In this guide we’ll look at the best fishing lines for a baitcaster.
We’ve compared line color, line strength, line diameter and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Is The Best Fishing Line for a Baitcaster?
More Detailed Baitcaster Fishing Line Reviews
Spiderwire SCUC6IB-125 Ultracast Invisi-Braid
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Spiderwire SCUC6IB-125 Ultracast Invisi-Braid Review
Spiderwire’s Invisi-Braid is designed to be less visible and more translucent than your average braid. It tends to be a little pricier than other braids, but if you want a translucent braid then this extra cost is worth it. Thanks to its low visibility, you won’t need to attach fluorocarbon leaders when fishing in clear water.
With eight strands woven together, this braid is very strong and has a high strength-to-diameter ratio. It’s low-memory and I find that it casts very smoothly, including over longer distances.
All in all, this is an awesome braid. I’ve used the 20 pound-test and 30 pound-test to reel in some salmon and have had excellent luck with it. In my opinion, the low visibility gives it the edge, making it the best braided fishing line for baitcaster reels.
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
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KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line Review
Another excellent braid option, the KastKing line stands out for its knot strength. The line is treated for suppleness and super smooth casting, and this coating also helps with knotting.
This line, like most braid, is low memory, so it continues to cast well even after lots of use. It’s also impressively resistant to abrasion. One of the challenges with braided lines is that they sometimes fray, especially when encountering heavy structure. The KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line holds up very well in abrasive or overgrown conditions.
Finally, this line has virtually no stretch, which gives excellent sensitivity. It’s a great value line that has served me well on many a fishing trip.
Seaguar Red Label 100% Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
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Seaguar Red Label 100% Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Review
Third on my list is this fluorocarbon line. Like most fluoro lines, this one is close to invisible in the water and is a great choice for going after shyer, skittish fish. Since it can be a bit stiff and has a fair bit of line memory, it’s best used as a leader attached to a braid or monofilament main line.
This Seaguar Fishing line is very tough and abrasion-resistant. It’s awesome when fishing in heavy cover and holds up well over time. It’s a strong contender for the best fluorocarbon fishing line for baitcaster.
Seaguar TATSU Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
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Seaguar TATSU Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Review
Rounding out this list is a fluorocarbon fishing line by Seaguar. It’s virtually invisible, which gives you the advantage of stealth when targeting line-wary fish.
This line is supple and slick, which leads to smooth casting, and it’s also capable of strong, flexible knots. Tensile strength is excellent. Plus, this line is super sensitive, so you can feel even the slightest nibble.
I’ve used this as my main line several times now and am always impressed by its performance. It’s a little pricier than some other options, but in my opinion well worth it.
Fishing Line Buyer’s Guide
Line Color
A near-invisible line is a great advantage when you’re trying to outsmart clever, skittish fish. That’s why I personally love lines like the Spiderwire Invisi-Braid or the Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon line, which seem to disappear in the water. This is especially important when you’re fishing in clear water.
Some anglers like to be able to see their line easily though; watching your line can help you detect small bites or interest from fish. And of course some people prefer to use monofilament. So which color is best? That depends.
Yellow is a great choice for dirty or muddy water, which helps it blend in a bit; plus it’s very easy for the angler to see.
Green is another solid option, especially when fishing green-hued waters. The line will blend in under the water but remain visible up above.
Clear monofilament, like the Seaguar Red Label Line, is of course also available; it is generally less visible than colored mono, both for fish and for you.
Finally, remember that you can use a colorful mono for your main line and a fluoro leader.
Line Strength
You’ll of course need to match the pound-test of your line to the weight of the fish you plan on catching. 20 pound-test line is good for catching 20-pound fish and so on.
In general, it’s best to avoid using very small, thin lines on a baitcaster; I typically use 10 pound-test and higher on baitcasting reels since they’re better equipped to handle stronger, heavier lines. This is one of the great things about them, that they’re great for reeling in monsters.
If, however, you’re fishing for smaller fish with a lighter line, then you may want to check out spinning reels instead.
Line Diameter
Again, a super light thin line can pose some difficulties with baitcaster—they’re just not designed for light lines. But if you’re fishing for bigger fish at a higher pound test, you’re in luck. A larger diameter line will come off your spool more easily. But at the same time, a smaller diameter lets you spool more line, so it’s all about finding the right balance.
Mono, Braid, or Fluoro?
In my opinion, the best fishing line for bass baitcaster is the Spiderwire Invisi-Braid. That said, if you’re completely new to using a baitcaster, I find that the most user-friendly line, like the Kastking Monofilament Line, tends to have a larger diameter monofilament, say 17 or 20 pound-test. Why mono? It’s less at risk of backlash, which can be an issue when using a baitcaster.
Braided lines like Kastking Superpower Fishing Line can develop line resistance that makes using them trickier (though I’ve selected braids for this list that I think perform well with baitcaster). Fluoro can also be challenging if you’re new to using a baitcaster. As you gain experience, you can try out different lines on your baitcaster and you’ll develop your own preferences.
Conclusion
Many people, myself included, learn how to fish with a spinning rod and reel. But baitcasters have their advantages, especially when you’re pulling in bigger fish.
There is no such thing as the one, perfect line for every situation. Which line you choose depends on so many factors, from the fish you’re targeting to the reel you’re using to inexplicable personal preferences. But if you’re in search of a good line for your baitcaster, these five lines are well worth a look.