15 Best Monofilament Lines

When you’re going fishing, it’s oftentimes necessary to use different types of fishing line. For example, a braided fishing line offers lots of stiffness and strength, at the expense of being thicker and easily visible. Depending on what kind of fish you’re trying to catch using lures or crankbaits etc. and what the water conditions are, that can be a winning combination.

On the other hand, monofilament lines are transparent or semi-transparent, which means they blend in better with the water. And they offer more flex and stretch than other types of line. To help you find the best monofilament line for your needs, we’ve put together this list.

In our search for the best mono fishing line, we’ve looked for the thinnest fishing line for minimum visibility. We’ve also looked at a thicker, sturdier mono fishing line for landing the biggest catches. So grab your rods and reels, and get ready to check out some quality lines.

Best Monofilament Line

1. Berkley Trilene Big Game

The Berkley Trilene Big Game is designed to provide a saltwater fishing experience at a reasonable price.

Key Features

• 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, or 130-pound test
• 0.012” – 0.028” diameter
• Available in 275 – 1,500-yard lengths
• Available in clear, ultra-clear, brown, green, lime green, and steel blue

The Berkley Trilene offers a smooth casting experience, and you can throw a lure a long distance without worrying about twists and tangles. It’s heavy-duty, designed for reliable control when you’re battling a big fish. This line is engineered with a relatively thin design for any given test weight, which makes it easy to thread and tie as well as to cast.

This line is a great choice for both salt and fresh water. It’s built for extra strength, with a smooth finish that zips out of the reel like butter sliding across a hot griddle. It’s a great choice for larger fish, including steelhead, bluefish, salmon, and other heavy-hitters. Best of all, it comes at a very reasonable price.

Pros

• Abrasion and shock-resistance
• Easy to cast
• Smooth finish
• Affordable

Cons

• Retains a strong memory

This monofilament line is a solid choice if you want a rugged marine-rated line at a reasonable price.

2. Stren SHIQS30-HG High Impact

Stren High Impact is a marine-rated monoline that’s designed for high-visibility, high-impact applications.

Key Features

• 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.3mm – 0.55mm diameter
• Available in 400 – 1,275-yard lengths
• Available in clear, smoke blue, low-visibility green, and high-visibility green

Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line is constructed from sturdy nylon. It offers plenty of resistance to shock and impact, making it a solid option for catching feisty fish who like to hit the line hard. It has plenty of tensile strength, which allows it to stand up through several catches without the need to swap out your spool — or cut off the first 100 yards of line.

This fishing line isn’t rated for big trophy fish, but it’s more than powerful enough for most people’s stand-and-cast needs. It offers both low and high-visibility options, so you can fish a variety of species. In addition, the line is very stiff, which makes it easy to set hooks quickly on hesitant biters.

Pros

• Very low visibility
• Marine-rated
• Minimal flex
• High impact and shock resistance

Cons

• Prone to tangling

This marine-rated fishing line is very stiff, ideally suited for a quick hook setting.

3. KastKing DuraBlend

KastKing DuraBlend is a thick clear line for saltwater fishing.

Key Features

• 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 130, 150, or 200-pound test
• 0.016” – 0.055” diameter
• 120-yard length
• Clear in color

KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line is a heavy, beefy line that’s designed for catching the biggest fish in the sea. With the 200-pound test version, you can haul in just about any trophy, including marlins, makos, and tuna. Of course, you’ll need a serious rod if you’re trying to reel in that kind of catch.

It’s constructed from high-density nylon, which is resistant to abrasion and is grippy enough to hold tight even when your knots are put under a lot of stress. It also has low memory, so it won’t start twisting and kinking after the cast. Furthermore, it doesn’t stretch under tension, which means your rods will start moving the moment you get a bite.

Pros

• Low memory
• Sinks easily
• Abrasion-resistant
• Marine-rated
• Minimal flex

Cons

• Relatively short length

This is a rugged, low-memory fishing line that sinks when you cast it.

4. KastKing World’s Premium

KastKing World’s Premium is designed for catching smaller, lighter saltwater fish.

Key Features

• 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.2mm – 0.5mm diameter
• Available in 300 or 600-yard lengths
• Available in black, blue, clear, green, pink, red, and yellow

KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line is a marine-rated line that’s available in a variety of weight tests. This line is suitable for lakes and rivers, as well as for catching small to mid-sized saltwater species from a boat or the shore.

This line comes in several colors. Most anglers will want a clear line in their kit as a go-to option, but there are also multiple other options available, providing a broad palette for matching a variety of lake conditions, regardless of the color of the silt.

This monofilament line is engineered with the paralleled roll track construction method, which reduces memory. This cuts down on twisting after the cast, so you won’t end up with a giant rat’s nest in your reel during the retrieve.

Pros

• No line memory
• Marine-rated
• Thin construction

Cons

• Limited test strength for a marine-rated line

This fishing line is thinner and more lightweight than most marine-rated monofilament lines.

5. Berkley Trilene

The Berkley Trilene is designed for long-term use in lake fishing.

Key Features

• 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.005” – 0.016” diameter
• Available in 110 – 9,000-yard lengths
• Available in clear, fluorescent clear blue, low-visibility green, and standard green

The Berkley Trilene is a lake fishing school that’s available in a range of weight tests and lengths. These range from an everyday 110-yard spool to an epic-length 9,000-yard behemoth that will have you reeling in lunkers for years. It’s also available in a range of colors, including a low-visibility green that’s great for fishing in kelp beds.

One benefit of this line is just how smooth and tangle-free it is. It stands up very well in grass and doesn’t stretch even on the rare occasion when it does get snagged. The downside? The material is poorly-designed for repeated use and tangles easily over time. Expect to trim this line frequently as the forward portion becomes unusable with use.

Pros

• Holds well in grass
• Sleek, easy-casting design
• Very long lengths available

Cons

• Prone to tangling

This monofilament line is a great choice for lakes that are full of grass and seaweed.

6. Stren Original

The Stren Original Service Spool is available anywhere from a lightweight 100-yard spool to a long-lasting 2,400-yard behemoth

Key Features

• 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, or 20-pound test
• 0.22mm – 0.45mm diameter
• Available in 100 – 2,400-yard lengths
• Available in clear, fluorescent clear blue, fluorescent blue, high-visibility gold, and low-visibility green

The Stren Original Service Spool, as its name implies, has been around for some time. It’s Stren’s first offering, and many anglers cast their first line with it and have never looked bad. These days, Stren is best known for their fluorocarbon and braid lines, but their original mono line is also worth considering.

This line is available in both low and high-visibility options, as well as a fluorescent blue for night fishing. The clear option is also very good, a great choice for a day fishing in calm, sunny weather with plenty of visibility. The fish will never even know it’s there.

This is a loose line, that doesn’t bend or kink while you’re casting. It threads freely, and bait will dangle easily on the end of the line.

Pros

• Low memory
• Easy to tie and cast
• Excellent abrasion resistance
• Affordable

Cons

• Only available in lightweight tests

This low-memory line runs out nice and straight when you cast it.

7. McCoy

The McCoy Mean Green Monofilament Line is a lightweight freshwater fishing line that’s available in three common lake colors.

Key Features

• 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.008” – 0.018” diameter
• Available in 250 – 3,000-yard lengths
• Available in clear, fluorescent clear blue, and green

The McCoy Mean Green Monofilament Line is a lightweight fishing line that’s constructed from the copolymer. It’s strong and durable and ties up easily for rigging up all of your favorite bait.

The clear blue fluorescent is their most popular color, and it’s easy to understand why. This line is designed to light up when illuminated with a blacklight, which makes it perfectly suited for night fishing.

Better yet, this line is abrasion-resistant. It won’t fray easily, and it won’t get cut on pilings, rocks, shells, or stumps. You can reel it in with confidence, knowing that your bait isn’t going to be left stranded out under the water. It’s also very flexible, which makes it easy to tie off your rig.

Pros

• Easy to tie and cast
• Good choice for night fishing
• Low memory
• Good abrasion resistance

Cons

• Only available in lightweight tests

This fishing line is very clear, a great choice for night fishing.

8. Sufix Siege

The Sufix Siege is a low-diameter mono fishing line that’s primarily designed for freshwater fishing.

Key Features

• 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.008” – 0.018” diameter
• 330-yard spool
• Available in clear, camo, neon tangerine, and green

The Sufix Siege is a highly-regarded monofilament fishing line that’s engineered for lake and river fishing. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight trout fishing line or a sturdy line for pike or even sturgeon, the Siege will be up to the task.

It’s available in a wide variety of colors. Whether you want to run a clear line on a sunny day or a smoke green line through a murky kelp bed, this line has plenty of options. It even comes in high-visibility colors.

The Siege has a low-memory design because it’s extruded and woven and recovers easily from any damage. This feature also allows it to stand up to abrasion, so rocks and stumps will be no obstacle.

Pros

• Low memory
• Easy to tie and cast
• Abrasion-resistant

Cons

• Only available in lightweight tests

This premium mono line is designed for quick, easy rigging and casting on lakes and rivers.

9. Berkley Trilene XL

The Berkley Trilene XL Spool is an easy-casting line that’s purpose-built for lake fishing.

Key Features

• 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.005” – 0.02” diameter
• Available in 110 to 9,000-yard lengths
• Available in clear, fluorescent clear blue, and low-visibility green

The Berkley Trilene XL Spool is well known for being one of the limpest fishing lines on the market. Whether you’re looking for a trolling line, a casting line, or a jigging line, this relaxed fishing line is going to do what you need it to do. It drops easily, and it also retrieves in a snap.

This line only comes in three colors, but it covers all of your primary needs. The clear line is a great choice for sunny days, while the low-visibility green is a solid choice for murky water. Throw in a fluorescent line for night fishing, and your kit will be 100 percent complete.

The Trilene XL is also abrasion-resistant. Drag it along underwater objects, and it will come out just fine.

Pros

• Easy to tie and cast
• Sensitive touch
• Very low memory
• Affordable

Cons

• Only available in lightweight tests

This fishing line is a great choice for standing and casting for lake fish.

10. Yo-Zuri Hybrid

The Yo-Zuri Hybrid is a fusion of nylon and fluorocarbon that’s extra strong and stiff.

Key Features

• 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 40-pound test
• 0.007” – 0.024” diameter
• 600-yard spool
• Clear in color

The Yo-Zuri Hybrid is a copolymer line, which is a combination of nylon and fluorocarbon. In theory, it offers the best features of both materials, with a stiff design that’s also resistant to abrasion. On both of these counts, this line is very effective, standing up to just about any abuse the water can throw at it.

That said, this line is too stiff to tie secure knots. You’ll want to pair it with a sturdy lead and other hardware to build a reliable rig. Make sure to double-knot your connection to the lead, or it’s liable to slip loose.

On the other hand, the Yo-Zuri Hybrid is easy to retrieve. It’s stiff enough that you’ll know every time you get a bite, even if the fish is tentative.

Pros

• Abrasion-resistant
• Minimal stretch
• UV-resistant

Cons

• Poor casting

This stiff, abrasion-resistant fishing line is an ideal choice for trolling.

11. Sufix Elite

The Sufix Elite is a smooth resin fishing line that provides a good balance of strength and castability.

Key Features

• 8-pound test
• 0.011” diameter
• 330-yard spool
• Clear in color

The Sufix Elite is an upgrade of the Sufix Siege we already looked at. It’s engineered from an advanced J2 micro resin, which provides a balance of strength, durability, and castability that’s almost unheard of in this price range.

This line is currently only available in an 8-pound test, suitable for lake and river fishing, but not for intense marine use. It also retains some memory, so you’ll need to start trimming the line as you use it or you’ll experience some tangling. That said, it’s tangle-free from the get-go, and you’ll only have to deal with these issues as your line gets older.

The Elite offers excellent knot strength and is flexible enough out of the box to allow you to tie a variety of knots, without any stiffness getting in the way.

Pros

• Strough construction
• Slick, smooth finish
• Great performance on long casts

Cons

• Retains some memory

This fishing line is a great choice for long casting from the shore.

12. Power Pro Spectra Fiber

The Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided is technically braided, but it walks and quacks like a mono fishing line.

Key Features

• 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, or 80-pound test
• 0.005” – 0.035” diameter
• Built-in line cutter on the spool
• Available in 150 – 1,500-yard lengths
• Available in green, white, vermillion red, red, green, yellow, and high-visibility yellow

The Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line is the flagship of Power Pro’s lineup. It’s technically a braided line, but the filaments are microscopic. In essence, it functions just like a monofilament line, with the strength and stretch-resistance you’d expect from a braided line.

This line is extra strong, with a round design that won’t snag or catch inside your reel. It’s smooth and easy to cast, which makes it a reliable option whether you’re casting from shore or fishing from a boat. This smoothness also makes it easy to reel in, with no tangled nightmares on the retrieve.

The downside? The Spectra Fiber is on the expensive side. But you get what you pay for.

Pros

• Powerful, rugged construction
• Excellent knot performance
• Minimal stretch
• Smooth, easy casting

Cons

• Pricey

This fishing line doesn’t flex much, so you’ll see your rod tip bend at even a light tug.

13. KastKing Copolymer

The KastKing Copolymer is a tough fishing line that’s designed primarily for lake fishing.

Key Features

• 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, or 30-pound test
• 0.18mm – 0.48mm diameter
• 300-yard spool
• Available in camo, clear, copper, and green

The KastKing Copolymer Fishing Line is a good compromise for anyone who can’t decide on whether to go with a braided or monofilament fishing line. It offers the benefits of both, including the abrasion resistance and reduced line memory of a braided line. Of course, you also get the toughness and transparency of a monofilament line, so the benefits run both ways.

The downside is that this line is unusually stiff. It’s not so stiff that it’s easy to cast, but it’s difficult to tie knots with. As with any hard-to-tie fishing line, we’d recommend using a sturdy lead, and double-knotting your connection from the line to ensure that it stays secure.

On the upside, this line offers great color options for lake fishing. The copper is great for brown lake beds, and the green and camo are both solid choices for kelp.

Pros

• Tough and resilient
• Tangle-resistant construction
• Great colors for lake fishing
• Low visibility

Cons

• Poor knot performance

This is a reliable fishing line that won’t tangle or fray easily.

14. Berkley NanoFil Uni-filament

Berkley NanoFil Uni-Filament is a micro-braided line that looks and feels like a monofilament.

Key Features

• 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 17-pound test
• 0.003” – 0.01” diameter
• Available in 150 – 1,500-yard lengths
• Available in clear, high-visibility chartreuse, and low-visibility green

Berkley NanoFil Uni-Filament Fishing Line is yet another crossover between braided and monofilament line. It’s won multiple awards and is constructed from hundreds of tightly-braided nanofilaments that are bonded on the molecular level to form a single line.

This line is very strong for its diameter, offering a slender, lightweight profile that’s easy to cast and reel, and almost impossible for fish to see. It’s a particularly good choice for bass fishing since it’s slender enough to be invisible to the sight of even these sharp-eyed fish.

This is a long-casting line, which is designed primarily for fishing from shore. It’s perfectly fine for using from a boat, but you won’t be making the most of its features. In any scenario, though, it’s stiff enough for tentative nibblers; even the softest bite will cause your fishing rod to twitch.

Pros

• High strength
• Zero stretch
• Smooth and long-casting

Cons

• Pricey

This stiff fishing line won’t stretch at all, making it a good choice if you want to feel every nibble.

15. South Bend

South Bend is a leaded core fishing line that’s designed to sink easily.

Key Features

• 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or 60-pound test
• Leaded core design
• Available in 100 – 900-yard lengths
• White in color

South Bend is a clear white line that’s designed for fishing in sunny, clear waters without a lot of murk or turbidity. It’s available in a range of pull weights, from a slender 4-pound trout fishing line to a thick, 60-pound line for hauling in some serious lunkers.

This is a leaded core line. Essentially, the core is constructed from heavy metal and is designed to sink easily even in the very briny water. It’s also built for strength and flexibility. On the other hand, it’s a fat line, so it’s not as easy to handle as some more slender options.

Pros

• High knot strength
• Abrasion-resistant
• Sinks easily
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Relatively fat diameter

This fishing line is a great choice if you need tough, strong knots.

Bottom Line

As you can see, our search for the best monofilament fishing line has turned up a number of options, everything from lightweight trout fishing line to heavy-test marine-rated line for hauling in sharks or marlins. That covers just about every fishing need, so we’re confident that at least one of these lines is going to be right up your alley.

One important thing to keep in mind when choosing a monofilament line is the color. A major advantage of using a monofilament line versus other types is that they’re difficult for fish to see. However, to achieve the best results, you’ll want to match the color of your line to the water conditions.

For example, in clear water, you’re going to want to use a clear line. In green or blue water, you may get better results by changing to a green or blue line. Conversely, brown and other colors are useful for murky water, particularly in lakes where the silt may have a distinct hue. The best mono line is one that matches the water you’re fishing in.