My son started using a baitcaster this summer, and while rigging it up for him, I found myself asking, “What is the best fishing line for a baitcaster?” I quickly came to the conclusion that it has to be braided fishing line. I’d argue that braid is the best fishing line for a baitcaster because it reduces a lot of the learning curve that baitcasters come with, while maximizing all the advantages of a baitcast reel.
This might surprise you a little bit as I typically don’t recommend braid when fishing with kids just for safety reasons (it can cut them), but by the time someone is old enough to cast a baitcaster, they’re old enough to handle braided fishing line. In my opinion, braided line in 20-30lb test is about the best fishing line for a baitcaster money can buy, regardless of your age or skill level.
Why Braid is the Best Fishing Line for a Baitcaster
I’d argue braid is the best line for a baitcaster because it’s the type of line that pairs well with the techniques baitcasters use in the first place. Further, it is generally easier to use because it has less memory which translates to being easier to cast. Given that baitcasters have a large learning curve, anything that you can use to help you get over that is going to be a plus. Braid takes away many of the headaches that are common to using baitcasters, especially if you’re new to it.
Better Line for What You’re Using a Baitcaster For in the First Place
If you’re using a baitcasting reel, chances are you’re using it for techniques that braid is well suited for. Baitcasters really are the workhorses of fishing reels. While spinning reels are preferred for more finesse movements with smaller lures and lines, a baitcaster is for hauling big bass out of heavy cover. Frogs, spinnerbaits, jigs, plastic worms and creatures all are better utilized with a baitcaster, and braided line is usually the fishing line of choice for these techniques.
Basically, any lure that relies on one or two large, thick hooks is going to do very well with a braid. These hooks generally require a solid hook set, and braid’s low tension is going to be the best fishing line for that. These lures also tend to attract very large fish, and having a strong fishing line is going to help in that situation too.
Accordingly, it just makes sense to load up braided fishing line on your baitcaster reels. If you happen to be fishing clear water or near toothy critters or other things likely to slice your line, you can simply tie on a fluorocarbon leader. In fact, I have a whole article about when you should use a leader with braided line that you might check out.
Less Memory = Less Backlashes
Backlashes are the bane of any angler using a baitcaster. They’re caused by the spool running faster than the line that is leaving the reel. Usually, this happens because someone forgets to thumb their lure as it heads towards, and connects with, the water. However, a little coil in the line due to memory can also cause this if it results in the line getting hung up after it leaves the spool. A prime reason braided fishing line is the best stuff you can use on a baitcaster is it has no memory and thus avoids this issue.
Better Cast Control
The lower memory of braid also allows for better cast control, especially when using a baitcaster. The same coiling or memory that can lead to backlashes also leads to shorter casts with less accuracy. This is because the line will leave the reel and through the guides much easier if it is limp and straight rather than coiled into a mess.
A smaller diameter also means less friction to contend with as there is less surface area to impact the line. When coupled with the smaller line guides on a baitcasting rod, you’ll find that braid is a very easy line to cast your lures where and how wanted. This is important because one of the main ways to fish a baitcaster, the pitch and flip technique, works very well with braid.
Less Headaches in General
Braid is the best fishing line for baitcasters simply because it reduces the headaches common with the reels. Braid is a strong line that holds up well to the types of lures you want to throw while minimizing backlashes and maximizing accuracy. So long as you use a pound test appropriate for the reel, you’ll avoid situations where it digs in, loops, or causes issues. If you’re new to using a baitcaster, braid is definitely the line to try. The only caveat I’d put on that is to use the tape trick so you don’t cut off more braid than necessary while learning.
Some Watch Outs when Using Braided Fishing Line on a Baitcaster
While I maintain that, in general, braid is the best fishing line for a baitcaster, there can be too much of a good thing. For example, you might look at the relatively lower diameter of braid compared to monofilament and fluorocarbon and be tempted to string up a very small pound test on your baitcaster. I’d argue that’s a mistake. While I’m sure some of you do it just fine, I think using too thin of a fishing line on a baitcaster is really asking for problems. For example, it will cut into the spool much easier than thicker line and create a greater chance of backlashes.
For this reason, I really prefer sticking with 20lb – 30lb test braided fishing line when using a baitcaster. I think the 30lb is the perfect sweet spot where I feel like I can throw just about anything, from a spinnerbait to a frog, and while it might not be “perfect” it will probably get the job done.
There’s an absolutely outstanding article over at Mel’s Place that breaks down the exact diameter of pretty much any fishing line you’d ever want. You can see just how much smaller braided fishing line is in diameter compared to monofilament and fluorocarbon. It shows that my favorite braided fishing line, Berkley PowerPro Braided Spectra Line has a .28mm diameter in 30lb test. That’s almost half as thin as Berkley Trilene Big Game nylon monofilament in 30lb test which has a .55mm diameter. More to the point, it’s even thinner than Berkley Big Game in 10 pound test which means a line three times as strong is also thinner!
Accordingly, there is absolutely no reason to use a very small pound test braided line on your baitcaster. You’ll just be asking for trouble without reaping any benefit.
What About Mono or Fluorocarbon?
There are plenty of people who use monofilament and fluorocarbon for baitcasters, but unless you have a specific application for them, they aren’t the best fishing line for the job.
So what are those applications exactly? Mainly when fishing topwater lures or lures with tiny treble hooks. Braid isn’t the best fishing line for either of those applications, baitcaster or not. This is because monofilament floats, which is really what you want with a topwater lure, and fluorocarbon tends to sink, which is great for crankbaits and such. Further, both have considerably more stretch than braided fishing line and this helps when using a treble hook as you don’t want to pull too hard or you might pull the hook right out of a fish’s mouth.
My Favorite Braided Fishing LIne for Baitcasters
One thing I pride myself with at FishingFather is that I tend to recommend the same stuff for years. Why? Simply put, because it works. I think there’s too much marketing in fishing and that a lot of the game is to get you to buy products you don’t necessarily need.
To that end, while there may be “better” braided fishing line out there, but I wouldn’t know, because I’ve been using Berkley PowerPro Spectra for years now. It does everything I need for a reasonable price. It holds up year after year and I only swap it out when I run low on the spool due to retying. It’s strong, it’s a good color (green) for the waters I fish, it casts very well and is manageable. I’ve been a big fan and until a super compelling reason comes along to abandon it, it’s my ride or die. You can pick some up at Amazon today. Note that I prefer the Spectra line over the Super Slick. I suppose you could get a bit of extra casting length with Super Slick, but I found it less manageable and more likely to fray.
All Things Considered, Braid is the Best Fishing Line for Baitcasters
Unless you have a very specific need for a different type of fishing line, braid is the best for baitcasters. You’re probably going to want it for the techniques you’d use a baitcaster for in the first place. Further, it has less memory which will cause less pesky backlashes, and its small diameter allows for enhanced precision when casting with a baitcaster. For these reasons, it’s what you should reach for first.
If you found this article helpful, here are a few others regarding braided fishing line you might enjoy.
- Should You Use a Leader with Braided Fishing Line?
- Will Braided Fishing Line Damage My Rod?
- What is the Best Braid for Panfish?
Thank you all for reading!
John Paxton
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