The downside to these is that if the fish gets too much momentum before you get to switch the rod over, then you are losing your line. They are sometimes slow to respond to a catch, but they are convenient reels.
You can use this reel for surf fishing. Here is a YouTube video explaining how to surf fish. In this video, the gentleman is using a spinning reel and reveals some useful tips.
Offshore reels
Offshore reels Tend to be on the pricier side but for a good reason. Most offshore reels today will come with some sort of corrosion protection that other reels do not offer. They are also made with stricter materials than your standard Spinning and bait caster reels.
The offshore reel is unique in the sense that it comes in different types, such as a bait caster, trolling reel, or even a spinner. The main distinction is that an offshore reel is meant for saltwater fishing specifically.
Some of my favorite brands of offshore reels include:
- Shimano Force Master electric reel
- Okuna Andros 1211a Trolling reel
- Daiwa Saltiga
- Dr. Fish Saltwater reel
- Fin-Nor offshore spinning reel
- Penn Fathom Conventional Fishing reels
Offshore reels are on the pricier side, but you can find one for any size boat, or any fishing rod. If selecting an offshore reel, you want to look at the quality of the corrosion-proof material. Having shielded bearings on an offshore reel makes a significant difference in how long they last. You also want to look for well-sealed gaskets on an offshore reel.
Classic Trolling Reels
The casting reel or trolling reel is mounted to a sea vessel and is used on massive fish. These reels are always mounted on boats, or onto a mountable pole. There are a ton of different options for these types of reels and drag options. You can choose different lever types that will raise or lower the drag on the line.
The trolling caster reels are more expensive and are great offshore reels as well. These reels are perfect for fishing marlin, tuna, and other big fish. It would be best if you used the trolling reel with more extensive pound rated lines.
Fly Fishing Reels
Fly Fishing is somewhat of a specialty in the fishing world. It is easier than it looks, but it does require a particular reel. The fly fishing reel has a simple design and allows for more cast lines. The lack of material on this reel is what makes it work so well. People go fly fishing in areas with little current, and a spinner reel or a bait caster would not prove to be useful there.
With fly fishing reels, the more natural it is to use, the better the reel is. People are typically standing for long periods in the same area. The water is shallow and less than 6 feet deep. And the line drifts to the distance of the current that you allow it to before the indicator lets you know you have a catch.
Fly fishing is also done with a center pin reel (view on Amazon). The center pin reel is the oldest fishing reel in existence. There is a thumb control that allows you to control the drag on the line. This reel gives you the most control over the fish that you could have.
Here is a YouTube video explaining fly fishing
Final Thoughts/ Conclusion
After finding the perfect set up for your pole, you only need to make small adjustments based on the area that you are fishing in. If its colder and the fish are moving slower or resting more, then replace your centrepin reel with an excellent spinner with some 12-weight monofilament line.
Fishing can be a fun hobby because there is always something to learn or some way to improve. and you can be passive about the catch of the day. Today you learned how to choose a fishing line; tomorrow it could be how to catch a 400-pound marlin.
Fishing allows you to unwind and think about life’s adventures. Fishing creates philosophers and feeds families. What could be better than that?
“Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics that it can never be fully learned.”
——–Izaak Walton——