In this guide we’ll look at the best monofilament fishing lines.
We’ve compared strength, durability, shock resistance and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Is The Best Monofilament Fishing Line?
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More Detailed Monofilament Fishing Line Reviews
Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool
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Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool Review
The Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Line is my go-to for many reasons. It makes a fantastic mainline due to its impressive strength and reliability.
It’s designed to be shock-resistant and offer a controlled amount of stretch. This line performs great when you’re fighting a huge fish. This line also offers superb knot strength
In addition, the Berkley is resistant to abrasion. It’s durable and will stand up to any rough objects it knocks against in the water—making it the best mono fishing line for surf fishing. The Berkley’s toughness makes it ideal for the challenging conditions of surf fishing, when you’ll be casting far out into the ocean in the hopes of reeling in bigger fish.
Its versatility and strong performance in basically every category make this my top pick for the best mono fishing line. Plus, it’s available at a very reasonable price point. I expect to keep using the Berkley for many years to come.
Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line
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Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line Review
Another great option, the Stren High Impact Monofilament Line is extremely tough and durable. It’s one of the best mono fishing lines for saltwater use and holds up extremely well.
Plus, this line offers good shock resistance so you’ll have a fighting chance against even the most energetic and enormous gamefish.
Another feature I like is the knot strength—your knots will stay put with this line.
Overall, Stren is a reputable company that makes high-quality products. Their mono line is definitely worth considering.
Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Monofilament Service Spools
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Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Monofilament Service Spools Review
Another Berkley option, the Trilene Smooth Casting mono line also gets the job done. No one wants a line that twists up or develops kinks, and this performs especially well in that regard, resisting twists and kinks. This helps you keep fantastic control and have a sensitive feel for the line.
You can use it in conjunction with a variety of baits and fishing techniques. It’s an all-around versatile line that’s also strong enough to handle just about anything.
If you’re looking for a line you can trust, Berkley is a solid brand; its products hold up under intense wear and tear and are impressively strong.
The Berkley Trilene XL casts like a dream and is among the best monofilament fishing lines for spinning reels. In my experience, it’s also one of the best mono fishing lines for baitcaster. Finally, it knots well—all in all, a good choice and worth a look!
Hi-Seas Grand Slam Monofilament Line
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Hi-Seas Grand Slam Monofilament Line Review
The Hi-Seas Grand Slam mono line is another good all-around option, and I’ve gotten some good results from it. As with other entries on this list, you can choose from a variety of strengths (or “tests”)—Hi-Seas offers lines from 6 pound test all the way up to a whopping 400 pound test.
This line is sensitive and offers good control. It knots well, is abrasion-resistant, and casts smoothly. You can use it for either freshwater or saltwater fishing. All in all, the Hi-Seas line is a strong contender, though it is a little stiff for my taste.
KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line
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KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line Review
This supple line knots pretty well and offers smooth casting. Like the other lines on this list, it’s abrasion-resistant. It’s also versatile, providing good performance in either freshwater or saltwater fishing. Made of high-density nylon, the KastKing line is strong and durable.
This KastKing mono line is available in a range of tests, from 4 pound up to 30 pound test. This range gives you options for catching fish that are on the small to medium side. I’ve found that the KastKing does very well within each strength category, so you can cast with confidence.
Fishing Line Buying Guide
As the name suggests, mono is just one single strand of material, rather than multiple strands braided or fused together.
Mono lines come in different tensile strengths and colors, and you’re sure to find one that you like. In this brief guide, I’ll cover some of the major factors to think about, whether you’re searching for the best mono fishing line for bass fishing or on the hunt for a super versatile line.
Strength
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is what pound test to choose; in other words, how strong of a line do you need?
This of course depends on the size and weight of the fish you anticipate catching. If you want to catch rainbow trout, for example, find out how big they tend to grow in the body of water you’ll be fishing. Then choose your line accordingly.
If you want to catch fish in the 8-10 pound range, then you’ll probably be looking at 8-10 pound lines, though you can often go a little smaller: With a little finesse, an angler can pull in an 8-pound fish on, say, a 6-pound line. Keep in mind that smaller, thinner lines are less visible to the fish, which is a plus.
The mono lines I’ve listed above come in a range of strengths, from 2 pound test up to 400 pound test, so you should have no problem finding the strength you need.
Durability
When you’re surf fishing or encountering rough saltwater conditions, it’s especially important to have a durable line. The Berkley Trilene Big Game is my choice for the best mono fishing line for saltwater due to its toughness and durability; it holds up well to rough conditions and bigger fish.
Shock Resistance
A line with more stretch offers greater shock absorption, which is useful in some situations, such as trolling. However, greater stretch also reduces sensitivity, your ability to feel the fish. The best line for you will depend on personal preferences and the type of fishing you plan to do.
Kink and Twist Resistance
Avoiding kinks and twists in the line is an important part of having an enjoyable—rather than frustrating—fishing trip. I’ve kept this in mind when choosing lines to feature here, as they all do a pretty good job of preventing annoying kinks.
Versatility
Can your line handle the variety of baits that you plan on using? The Berkley Trilene XL is a great example of a line that performs great with a wide range of baits and techniques. It’s a fantastic and versatile choice for the all-around angler.
Knot Strength
Tying a knot in your line reduces the strength, so I recommend learning how to tie effective knots that maintain as much strength as possible.
Note also that some lines are simply easier to knot than others. I’ve chosen lines that I personally find knot well and stay knotted, such as the Stren High Impact.
Conclusion
I hope this brief guide to monofilament fishing line helps you decide which is best for you. Whichever you choose, enjoy your time out on the water!