A monofilament fishing line is a must-have for every angler, especially beginners or people on a budget. There are many reasons that they’re so popular, but there are also many things to look out for when buying a new fishing line.
So, we’ve done our own research to tell you everything you need to know about monofilament lines in general and to help you find the best monofilament line.
List of the Best Monofilament Lines
- Hi-Seas Grand Slam – Best Overall
- KastKing World’s Premium Line – Runner-Up
- Berkley Trilene Big Game – Best Abrasion Resistance
- Stren High-Impact – Best for Saltwater
- SpiderWire Ultracast – Most Innovative
- South Bend – Best Budget
- KastKing DuraBlend – Best Leader Material
The 7 Best Monofilament Lines in 2020
1. Hi-Seas Grand Slam – Best Overall
The Hi-Seas Grand Slam offers you the biggest selections of line strengths and line lengths. From 6 to 400 pounds, there isn’t a fish out there that this line can’t handle. The insane lengths range from 210 to 14640 yards. You don’t find these options everywhere.
You thought that is all this line had to offer? You’re wrong. It has high abrasion resistance and unbeatable shock absorption, which makes sense since it targets the big scary fish as well as the small ones. In addition, it offers superior knot strength.
As a line that is good for freshwater and saltwater, it only makes sense when it comes in different color options, too. This one comes in 5 with a variety between clear, high-viz, and low-viz colors.
Pros:
- Largest strength range from 6 to 400 lbs
- Very long spool length up to 14640 yds
- 5 color options
- Strong knots
- High abrasion resistance
- Good for freshwater and saltwater
- Amazing shock absorption
- Perfect for spinning reels
- High sensitivity
Cons:
- Lighter tests are a bit stiff
Bottom Line
This line offers you more than any other one on the market, so it deserves our top spot.
2. KastKing World’s Premium Line – Runner-Up
The KastKing World’s premium line is truly premium. Its line strength ranges from 4 to 30 pounds, providing beginners and professionals a nice selection. Our line comes in 300 and 600 yards to cater to your long-line needs.
Any good monofilament line has great abrasion resistance, and this one won’t disappoint. It is built to be used around structure or to endure aggressive fish. Combine the resistance with its thin diameter, and you’ll get the best leader.
The low memory prevents backlashes and wind knots, which leads to easy spooling and great castability.
You can use the KastKing for fishing in saltwater or freshwater, in a tournament, or as a hobby.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Low memory
- High abrasion resistance
- 7 color options
- 300/600 yds
- 4 to 30 lbs
- Great castability
- Good for freshwater and saltwater
- Thin diameter
- Strong knots
Cons:
- Low sensitivity
Bottom Line
This line has all the best aspects of monofilament in one line at an affordable price. You can’t beat this.
3. Berkley Trilene Big Game – Best Abrasion Resistance
The Berkley Trilene Big Game is a very affordable first step to fruitful fishing. It comes in a mindblowing line strength of 8 to 130 pounds. A size range of 275 to 10800 yards is just shocking. There is no fishing need out there that isn’t addressed.
We need to talk about how tough this line is. It has extreme fighting power for big-game fish of freshwater and saltwater. The shock resistance is insane, and only the line will survive in a fight. This line’s abrasion resistance handles sharp edges like they’re nothing.
We are impressed with this line’s color selection, where the bright colors truly show you the way, and the low-viz colors give you the invisibility you desire.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- 6 color options
- Great abrasion resistance
- Impressive shock absorption
- 8 to 130 lbs
- 275 to 10800 yds
- Good for freshwater and saltwater
- Strong knots
Cons:
- Has memory
Bottom Line
If you want an affordable line that is as tough as nails, you won’t find a line as tough as this one.
4. Stren High-Impact – Best for Saltwater
This is not a casual line that you catch small fish with. It’s a line that you use to tell big species, “show me your worst.” There is no louder proof than its line strength of 10 to 30 pounds and a length range of 400 to 1275 yards. You’ll catch the sharkiest sharks and bassiest bass.
The Stern High-Impact is equipped with enough shock absorption to handle some seriously feisty fish. This level of strength and durability makes the Stren the perfect line for casting, spinning, and trolling reels; it’s an essential part of anglers’ coastal and offshore fishing.
It offers 4 color options that are transparent for ultra-low visibility.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Amazing shock absorption
- 4 color options
- Ultra-low visibility
- 10 to 30 lbs
- 400 to 1275 yds
- Great hooksetting powers
- Strong knots
- Can be used for non-fishing related purposes
Cons:
- Has memory
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a monofilament that won’t disappoint against the hard-hitting species in saltwater, this is it.
5. SpiderWire Ultracast – Most Innovative
If the usual low sensitivity and water absorption of monofilament bother you, you’ve come to the right place. The SpiderWire Ultracast is the perfect bridge between nylon and superline.
Its line strength ranges from 4 to 20 pounds, and it comes in 270, 300, and 330 yards.
The SpiderWire Ultracast has a spectacular strength-to-diameter ratio with a copolymer that is 33% stronger than the average mono. Also, it has 15% less stretch for higher sensitivity and better hooksetting powers.
Unlike any other monofilament line when wet, this one still holds a strong knot and maintains excellent shock absorption. The thin diameter makes casting even smoother.
Pros:
- Affordable
- 33% stronger than the average mono
- Strong knot (even when wet)
- Shock absorption (even when wet)
- Thin diameter
- 4 to 20 lbs
- 270/300/330 yds
- High sensitivity
Cons:
- Only ‘clear’ option
Bottom Line
If you want an affordable monofilament line without monofilament’s usual problems, this line is for you.
6. South Bend – Best Budget
The South Bend has a wide range of line strengths from 4 to 60 pounds. In addition, it has one of the most diverse length options on the market ranging from 100 to 1125 yards.
What’s really impressive about this line is its abrasion resistance and the ability to hold strong knots, so you know you’ll be able to tie any lure to it. This line offers you all of this strength with a small diameter.
Besides being incredibly affordable, the line is even more economical in how multi-purpose it is. You can use it for fishing, picture hanging, sewing, repairing, and more! Its strength makes it really good for everything.
Pros:
- Great abrasion resistance
- Strong knots
- 4 to 60 lbs
- 100 to 1125 yds
- Multi-purpose
- Small diameter
Cons:
- Only ‘clear’ option
Bottom Line
If you want an economical, multi-purpose option that is also very strong, the South Bend line has your back.
7. KastKing DuraBlend – Best Leader Material
If you’re tired of looking for the best monofilament leader, your search is finally over. The KastKing DuraBlend comes in a 120-yard length, which is more than enough for your leader needs. It offers an impressive range of line strength from 20 to 200 lbs.
As a leader, it has great abrasion resistance and shock absorption, as it will take most of the damage for the mainline. Thanks to the DuraBlend core, it has anti-wear properties that make it last longer than other leaders.
Another good thing about the KastKing DuraBlend is that it sinks fast, which makes it perfect for deep-sea fishing. Actually, it performs well in freshwater, saltwater, and kayak fishing.
Pros:
- 20 to 200 lbs
- Good for freshwater, saltwater, and kayak fishing
- No line memory
- Sinks fast
- High sensitivity
- DuraBlend core
- Shock absorption
- High abrasion resistance
Cons:
- Comes in cheap packaging
Bottom Line
This leader is strong, innovative, and versatile. It is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a monofilament leader
Things We Like and Dislike about Monofilament
The Good Stuff
Affordable
It comes as no surprise that monofilament lines are so popular when they cost the least out of all fishing lines. Not every angler out there can afford a braided line. Beginners also don’t want to push their budget, so an affordable monofilament line sounds the most reasonable.
Easy to Use
Another factor that makes beginners love monofilament lines is their simplicity. Monofilament lines are the most manageable, thanks to their stretchiness. Also, it’s a piece of cake to cut, tie strong knots, or rig with a monofilament line.
Buoyant
Monofilament has a low density compared to water, so it floats. Its floatability makes monofilament ideal for surface water lures, or whenever you don’t want a line that sinks too fast.
Diverse Color Options
Thanks to nylon being the easiest to dye, monofilament lines come in a variety of colors. Colors dramatically affect your fishing, whether in using high-viz colors to help you monitor your line or low-viz colors to hide your line from the fish.
Shock Absorber
Monofilament’s stretchiness gives it an advantage, which is good shock absorption.
Good shock absorption means you won’t struggle violently with a fish in a sudden hookset or when a fish attacks you. The line goes back to its original form as if nothing happened.
Thicker Diameter
Monofilament lines have thicker diameters than their fluorocarbon and braided counterparts. This quality gives these lines excellent abrasion resistance. A quality like this is to-die-for, especially if you’ll fish in an area where there are rocks, weeds, or any sharp edges.
The Bad Stuff
Stretch
Monofilament’s stretchiness is cool until you realize that it reduces the line’s sensitivity to bites, movements, or any sudden changes you need to be aware of immediately. This lack of awareness can lead you to lose fish because you don’t react soon enough.
Deterioration
Monofilament is a line that you’ll have to change very often. It deteriorates due to exposure to UV rays. Also, it changes properties when it’s wet. It is the most affordable, so it would probably hurt the least to change it when it weakens.
Buoyant
If you’re planning on deep-sea fishing and deep casts, monofilament won’t work for you because of its buoyant nature.
What to Look for When Buying a Monofilament Line
1. Color
One of the best aspects of monofilament lines is the variety of colors. However, sometimes being offered multiple options can be confusing.
The options provided are mostly clear, low-viz colors, and high-viz. Clear and low-viz colors are for invisibility, while high-viz colors are to be seen.
Clear lines are perfect for clear water, but it has to be cleaned regularly, so it doesn’t turn white. Blue is also perfect for clear water. Low-viz colors such as moss green work great in camouflaging your line in bodies of water packed with weeds and structures.
High-viz colors such as bright yellow or lime green help anglers see the line and keep track.
2. Abrasion Resistance
A line with high abrasion resistance is needed if you’re fishing in a place with a lot of structure, rocks, weeds, or sharp edges. You want a line that is as tough as the environment you’ll use it in.
However, not all kinds of fishing require high abrasion resistance. If you’re fishing in a hassle-free environment or using a topwater lure, you can do without abrasion resistance.
3. Line Strength
The ability of a line to carry a certain amount of weight before it snaps is called a pound test. A line’s pound test should match your target fish’s weight in pounds. If your target is 10-pound fish, then you should get a 10-pound line.
It shouldn’t be less than your target fish’s weight, or it will break. However, you shouldn’t go too heavy with the line either, unless you know you can handle it.
4. Memory
Memory is the line’s ability to retain its last shape that it was in for a while. This tendency leads to curling and tangling; nobody wants to deal with that.
So, you should be on the lookout for low-memory lines because they stay straight off the spool. A low-memory line is what you need for a smooth and long cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Monofilament?
For starters, monofilament is the most affordable fishing. In addition, it is the easiest to use or tie knots with. Also, its thick diameter and stretch make it tough against sudden attacks, structures, and rough surfaces. Finally, the diversity in color options is insane.
Which Is Better: Mono or Fluorocarbon?
Both have their pros and cons; the choice depends on your needs. Monofilament is stretchy, tough, buoyant, and easy to use. Fluorocarbon is practically invisible, sensitive to bites, waterproof, and long-lasting.
Nonetheless, monofilament deteriorates fast and has low sensitivity to bites and movements. Fluorocarbon is more expensive, has higher memory, and sinks too fast for some situations.
How Long Does a Monofilament Line Last?
It is said that you should change it once a year, but the answer depends on how often you use it, store it wet, or expose it to UV rays. As a rule of thumb, you should always check your line for any signs of wearing out.
What Type of Plastic Is a Monofilament Fishing Line?
It is made of a single fiber of nylon. Thanks to its high melting point and impressive abrasion resistance, it only made sense to use it to make these handy fishing lines.
If a monofilament line isn’t made of nylon, it’s probably made of fluoropolymer for extra durability, which is a fluorocarbon-based polymer.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right monofilament line for you is not easy, but we hope our little research has helped you. Now, let’s go over some highlights.
For a large variety of colors for different purposes, consider the KastKing World’s Premium Line and the Berkley Trilene Big Game.
If what you want is a tough monofilament that can handle the most aggressive fish and the most unfriendly environment, check out the SpiderWire Ultracast and the KastKing DuraBlend.
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