Monofilament line is transparent and sinks very slowly in comparison to fluorocarbon. Monofilament is a good option for fishing topwater baits because it almost floats in the water. Monofilament line stretches, making it more difficult to feel a fish bite, so a short monofilament leader on braided line is a great option to minimize the stretch and increase the hook-up ratio.
Fluorocarbon line is transparent and has very low stretch, compared to monofilament. Fluorocarbon is different than monofilament because it sinks and is more abrasion resistant. Fluorocarbon is a great line to use when it’s necessary to feel the bait at the end of the line. A worm, a jig, a Carolina rig, and a crankbait are all good baits to use with fluorocarbon.
Braided line is an extremely strong woven line with no stretch. Braid is the best around heavy cover because it cuts through vegetation, while monofilament and fluorocarbon can get hung up. The zero stretch will help to pull the fish out of the vegetation and get it to the boat. Like Monofilament, braid floats so it is good for fishing topwater baits.
Learn which line type and pound-test the Strike King pros would choose for each lure category. The best bass fishing line selection varies based on factors such as structure, water clarity and technique.
12-pound fluorocarbon is a great line for cranking. This gives the crankbait plenty of action because it is not too big. 12-pound test is also thin enough to get the maximum depth out of a crankbait. Greg Bohannan throws just about all his crankbaits on 12-pound fluorocarbon, including the 1.5 deep diver.
Be sure to have the perfect cranking rod and reel setup:
17-pound fluorocarbon is a great all-around size for many situations, including when fishing a worm, a football jig, or a Texas-rigged Rage Bug.
Be sure to have the perfect rod and reel setup to fish a worm or jig:
17-pound fluorocarbon is also a great option for fishing a Thunder Cricket or a spinnerbait because it's not too big. This size allows your bait to work properly and cast very well, while still being plenty strong enough.
Be sure to have the perfect rod and reel setup to fish a vibrating jig or spinnerbait:
30- to 50-pound braided line is great for most topwater baits. 30-pound braid is recommended with a Sexy Dawg or a KVD Splash to achieve casting distance in open water. Because of monofilament's stretch, adding a 12- to 15-pound leader helps to avoid ripping treble hooks out. A buzzbait, a toad, or a hollow body frog would be best with 50-pound braid to fish in heavier cover.
Be sure to have the perfect rod and reel setup to fish topwater:
Punching in thick vegetation or trash requires an extremely strong, zero-stretch line. 65-pound braid will cut through vegetation and pull the fish up out of it. Use a heavy ounce or an ounce and a half tungsten weight with a Rage Bug or Rage Punch Bug to punch through thick vegetation.
Be sure to have the perfect flipping rod and reel setup:
15- to 17-pound fluorocarbon is ideal for fishing with swimbaits. Use 17-pound test with bigger swimbaits, like the 5 ¾ Rage Swimmer.
Be sure to have the perfect rod and reel setup to fish a swimbait:
15- to 20-pound braided line casts great on a spinning rod because it has less twist than other line types. Attach an 8- to 12-pound fluorocarbon or monofilament leader to the braid when fishing slowly or in clear water. This is a perfect line combination for fishing a finesse bait on a dropshot, or ned rig head.
Be sure to have the perfect finesse rod and reel setup:
