Choosing the best fishing line for trout is more important than some anglers think. Many amateur fishermen pay very little heed to the type of line that they use. There’s more to it than many people think. Any cheap fishing line could work, but the right fishing line will work better.

Think of it this way. You could use a pipe wrench to knock down a wall, or you could use a sledgehammer. Both could work, but one is going to be much better. Always use the right tool for the right job. Use the right fishing lines for trout.

Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader

Seaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader is some of the best trout fishing line you can get. It’s been reeling in trout for almost 50 years now. The line is 100% fluorocarbon leader. You can get it at numerous sizes including 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 80 lbs.

The tensile strength is perfect for trout fishing. The knot strength is also exceptional. You don’t need to worry about abrasion with this line either, as it’s very resistant. Because it is a fluorocarbon line, once it goes underwater it’s almost invisible. It is not reflective either.

Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Spool

When you want a reliable mono line for a good value, the Berkley Trilene Big Game monofilament spool is for you. This is one of the cheapest lines on the market. And for the price, it’s also one of the strongest and most reliable.

If you plan to catch big trout, this is a great choice. It’s strong enough to reel in any trout you’re likely to find. Because it’s meant for trout that will fight you, it has a good controlled stretch. Word is that this line almost never snaps.

Knot strength is another highlight of the Berkley Trilene Big Game monofilament. Unfortunately, it also is susceptible to memory. That means it may coil up on you. That could make this bad news on a spinning reel.

Sunline Super FC Sniper

Sunline Super FC Sniper uses a triple resin coating. That makes it very abrasion-resistant. It can handle everything you may drag it through in the water. It’s also very pliable and easy to manage as a result.

You can get the Super FC Sniper anywhere from 200 to 1200 yards. It also comes in strengths up to 25 lbs. Despite that, it’s also very sensitive. The low memory is also helpful.

This is the best fishing line for trout if you’re looking for those trophy trout. Because of its power and strength it’s ideal for heavy jobs. If you’re fishing in a lot of weeds, or cluttered water, this is your best choice. You’ll feel the snags, but you won’t necessarily break. You’ll pay a premium for this line compared to others, but it may be worth it.

KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line

Kastking is mostly known for their high quality fishing rods. Their Fluorokote fishing line is also exceptional. This line is made from pure fluorocarbon and something called copolymer. In the water, this line disappears. It’s almost impossible for a trout to see this. It has very little stretch as well.

Unlike some lines, Fluorokote is very easy to knot. Compared to many lines of a similar diameter, the knot strength is very high. This is a result of the mixture of copolymer and fluorocarbon. Another upside of this line is that because of its density, it sinks quickly.

KastKing’s line is the best fishing line for dragging baits and lures along the bottom. It has high abrasion resistance that will prevent it from breaking. This wouldn’t be the best choice for fly fishing by any means.

Spectra Power Pro

If you’re in the market for a braided fishing line, then Power Pro by Spectra is a great choice. It’s very strong and reliable. It’s also very sensitive thanks to a thin diameter, and it spools directly from the box.

You can get Power Pro Spectra line in sizes that range from eight pounds to 250 pounds. You can also use almost any knot tying tool you like with it. If knot tying isn’t your thing, this is your best choice. Because of its durability, the chances of your line snapping unexpectedly are slim.

On the downside, this line isn’t cheap. It can also form wind knots sometimes. But it is very high-quality. That’s why the price is higher than it is for some other lines.

P-Line Floroclear Fishing Line

P-Line Floroclear is a copolymer and fluorocarbon line. It’s excellent for knot tying. If you had issues tying knots in other lines, you should give this one a try. The line features exceptional abrasion resistance and limited stretch. That means it does not curl as much as other fluorocarbon lines do. This is thanks in part to a special silicone coating on the line. That same coating makes this exceptional when it comes to casting.

Many anglers compare this line to monofilament line. It has the best characteristics of both kinds of lines. Another upside is that P-Line tends to be cheaper than other fluorocarbon lines. The biggest downside is that silicone coating will wear off in time.

Stren Fluorocast Fishing Line

Stren Fluorocast fishing line has a great casting ability. It moves well and causes few problems. It’s also renowned for its accuracy. As long as your aim is good, this will follow your cast like a dream.

Because this line is 100% fluorocarbon, it’s very strong. Another benefit is the ultra-sensitivity of the line. The moment you get a bite, you will feel it. This has a little more memory than some lines available, however. That means you can expect some bends after a while.

Croch Weight Forward Fly Fishing Line

Croch Weight Forward Fly Fishing Line is one of the best lines you’re going to find for fly fishing. It offers superior strength and elasticity. The line is made with low stretch braided multifilament core. It is coated with a surface skin material to increase cast distance by lowering friction.

The company stands behind this line like few others. There’s a one-year warranty from the manufacturer. If you have any problems, contact the manufacturer and they’ll work it out with you.

Things to Remember

As you have seen, there are several line materials available. Depending on your style of fishing, one kind of line may be superior to another for you. Not every kind is best fishing line for trout fishing. Some very much depend on the kind of trout you’re after. Your best option, if you’re not sure, is to try a few. See what works best for how you fish and where.

Monofilament

As the name suggests, monofilament line is one single line. It’s made from a strand of some kind of polymer. The line is made by mixing liquid polymer and extruding the mixture. A single line pumps out of a machine and is wound on a spool. Mono lines can come in a wide variety of colors. They also come in numerous tensile strengths.

The big advantage to monofilament line is that it can stretch. This is crucial for reeling in some larger trout. The line needs to have some give like that so it doesn’t break right away. It’s also safer than something like a braided line if it snaps. The line that claps back at you will not damage you like it might with a braided line.

Mono line is also the best fishing line for tying knots. Many other kinds can handle knots well. But no matter how good braided or fluorocarbon get, they are rarely as good as mono.

Braided

Unlike mono line, braided fishing line is made of several strands together. The lines are braided together to increase strength. This makes for stronger knots, and less stretch. You can get the same strength from braided line as monofilament line in less space. Braided line will be 1/4 of the thickness to 1/3 of the thickness. That means you could get more line in the same space.

One of the advantages to using braided line is that it tends to cast much further than mono line. Also, it does not have the stretch of mono line which can be an advantage for some kinds of fishing.

Braided line is also more sensitive than mono line. You’ll be able to tell if you’ve caught yourself on some grass or anything else more easily with braided line.

Fluorocarbon

Fluorocarbon fishing line is very similar to mono line. It’s extruded in a single strand in much the same way. This kind of line is made from a very particular material. In fishing line it is something called polyvinylidene difluoride. it is thinner and more dense than mono line. That makes it heavier, and you can fit more on a spool.

One of the advantages to fluorocarbon fishing line for trout is that it’s almost invisible underwater. That means trout won’t get tipped off as easily. It is also more sensitive because of the atomic structure of the line. It transmits vibration much more easily. And it is much tougher than other lines.

The downside to fluorocarbon line for fishing is that it could be hard to tie knots with. Some brands of fluorocarbon fishing line can be very stiff as well. That makes them hard to work with compared to more traditional fishing lines. There are some higher-quality fluorocarbon fishing lines that have worked this problem out, though.

Lead Core

You may see this for sale in some places, but it really isn’t useful for trout fishing. Like the name suggests, these fishing lines have a lead core inside of them. That makes them extremely heavy and strong. They are designed for fishing at sea. Trout fishing is not the sort of angling that lends itself to lead core line. This is much more appropriate for trophy fishing in the ocean.

Size

The size of fishing line does not refer to the length of the spool. Instead, it refers to the diameter. It’s a measurement in millimetres. Thinner line is more difficult for trout to see. If it’s too thin, however, it will lose strength. The size affects things like casting ability, flexibility, and stretch. Too little of these, or too much, can affect your ability to catch trout.

Weight

Weight affects the strength and durability of your trout fishing line. A low number line weight is going to be a thin line that breaks easily. But too high will make it too thick and easily spotted by the trout. For trout you want something between 4 lb and 6 lb usually. That would be best for a fluorocarbon line for trout. For a mono line, a 2 to 4 pound weight might be best.

Memory

Memory refers to fishing lines’ tendency to revert to its original shape. Fishing line comes wrapped around a spool. If it has a strong memory, it will continue to spool even when you unwind it. This can easily create tangles. The best fishing line will have a low memory. Monofilament line usually has the strongest memory of the fishing lines. This is a deal-breaker for some anglers. Braided line has a low memory. Fluorocarbon lines for fishing also have low memory.

Color

You never want to tip off the trout that you’re fishing for them. At the same time, you want to be able to see the line yourself. That means you need to strike a balance between what you can see and what the trout can see. Trout spook very easily. Experienced fishermen know that even the slightest irregularity can scare trout off. You never want to give them a reason to swim away. The best lines for trout will be invisible or naturally colored.

Fluorocarbon is great for this because it is almost invisible in the water. Mono and braided lines can come in a number of different colors. You’ll often see blue or green tinted lines that make them harder for trout to see.

The color of your line is also affected by lighting conditions. You want a brighter line for trout when you’re fishing in low light. Remember, when it’s dark, the trout have a harder time seeing as well.

If you can’t use a fully invisible fluorocarbon line for trout, then your best bet is probably a green shade.

Sensitivity

There are a couple of reasons to be aware of a line’s sensitivity. If a line has good sensitivity, you’ll be able to feel when you get a bite. The vibrations easily travel up the line to the rod. If you can feel it in your hand, you’ve got a good line sensitivity.

Detecting bites isn’t the only reason to use sensitive line. Very sensitive line can let you feel when you’re caught in weeds or debris. The feeling will be different in your hand. Good sensitivity will let you feel the difference. The best fishing line for trout will be sensitive.

Sensitivity is less important on calm waters. In rough waters, it can help you tell the difference between chop and a bite. Stronger lines are often less sensitive overall. The thicker line weight usually limits sensitivity. Some lines manage to strike a good balance between the two.

Abrasion Resistance

You want a trout fishing line that is going to last for a while. You’ll need one with good abrasion resistance for this to happen. General wear and tear of reeling and casting takes its toll on your line. Likewise, if it grates across rock or debris under the water, you risk wearing the line down. In time, the line will break. A higher degree of abrasion resistance stops this from happening.

Durability

Line durability is related to line weight and strength. The durability is important for how it stands up to things like backlash. If your hook gets snagged, or you lose your trout and the tension is gone, durability affects how the line reacts. Some trout fishing lines will snap easily during a backlash. A highly durable line can stand up to that kind of stress.

Stretch

Line stretch is one of those attributes that has pros and cons on both sides. Mono line for trout is notorious for its ability to stretch. That makes it poor for trout fishing in many anglers’ eyes. But, if you are fighting with a large trout, you need stretch. It allows you to keep the trout on the line and keep fighting with it.

Braided line has little if any stretch to it. For some trout fishing applications this is best. Many fluorocarbon lines for trout also have limited stretch. Understanding how much line stretches can have a great impact on your fishing. This guide here is a good rule of thumb.

Monofilament: Mono line for trout stretches about 1 inch per foot.

Copolymer: Copolymer fish line stretches about a 1/2 per foot.

Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon fishing lines for trout only stretch about 1/4 of an inch per foot.

Braided: A properly made braided fishing line for trout will not have any stretch to it at all.

How does stretch affect your fishing? A 12-foot mono line will stretch to 13 feet when you set the hook. That means you spend more time trying to reel in your trout It also means you’re losing power as it disperses along the stretched length. That can help with a fighting trout that you’re not reeling in on the first bite. But it can harm you on a trout that you need to reel in more quickly. Understanding when you need stretch and when you don’t will improve your trout fishing.

Knot Strength

The ability to tie a knot in a fishing line for trout is extremely important. If a line resists knot tying, it can be hard to secure. Lines with more stretch tend to be easier to knot. Braided fishing lines and fluorocarbon fishing lines are sometimes harder to knot than a monofilament. There are ones that are designed with this in mind. You need to make sure that your particular line is easy enough to tie a knot in. Some will definitely be harder to tie in knots than others. Because of that, they can be hard to work with.

No matter how good you are at tying knots, if your line won’t accept them, they won’t be that good. A line that is too stiff will be hard to secure.

Shock Resistance

Shock resistance, sometimes called impact resistance, is very important in your fishing line. This is your line’s ability to withstand a sudden impact. We’ve all had that experience of a fish snapping at the line suddenly in the water. A line with poor shock resistance would break when this happens. We’ve probably all experienced that once or twice, too. Good shock resistance means the line can hold up to even a surprise attack from the biggest trout.

The Bottom Line

Any fishing line for trout will do in a pinch. But just like any rod and any reel could do, they’re not always the best. It’s best to compare the different kinds of line. See what feels best for you in the water. In some situations, a braided fishing line for trout will be best. In other situations, a fluorocarbon fishing line for tread will be best. Try each one to get a feel for them all. At the end of the day, go with your gut. Trout fishing is about having fun. Don’t stress too much over picking the best fishing line.