Walleye are a very popular fish to catch in the northern US. They a favorite for the dinner table. There are a number of techniques for catching walleye, and different techniques work better with different fishing lines. Here is an overview of what fishing line should be used to catch walleye.
Quick Look
- 6 to 8 lb. Test
- Best: Monofilament
- Good: Fluorocarbon
- Also Good: 10 to 15 lb. Test Braid
- Leader: 6 lb. Test Fluorocarbon
Monofilament Fishing Line For Walleye?
Monofilament fishing line has been a long time favorite of walleye anglers. Mono works particularly well when fishing with live bait, as it has some stretch which helps keep the bait on the hook.
Over the past decade, more and more walleye anglers have branched out to test fluorocarbon lines and braid. They all have their benefits and situations in which they work best.
A lot about fishing line for walleyes has to do with an anglers personal preference. So don’t feel like you need to go out and buy new line just to catch walleye. Start with whatever you have, then branch out if you want.
What lb. Test Fishing Line For Walleye?
Most walleye anglers will use a 6 to 8 lb. test monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing line. If you are using braid, it’s best to use between 10 and 30 lb. test.
Walleye aren’t huge fish, but they do live right down near the bottom of the lake or river. So you will usually be trolling or bouncing jigs along the bottom. If the bottom is rocky, or has a lot of snags, then you want a line that will hold up to some abrasion.
Leader Material For Walleye
Walleye leaders should be made from either fluorocarbon or monofilament in the 6 to 8 lb. test range. These materials are less visible than braid, and allow some stretch.
The stretch of mono and fluoro will help to both keep the live bait on the hook as well as hold the hook in the walleye’s mouth better.
Is Fluorocarbon Good For Catching Walleye?
Fluorocarbon fishing line is a popular choice amongst walleye anglers. It has more stretch than braided lines, and is less visible than mono. The downside to Fluorocarbon line is that it costs more.
Considering the water color of where you will be fishing should help you to decide if fluorocarbon is right for you.
If the water is clean and clear, then it may be worth it to use fluorocarbon over monofilament. Fluorocarbon is less visible underwater than mono is.
If you want to use fluoro but aren’t ready to make the complete swap, you can always just use fluorocarbon leaders on a mono main line.
Is Braid Good For Catching Walleye?
Braid is becoming a more popular fishing line amongst walleye anglers, however it isn’t the best for all techniques. Braided line has the benefit of being much more sensitive than mono or fluoro.
Where braid does well is when trolling for walleye. Because braid has no stretch, it is extremely sensitive. This means that while trolling, you can clearly see what is going on with your rig below.
This can also be a good thing if you are fishing jigs with soft plastics. The sensitivity of braid can help you detect bites and get a good hookset.
The technique where braid is less common is when jig fishing with live minnows. There are still people who do it, but the argument against it would be that if you jig aggressively, it can pull your hook out of the minnow and you have to re-bait.
