How do you determine what fishing line size to put on your fishing reel?
The choice mostly depends on the size of the fish you’re after. 10, 15 or 20 lb fish will require different lines.
Is braided line good for bass fishing?
Braided line is not only used for heavy cover or in situations where you need to cut off weeds, but it has become more and more popular in bass fishing too. Many anglers agree that braid has improved their catch rate.
Making the transition can be a little scary at first, but a braided line is extremely responsive and allows you to set the hook more easily and work baits with less physical effort. Braided line also gives anglers the leverage needed to get the bass out of heavy cover before the fish can get tangled up.
Big bass sometimes “knock slack” in the line and the bite is harder to feel. Sometimes you may even feel nothing at all. In these cases, it helps to use braid as it allows more sensitivity and you’ll be able to feel more bites.
Monofilament vs braided line
Many anglers struggle to choose between mono and braid for bass fishing. Choosing the proper line is just as important as selecting the right lure.
Before seeing pros and cons of each choice, let’s say that there’s no better option and it’s mostly about personal preferences. Let’s find out which one best suits your needs.
Monofilament is inexpensive and easy to work with. It may be the perfect choice for beginners, since it can be tied with little effort. Mono provides a lot of stretch and this can be both an advantage and disadvantage when bass fishing. Monofilament is great with reaction baits, however, with a stronger hookset you risk snapping the line.
Braid is a trustworthy option for bass fishermen as well: it has a strong profile and virtually no stretch. In comparison with monofilament, a 20 lb mono is going to be way thicker than 20 lb braid, meaning that, if you use braid, you’ll work with a thinner, more castable and durable line. The downside is that you must use a leader if you want to hide your line to the fish.
How do I choose the best braided line for bass?
We’ve seen that braid is an exceptional line when it comes to bass fishing, but how to choose the best one? For a better experience, you should consider durability and functionality.
Braid is very durable, however, not all lines are created the same. A durable line will resist abrasion and the best ones are those with a large diameter. Choose a thicker braid especially if you fish near the rocks. However, small diameter lines also perform well: it all depends on the materials used, and that’s why you should always buy from a reputable and well-known brand.
A high functional braid will adapt easily to different fishing environments and conditions. Functionality also depends on the color you pick: different shades work better in different environments (e.g. bright colors are extremely functional in muddy waters).
That being said, no single line is perfect for every scenario and if you ask 10 anglers about their opinion, you’ll probably get 10 different answers on what works best for them.
Try to experiment and with time, you’ll find out what functions for you.