We hope you love the products we recommend. Just so you know, OnTrack Fishing may earn an affiliate commission from the links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
In the last 20 years, fishing line variety has exploded. We now have mono, fluoro, and braids with which to spool up, and there are countless brands and options from which to choose.
I’ve tried not to obsess about fishing line, and I’ve been reasonably successful. I use all three fishing line types and settled on brands that I know are reliable.
The fishing line is your connection to the fish. Get it wrong, and at best the task of fishing is harder, and at worst, you lose prize fish.
A fishing line needs to be right for the target, your rig, and the conditions.
And to get it right, you need to understand the individual properties, strengths, and weaknesses of different fishing lines.
Today we’re going to look at the best fishing lines for spinning reels. There’s a heap to choose from but I’ve selected 5 of the best that I know will perform perfectly for you.
I’ve chosen 1 fluoro, 2 mono, and 2 braided lines.
We’ll do a concise review of each, then look at fishing line properties in more detail, and then finish with some frequently asked questions.
Page Contents
Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels
Last update on 2024-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Fishing Line for Spinning Reels reviewed
1. Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line – Best Fluorocarbon for Spinning Reels
I spooled up with Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon by mistake – I thought it was mono.
It was 6 pounds breaking strain wound onto my 2000. That was years ago, and I haven’t changed my fluoro brand since.
I was particularly impressed with how supple it was for a fluoro, and I love the abrasion resistance. It’s rare to have both abrasion resistance and a supple feel as leading qualities.
A little extra care is required with knots, but all knots are fine. Whatever you tie, they’ll be strong and reliable when tied correctly.
This fishing line is also low memory. I have had little to no trouble with line twist, and I’ve found it lasts a long time on the spool.
I fish 6 and 8-pound Sunline Super around nasty snags, cover, and structure. The abrasion resistance is excellent.
It’s my mainline and my leader, and I use this when fishing natural baits or smaller live baits.
It’s sold in convenient refill spools of 150 yards and 200 yards for lines to 6 pounds. For 7 pounds and above, refills are available in 200, 660 and bulk 1200-yard spools.
Sunline Super FC Sniper is reasonably priced, has excellent inshore fluoro, and is highly recommended.
2. Stren Original Monofilament Fishing Line – Best Mono Fishing Line for Spinning Reels
I don’t think anybody will be surprised to see Stren Original on the best fishing line list. Not only is it a high performer, but it’s also extremely cost-effective.
You’d expect quality from a fishing line manufacturer that’s been doing it since 1958 and exported around the world.
Stren Original is available in refills, including 100, 300, 330, 1000, and 2400-yard spools.
This is super-convenient, making it ideal for all anglers, from the weekend dangler to charter fishing professionals.
I like the clear, but it’s available in low-vis green, blue fluorescent, and gold hi-vis.
UV Guard is added to each line, ensuring colors remain for longer and the line endures harsh UV conditions for longer.
Its durability is a key feature. It suits those anglers with plenty of sun exposure and those who store their gear for months on end.
You can pack it away and come back months later confident your line will perform at peak spec.
Knot strength is outstanding, as is tensile strength.
Stren has achieved an ideal balance of suppleness and abrasion resistance, ensuring you can work the gnarly structure confidently without sacrificing casting length and carefree line management.
3. Platypus Platinum – Editors Choice Mono for Spinning Reels
For mono anglers looking for the best mono fishing line, you have to look down under for the best mono in Australia.
This is my first choice mono and has been for years. While I’ve tried many other mono lines over the years, I always come back to Platinum because it excels in every criterion that matters.
Platypus Platinum is an outstanding mono that’s ideal for a huge range of fishing applications.
Available in test weights from 4 pounds through to 50 pounds, this is the perfect mono for the lightest inshore finesse targets to offshore monsters.
It’s sold in 300-meter spools, making it convenient and cost-effective for all types of anglers, big reel and small.
While incredibly strong and one of the thinnest diameters available, its abrasion resistance is second to none and easy to manage.
Knot strength is outstanding, and you can cast it a mile due to its ultra-thin construction.
UV compounds ensure durability under harsh sunny conditions, making Platinum cost-effective and reliable over time.
One of its key features is its very low stretch. Discerning lure anglers get braid-quality action on their lures; however, shock resistance remains.
Ultimately, you get the superior lure performance and casting of braid with the forgiveness of mono. It’s no wonder Platypus holds IGFA world records.
This makes Platinum the ideal choice for anglers of all skill levels, from the complete novice to the most experienced and skilled professional.
Yep, you gotta get it from Aus. But it’s available on Amazon and worth any wait. Plan ahead.
>>No products found.<<
4. Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line – Editors Choice Braid for Spinning Reels
As a specialist ocean rock angler, it took me a long time to discover a braid that I was completely happy with.
Always concerned about abrasion resistance, I went through many braids, unsure if they had failed due to encounters with structure.
Having heard the Power Pro Spectra was a good option, I spooled up with 30 pounds and hit the rocks.
I was warned about wind knots, and it does appear to be a potential problem.
However, wind knots are as much about rig and technique as they are about the line. I had no trouble.
What I discovered was insane casting distance, to begin with. The fishing line is incredibly round and smooth, which facilitates prodigious length.
Its relatively thin diameters also assist in launching huge casts but also offer excellent strength-to-diameter ratio.
Sensitivity is incredible; you really can feel everything your lure is doing.
The 5-pound version is amazing for finesse work with the smallest of lures targeting uncooperative fish.
For my applications, however, I’ve found the abrasion resistance to be more than acceptable.
I’ve wrestled large, heavy fish around reefs, expecting to lose it to cut line, only to get it to the rocks, with enough resilience left in it to cope with the barnacles on landing.
Yes, I’ve lost a few, but this is to be expected in such a location that is more often than not murderous on all types of fishing lines.
It’s available in 5-pound test right through to 150-pound test for the ocean’s biggest. Spool sizes start at 150 yards, with 300, 500, and 1500-yard refills available.
5. Sufix 832 Advanced Superline Braid – Best Braid for Spinning Reels
Sufix 832 is the first-choice braid for countless discerning anglers. 832 has an excellent strength-to-diameter ratio and a very round structure.
This makes it excellent for casting all types of baits further and more accurately.
The hydrophobic, water-repellent construction adds further casting benefits as the line doesn’t become sodden on the spool.
The 8-strand line has excellent abrasion resistance making it an ideal choice for fishing heavy, gnarly structures.
Sensitivity is also a feature, especially with the lighter test weights. It’s a great line for stealth applications where anglers use ultra-light lures and rigs to entice cautious biters.
The lo-vis green color has additives to ensure the color remains strong for longer. Even under heavy use and UV exposure, Sufix 832 lasts a long time.
Most importantly, however, 832 is considered one of the best braids for spinning reels.
While some line twist is inevitable, anglers find that this does not translate to fouled line impacting casting.
Suffix 832 is very popular for both inshore and offshore anglers. From the saltwater to the fresh stuff, you almost never hear a negative comment about it.
Perhaps you might hear that it was unavailable – but that can be expected when you’re hunting down something that is so keenly sought.
Suffix 832 is available in test weights from 6 pounds through to 80 pounds. It’s one of the strongest lines for its diameter and comes highly recommended.
Types of Fishing Line
Monofilament fishing Line
Essentially, mono is one long strand of nylon. Other raw materials are used, but nylon is the standard.
Different types of nylon are blended together to achieve different line properties, such as minimal stretch or abrasion resistance.
Monofilament is by far the most popular type of fishing line as it is used by novices, casual anglers, and professionals.
Due to its strength, ease of use, and forgiveness, mono is recommended for most anglers and is appropriate for all types of fishing in all locations.
Mono offers excellent knot strength, excellent abrasion resistance, suppleness, and general strength.
With the exception of the most advanced and expensive brands, mono has a less desirable strength-to-diameter ratio.
This means you fit less line on a spool than you would braid of the same breaking strain.
See Also: Best Fishing Line For Baitcasting Reels
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Fluorocarbon fishing line is constructed from fluoropolymer PVDF. While a relatively new product, anglers might be surprised to hear it’s been around since the 70s.
Fluoro had a pretty shaky start in fishing. Originally introduced for making strong, abrasion-resistant leaders difficult for fish to see, there were problems.
Fluoro was notoriously difficult to tie knots. It would bend and kink, causing more trouble than the benefits warranted.
However, development and technology turned this all around big time. It wasn’t long before fluoro became the standard leader for the lion’s share of fishing applications.
It wasn’t until the leader style of fluoro had secured its value in the market that mainline fluoro became available.
It’s important to note that mainline and leader fluoro, while related, are quite different.
Mainline fluoro has the benefits of excellent abrasion resistance, suppleness, and strength.
It differs from mono because it is denser and sinks, where mono floats.
There are benefits for anglers looking to get baits and diving lures down to the strike zone quickly.
It also allows anglers fishing light to fish even lighter, knowing breaking tolerances are superior.
Depending on the brand and test weight fluoro you’re using, anglers should take extra care when tying knots.
While knot strength and reliability have increased since fluoro hit the market, they still need that little bit more attention to ensure they’re secure.
Also Read: What Are The Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines?
Braided Fishing Lines
Braided fishing line is the oldest type of fishing line. It was used by your grandfather’s grandfather and has been the heart of game fishing for decades.
However, it also has received the pointy end of technology and development over the last 20 years. And owing to this, it ended mono’s monopoly and dominance over the last 60 years.
With the rise of soft plastics and lure fishing, braided lines have become mainstream and preferred by huge numbers of anglers.
While more expensive than any other line, braided lines offer significant benefits for skilled anglers.
Its key feature is its strength-to-diameter ratio. a 20-pound braid is the same diameter as a 6-pound mono.
As you would imagine, this allows you to put massive quantities of braid on a spool where you can’t with mono.
This makes braid an outstanding fishing line for spinning reels. Generally speaking, spinning reels have far less line capacity than traditional, overhead, and baitcaster reels.
You can now spool up a large spinning reel with enough 100-pound braid to subdue a marlin or shark.
Braid lines have near zero stretch, making them incredibly sensitive and responsive.
In many respects, they revolutionized lure fishing as nothing delivers the sort of feedback and sensitivity of braid.
Thin diameters also deliver plenty of benefits for those looking to cast prodigious distances. Round profile smooth braids are the best casting lines available.
There are challenges with braids, however, as they are the least forgiving of the fishing lines.
Without stretch, it is very easy to pull hooks with aggressive, poorly timed strikes. Braid takes some experience to master.
A novice using a graphite rod and braid will have challenges hooking a fish – it’s quite a sensitive outfit.
Those new to braid should take care as braid can cut wet skin very easily. Braid peeling from a reel under a heavy load can cut like a knife.
The jury is still out on braid and its abrasion resistance relative to that of fluoro and mono.
While the multi-strand configuration offers good abrasion resistance, some anglers still look to mono and fluoro when abrasion resistance is critical.
Also Read: Best Braided Fishing Lines To Choose
What Size Line for A Spinning Reel?
The line size you need will be determined by the reel size. The reel will have a list of line test weight and spool capacities listed on the spool.
Line size is also determined by the target you seek and the location you’re fishing. The rule of thumb is to fish as light as you dare for the best lure/bait presentation.
However, big fish destroy understrength fishing lines, as does the gnarly structure they’re hiding in.
The more treacherous the conditions, the bigger the fish, the heavier line you should use.
You should only ever spool your reel with the line recommended by the manufacturer for optimum rig performance.
The top modern spin reels can be spooled with lines as light as 2 pounds and as heavy as 150 pounds.
See Also: How To Put Fishing Line On A Spinning Reel
Line Features You Need To Be Aware Of
Should Your Fishing Line Be Invisible?
When you’re sight fishing it can be very handy to see exactly where your line is.
On the other hand, if you’re fishing in very clear waters and still conditions, it can be prudent to use stealth and line color to prevent fish from seeing the fishing line.
This can be especially important in heavily fished areas.
For the most part, however, it’s your leader that should be invisible as it’s the leader your target is most likely to come in contact with – or see.
Fishing Line Colors
Fishing lines come in clear, translucent, fluoro and colored hi-vis, colored low vis, and multicolor.
Braid anglers should know that whatever color you select will fade with use. Some lines come with color-fast technologies to retain color integrity for longer.
I tend to go for clears and greens, but there’s no science behind my selection – it’s just the colors my preferred fishing lines come in.
Lines That Avoid Twisting
The action of a spinning reel will cause some level of line twist regardless of the line.
There are techniques for avoiding line twist, and these videos (link) and (link) will provide some insights.
I don’t do anything special at all.
With fishing lines, I choose low memory lines, and I also re-spool reasonably regularly.
Importantly, I fish with good swivels to ensure line twist from retrieving is limited.
It’s never been something I fuss about, and I’ve had no serious trouble with line twist at all.
For me, twist mitigation is all in the choice of swivel and rigging.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Fishing Line Should I Spool in the Reel?
Your spinning reel should be filled to below the start of the bevel on the lip of the spool. An overfull spool causes huge problems with loop knots and wind knots.
When casting an overfull spool, multiple loops and layers of line peel off the reel at once.
The result is a poor cast and usually knots and tangles.
When your spool is underfilled, the fishing line has to work harder to peel from the spool. With an underfilled spool, there is considerably more friction, which is a cast killer.
For the best casting performance, fill your spinning reel to spec. This goes for every fishing line type.
What is Line Memory?
Line memory is a fishing line’s propensity to retain the shape of whatever it was spooled on.
For example. When you pull a fishing line from a spool it will tend to form into loops. This is line memory.
Hard lines with strong abrasion resistance are the most likely to have strong line memory. Thicker, heavier lines are more likely to have a strong memory.
Lines that retain shapes are more inclined to tangle and generally have poor casting performance.
To avoid memory, look for fishing lines that feel soft and supple. Most fishing lines with low memory as a feature will list this feature in the advertising.
Memory is usually only an issue with mono and fluoro lines. Top-quality fishing lines have low memory and are recommended.
Can You Put Braided Line On A Spinning Reel?
Braids are excellent on spinning reels. Because of the strength-to-diameter ratio, you can put a much heavier class braid on a spin reel than you can a lighter class of mono or fluoro.
If you’re an experienced angler, looking to maximize the fish fighting capacities of a spinning reel, braid is an excellent choice.
For example, you can fit the same amount of 6-pound mono on a spinning reel as you can 20-pound braid.
Countless anglers use braid on their spinning reels for this reason alone.
Sharing is caring!