This is our review for the best mono line for Bass.
One of the most asked questions from newer anglers is, “What type of fishing line should I use for bass?” That’s a great question. I’ve taken the guesswork out of this and done the research for you. A fishing line that’s too heavy for the current conditions will spook the fish, leaving you skunked. If you go too light, you’ll soon be ready to pull your hair out as fish after fish break off at the net.
When you first start bass fishing, you may want to go with the cheapest line you can find. Before you do that, let’s discuss the merits of paying more for your tackle. The line is all there is between you and your $15.00 topwater lure. The cheap fishing line will see you losing that lure and 3 – 4 of its friends each trip. The savings you made initially on the line have now cost you over $60.00 in lures on one trip. Buy the more expensive line. It’s definitely worth your while.
After years of bass fishing and teaching anglers new techniques, I have become somewhat of an expert when it comes to choosing a fishing line. Whether you’re searching for bass in heavy cover or for those finicky bass suspended in crystal clear water, there’s a fishing line specifically for that. However, it is possible to get a single line that will perform in several scenarios, thus making it well-rounded enough to keep on your main rods.
I tested ten bass fishing lines and found Stren Original to be the overall winner for best mono fishing line for bass.
Stren Original offers anglers a reliable, easy-to-handle line that casts well with minimal line memory. What more could you ask from a line that is both inexpensive and widely used?
Stren Original in 8lb or 12b test will give you that freedom. It offers a good amount of stretch, which is ideal when bass fishing with treble hooks. The color options are great for clear, stained, and murky waters.
I’ve fished with Stren Original line in several water types and found it to be a solid, well-rounded option for any kind of environment other than ice-fishing. While it may not perform quite as well as some other high-end fishing lines, the low entry price point and consistently reliable knot strength help it gain the top spot.
With that said, let’s take a look at the ten best monofilament fishing lines for bass fishing.
Monofilament fishing line that made the list:
Stren Original offers anglers a reliable, easy-to-handle line that casts well with minimal line memory. What more could you ask from a line that is both inexpensive and widely used?
Berkley Trilene Big Game line is widely used, reasonably priced, and tough enough to bring in some big bass. Abrasion resistance will help keep your bait in the zone longer without too much line wear.
This line lives up to its name. It provides a smooth cast, smooth retrieve, and high flexibility. The Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting line is perfect for your spinning and bait caster reels.
Seaguar Senshi is an excellent mix of sensitivity and strength. The knot strength will hold up well, even when fishing heavy cover. Abrasion resistance is good, meaning you can go after those bass hiding in more dense vegetation.
Maxima Ultra Green is well known as a leader in the salmon fishing world. The exceptional strength allows you to fish a lighter line than most. The knot strength is outstanding, and it provides excellent abrasion resistance.
The line has a thinner diameter without giving up strength. The exceptional tensile strength gives you the ability to pare down a size or two and not risk losing the real fighters.
Sufix Elite is my personal favorite, though it doesn’t match the overall popularity and price range of Stren Original. Excellent for bass, trout, catfish, or whatever else you want to target that weighs less than 25 pounds.
Berkley Trilene XT is spectacular for heavy gamefish. It is like its older cousin, the Trilene Big Game, but it is more flexible and has better abrasion resistance. It also makes tighter knots that hold well.
The Trilene Sensation is high-quality and one of the best mono line options available. It may be the best mono line for bass in the 2 – 3lb range, but not as effective as a few of the other lines tested on bigger, heavier fish.
Stren High Impact Monofilament is a good and affordable quality line that comes on a large spool. It can typically fill more than one reel. The lightest test is 10lb, so it isn’t for finesse fishing, but toss a topwater, and you’ll appreciate the extra strength in this line as a bass smashes the bait.
Stren Original – Best Overall
- Available in Test: 4 to 20lb.
- Colors: Blue Fluorescent, Low-Vis Clear, Low-Vis Green
- MSRP: $6.99 to $21.99
Stren Original offers anglers a reliable, easy-to-handle fishing line that casts well with minimal line memory. What more could you ask from a line that is both inexpensive and widely used?
Stren Original is a well-balanced monofilament that can’t be outdone for its price. For that reason, I chose it as the top fishing line out there. Sure, several monofilament lines out there will outperform this line and offer more and newer options. But not for this price, nor the legacy that this line has earned in its 70-plus years.
The clear blue florescent line is well suited to night fishing, as it is highly visible under a black light. I tried it out in the 8lb test and 12lb test, with each being used in various environments. The 8lb performed well and didn’t show signs of abrasion from the rocks and other submerged covers I tossed Ned Rigs into. I was able to land several Small Mouth Bass without any breaking me off.
The 12lb test was used in the denser cover, and while fishing, I was able to land multiple Largemouth Bass and a few Smallmouth bass. I had one fish break me off right at the net, but I blame that more on my own eagerness over a fault with the line.
Overall, I would give this fishing line a rating of 8/10, so not perfect, but a great line for the price. Other fishing lines are better in certain situations, but for an overall go-to line, the Stren Original will get the job done.
Berkley Trilene Big Game Line
- Available in Test: 6 to 130lb.
- Colors: Clear, Coastal Brown, Green, Solar Collector, Steel Blue, Ultra Clear
- MSRP: $6.99 to $110.00
Berkley Trilene Big Game line is widely used, reasonably priced, and tough enough to bring in some big bass. Abrasion resistance will help keep your bait in the zone longer without too much line wear.
Since this fishing line is intended for targeting big fish, it is ready for the initial bite and won’t fail from a firm smack. The right fishing line for most of your needs, the Berkley Trilene Big Game line is inexpensive, provides good knot strength, and will hold on to even the wiliest bass.
The Solar Collector line is a high vis option that is easy to see while also standing out clearly in fluorescent and black light. The Ultra-Clear choice is perfect for bright days and clear water.
The drawback of this fishing line is its stiffness. It feels more like a fluorocarbon line in that sense. While great for bigger reels, this isn’t optimal for a lighter-weight reel.
Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Line
- Available in Test: 2 to 30lb.
- Colors: Clear, Low-Vis Green, Fluorescent Clear-Blue.
- MSRP: $6.99 to $65.99
This fishing line lives up to its name. It provides a smooth cast, smooth retrieve, and high flexibility. The Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting line is perfect for your spinning and bait caster reels. It offers strength, sensitivity, and a low stretch threshold.
Knot strength is good, with the latest improvements to the line giving it much stronger wet knot strength. Don’t sleep on this one. It is particularly nice for trout fishing, though it can handle bass as well.
Seaguar Senshi Nylon Monofilament Fishing Line
- Available in Test: 4 to 20lb.
- Colors: Blue Fluorescent, Low-Vis Clear, Low-Vis Green
- MSRP: $12.99 to $101.99
Seaguar Senshi is an excellent mix of sensitivity and strength. The knot strength will hold up well, even when fishing heavy cover. Abrasion resistance is good, meaning you can go after those bass hiding in more dense vegetation.
Senshi means Warrior in Japanese, which translates well to this fishing line. It holds up to a good fight and is still sensitive enough to feel every bump of structure. Casting is excellent, and line stretch is minimal. Overall a fantastic fishing line, though a bit on the higher end, and not as readily available at most retailers as some others on this list.
Maxima One Shot Ultragreen
- Available in Test: 3 to 140lb.
- Colors: Moss Green
- MSRP: $12.39 to $149.99
Maxima Ultra Green is well known as a leader in the salmon fishing world. The exceptional strength allows you to fish a lighter line than most. The knot strength is outstanding, and it provides excellent abrasion resistance.
Bass can be handled very well with an 8lb or 12lb test. The 12lb tensile strength will give you a cushion in the event you hook into an absolute beast.
Stren Magnathin Fishing Line
- Available in Test: 4 to 20lb.
- Colors: Clear, Moss Green, Walleye
- MSRP: $9.99 to $13.99
How often have you cast out your fishing line just to watch every fish in the lake notice it and take off? The Stren Magnathin is designed for this exact situation. This fishing line has a thinner diameter without giving up strength. The exceptional tensile strength gives you the ability to pare down a size or two and not risk losing the real fighters.
Think of this fishing line as a go-to for finesse fishing. Tossing a Ned Rig or a Texas-rigged Senko with this line gives the bait a lifelike, natural drop and retrieve.
Trout fishing is also great with this line, as they tend to avoid thicker diameter fishing lines.
Sufix Elite Monofilament Fishing Line
- Available in Test: 4 to 20lb.
- Colors: Clear, Low-Vis Green, Hi-Vis Yellow
- MSRP: $9.99 to $11.99
Sufix Elite is my personal favorite, though it doesn’t match the overall popularity and price range of Stren Original. Excellent for bass, trout, catfish, or whatever else you want to target that weighs less than 25 pounds.
This fishing line is made by Rapala and works amazingly well with lures, giving them a lifelike return through the water. Put this on your spinning and baitcasting reels, and you will be pleased with the results.
Casting is smooth, line twists are almost nonexistent, and the line lays flat on the water with very little line memory.
Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough
- Available in Test: 10 to 30lb.
- Colors: Clear, Fluo clear-blue, Low-Vis Green, Solar
- MSRP: $6.99 to $21.99
Berkley Trilene XT is spectacular for heavy gamefish. It is like its older cousin, the Trilene Big Game, but it is more flexible and has better abrasion resistance. It also makes tighter knots that hold well.
These lighter fishing lines work well on spinning rods and bait casters, though the heavier ones are best left for larger reels.
Berkley Trilene Sensation
Available in Test: 4 to 20lb.
Colors: Clear, Low-Vis Green, Blaze Orange, Solar.
MSRP: $11.99 to $80.99
The Trilene Sensation is high-quality and one of the best mono fishing lines for bass available. It may be the best mono line for bass in the 2 – 3lb range, but not as effective as a few of the other bass fishing lines tested on bigger, heavier fish.
Be sure to use a leader when bass fishing the hi-vis Blaze Orange color to not spook the fish. The low-vis green and clear are best for clear waters.
Stren High Impact
- Available in Test: 10 to 30lb.
- Colors: Clear, High-Vis Green, Low-Vis Green, Smoke Blue.
- MSRP: $6.99 to $21.99
Stren High Impact Monofilament is a good and affordable quality bass fishing line that comes on a large spool. It can typically fill more than one reel. The lightest test is 10lb, so it isn’t for finesse fishing, but toss a topwater, and you’ll appreciate the extra strength in this fishing line as a bass smashes the bait.
Best Mono Line for Bass Buyer’s Guide
Monofilament lines are a great, lower-cost option to get you out on the water. While there are stronger line types out there, they also come with a higher entry price point. When starting out bass fishing, there’s no reason to spend more than you need to on the fishing line. As you improve, you’ll start to recognize specific characteristics from different line types that you like, along with those you absolutely cannot stand.
Monofilament Life Span
Keep in mind even the best mono fishing line for bass will eventually need to be replaced. Mono breaks down over time. UV light will significantly shorten its life span. Keep it stored away from UV light.
Mono line breaks down naturally over time. The typical shelf life is approximately 3 years: shorter if improperly stored, longer if kept out of UV light.
Even the Best Monofilament Fishing Line for Bass will break down from water absorption and then drying out. The absorbed water affects the knot strength as well, decreasing their strength. If you fish a few times a week, this can also reduce overall line strength. That’s when you start losing fish due to broken lines. When that starts happening, it’s time to replace yours.
Line Color
Bass fishing is easy to pick up and will take years to get good at. Your first trip might be a huge success, or it may be a total skunk. Some of that is due to luck. Some of it is down to presentation.
Presentation is vital for bass fishing. A crystal-clear lake with smallmouth bass cruising around is an ideal place to use a clear or low-vis clear option. The more hidden the line, the better. If using a hi-vis option, be sure to use a 2-3ft leader of low-vis mono to not spook the fish.
Tossing a topwater on a stained or cloudy pond will allow the use of a more colorful line. Night fishing for bass is the same. Brighter colors are easier to keep track of at night, and the fish have less visibility to see the line.
What pound test line should I use for bass fishing?
This is one of the most crucial parts of choosing a bass fishing line. Line strength is critical in fishing. Too light, and you’re going to lose your favorite lure before you’ve even had time to get to know it. Too heavy, and you’ll find the fish either eating your bait without you noticing or not getting anywhere near your bait because the line scared them off.
Choose the bass fishing line weight based on what you’re targeting. The best mono fishing line for bass is typically between 8lb on the low end and 15 – 20 on the high end. Trout in a stream might warrant a 4lb test with an ultralight rod and reel. Some trout streams are misleading. You can toss in your lure and have it smashed by a 10lb rainbow that starts tearing the line off your reel. Keep your tip up, and don’t reel while it’s pulling line. That can cause line twists.
Catfish, stripers, and bigger bass are generally targeted with a 20lb test. It should give you the strength to battle in the big ones while still being pliable enough to entice the littler bass in the area.
Be sure to check the package for the amount of line it comes with. Spinning reels generally hold around 150 yards, so make sure to buy the right amount. Check your reel for exact information. There will be a line weight and yards indicator on the reel.
Depending on the water you’re fishing, 150 should be plenty. Lakes aren’t going to pull much more than that off your reel, and if you are bass fishing a lake that deep, you can just move the boat to retrieve line. Getting spooled is not a great feeling, so be sure to use the right equipment for the job.
When purchasing a monofilament line, most sporting goods stores offer the option of spooling it for you. If you have the reel with you, this is a great option. If not, there are ways to do it on your own. Line spooling devices make it easy and quick but do as I do if you want to save money.
Take a pen/pencil/marker and insert it through the center of the line. Run the line through the bottom eyelet of your rod, open the bail on the reel, then tie the line to your spool. I use the arbor knot here. If you are spooling your reel by yourself, take the pen you inserted through the center hole and put your feet on it, keeping the line off the floor, so it unwinds. You can control the tension with your shoe.
Another method is to place your fishing line in a bucket of water, using the water for the tension. Once you spool your line, be sure to do it at least one day before your trip. That will give the line time to adjust to the size of the reel spool.
When tying a braided line, it’s best to use some mono for backing. Another option after tying the braided line to the spool is to attach a piece of electrical tape around the spool, covering the knot and line wrapped around the spool. This will keep the braid from slipping, which it does after a few uses without one of these steps.
Be sure to check out the different bass fishing lines listed here. The best monofilament fishing line for bass is always up for debate, but a solid middle-of-the-road line that ticks every box is a great way to start out. Whether you buy the Stren Original or the Seaguar Senshi, you’re going to have a quality bass fishing line that will perform well for you.
What To Do Next?
Read these other guides on choosing the best fishing line:
- Best Braided Fishing Line for 2022
- Best Monofilament Fishing Line
- Best Fluorocarbon Line
- Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels
- Best Line for Baitcaster Reels
Now stop Reading and GO Bass Fishing!
