Best Monofilament (Mono) Fishing Lines – Which Should You Choose?

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You can look at identifying the best mono fishing lines in a couple of ways. Firstly, there’s the best mono for your specific fishing application.

Secondly, there’s mono which has a great balance of features for a broad range of applications. I tend to go with the latter, but both approaches work.

Let’s check out the best mono fishing line currently available. No doubt there’ll be a couple of very recognizable brands, as well as one or two of which you might not be so familiar with.

After I’ve named and reviewed the winning fishing lines, we’ll have a concise look at the critical features of monofilament fishing lines.

Best Mono Fishing Lines

Last update on 2024-02-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Mono Fishing lines Reviewed

1. Stren Original Monofilament Fishing Line – Best All-round Mono Fishing Line

For serious anglers, Stren original is a household name. No doubt you’ve fished it before, and at times, without even knowing it.

Stren original offers great performance across all criteria at a price that’s accessible to most anglers.

Stren Original®

Having been around for 60 years, your grandfather was using Stren Original before you were born. It’s remained a top seller because it’s just so reliable.

Available in 100, 300, 330, 1000, and 2400 spools, there’s a cost-effective option for all fishing applications and reel sizes.

For those with a color fetish, Stren doesn’t disappoint with low-vis green, blue fluorescent, and gold hi-vis.

I tend not to fuss about color and gravitate to low vis all the time. While I see the value in high vis, my default position is stealth, and the low vis green is quite difficult to see.

Stren applies UV Guard which is standard for most serious fishing lines these days. I can’t remember the last time I used a line without UV protection

But I do remember that it does have serious benefits for color retention and longevity – especially when used frequently in the blistering sun.

Tensile, knot strength, and durability are its outstanding features, but I also love its staying power. 

I’ll leave this stuff on for way too long, and it still performs beautifully.

Achieving softness and abrasion resistance is the holy grail for mono fishing lines, and Stren original has a great balance – it’s user-friendly in all conditions.

2. Platypus Platinum Monofilament Fishing Line – Best Mono Fishing Line

In Australia the Platypus fishing line is legendary. And Platypus Platinum Mono is their premium monofilament.

It’s an import, so you’ll pay a little more on top of the premium price Aussies already pay for it. 

Platypus Platinum - World's Best Fishing Line Since 1898! (Grey) (300m Spool / 328 Yards, 10 lb)

However, with exchange rates, it works out pretty well here in the US. What’s more, it’s worth every penny.

If ever there was a mono line that ticked every box across all key criteria, this line is it.

I use it religiously for heavier rock and surf work spooling with 15 to 35 pounds depending on conditions and target.

I highly recommend the 4 pound for ultra-light work, especially where rocks and barnacle-encrusted structures threaten.

The appeal for me is that it is one of the thinnest diameters available without sacrificing strength or abrasion resistance. Platinum is very strong and very durable.

Somehow they deliver strength and durability without compromising a supple, limp feel. 

Knot strength is excellent, and casting manners are as good as it gets – with a balanced rig, it casts a mile thanks to the low diameters.

If that wasn’t enough, the low stretch makes it an ideal mono for lure fishing – you feel everything yet still get plenty of shock resistance.

While great on baitcasters, the extra low memory helps spinning reel anglers reduce twisting issues.

I like using it as a leader when fishing with dead baits or flesh baits, as I feel its suppleness delivers a better presentation.

Great for all types of fishing it’s sold in test weights 4 through to 50 pound in sensible increments. The 300-meter spools work out to be very cost-effective for most reels.

Platypus holds a fist full of IGFA world records. So if you’re chasing trophy fish, it’s wise to go with a trophy mono fishing line.

3. Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line – Best for Soft Plastics on Baicasters

Berkley Trilene XL has the tagline “smooth casting” on the box. I took this as a challenge and spooled up more or less out of curiosity.

I have to admit I’m often very skeptical about these tags and have often found them more about the marketing than the performance they claim.

Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Monofilament Service Spools (XLPS2-15), 110 Yd, pound test 2 - Clear

However, I tried 6 pound on a 200 baitcaster and found it a piece of cake to cast long and accurately.

Its low memory is a feature and quite noticeable. I didn’t have a chance to spool it on a spinning reel. 

But I predict it will be ideal for managing line twist, and the hoops that are common with a line sitting on small spin reels for a long time.

Like all good-quality mono fishing lines, XL is a low stretch. This makes it great for lure fishing, as you can feel everything your lure touches and everything that touches it.

It still retains great shock resistance, and it’s very forgiving. This makes it a great mono for all skill levels.

Abrasion resistance is only fair with XL. It may claim great abrasion resistance, but in my experience, contact with gnarly structure did leave more nicks and cuts than I expected.

However, I don’t see this as a problem. Just don’t use it around heavy, ugly structures where you’re likely to have serious contact with sharp stuff under load. 

I fished some shallow weed beds and found that it performed beautifully in softer cover. Trilene XL is user-friendly with great knot strength, and tensile strength. 

Its smooth feel is a great indicator of its overall performance, and I’d recommend it for all skill levels and reel types.

While a good allrounder, I’d prefer it for light baitcaster work, casting deeper cranks, or soft plastics around shallow weed beds.

4. Sufix Siege Camo – Best Mono for Fishing Cover

Sufix has a great selection of fishing lines. I found Camo browsing the net and reading reviews. I had no idea what a “camo” line would look like.

It’s not expensive but I had read radically contrasting reviews with many loving it and a few hating it. Obviously, I had to try it.

Sufix Siege 330-Yards Spool Size Fishing Line (Camo, 10-Pound)

Turns out, word on the street was abrasion resistance was a key feature, and it was living up to its promise.

Having changed to fluoro for lighter work in heavy cover, I was keen to compare my latest fluoro experience with mono in said fishing application.

I failed because I could only get my hands on 12 pound – I wanted to try it light but fished the 12 anyway.

The color was interesting – a multi-color that looked green if you squint. Although I could see it well on casting, I think the fish would have had difficulty seeing it in the water, amidst the cover.

It’s not the most supple fishing line. However, line diameters are pretty thin. It casts well enough and I had no issue with knots.

While not overly impressed early in tests, I had an incident to test its abrasion. I cast into mangrove and got hooked up on a submerged rope. 

After jerking about for some time, it didn’t release.

I took the boat in close, (wanted my lure back) and found that I’d been dragging my line against a rusty old metal post – the rope was tied to it.

My line showed some damage as you might expect. But based on the force I applied it should have been ruined. The line was fine. 

I fished without removing the damaged part (experiment) and landed several redfish to 6 pounds.

Admittedly I was using 12-pound line, which might have been overkill, but it stood up to some serious abrasion.

I’m not convinced yet that it’s the “best” fishing line. But I would suggest those fishing heavy, gnarly cover give it a shot. 

My line was nowhere near as damaged as it should have been, and that’s why I’ve put Siege Camo on this list. Try it for yourself.

I’ve also done a full review of Sufix Siege which you can find here.

5. Berkley Trilene Big Game – Best Value Big Fish Mono

Filling big reels can get expensive. But Berkley Trilene makes it affordable while assuring you have all the tensile and knot strength you need to tackle the ocean’s monsters.

Trilene Big Game isn’t anything remarkable, making bold claims about special space age technology.

Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Custom Spool, Clear, 30 Pound

It’s simply great value for money. A good, honest mono fishing line. It’s available in 4-pound to 130-pound test weights.

Sold in a huge range of spool sizes, it will suit everybody from the average weekend inshore angler to game anglers and charter professionals. 

1350 yards of 130-pound mono goes a long way, especially at this low price point.

Strength and abrasion resistance are its main features. However, many big fish anglers will appreciate its shock resistance.

Big fish hitting hard often result in bust-ups and pulled hooks, well before any reel fight begins.

Shock resistance means forgiveness. It’s the stretch that can give you a huge reprieve when mistakes are made in the frenzy of a hit and strike.

I like Trilene for just about any application. You’ll find it on a broad selection of reels, used by all anglers chasing everything from bass to sailfish.

By and large, it’s a big fish monofilament. I think it’s a great fishing line for trolling near reef systems where there’s a good chance a hook-up will head for line-busting cover.

While I prefer other lines for lighter fishing applications, this is a very reliable mono for chasing blue water fish, and monsters from the ocean rocks.

Key Considerations – How To Choose A Monofilament Line

It can be confusing when trying to select mono fishing lines. There are so many from which to choose and they’re all full of marketing promise.

With a little mono terminology under your belt, you’ll be able to make a choice that’s right for you. 

Read on for some easy mono basics so you can spool up with a mono fishing line that will suit your types of fishing.

Line Strength / Weight

The key measurement with fishing line, mono included, is breaking strain or test weight. This is the load your line will take before it breaks.

The line starts at ultra-light 1 pound for serious finesse angling, going all the way to 150 pounds and beyond for game fishing.

A good rule of thumb is to fish as light as you dare. The lighter the line the better the lure and bait presentation. However, you still need enough strength to hold the fish you target.

With big fish such as marlin, sharks, and tuna, you’re using a very heavy line as these fish are absolute freight trains.

Common mono weights for most inshore and nearshore fishing range from 6 to 20 pounds.

Line Memory

The mono fishing line tends to retain the shape of the object on which it was stored. When stored on a spool, the line will tend to hoop.

This can become a problem as it promotes tangles and fouling. Look for mono fishing lines that advertise low memory.

Sink Rate

Mono fishing line has close to neutral buoyancy. This means it floats without sinking aids. If you’re fishing light sinkers or lures, mono can take a very long time to sink.

This is great if you’re fishing the top water. However, if you’d like to fish deeper, you’ll have to adjust your lure or the amount of lead you’re using.

Monofilament Vs Braided Line

Both line types are more or less interchangeable, yet have different properties making them better suited for different fishing applications.

Braid has next to no stretch, is less forgiving, and has an incredible strength-to-line diameter ratio – it’s very thin for its strength.

No line imparts a better action on your lure than braid. It’s also profoundly strong, and incredibly sensitive. It’s brilliant for fish of all sizes.

While arguable, braid is less abrasion resistant than mono. But it casts much further in the right hands, on any type of reel.

Braid requires a little more skill to manage and is best for more experienced anglers. Good knot skills are required to ensure rig integrity.

Because of its stretch, mono is more forgiving and has far greater shock resistance. It’s a great trolling line. It is much thicker than a braid meaning you’ll get much less on a spool.

For example, a 20-pound braid is the same thickness as 6-pound mono.

Mono is the staple of every angler and is an ideal line for every fishing application. It’s also much cheaper than braiding and far more user-friendly.

Knots are easy, strength is reliable, and abrasion resistance makes it a great line for fishing heavy cover.

Also Read: What is The Best Braided Fishing Line?

Monofilament Vs Fluorocarbon Main Line

Fluoro is a harder compound than mono and therefore, offers superior abrasion resistance. You may find fluoro less supple than mono, with knots a little harder to tie.

Fluoro sinks faster than mono, so it’s a good option for fishing deeper. While you can fish the top water with fluoro, it’s better with mono.

By and large, these line types are highly interchangeable. Unless you need a harder, faster sinking line, I’d stick with mono. It really comes down to personal preference.

Mono is much cheaper and has a better balance of key performance features. However, opinions vary when comparing the two, with most of the appraisals ultimately subjective.

It’s worth noting that fluoro lines are virtually invisible to fish. It’s the combination of low vis and abrasion resistance that makes fluoro the most popular leader material.

See Also: How To Choose The Best Fluorocarbon Line

Line Color

Mono fishing line comes in a variety of colors. However, it’s best to view them as either hi-vis or low vis. Hi-vis lines are designed so the angler can see where their line is.

Low vis lines are designed so the fish can’t see the line when it’s submerged, a must for fishing in clear, still waters and heavily fished waters. Generally, the visibility of the line will be stated on the pack.

Most anglers select clear or translucent lines for their stealth qualities.

Line Thickness

The heavier the fishing line, the thicker it will be. The thinner the line, the better the presentation and the better the casting qualities.

It’s best to seek out the thinnest line in the test weight you require. 

Thin lines generally perform better. You will generally find they are premium lines and far more expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should You Change Monofilament Fishing Line?

It depends on the frequency and type of use. You need to check the line for bends, creases, nicks, cuts, abrasion, and sun damage. 

Requirements can vary from a few sessions to a year or more.

What Color Mono Is Best?

There is no best color – it’s situational. The best go-to default color is clear. It works for the lion’s share of fishing applications.

If you need to see the fishing line, any hi-vis color is suitable. Color comes down to personal preference.  

What Is Monofilament Line Best For?

Monofilament is ideal for just about every fishing application. It’s best for ultra-lightweight applications and applications where abrasion resistance is critical.

Which Is Stronger Mono or Fluorocarbon?

A 12-pound line is a 12-pound line – it doesn’t matter what it’s made from. Fluoro is harder, so it’s arguably more durable.

See Also: What is Copolymer Fishing Line?

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Sean Ward

Sean Ward

Hey there, my name is Sean – OnTrack Fishing is my site. I’ve been fortunate enough to catch bass in the States, barramundi in Australia, trout here at home, and carp on the Danube delta. If I’m not fishing, or talking about fishing, then….I’m probably asleep.

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