If you are just starting out on your fishing journey, and you want to go fishing for bass, you first have to deal with an important question: what should the pound test of your line be for bass fishing?
Since pound tests represent the pressure a line can withstand, it is useful to adjust the line type to the weight of the fish, which in the case of bass, is around 14 pounds. Thus, a 15 pound-test line will be perfect for most bass fishing activities.
There is more to it, though. The type of line you use also affects the end result of the fishing trip, not only the specific pound test. In this article, we will be going through the most important line types and also what each of them is useful for in terms of bass fishing. If you are interested in learning more about the lines used for bass, this article is for you, so read on!
Fluorocarbon
The first category of fishing lines we will discuss is the fluorocarbon group. In the whole article, we will describe what the different line types are and then specify which pound test lines are suitable or useful for bass fishing.
Fluorocarbon fishing lines are made out of a material called polyvinylidene difluoride (sometimes called PVDF). This material is highly thought of in not only the fishing but also the chemical engineering and electrical engineering industries among others.
It is highly resistant to temperatures, weathering, and abrasion, it is non-reactive and has a really low permeability to a majority of gases and liquids. These are just some of the positive characteristics of this innovative material.
Generally, as mentioned before, a 15-pound test line is what you are looking for if you want to be able to handle all bass fishing situations. However, the pound test doesn’t really differ when it comes to different materials, what changes are the maximum pound test possible by material?
However, with bass fishing, it is not relevant to talk about 1000-pound-test large game fishing lines. All materials can be made to handle a 15-pound bass, so in that spirit, we will provide a rundown of the most important aspects you need to take into consideration aside from the specific pound test.
There are three ways fluorocarbon is generally produced, which are either by injection moulding, heat moulding, or compression moulding.
All these extremely positive qualities do provide it with uses in a fishing environment, and a lot of them. The nature of the material makes it an incredible option for line material.
In a fishing context, the characteristics of fluorocarbon are the following:
It sinks into the water
This is due to its density and is a characteristic that needs to be calculated when planning a fishing trip.
It can be made nearly invisible
Fish often won’t bite if they see a distinguished line between the lure and the surface of the water, so the thinner and more transparent the line, generally, the better. Fluorocarbon is often so great at this, the fish likely do not see it at all.
It is highly resistant to abrasion
Using fluorocarbon allows you to more confidently fish in areas that might rip and break other fishing lines. It has an intermediate strength and abrasion resistance to it which is highly valued by the community.
However, being as high-tech as it is, it is also quite expensive; often costing nearly double the price for other alternatives, like monofilament. More high-end brands like Seagur can cost the buyer even more, and though the overall quality and usability of the line do show a difference, most people choose according to situations and not according to price or quality.
Now, we will go through a couple of specific fluorocarbon products and outline exactly what they can be used for efficiently.
P-Line Tactical Premium Fluorocarbon
The P-Line tactical Premium Fluorocarbon is a popular option for anglers who are looking to catch bass in waters where there is more seagrass, branches, or other obstructive elements. It is clearly not as strong as its braided alternatives, which we will discuss later on, but it is highly abrasion resistant which makes it perfect for ponds and rivers full of grass and branches.
It can be purchased in variations between 8- and 20-pound test lines, and for fishing for bass, we would personally recommend either the 15-pound test line or the 17-pound test line. These have the strength to hold virtually any bass you will come across, but are not too tough or thick to become a disadvantage.
The 12-pound test line can work too if you live in an area where bass don’t grow to larger sizes and you are confident that you won’t have to battle a 16-pound bass with the line.
Aside from that, these fluorocarbon lines are made with extrusion and are refractive, which means they are nearly invisible underwater to fish, making your chances of scaring fish away or them noticing the line extremely low. For this reason, this line can also work in clear waters.
All-in-all, the P-Line Tactical premium Fluorocarbon is a great all-around bass-fishing line, which will serve you perfectly in early all situations you can come across when fishing for bass.
No wonder it became one of the most popular lines in the niche. You can check it out on this link to Amazon if you are interested!
Seaguar Invizx 100% Fluorocarbon 1000-Yard Fishing Line
The previous option, though high in quality and reliable, was more of the “EDC” (everyday carry) line for bass fishing. Anyone from beginner level to intermediate or even pro can go out to fish with it and have a fun time. However, if you are looking for something heavy-duty and extremely high-end, the Seaguar Invizix is probably your best bet.
In professional circles, Seaguar Invizix is considered to be one of the most liked and reliable lines, since both the brand and its products are generally reliable and high-quality.
The one we will talk about now is a 1000-yard fishing line, which is way more than anyone would need as a beginner, but again, we are talking pro-level, high-end products now.
Seaguar’s Invizix line is called Invizix because it also has a high refractive index which makes it near invisible to fish underwater. This makes it perfect for clear waters, but that isn’t the only place you can use these lines.
Basically, if you are unsure of the line you want to use, Invizix will always be a great option. Of course, there is the terrain where fluorocarbon, in general, won’t work, but in places where it might, Seaguar surely will.
Due to its high price point, however, we would advise you only to use this line on important fishing events, or when you really want to make the best of your day.
It is nice and springy like fluorocarbon is, without too much elasticity to it, which makes it great for long casts. If you happen to fish in areas or with techniques that require long casting, Seaguar will be your best friend.
If you are interested in purchasing this product, you can do so on this link to Amazon, or in most fishing stores near you. In this case, the 12-pound test is advised.
Monofilament
The next big group of lines we will be discussing is the monofilament group. These are the traditional lines that everyone has already used. It is one of the oldest versions of fishing lines which are made from some form of plastic.
These lines first appeared in the 1950s, when the plastic revolution was starting to become a thing. People realized that plastic, with its low reactivity with its environment and its durability, could be a great option for fishing as well. Being cheap and practical, monofilament took over the fishing line world.
The word monofilament means that it is made out of a single filament. This means that during production, the material, nylon to be specific, is heated up (melted) and then extruded through holes, creating lines of varying thickness.
The two main characteristics of monofilament lines are their affordability and their flexibility or elasticity. Don’t think of elasticity as you would for a rubber band, it isn’t nearly as elastic, but elastic enough to provide enough give so that smaller fish won’t tear the hook out of their mouths and break off the line.
In terms of affordability, a higher-end monofilament can cost you about the price of a low- to mid-range fluorocarbon, which makes mono still one of the most commonly used lines worldwide.
For bass fishing, though most communities agree that fluorocarbon is probably the way to go, monofilament can still perform well enough to be used by a very large portion, if not the majority, of bass fishers.
Again, as with fluorocarbon, the general range of pound-test you are looking for when purchasing monofilament for bass fishing is between 10 and 17, so really almost anything within that range should serve you well, obviously taking into consideration the specifics of the fish you are looking for.
Now, let’s go through some great monofilament lines which cover the pound-test range for bass fishing and can also provide a great experience.
KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line
KastKing is a great company, known for making high-quality fishing products, and this monofilament line is no exception. The great thing about it is that it is available in a bunch of different sizes and pound tests while remaining affordable.
There are, of course, many more affordable monofilaments out there, but getting 120 yards of 15- or 20- pound-test, high-quality monofilament for the price you can purchase it at, which generally moves between 8 and 12 dollars, is insane.
Monofilament is appreciated for its elasticity, which allows for a better “fight” with the fish. It is less rigid, meaning you won’t accidentally yank the hook out of the fish’s mouth if it doesn’t happen to catch on deeply. Many people use mono for the experience.
You do happen to sacrifice some of the casting range for flexibility, but for most people, it is worth it, since bass fishing is usually not a very long-distance fishing activity.
If you are interested in checking out this monoline, clicking on this Amazon link will take you to the product page where you can purchase it at varying lengths and pound-tests.
This mono is available from 20 pound-test and above, which is a bit more than your average large bass should be, but if you happen to live in an area with large bass fishing around, or perhaps are looking for sea bass which has a tendency to grow somewhat larger than freshwater bass, this product will serve you well.
Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Fishing Line
For another heavy-duty companion, here is the Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament line, which is one of the most trusted and used lines in the mono world. What we love about this line is that is truly available in any color, size, length, and pound-test combination that you can dream up, and is still affordable.
To understand the difference in pricing between monofilament and fluorocarbon, take into consideration that the price for a 15 pound-test Trilene Big Game which is almost 11 thousand yards long, costs about as much (though prices vary significantly) as 1000 yards of the Seaguar fluorocarbon we have mentioned previously.
For bass fishing, the 15-pound line will do great, but you can also choose 10 or 12-pound lines, which are also spectacular options for this type of fish. Depending on your personal fishing goals and opportunities, you might be needing a 55-yard line or perhaps a 10800-yard line, and it is up to you to choose since they truly offer everything in between.
The colors can also play a big role in your fishing experience since monofilament tends to be more visible underwater than fluorocarbon. This is why try to pay attention to the environment you will be fishing in and adjust the line color to that.
For example, there are green, coastal brown, and clear versions of this mono. If you happen to fish for bass in a pond that is full of grass and other vegetation, choose the green line, as it is more likely to stay unnoticed under the water in a similarly colored environment. The same goes for the coastal brown.
If you fish in a variety of different areas and environments, the clear line will be your best option but do keep in mind that it is still more likely to be noticed than fluoro lines.
Here is the Amazon link to this product if you are interested in purchasing it for yourself!
Braided Lines
Out of the three most popular fishing line types, the braided will be the last on our list, since it is possibly the least important in terms of bass fishing. Monofilament and fluorocarbon do nearly everything that is necessary for proper bass fishing, and it is quite rare for people to be using braided lines for such a small species.
Braided lines, as the name suggests, are nothing too wild: they are strands of material braided, twisted, or molten together to form one, heavy-duty line. While monofilament tends to be the material most of the highest pound-test lines are made out of, braided lines take abrasion resistance to a whole new level.
Due to the structure and construction of these lines, they are incredibly resistant to any form of abrasion, which is why they are often used in environments that are prone to heavy-duty abrasion. These can be swamp areas, full of branches, bushes, grass, and other sources of obstruction.
Braided lines can usually tear through these elements with ease, or at least not get broken in the process, which is why they are the perfect option for the previously described environment.
However, since bass fishing often doesn’t happen in swamps, braided lines aren’t the primary option.
Bass lives in a wide variety of waters, however, the environments they live in can generally be handled easily with monofilament or fluorocarbon lines.
If you are looking for some heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant line, the ones we will mention are great options but make sure you know what you will be using them for since they can often result in more cons than pros, depending on the area you are fishing in.
Before talking about the specific products, we will quickly detour to discuss the two largest drawbacks of braided lines: visibility and cast distance.
Visibility can be an issue. Braided lines tend to be somewhat thicker than your average mono or fluorocarbon, but even if they aren’t, their distinctive shape, structure, and texture make them an easier target to spot for fish, making them worse options for most clear waters.
Also, due to their texture and structure, they won’t glide just as easily through the line guides as monofilament or fluorocarbon. This isn’t an issue, again, if the environment is right. When fishing in cloudy, swamp-like areas, you are not likely to cast the lure far away, in which case, this isn’t a drawback.
One of the best characteristics of braided lines, aside from their strength, is their sensitivity. If you are fishing in a cluttered environment, full of grass and branches, and your boat is moving or the wind is blowing, you can get distracted and not see a bite if you are using something flexible like monofilament.
However, with braided lines, there is absolutely 0 stretch most of the time, so you will distinctively see and feel the slightest of bites, which is perfect in environments that are full of distractions.
When it comes to pound test, braided lines tend to be a lot stronger than the others, for obvious reasons. However, you can still find lower pound-test lines, like a 10 or 15-pound test line, which is perfect for catching bass. Let’s go through some of them.
Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
The first one we will discuss is the Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line. It is known in the industry, since the company is also a popular and reliable one, and the products they make are widely used. Power Pro is thus a large name in the fishing world.
This braided line is made out of Spectra fiber, and is extremely abrasion resistant, as braided lines should be. It is also produced to be really smooth and round to maximize the user experience and sensitivity, along with ease of use.
Generally, for monofilament and fluorocarbon, we would advise everyone to choose between 12 and 15 pound-test lines for bass, since they aren’t abrasion resistant, and though they can easily withstand the pressure from a bass, abrasion can easily complicate the situation.
However, with braided lines, especially high-quality ones like this Power Pro line, it isn’t necessary, and in our opinion advised, to go above 10-12 pound-test lines for bass.
Abrasion will not be an issue with these lines, so you can just solely take into account the pressure and force exerted by the fish. For bass, 10-12 pound-test lines are thus easily enough, unless you are dealing with bass which is on the larger end of the size spectrum.
Spiderwire Stealth Braid
The last line to be mentioned today is the Spiderwire Stealth Braid. This is another popular line for fishing enthusiasts, and to no surprise since it is a high-quality product.
The Spiderwire Stealth Braid has enhanced castability and strength, for the best possible experience when you are out fishing for bass in murky, grown-in waters.
It is available in a bunch of different lengths and pound-tests, but as mentioned before, we wouldn’t advise anything larger than a 15-pound-test line, since above that, you will sacrifice castability, visibility, and perhaps the experience, for an unnecessarily large and heavy line.
Rather, go for either the 10 or the 15-pound-test line, which is bound to hold all the bass you will want to catch. The high abrasion resistance of this line, like most good braided lines, will keep it from breaking, should you be fishing in tougher environments.
Conclusion
You can find a ton of different line types and also a couple of different pound-test lines which will do great if you are looking to fish for bass, however, the most sensible options are always the best.
From personal experience and a ton of research and conversation with people, we have come to the conclusion, that for most people, a monofilament line with a 10-15 pound test will be the best option for bass fishing.
There are a couple of different reasons for this. we will start with the most widely used one in the community, which is the price tag. Fishing, unless done at a professional or commercial level, does not rake in massive sums of money. Most fishermen are hobby fishermen, who fit in the activity next to their job and personal lives and need to look at price tags.
If you are one of this group, which is the large majority of fishing enthusiasts, you will probably be the most well-off with monofilament. It is cheap, fun to use, reliable, widely accessible, and also, quite simply: easily good enough.
Of course, you could go intermediate-pro, and you could use some high-end fluorocarbon line, which is the most popular in this group of bass fishers, but for most people, monofilament will do just as fine, for often a fraction of the price.
If you do have the money and care enough to equip yourself with the higher-end stuff, it is absolutely great, and you then have a large number of options to choose from, the best of which is probably fluorocarbon.
Fluorocarbon is like monofilament, but much more abrasion-resistant. This means you can handle all sorts of terrain with it with ease. Also, fluorocarbon sinks, while monofilament doesn’t sink that easily. So, if you are fishing at some depth, fluoro definitely takes the win, especially seeing as it is much less visible underwater.
Braided lines are the ones we would recommend the least unless the environment you are fishing in requires them. In that case, they are a must-have, but in most situations, you can just go ahead and stick with monofilament or fluorocarbon depending on your taste and your needs.
As for the pound test, anything above 15 will be a stretch, and anything under 10 might cause trouble with larger specimens. Keep between these two, choose your line of preference, and have fun catching bass!