What Size Braided Line for Spinning Reel

What Size Braided Line Should I Use? The question may seem silly since fishing rods list the weight of the line they can handle.

But, the braided line is new, and it is different from mono or fluorocarbon lines.

That difference makes the question very valid.

You can add a heavier-pound test braided line to a spinning real than is recommended.

The reason is that the same pound test of mono or fluorocarbon line has a thicker diameter than a braided line will.

For a spinning reel that is rated for a 10-20 pound test line – it is assumed that it means mono or fluorocarbon line – you can bump up the braided line to a 15-30 pound test.

That is not always a good idea; however, because the braided line has a thinner diameter than the equally strong mono or fluorocarbon line, it takes up less room.

Contents

Why You Should Not Add Heavier Line to a Spinning Reel

When you add a heavier line than is recommended to a spinning reel, you do three things.

  1. A heavier line means it has a thicker diameter – for mono or fluorocarbon lines. Thicker diameter means that it takes fewer wraps of the line to fill up a row on the reel’s arbor. The thicker line takes up more room, so you can not add the same length of the line as you would if you used a small-pound test. In short, you have a shorter line which can cause you to lose fish.
  2. The heavier line means that you have more difficulty casting lures or flies. The exception is with the braided line.
  3. When you add heavier mono or fluorocarbon line to your spinning reel, you are more apt to experience backlashes while casting. That is not only frustrating, but it can cost you lures and rigging if the line should snap when the backlash occurs.

Is Braided Line Good for Spinning Reels?

A braided line is fine for spinning reels.

It was created for fly reels but has quickly adapted to spinning reels too.

The big difference between a braided line and mono or fluorocarbon lines is that the braided line is stronger than the equal equivalent of either mono or fluorocarbon.

It is also flat rather than round.

This means if you add a ten-pound test braided line to a spinning reel, you can add more of it.

It takes up less space on the arbor.

It is an excellent choice for spinning rods when:

  • You need a longer length of line for fish that fight longer and play harder. A braided line will stand up to them.
  • You need a stronger line such as when you are fishing around obstacles that can snag your leader.
  • When you maybe don’t replace your line as often as you should or you leave the line out in the sun rather than undercover.

Should I use Braided Line or Mono for Spinning Reels?

You can use either. Spinning reels will accept braided line and works just fine for spinning setups.

Braided lines can be more expensive, so if you are not fishing in a situation where braided is a drastic advantage, then using mono or fluorocarbon line is just fine too.

A lot of anglers are switching to braided lines, but that choice is not always necessary.

While the braided line will outperform mono or fluorocarbon in strength battles, you don’t always need the extra protection.

Line choice is 100 percent up to you as all three types of lines – mono, fluorocarbon, and braided will work on spinning reels.

Should You Soak a Braided Line Before Spooling?

No. A braided line does not have a memory as does a monofilament line does.

There is no reason to soak it. It is soft and flexible right off the spool.

Because the braided line is flat rather than round, It goes on your spinning reel smoothly and evenly right off the spool.

The reason that anglers soak the monofilament line is to help make it more pliable before spooling.

Monofilament fishing line can have a memory to it – it will remember the spooled shape which can cause it to tangle while you are adding to the reel.

For that reason, soaking it is important.

What Fish Is Braided Line Best For?

Many fly fishermen use a braided line because it handles the natural environment very well.

It is also stronger and thinner than traditional fishing lines, which means that an angler can add more of it to a fly reel or spinning reel.

Big Fish with Lots of Fight – For battling feisty big fish, more line is a plus as the fish can run farther and wear itself out quicker.

Trout, bass, and pike are three examples of freshwater fish where using a braided line is a good choice.

All three will put up a fight and in the case of the northern pike, they will run for a long while before they tire.

Braided line will stand up to the power and thrashing of big, trophy freshwater fish, such as 60-pound northern pike.

Fishing for lake trout is an art, and you can improve your odds of handling deep lake trout with a braided line selection.

Lake trout are also known as lunkers because the big ones are often fat and very heavy – 50-60 pounds if you hook a trophy.

They are also very sensitive to water temperature so in the heat of summer you will find them deep in the water column of lakes.

Braided line weighs more than mono or fluorocarbon fishing lines. That means it sinks faster.

When you use a braided line for lake trout, you can get your hook and lure down to the correct depths where the big lake trout are and get it there much faster.

Saltwater Applications for a Braided Line Option

A braided fishing line has pretty much taken over the saltwater fishing scene.

It applies to almost every fishing situation.

Big Fish with Lots of Strength and Power – you can use a braided line for chasing monsters.

Shark fishing, Grouper, Tuna, Marlin, and big fish with amazing amounts of power are the perfect application for using a braided fishing line.

In Shore Targets – Cobia, bonefish, redfish, spotted trout, snapper, snook, and a long list of other fish are perfect targets when you set up your reel with a braided line.

Reef Targets – Sharks, groupers, sting rays, eels, and cobia are all optional targets when you fish along the reef systems. A braided line will handle them all.

Trolling – Braided line is awesome for trolling.

Its superior strength means you have more line to feed but it does not have a lot of stretch to it.

For that reason, many anglers who troll for salmon, snappers, cobia, tuna, and other fish pair their braided line with a mono leader.

Surf Casting – You can use a braided line for surf fishing.

The lighter-weight braided line is perfect for standing up to the toss and tumble of surf casting.

Perch and other schooling fish are target options, or you can go big and try to hook a shark in the shallows.

There are plenty of big fish in the shallow waters all hunting for a quick meal.

A quality braided line will handle even big fish.