This is our review of the Best Braided Fishing Line.
After a thorough review of 20 brands of braided fishing lines, I found that FireLine Crystal by Berkley, in a six-pound test, gains the top spot for strength, reduced visibility, and a moderate price.
My own experience with braided fishing lines dates back to the day I caught my first fish on a small Arkansas stream with my dad. I had a baitcasting reel spooled with black, 30-pound test braided lines. I only cast my worm and bobber about 10 feet when a little catfish took the bait. It was the beginning of a lifetime of angling across the USA.
Braided fishing line is the favorite of bass anglers across the world, but English carp fishing enthusiasts rave about it as well. Many claims that fish can see braided lines instead of fish only with monofilament line or fluorocarbon lines. The feel, power, and additional spool capacity of braided lines make it a favorite for most anglers. If visibility is a concern where you’re fishing, the simplest solution is to tie a fluorocarbon leader to your braided fishing lines. Visibility is reduced without sacrificing sensitivity.
Our Pick for Best Braided Fishing Line
Innovation is the reason FireLine Crystal is the most highly rated braided line in consumer reviews. FireLine is the first translucent braided line on the market.
Innovation is the reason why FireLine Crystal is the best braided fishing line in consumer reviews. FireLine is the first translucent braided line on the market.
Introduced in 2006, the concept of reduced visibility braided lines took the market by storm.
FireLine is braided of spun fiberglass rather than the traditional braided fishing line material. As a result, it is able to reflect light in the water, making it nearly invisible in the right conditions.
As an aside, people who string beads to make jewelry are among the best customers for FireLine. In a six-pound test, it is the strongest material for jewelry making on the market. You won’t likely be stringing beads with FireLine, but you might just catch a jewel of a fish with it.
The argument for “best” in any venue is arbitrary at best. People vary greatly in their opinions when ranking outdoor equipment and fishing equipment is among the most heavily debated topics in the world of outdoor sports.
In selecting FireLine as the best braided fishing line, the criteria were performance rating by actual customers who used the product, product availability, longevity, reputation of the manufacturer, application, innovation, and durability.
With the criteria set, let’s add a little fuel to the debate fire and talk about the best braided fishing lines that made the top 20, but didn’t quite win the prize.
Innovation is the reason FireLine Crystal is the most highly rated braided line in consumer reviews. FireLine is the first translucent braided line on the market.
This is the thinnest line available on the market today, but it remains as strong as competing brands with a much larger diameter.
Spiderwire has been the industry standard in nearly unbreakable braided line for a long time. As many anglers have discovered, you can’t break this line, and you can’t bite it in half either as you can with monofilament.
Power Pro Maxcuatro received high marks among anglers for optimizing casting distance while increasing your reel capacity.
The name may be the same, but FireLine Ultra 8 is a different product than FireLine Crystal. Berkley makes this line from polyethylene fibers in four, six, and eight-pound varieties.
PowerPro built for power with the Spectra series of braided line. Available in strength up to a whopping 200-pounds, you could use a few loops of this line to pull your truck out of the mud.
This braided line is perhaps the most versatile product that will be reviewed here. The line is flat, meaning it is wider than it is thick.
It’s not often that you hear about the aerodynamics of fishing line, but Fins has taken that step with their Windtamer braided line.
WataChamp markets their Snova Pro line in odd lengths with spool capacities for 164, 546, and 1093-yards. What’s not odd is the performance of this upstart brand of braided line.
What’s red, white, and blue and has the strength of a spider? Nope, it’s not Spiderman, but it is Spiderwire, specifically Stealth braided line.
If you’re after durability, this is the line for you. KastKing is a growing partner in supplying the needs of commercial line fishing, and heavy use charter fishing.
Longer, stronger, softer, smoother, and more sensitive are the claims by KastKing for this product. While it might sound like the latest shave gel for men, it’s actually a colorfast, zero stretch braided line manufactured by one of the leaders in the braided line industry.
The x9 is a low-cost product constructed of braided plastic. Available in three colors and sizes ranging from 10 to 100-pounds this is a versatile inexpensive line with many uses.
The Super 8 by PowerPro is a popular seller for the company available in eight sizes ranging from 10 to 8-pound test and in Hi-Vis Yellow, Marine Blue, Timber Brown, and Aqua Green colors.
As the name indicates, this is a finesse-style fishing line. The braid is the smallest of those we’ll review here, and as such, the super-thin line casts well but may have a problem in windy settings.
The construction material of this braided line sounds more like the composition label on a home laundry product, but P-Line has developed a solid braided line made of polyvinylidene fluoride and coated with a Teflon outer layer.
If you enjoy the esthetics of fishing, along with pulling in a few fish, you’ll enjoy this colorful product. Dorisea has created a unique woven pattern in a braided line that is eye-catching with its black and florescent green pattern.
Momoi is a newcomer to the braided line market, but they’re making a colorful splash. Their 8X Diamond Braid is a brightly colored product available in bright Offshore Blue, Orange, or Dark Green.
The line is made using Tuf Line’s tension locking technology that spins the braid under heavier pressure than competing brands.
KastKing is a rising leader in the braided line market. Their SuperPower braided line is one of the reasons they’re a company on the rise.
Large species anglers found a friend in the Maxcuatro Spectra by PowerPro. Offered in a standard neutral moss green color, the Maxcuatro is designed for battling hard fighting saltwater fish, and the occasional monster lake trout, carp, or catfish you can find in freshwater.
Best Braided Fishing Line Reviews
1. Berkley FireLine Crystal
Available in six, eight, 10, 14, and 20-pound test, this line is marketed on spools of 125 or 300 yards.
Durability, strength, and quick action when setting a hook were all factors mentioned by anglers using FireLine.
Braided line isn’t always a favorite of trout anglers, who usually prefer the translucent quality of monofilament line or fluorocarbon lines, but FireLine works well on clear mountain streams in pursuit of brook, rainbow, or cutthroat trout. Even cautious, wily brown trout strike when bottom bouncing, or jig fishing with FireLine.
The line is a hit with crappie and walleye fishermen as well.
The braided fiberglass structure of FireLine is unique to the braided lines market. One of the complaints about braided line is that it doesn’t hold a standard crossover knot as well as a monofilament fishing line. With other braided lines, more complex knots are often necessary to tie a mono leader to the braid. Even getting a snap swivel to hold with some braided fishing line is difficult.
FireLine grips a little better than competing models when it comes to tying a knot. That’s why jewelers have crossed over into the fishing world to buy this line for necklaces and bracelets.
2. Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
This is the thinnest line available on the market today, but it remains as strong as competing brands with a much larger diameter.
The Spectra is a favorite of commercial fishermen, and as such is available in a wide variety of spool sizes ranging from traditional consumer lengths to huge spools of 1500-yards that can be wound on the often dozens of reels that charter fishing boats utilize.
Available in eight, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, and a whopping 80-pound test size this line is versatile and nearly impossible to break.
Made of spectra fiber, it has high abrasion resistance, meaning it will last a long time on your reel even if you fish often. The smooth, round, sensitive fibers wrap easily on both baitcasting and spinning reels.
The smaller diameter means more line can be added to your spool. If your reel is rated for 200-yards of standard 10-pound test braid, you can add 220-yards of Spectra, or as most anglers do, you can just increase the strength to 14-pound test and still wind 200-yards on your spool.
Bass anglers love this line. Its strength, smooth flow, and sensitivity are contagious to those who’ve caught largemouth fever.
3. Spiderwire DURA-4
Spiderwire has been the industry standard in nearly unbreakable braided fishing lines for a long time. As many anglers have discovered, you can’t break this line, and you can’t bite it in half either as you can with monofilament fishing line.
Spiderwire is tremendously strong, and the longtime favorite of commercial charter salmon, stripper, and deep-sea guides.
Available in a standard moss green color the line is available in 40, 65, and 80-pound test strength, you can buy it in lengths of 125 or 300-yards for single-use, or go big with 3000-yard spools of 10, 15, 20, and 65-pound test.
The zero stretch feature of Spiderwire and the slick outer coating makes it a favorite for trolling, surfcasting, or working bass out of heavy cover after they strike.
4. Power Pro Maxcuatro Hi-Vis Yellow Braided Fishing Line
Power Pro received high marks among anglers for optimizing casting distance while increasing your reel capacity. The high visibility yellow color is easy to spot as the line pulls away with fish nibbling on the bait. When used with a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader this line is the way to go for walleye, crappie, and catfish in still water.
The line comes with an easy spool feature that allows you to spool line onto your reel directly from the box. This results in removing the sometimes arduous process of holding the spool on a pencil between your feet as you reel in a new line. Â
The line is available in 17 different varieties.
5. Berkley FireLine Ultra 8 Superline
The name may be the same, but FireLine Ultra 8 is a different product than FireLine Crystal. Berkley makes this line from polyethylene fibers in four, six, and eight-pound varieties.
The proprietary Dyneema PE fiber is four times as abrasion resistant as Berkley’s traditional FireLine and in field tests cast 10% farther than the original.
The round line handles easier, spools more efficiently, and casts smoother than the other best braided fishing lines in this discussion.
Made in either opaque white or smoke gray, the gray variety is a favorite of northern pike, walleye, and muskie fisherman. The smoke gray color blends well with lily pads and other darker floating vegetation and is great for bringing that angry largemouth bass out of hiding.
6. PowerPro Spectra Moss Green
PowerPro was built for power with the Spectra series of braided fishing lines. Available in strength up to a whopping 200-pounds, you could use a few loops of this line to pull your truck out of the mud.
While you’re not likely to tow a vehicle with Spectra, you get an idea of the tensile strength of this popular braided microfilament line.
Spectra is available in sizes from 10 to 65-test for most fishing applications, but the 200-pound line, in 500-yard spools, is popular with deep-sea sport anglers who might tie into an ocean-dwelling monster.
It was described by PowerPro as the “workhorse” of their lineup.
It’s not a surprise that a lot of spinning and baitcasting reels carry the moss green of the Spectra line.
Bass enthusiasts enjoy the hiding effects of the moss green color on the surface of the water with heavy plant life, the kind of habitat largemouth bass thrives in.
Salmon fishermen use the line as well. Charter ventures for halibut, shark, and stripers will wrap their company reels with this line as well.
7. PowerPro Maxcuatro Spectra
Anlgers targeting Large found a friend in the Maxcuatro Spectra by PowerPro. Offered in a standard neutral moss green color, the Maxcuatro is designed for battling hard fighting saltwater fish, and the occasional monster-sized lake trout, carp, or catfish you can find in freshwater.
These braided fishing lines are available in 150-yard packages in the larger 50, 80, and 100-pound test variety. For professional anglers or outfitters, the 500-yard package comes in 20, 40, 50, 65, and 80-pound test.
The small diameter line is popular with northern pike and muskie fishermen, but it must be used with a steel leader. The line cuts easily, and even the teeth of a large walleye or trout can sever the line.
Baitcasting anglers enjoy the smaller diameter line that doesn’t lose strength with the decrease in diameter. Tarpon, mackinaw, and snakehead fisherman are heavy consumers of this line.
8. Tuf Line Dacron Fishing Line
These braided fishing lines are perhaps the most versatile product that will be reviewed here. The line is flat, meaning it is wider than it is thick.
Many proponents of this product use it as backing on their baitcasting reels. They reel in enough Dacron to cover the reel two or three times, then tie another line to it. This backing works well in adding grip strength to slick, round braided line.
The Dacron has a little stretch to it, a preference for some anglers who don’t enjoy the static connection that comes with most braided fishing lines.
A specially formulated wax coating helps eliminate loss of strength in a knot, and aids in keeping knots connecting lures, or leaders to the Dacron strong.
The Dacron line is available in 100-yard spools in heavy 100, 130, and 200-pound test.
Many non-fishing applications are found using this line including aviation, wind chimes, and sewing heavy canvas.
8. Fins Spectra 500-Yards Windtamer Fishing Line
It’s not often that you hear about the aerodynamics of fishing lines, but Fins has taken that step with their Windtamer braided fishing lines.
The spectra fiber is treated with a special coating and compact more than other braided fishing lines in similar sizes. As a result, the Windtamer casts farther into strong breezes, making it a perfect line for use in the often windy conditions associated with surfcasting.
The line is available in a huge variety of strengths from four-pound to heavy-duty 200-pound test.
The smaller diameter line resists cutting and abrasion from winding on itself.
Anglers surf fishing in rocky areas enjoy the heavier size line for its ability to retain its strength when reeling in over sharp outcroppings.
9. WataChamp Snova Pro
WataChamp markets their Snova Pro line in odd lengths with spool capacities of 164, 546, and 1093-yards. What’s not odd is the performance of this upstart brand of braided fishing lines.
Aerodynamics went into the engineering of this product with the goal of reducing wind knotting. That annoying loop of twisted line is common in ultra-light monofilament applications, but it can find its way onto your surfcasting reel even with braided fishing lines heavier than 50-pounds.
The high-density line is composed of 27 tiny strands of line, woven into a slick line that reduces reel friction, line guide friction, and wind resistance.
A unique epoxy coating reduces wear and tear.
Whether you’re after stripers in the backwaters of a bay or casting into a wind along the shore for Rockfish this line will stand up to the challenge.
10. KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
KastKing is a rising leader in the braided fishing line market. Their SuperPower braided line is one of the reasons they’re a company on the rise.
Knots that won’t hold are an age-old problem with braided fishing lines. You sacrifice reliability in knot tying for casting distance with the slick surface of many braided products.
KastKing solved that problem by concentrating on dynamic strands inside their braid that allow increased knot strength
Low memory means the line will act like it’s new after thousands of casts, not retaining flexion or bends from previous outings.
High sensitivity and zero-stretch make it a good choice for anglers who rely on their sense of touch to set the hook.
Available in five color choices, the SuperPower starts at six-pound test and extends up to 80-pounds in small even increments, creating a product that will fit the needs of any fishing application.
11. SpiderWire Stealth Braid Fishing Line
What’s red, white, and blue and has the strength of a spider? Nope, it’s not Spiderman, but it is Spiderwire, specifically Stealth braided fishing lines.
The venerable Spiderwire brand has upped the ante with a marked braided fishing line. You can measure your line depth by watching the color of the line change from red, to white to blue as you release it.
This is a popular brand for trolling or bottom fishing where you want to know how many lines you’ve released.
The line is available in eight additional color schemes that will match any water color. Bass fishermen particularly enjoy the moss green color. Surface anglers who like to watch the line to determine strikes will find the high visibility, yellow, pink, and glowing green colors useful.
12. KastKing Extremus Braided Fishing Line
If you’re after durability, this is the line for you. KastKing is a growing partner in supplying the needs of commercial line fishing, and heavy use charter fishing.
Abrasion resistance and superior tensile strength is the hallmark of the Extremus brand.
A unique petroleum-based coating, combined with KastKing’s proprietary “Diamond Weave” technology, creates a powerful in a compact package.
Consistent line strength from their smallest six-pound test line through their industry-grade 80-pound test guarantees a long time in the water.
An extra bonus with Extremus is its environmentally friendly construction. Discarded plastic spools are a problem, but KastKing has developed a biodegradable spool made from wheat straw that will decompose quickly in a landfill.
13. KastKing Mega8 Braided Fishing Line
Longer, stronger, softer, smoother, and more sensitive are the claims by KastKing for this product. While it might sound like the latest shave gel for men, it’s actually a colorfast, zero stretch braided line manufactured by one of the leaders in the braided fishing lines industry.
Mega 8 ranges from 10-pound to 80-pound test and contains KastKing’s unique petroleum-based coating to ensure long life, even in heavy saltwater applications.
The sensitive line is great for detecting light-hitting walleye strikes, and the zero stretch features let a hard-hitting bass or pike know you mean business.
The Mega 8 line, as the name might indicate, is built of eight separate strands of fiber. Each of these eight strands is composed of 36 interwoven fibers, creating a durable product.
14. Berkley x9 Braid Fishing Line
The x9 is a low-cost product constructed of braided plastic. Available in three colors and sizes ranging from 10 to 100-pounds this is a versatile inexpensive line with many uses.
The most popular size is the eight-pound test, which is used often by bass anglers. The product is popular for lodges and youth camps, where crowds of people will typically gather to learn how to fish.
The round construction of the x9 allows it to flow freely for long casts. It is a solid product for fishing over rocks and other rugged submerged structures.
15. PowerPro Super 8 Slick
The Super 8 by PowerPro is a popular seller for the company, available in eight sizes ranging from 10 to 8-pound test and in Hi-Vis Yellow, Marine Blue, Timber Brown, and Aqua Green colors.
Utilizing PowerPro’s “EBT” or Enhanced Body Technology, this line delivers high performance at a reasonable price.
The Aqua Green color is most popular with bass, crappie, bream, and walleye fishing, where the color of the line blends well with the warmer water these species inhabit.
16. KastKing KastPro X Finesse Braid Fishing Line
As the name indicates, this is a finesse-style fishing line. The braid is the smallest of those we’ll review here, and as such, the super-thin line casts well but may have a problem in windy settings.
KastKing perfected their 8X system for their other braided products, and they’ve included it here. The 8X system delivers high strength for small size, superior knot holding ability, and limited stretch when setting a hook.
Surfcasters, working in the often heavy incoming tide prefer casting distances achieved with this line attached to a heavy lure or pyramid weights and live bait.
Highly abrasion-resistant, it is a popular brand in areas with sharp structures.
17. P-Line TCB 8 Carrier 300-Yard Braided Fishing Line
The construction material of this braided fishing line sounds more like the composition label on a home laundry product, but P-Line has developed a solid braided line made of polyvinylidene fluoride and coated with a Teflon outer layer.
The result is a braided fishing line that may be cast farther than any of the others reviewed. The Teflon jacket lets the line slide effortlessly through the line guides while rolling off the reel.
That extra slickness comes at a cost at the knot. Standard overhand knots won’t hold long on this product. More intricate and complex knots are needed to hold a lure, snelled hook, or leader in place using this product.
18. Dorisea Extreme Braid
If you enjoy the aesthetics of fishing, along with pulling in a few fish, you’ll enjoy this colorful product. Dorisea has created a unique woven pattern in a braided fishing line that is eye-catching with its black and florescent green pattern.
This line has the widest size range of any on the market, beginning at the modest six-pound test size and extending to an impressive 300-pound test.
The construction creates an ultra-strong braided that is nearly impossible to break. Zero stretch and high sensitivity are selling points for this product, as is the ability to hold a knot.
The line won’t cast as far as slicker, harder to tie, competitors, but it will work great in trolling, short distance casting, and bottom bouncing in heavy weeds from a boat.
19. Momoi Diamond Braid Generation III Fishing Line 8X
Momoi is a newcomer to the braided fishing lines market, but they’re making a colorful splash. Their 8X Diamond Braid is a brightly colored product available in bright Offshore Blue, Orange, or Dark Green.
This moderately priced line has the stealth many anglers look for in the Dark Green color, and the visibility to watch a line splay out on a soft hit with the Orange color.
Made of eight strands of quality Spectra braid, this line comes in spools of 300, 600, and 3000-yards with size ranges of 10 to 100-pound test.
Zero stretches is a key component of this line.
20. Tuf-Line Fishing Line
The final product is available in four basic colors, yellow, white, blue, and green.
The line is made using Tuf Line’s tension locking technology that spins the braid under heavier pressure than competing brands.
This creates a more condensed line, adding strength to the product.
The tensioning allows greater knot holding capacity and additional abrasion resistance.
The braided line reduces annoying rod tip wrapping and allows longer casts.
How to Choose the Best Braided Fishing Line
Now that you know what’s out there, which one should you purchase?
The first thing every angler should consider when buying any product, whether it is braided line, a rod, or a reel, is where will you be using it and what will you be trying to catch with it.
Freshwater fishing doesn’t need the extra abrasion-resistant characteristics that someone fishing in the hard saltwater environment of sand, salt, and enhanced UV radiation does. Freshwater fishermen do need extra sensitivity since some of the most popular sport fish such as walleye, crappie, and catfish are light nibblers rather than hard strikers like bass or rainbow trout.
Selecting the proper size and weight line for your reel is the second consideration. Put a smaller line on a bigger reel, and you’re begging for a backlash. Do the opposite and your casts won’t go very far and your sensitivity will be greatly reduced.
One of the biggest problems you’ll face with a braided line comes at the opposite end of the line, and both involve knots.
Tying the line to the spool on your reel can be a challenge. Slick, coated line casts farther, resists the wind, and reels in easier, but it doesn’t always tie well.
Some anglers put a layer of heavy monofilament line as a base on their reels before tying special knots to connect the braided fishing lines to it. This ensures you’ll have the grip you need when battling a large fish that may take out all your line during the fight.
On the other end, you’ll want a knot that will hold in the same heavy fighting situation. Some braided lines work great but won’t hold a knot. That’s a problem you’ll want to avoid.
For bass, you want a braided line with little stretch since largemouth strikes are quick, and violent, requiring you to set the hook immediately.
For walleye, crappie, stripers, and catfish you want to use a braided line that will hold a solid knot with fluorocarbon or monofilament line leaders.
Salmon, shark, and carp anglers need a line that will withstand the shock of the initial strike
Along with the durability to battle for a long time.
Braided line is much smaller than monofilament line in the same per pound test strength.
That means you can use a heavier braided line, and it will fit in the same space on the spool as much lighter monofilament. Heavier isn’t always better, but if you are fishing an area where large fish are sometimes encountered you should go the extra step of adding the strongest line you can put on your reel and still have top-notch performance.
For advice from Bassmaster Pro Scott Martin, watch this video, where it explains how to choose the right fishing line.
Best Braided Fishing Lines Conclusion
You have all this information, offered by retailers who want your business while offering a product with just a few subtle differences in features, if any at all.
So, which one should you buy?
The answer to that question goes back to the considerations of what, where, how and even the when of fishing.
What are you fishing for? If it’s bluegill, you won’t need a 300-pound test braided line. If it’s trout, you don’t want a bright florescent orange line to warn the lurking rainbow and his friends brown, brook, and cutthroat of your intentions.
Match the line with the species, and then match the line with the color of the water you’ll be fishing.
An unbreakable line is great unless you’re fishing in an area with a lot of hidden, submerged structures that can easily snag a lure.
There’s nothing quite like the sound of a one-ounce spinner flying right past your ear after it comes loose suddenly while you’re applying a few hundred pounds of pressure trying to release the line. You’ll get that with a heavy, non-breakable line if you’re not careful.
There’s also nothing as frustrating as having the line snap while battling the fish of your life in a strong river current. That extra couple of pounds of line strength would have been nice on a day like that.
The best advice is to do your research and buy a couple of brands of braided lines that seem to fit your application.
Take those two braided products and wind them onto similar rod and reel combos. Once you’ve done that, hook a practice plug to both of them and head to the backyard to compare performance. Better yet, load the rods, your tackle box, and a cooler and head out to the water.
There is nothing better than conducting a product test in the same conditions you’ll eventually use.
In the end, you’ll find a brand of braided line that fits you and you’ll most likely never sway from that manufacturer. But, finding out which one is all part of the fun.
For more advice on different types of fishing lines, check out the pages below:
