Spinning reels are extremely popular in the fishing world today. Not only are they cheaper than baitcasting reels, but there’s also a shorter learning curve in mastering them. Today we’re going to review the top 10 best fishing lines for spinning reels.
What are the best fishing lines for spinning reels? The best fishing lines for spinning reels this year are:
- SpiderWire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line
- Stren Fluorocast Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
- Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
- Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool
- Piscifun Braided Fishing Line
- Berkley FireLine Superline Fishing Line
- Sufix 832 Advanced Superline Braid
- Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line
- Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
- Berkley XL906-15 Trilene XL Smooth Casting Service Spool
Now before we get into more detail about the best fishing lines, let’s discuss a little about the different types of lines. We’re also going to go over some things that you should look for when you’re searching for the perfect line.
What Are the Different Types of Fishing Lines?
There are three types of lines used for fishing: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. Let’s discuss each of them and how they work on a spinning reel.
Monofilament
One of the great things about monofilament is that it is super affordable. It’s cheaper than fluorocarbon or braid. Compared to the other types of lines, mono has a lot of stretch. You will lose a little sensitivity because of that, but hardly enough to talk about.
One of the downsides to monofilament is that it tends to have noticeable spool memory. That means that if you let your reel sit for an extended amount of time, the line will take on the shape of the coil. That affects both the casting performance and the retrieval movement.
Fluorocarbon
Anglers often use fluorocarbon as a leader material rather than filling their entire spool with it. We use it as a leader material because of its low visibility. This feature makes the fluorocarbon line ideal for clear water fishing where the fish can get spooked from seeing the line.
One of the benefits of fluorocarbon is that it has less stretch and less memory than mono. One thing to pay attention to with this type of line is whether it is 100 percent fluorocarbon or just fluorocarbon coated. The line will have more monofilament properties if it is only coated.
Fluorocarbon is also excellent for deepwater fishing because it is so dense.
Braid
The first thing to note with a braided line is that it is super strong. Braided line comes from single strands of high molecular weight polyethylene woven tightly together. One thing that makes it different from mono is that it has little to no stretch. That means that the braided line is very sensitive. It also means that you will have far less give on hook sets. So it’s going to be easier to miss fish.
Braided line has been shown to cast further which we discuss in this article. And it is an excellent option if you are trying to pull a big fish from a tight spot or vegetation.
The downside to braid is that it can fray, especially when you use it around rough structures. That fraying can cause the braided line to lose its strength over time. That means that you will have a higher risk of breakage. If you see fraying on your braided line, you can remove the frayed portion or re-spool.
Visibility on the water is another downside to braid. Because braid is so highly visible in the water, it may not be the best option for use around shy fish or in clear water. Knots can also be a problem with braided line. You’ll find that braid is slicker than fluorocarbon and monofilament. So if you’re not careful with the knots, you could miss the big catch.
What About Stretch-Ability?
The performance of a fishing line on a spinning reel is affected by how elastic the line is. The stretch-ability will affect the sensitivity of the line and how well you can detect action.
The more stretchable the line is, the less sensitivity it will have. It is a good thing to have some stretch in your line because it helps to absorb the shock when you’re fighting a big fish. It will also enable you to get a hard hook set. If you use a higher tension line, you could actually end up ripping the hook out of the fish’s mouth.
Now that also means that when you have a lower elasticity line, meaning that it is less stretch-able, you will increase the sensitivity. With lower elasticity, you will be able to feel every bite, and you will have a better idea about what is going on with your lure.
However, it’s worth noting that with a very sensitive line, you have to take caution when finesse fishing with a spinning reel. You want to be sure that you don’t set the hook too soon before the fish has taken the lure completely.
Braided line has virtually no stretch, which makes it very sensitive to bites. Monofilament is the most flexible and stretchable. And Fluorocarbon falls somewhere between the two.
You can read more about stretch-ability here.
What Is Fishing Line Memory?
While we’re discussing the best fishing lines for spinning reels, it’s important to note that you want a line with zero or the least amount of memory.
Fishing line memory is referring to the line’s tendency to hold the coiled shape of the spool. If you have a line with a lot of memory, it will retain the loops that it developed when it was spooled. This is especially a problem when you leave your reels sitting for too long.
The real problem with too much memory is that your line will encounter twists and tangles when you cast. This will reduce both your casting accuracy and your casting distance.
Ideally, you want a line with zero memory that will remain straight even after you spool it for a long time. With zero memory, you will get no friction between the guides and the line. That means that you’ll have no twists. It also means that you’ll be able to cast farther and more smoothly.
Braided line has almost no memory. But mono and fluorocarbon both have high memory, which makes them more susceptible to line twists and tangles.
If you are having trouble with memory in your fishing line, you can make it more manageable by using a high-quality conditioner to make it smooth.
Read here to find out more about things you can do to reduce memory.
The Top 10 Best Fishing Lines for Spinning Reels
In no particular order, here are our top 10 picks for the best fishing line for spinning reels this year. To create our list, we started by researching the top-selling lines on the market. We narrowed down our list based on professional and consumer reviews. We also compared the features and prices of each line. Our goal is to help you find the best fishing line to use with your spinning reel.
1. SpiderWire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line
The first spot on our list this year goes to the SpiderWire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line (link to Amazon). If you’re looking for one of the most trusted manufacturers when it comes to braided lines, then look no further than SpiderWire.
SpiderWire offers a massive selection with the amount of line per spool and the pound test. They also give you plenty of colors to choose from.
The SpiderWire line is an extremely strong braid that features a tight weave and high-quality Dyneema PE microfibers in each strand. This line is an excellent option if you’re fishing in close spaces with heavy cover, and you feel the need to rip lures and fish out further without breaking the line.
We also really liked the coating technology used with this line. It prevents color fading, and it makes the line a little slicker. You’ll be able to shoot the line out of your reel and through the guides without much friction at all. That means that your casting performance will improve.
The only issue that you might have with the SpiderWire line is that it doesn’t have much abrasion resistance. This line will work great in open water and around vegetation. However, if you drag it through big rocks, you are likely to see some fraying, which will weaken your line.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Lots of color and test options
- Very strong
- Excellent casting properties
- Color doesn’t fade
Cons
- Abrasion resistance could use improvement
2. Stren Fluorocast Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
The Stren Fluorocast Fluorocarbon Fishing Line (click to see on Amazon) takes the next spot on our list of the best fishing lines for spinning reels. The first thing that we love about this line is that it is 100 percent fluorocarbon, instead of the fluorocarbon coating that you find with a lot of products. That means that this line will provide extremely low visibility when you’re out on the water.
With this Stren fishing line, whether you use it spooled or as a leader, you will have incredible results in clear and cold water. When it comes to fluorocarbon products, the Stren line is easily one of the best fishing lines for spinning reels.
The Stren line is dense, and it will have a high sink rate. If you want to keep your lures near the surface, then this probably isn’t the best line for you. But if you want to fish down low, then this line is an excellent option.
Another thing that we loved about this line is that it offers great shock resistance. That means that you will be able to create hard hook sets. This line also has excellent knot strength, which means that you are less likely to experience line breaks at the knots.
The low spool memory is another great feature. This will improve your casting performance.
The Stren Fluorocast is affordable, even if you spool a whole reel with it. However, we like this line best when used as leader material. One problem with spooling your entire reel with this line is that it can lead to some pretty severe line twists.
Pros
- The line is basically invisible to fish
- Very low spool memory
- Great knot strength
- Excellent shock resistance
- Ideal for deep-running lures
Cons
- Poor casting when you spool the whole reel with the line
3. Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
Our next contender for the best fishing line for spinning reels is the Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line (see price on Amazon). This is one of the best-braided lines for spinning reels available on the market this year. This is due largely to the fact that the line has a small diameter, ranging from 0.005 to 0.035 inches, depending on the test strength of the fishing line.
Even though this line has a small diameter, it hasn’t sacrificed the strength that you get with a braided line. The small diameter will make it much easier to cast with a spinning reel. The Power Pro line is easily the best casting line on our list this year.
This line is also very well rounded, and it has plenty of knot strength.
The Power Pro Spectra is a very sensitive line with virtually no stretch. The truth is this line is so sensitive that you will have to be careful not to set the hook too early when the fish needs more time to take the lure fully.
You won’t have any trouble reading the bottom structures with this line either because it offers close to full transference of energy from the lure, and then through the line to the tip of your rod. This line also has excellent abrasion resistance. That means that it’s a great fishing line for finesse fishing through structured areas.
Pros
- Very small diameter
- Pretty good abrasion resistance
- Super sensitive
- High strength
- Excellent performance on spinning reels
- Great knot strength and versatility
Cons
- Be aware of counterfeits
- A little more expensive than most of the others on our list
4. Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool
The Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool (see on Amazon) takes the next spot on our list. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for the best monofilament line for spinning reels. A few things make this line stand out.
First, we really like the amount of line that you get when you buy it in bulk. You get an incredible amount of line for the price. And you can spool a lot of reels without having to go out to purchase more.
You can get spools ranging from 8 to 60-pound test. This line is also available in several different color options so you can match your line to the water conditions.
Another thing that we love about this line is that it has excellent shock resistance. This will be a huge plus for fishermen wanting a softer hook set. The Berkley line also has a lot of stretch, especially for monofilament. That means that it will need to be replaced often to prevent the risk of line breaks. You definitely don’t want that when you’re trying to land the big one!
This fishing line has really good abrasion resistance too. The only real problem we found with this line is that it has a high line memory. If you’re fishing often, then this won’t be that big of an issue. But if your reel is sitting in your garage for weeks at a time, you are going to notice the line remembering the shape of the spool. That means poor casting performance.
Pros
- You get plenty of line
- Good abrasion resistance for a short amount of time
- Pretty good strength
- Excellent shock resistance
- Plenty of color and test options
- Super affordable
Cons
- A lot of line memory
- Will need to be replaced every few trips
5. Piscifun Braided Fishing Line
Our next contender for the best fishing line for spinning reels is the Piscifun Braided Fishing Line (link to Amazon). This improved braided line was designed to deal with many of the frustrating problems that you experience with a spinning reel.
It offers superior durability, strength, smoothness, knot tying properties, casting distance, and abrasion resistance. Not bad, right? These killer features make it one of the best braided lines for spinning reels.
We also like that this line is available in a wide variety of colors, lengths, and tensile strengths. That means that you can find line to suit all fishing situations, including freshwater, saltwater, surf, and ice.
This line is constructed with strands of super-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. And Piscifun uses a precision braiding technique. That means that it has a lot of strength. The tensile strength of this line ranges from 10 pounds to 150 pounds.
But this line isn’t just strong. It’s also incredibly thin. Piscifun wraps the strands tighter to produce a much smaller profile, but they didn’t sacrifice any of the power. The thin diameter gives you a round and smooth line. That means you’ll have more accurate casts.
The thinner diameter also means that you can spool a lot of it. Because the friction is minimal, it also travels faster through the water.
Pros
- Large selection of colors and line capacity
- High sensitivity and low memory
- Extremely thin diameter
- Holds color well
- Strong and durable
- Great abrasion resistance
Cons
- Knot strength could be better
6. Berkley FireLine Superline Fishing Line
Another excellent fishing line that you should consider is the Berkley FireLine Superline Fishing Line (Amazon link). This line was designed specifically for spinning reels. It offers abrasion resistance, superior strength, and knot integrity. You won’t have to worry about fraying or breaking with this line. That means smoother casting and handling.
Some of the typical problems that you face with braided lines and spinning reels are wind knots, line twists, and tangles. Those are virtually eliminated with this line.
This line has a unique construction with some exceptional qualities. Berkley used micro fused Dynamo PE fibers that are four times stronger than mono line. Berkley fused together the braids thermally, which makes them smooth and stiff. This feature makes the FireLine the most abrasion-resistant and strongest line in its class.
The thin diameter of this line means that you can spool a lot of it. It also cuts fast through the water, making it ideal for pitching and flipping. On top of that, the translucent color makes for low visibility in the water. That means you won’t spook the fish!
Pros
- Explicitly made for spinning reels
- Excellent strength
- Ultra-thin diameter
- Durable with strong abrasion resistance
- Excellent castability
Cons
- The line has a bit of memory when you first use it
7. Sufix 832 Advanced Superline Braid
Our next contender for the best fishing line for spinning reels is the Sufix 832 Advanced Superline Braid (check out on Amazon). What makes this line one of the best in its color holding properties, strength, castability, and abrasion resistance. It’s pretty tough to beat the combo of performance, quality, and price that this line offers.
The Sufix line is one of the strongest and most durable on our list. With this line, you will be able to haul in reds, bulls, specks, flounder, sheepshead, snapper, mackerel, walleye, and bass easily. It is available in strengths from 6 pounds to 80 pounds.
Sufix used eight fibers in their tough and sturdy construction. They call it a GORE performance fiber, and it offers reduced vibration, abrasion resistance, and enhanced castability. The Dyneema fibers will give you sensitivity and strength with 32 weaves per inch.
The unique fiber technology gives this line a round, smooth profile that will shoot through the guides with no problem. This technology makes this line one of the strongest and most durable on the market. With this line, you will be able to bring in the large fish out of heavy cover, and it will easily last two to three years before it will need to be replaced.
Pros
- Excellent strength and abrasion resistance
- Accurate casting
- Holds color well
- Durable
- Great knot strength
Cons
- A little more costly than others on the list
8. Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line
The next spot on our list goes to the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fishing Line (link takes you to Amazon). If you are looking for the best hybrid line, then look no further! This line combines the best features of fluorocarbon and mono fishing lines. It offers great abrasion resistance and the sensitivity of fluorocarbon while still giving you the stretch and flexibility of mono.
This is a durable and strong line with low visibility, high sensitivity, low stretch, and incredible knot strength. These features make it ideal for spinning reels. You can get this line in strengths that range from 6 to 40 pounds.
With most hybrid lines, you get a fluorocarbon-coated mono line. But Yo-Zuri does the fusion differently. They molecularly bond the mono and fluorocarbon during extrusion. The end result is a strong, dense, and more sensitive fishing line.
One thing to note with this line is that it is very buoyant. It won’t sink or absorb water. That makes it great for spinnerbaits, chatter baits, swimbaits, crankbaits, and other topwater lures. However, this also means that it’s not suitable for deeper applications.
Pros
- Extraordinary quality
- Durable and sturdy with a thin diameter
- Extremely strong with excellent abrasion resistance
- Great at knot tying
- High sensitivity and low stretch
Cons
- Not suitable for deep water fishing
9. Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
The Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line (see price on Amazon) is another excellent option that you should consider. This line offers incredible abrasion resistance and invisibility. The only bummer with this line is that it’s not cheap. The good news is, it’s worth the money.
This line is 100 percent fluorocarbon, and it makes a great all-around fishing line for both spinning and casting reels. It features a triple resin coating, which makes it softer and more supple. It’s also very strong with great abrasion resistance.
This line is tight, but it’s not too stiff. It wraps on the spool well, casts well, and is easy to tie in knots. Be aware that this line could twist and tighten the line on your spinning reel occasionally. If you keep an eye on it, you can minimize issues like tangles, backlashes, and break-offs.
The Sunline fishing line does have some memory. So we suggest that you stretch out the line and use a good quality line conditioner.
This line is ideal for use in heavy cover fishing because of its invisibility and abrasion resistance. It’s also perfect for clear water fishing. You can use this line on your whole reel, or you can use it as a leader line that you connect with a braid.
Pros
- Excellent invisibility
- Thin diameter
- Strong and supple
- Durable with excellent abrasion resistance
- Smooth casts
Cons
- The line can twist and tighten on the reel
- Has some memory
10. Berkley XL906-15 Trilene XL Smooth Casting Service Spool
Our final contender for the best fishing line for spinning reels this year is the Berkley XL906-15 Trilene XL Smooth Casting Service Spool (Amazon link). The name says it all with this one. It’s all about smooth casting.
For a monofilament line, this one is very tough and strong. It also offers good sensitivity with low memory, which makes it easier to manage and cast. This line will work well for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
The best thing about this line is the smoothness. It will cast far and launch smoothly. You’ll also appreciate how well it resists abrasion and wear and tear.
Another thing that we love about this line is that it doesn’t stretch too much or break easily even when you’re wrestling with a big one. It also knots very well, making the casting even easier.
This line is very sensitive too. You will easily be able to feel structures and strikes. It also makes it easy to sense lure activity when your line is underwater.
You can get this line in a wide variety of lengths, colors, line capacities, and strengths. That means that it can suit a lot of different techniques, baits, and preferences.
Pros
- Strong and tough construction
- Super smooth casting
- Durable and exceptional quality
- Good abrasion resistance and sensitivity
- Wide variety of capacities and colors
Cons
- Has some memory
It All Comes down to This
We highly recommend all 10 of the fishing lines on our list this year. But if you really pressed me to award one top winner this year, I would have to go with the Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line. A lot of braided lines don’t work very well with spinning reels, but this one sure does! You can get it here on Amazon.
The Power Pro line has a very small diameter, which means that you can spool a lot of it onto a spinning reel. Casting is super smooth with this line because of its minimal memory. And even with the small diameter, it still offers plenty of strength. It’s very sensitive with excellent abrasion resistance too. The Power Pro line is the best of the best. It excels in every measure.
The Power Pro line takes top honors this year, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the lines on our list.
Happy fishing!