What Fishing Line Should I Use?

Published: Sep 15, 2025

When you're asking “What fishing line should I use?”, you're really asking: Which line type best suits the conditions I’ll be fishing in — water clarity, cover, bait type, budget — so I maximize hook-ups, reduce line problems, and get optimal performance?

Here’s a guide to help you answer that question, drawing on expert advice from Omnia Fishing’s Choosing the Right Fishing Line Between Braid, Mono, and Fluoro, and How to Choose a Fishing Line

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing Fishing Line

Before you pick a line, think through:

1. Water Clarity and Visibility — Clear water demands less visible line; murky water lets you get away with more.
2. Cover & Structure — Fishing around rocks, docks, weeds, lily pads, or submerged wood increases abrasion risks.
3. Technique & Lure Type — Every lure responds differently depending on stretch, sensitivity, and sink rate.
4. Fish Behavior & Pressure — In pressured lakes or when fish are line-shy, invisible or smaller diameter line is critical.
5. Stretch, Sensitivity, Diameter, Memory, Abrasion Resistance, Price — Every line type has trade-offs, so choose based on your priorities.

Fishing Line Types: Mono, Fluorocarbon & Braid

Omnia Fishing breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of the three main line types: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid.

Fishing Techniques, Line Types, and Seasonal Effectiveness

The right fishing line isn’t just about the lure — it’s also about when you’re fishing it. Fish behave differently depending on the season, so matching technique + line + season gives you a big advantage.

Seasonal Takeaways

• Spring (Pre-Spawn & Spawn): Reaction baits (cranks, spinnerbaits) on fluorocarbon, finesse rigs on braid-to-fluoro, mono for early topwater.
• Summer: Vegetation is thick — braid dominates (frogs, flipping). Finesse rigs work well when bass go deeper.
• Fall Transition: Fish chase bait — fluorocarbon for cranks, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits. Mono for topwater bites.
• Winter: Slow presentations — jerkbaits and swimbaits shine on fluorocarbon.

Sample Line Setups

• All-Rounder: Braid mainline + fluorocarbon leader (8–12 lb) covers most bass fishing scenarios.
• Budget Setup: Mono (10–12 lb) for general purpose, braid (20–30 lb) for cover or frogs.
• Performance Setup: Premium fluorocarbon for clear water and reaction baits, braid for heavy cover, mono for select topwater applications.

FAQs About Choosing Fishing Line

Q: What is the best fishing line for beginners?
A: Monofilament is the most beginner-friendly. It’s affordable, easy to manage, and forgiving because of its stretch. Perfect for panfish, trout, and casual bass fishing.

Q: Why use a braid-to-fluorocarbon leader setup?
A: This combo gives you the casting distance and sensitivity of braid while keeping the low visibility and abrasion resistance of fluorocarbon. It’s a versatile option that covers many techniques.

Q: How often should I change my fishing line?
A: Heavy anglers may change line every few weeks, while casual anglers can get by with respooling once or twice a season. Always check for nicks, frays, and memory coils — if you see them, replace your line.

Q: Can one fishing line do it all?
A: No single line is perfect for every scenario. However, a braid mainline with a fluorocarbon leader is the closest to a “do-everything” setup, covering finesse, power, and clear-water fishing.

Conclusion

If you’re asking “what fishing line should I use?”, here’s the quick checklist:

1. Decide whether you need sensitivity, invisibility, stretch, or strength.
2. Match your choice to the technique and season.
3. Use fluoro for clear water and abrasion resistance, braid for cover and sensitivity, mono for topwater and affordability.
4. Keep at least two line types handy so you can adapt as conditions change.

Choosing the right line isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s about pairing the right tool with the right situation. Get that balance right, and you’ll cast farther, feel more bites, and land more fish.