Choosing the right line can be the difference between getting skunked and limiting out. But there are so many options out there. Mono, fluorocarbon, braid, nylon… and strength ratings from 2 pound test to over 100 pound test. I’m going to walk you through the basics of trout line and help you choose the best fishing line for trout in your area. So let’s get started…
But first, If you want the quick answer then I’d say generally the best fishing line for trout would be Berkley Vanish 4 pound fluorocarbon. But honestly there is a lot that goes into choosing the correct line for your fish in your area with your fishing style. That is what I will go into with this article.
Main-line vs leader
You’ve probably heard the terms leader and main line.
Your main-line is the line that you spool onto your reel. You probably have give or take 100 yards of this on your reel.
Your leader is optional. Usually it would be a 2-5′ section of thinner line that is tied to the end of your main-line and the hook. The purpose of the leader is to use a line that is more difficult for fish to see near the bait.
Personally, I almost never use a different size leader while fishing for trout. I prefer having my entire main-line be thin and low visibility. This keeps things simple with less knot tying and less wasted line.
There are definitely times when using a thicker main-line and thinner leader would be beneficial.
Many people have one rod that they use for many different species and sizes of fish. They don’t want to change their entire main line every time they switch from bass fishing to trout fishing.
You may have 10 pound Mono as a main-line for bass, then just tie on a couple feet of 4 pound fluoro when you want to catch some trout. The only issue would be that it is more difficult to cast 10 pound line vs 4 pound when you are using lightweight trout tackle.
Mono vs Fluoro For Trout
Both these line types have their pros and cons. I usually choose fluorocarbon for trout because of the low visibility, but not always. Let’s start off with Monofilament.
Monofilament
Mono is the more common and traditional fishing line. It is the cheapest option, and it works great.
Pros:
- Cheaper than Fluoro
- Abrasion resistant
Cons:
- High memory (more difficult to cast)
- Fish can see it
Fluorocarbon
Fluoro is almost twice as expensive as mono, but if you’re serious about catching more fish, it is worth the price. The reason is simply because fish can’t see it as easily.
Pros:
- Very low visibility under the water
- Lower memory than mono (cast farther and fewer tangles)
Cons:
- About twice as expensive as mono
- Low abrasion resistance (so you have to change line more often)
I pretty much always choose Fluorocarbon when fishing for trout because it’s almost invisible underwater. It’s worth the higher price, and even fishing as much as I do with 4 pound line, I only need to change line about once or twice per year.
But if Fluoro isn’t in your budget then mono isn’t bad. You won’t have to change line as often and with a light line like 2-4 pound you can still catch more fish than most people out there who fishing with 10-20 pound line.
That brings us to line strength…
What Pound Test For Trout?
“Pound test” is the phrase we use when referring to the strength of a fishing line. For trout use 4 pound test, but go down to 2 pound in certain situations.
A 2 pound test fishing line should break when lifting a 2 pound weight off the floor. A 100 pound test line should be able to lift 100 pounds before breaking.
I say “should” because recently manufactures have been labeling 4 pound test line as 2 pound test and bragging that they have the strongest “2 pound test” line.
It is what it is, but I like to pay attention to not only the pound test rating, but also the line diameter. It’ll say right on the package. For example 4 pound line is around dia. .007 inches. You can compare different brands because they will be slightly different. I like to choose the thinnest.
I find 4 pound test to be the best all around fishing line for trout. Matched with a good flexible rod and decent reel, you can fight a trout of over 20 inches without trouble. It is thin enough that it doesn’t bother most fish, and thick enough to cast sinkers for bottom fishing. And if you fish with spinners like Rooster-tails, you won’t get as much line twist as you would with 2 pound line.
When fish are being picky, I’ll sometimes try 2 pound test. To fish 2 pound line you need to have a really good rod with a lot of flex and length. You also need a reel that has a smooth drag set correctly.
When a big angry fish runs off with your hook in it’s mouth you need the long flexible rod to absorb the initial pull, then a good drag to let line off before it reaches the breaking point.
Don’t underestimate the ability of light lines matched with good rod and reel combos. My biggest trout was a 21.5 inch cutthroat I caught in a river with 2 pound line.
But know that these lighter lines will be more susceptible to line twist, tangles, and abrasion. It’s important to use high quality swivels. Pay close attention to your line. Look for any signs of abrasion around your hook and bobber/sinker. Check your knots often. watch for line twist (especially when fishing with spinners).
Remember that doing the extra steps that most people aren’t willing to do will help you catch more fish.
What’s The Best Brand of Fishing Line For Trout?
There are many brands out there, and even within brands there are many different types of line. 4 pound Seaguar InvizX is the best of the best when it comes to fishing line for trout. But not everyone can afford Seaguar so my budget choice would be Berkley Vanish 4 pound Fluorocarbon.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you see all the different brands and models of fishing line. But don’t stress it too much. There isn’t going to be a major difference between brands, it’s just another way for guys like me to geek-out. Basically any 4 pound line will do you good.
But if you want to geek-out then do some research. There are a lot of opinions online. And many YouTubers do some interesting tests to see what lines have the best knot strength, tension strength, abrasion resistance, and casting ability.
From my research and years of fishing experience I’d go with Seaguar for their exceptional abrasion resistance.
What’s The Best Line For Bottom Fishing?
You can use 4 pound line for bottom fishing, and I often do, but if Bottom fishing is all you do, I would use 6-8 pound fluorocarbon main line and pound fluorocarbon leader. And here’s why…
When you are bottom fishing you are using a sinker which will help you to cast even with heavier lines. So you don’t need a light line to cast farther.
A major advantage of using a heavier line like 6 pound, is when you are fishing in a rocky pond or lake, you are more likely to be able to pull your sinker out when it’s stuck in a snag that would break 4 pound.
When bottom fishing, thread your sliding sinker onto your main line, then end it with a swivel. Tie on your 4 pound leader and hook. Your sinker is the most likely part of your rig to get snagged, but since it is on your stronger main line you are more likely to get it back.
Another advantage to using a heavier pound line for bottom fishing is that it is less stretchy and therefore more sensitive. When you are bottom fishing you are relying on feel to detect a bite.
I like to keep the rod in my hand when bottom fishing because I can feel the bite before I’d be able to see the rod tip bend. The less stretch, the easier it is to feel that fish bite.
So what like has the least amount of stretch?… Braid
And we just opened up another can of worms…
Braid For Trout Fishing
Braid is a third option of fishing line. It’s nothing like mono or fluoro. Instead of being a clear plastic like line, it is like braided strands of ultra strong and thin thread. It has practically no stretch or memory. It casts quite a bit farther than mono or fluoro. And is much thinner than it’s equivalent pound test mono or fluoro.
Looking at the chart above we see that 15 pound braid has the same diameter as our 4 pound mono! But of course remember that diameter isn’t everything…
Mono is usually pretty see-though and fluoro is practically invisible underwater. Braid on the other hand is not clear in the least bit and is very visible to fish.
If you want to try braid I recommend getting a color like green or camouflage that will blend in with the underwater world.
Another pro of using braid is the zero stretch which means maximum sensitivity. You can feel every pebble as you drag your sinker across the bottom or drift it down the river. And when a fish comes by you’re going to feel even the slightest touch.
The strength of braid is crazy. If you get a snag you can usually pull it out of rocks or even reel in some pretty big branches.
But if you are stuck on a big boulder and need to break your braid then be sure to wrap the braid around a stick and pull on the stick, otherwise you could break your rod or reel. Never wrap it around your hand because it’ll cut you pretty deep.
Another thing to consider is fighting the fish. A more stretchy line can actually be beneficial when fighting a fish, especially if you are using a light leader. A stretchy main like will act as a shock absorber much like a long flexible rod.
If you were to use a stiff rod, braided main line and a 4 pound fluoro leader, you would likely break off a big fish because all the stress is put on that short fluoro leader.
Pros:
- No stretch means ultimate sensitivity
- No memory means easy casting
- Diameter to strength is way better than mono or fluoro
- Stronger line means less likely to loose your gear to snags
Cons:
- Due to it’s visibility you have to use fluoro or mono leader when trout fishing
- Be careful fighting fish so you don’t put too much stress on the leader and break off
- More difficult to break off your gear if you do get snagged.
Personally I would only use braid for trout if I was bottom fishing with very deep or long casts where I need the extra sensitivity and low stretch.
Learn More
To learn more about trout fishing, check out my page: How To Catch Trout, or look through the menu at the top for more topics.
