What Line?
by Bill Mathis

Most have been to a major sporting goods store and seen the wall of line where there are boxes and boxes of fishing line to choose from. The question is, where do you start and what do you need.

Let’s start with some suggestions of line selection for different types of bass fishing.
Opinions will differ so there is no wrong or right answer, but here is what I’ve found that works well for me.

For crankbaits or spinnerbaits I recommend using 10 to 12 pound monofilament. If you are fishing crankbaits in heavier cover, you could move up to 14-pound line, but it could change the action on your lure. Using 14-pound line on spinnerbaits may cause the lure to ride a little higher in the water column so you may need to slow your retrieve a little.

When fishing buzzbaits or top water lures I recommend using 17-pound mono. Some might recommend lighter line. I use 17-pound line for two reasons. First, I like the lures I have and you could be in what you think is bass heaven, but inevitably you will have a good size northern take a run at your lure and steal it! Second, I have seen no difference in action of a buzzbait or a walking top water bait with 17 pound line compared to 14 pound line. Now if you are fishing a popper type lure, you will want to go down to 12 to 14 pound line. The action does change with that lure.

Heading to the docks, I recommend 17-pound line. I use mono here as well, but you can experiment with braided line or fluorocarbon. I personally use mono. If you use mono, you can use 20-pound line, but I find it doesn’t quite handle as well for working tight to docks and skipping jigs under them.

After the docks, let’s head to the swamp. When fishing lily pads, heavy vegetation or any other heavy cover, I recommend using 30 to 40 pound braided line or as some call it “super line”. You can even go up to 50 pound test if you so desire. In dense cover the mistake that some make is setting the hook before the fish has actually got the lure. When you learn not to do that and you’re spooled up with mono, you will still bring in fish, but to make sure you bring that fish in, braided line will do a better job. It’s tougher and does not stretch. If the fish runs down into the cover and you are using a heavy action rod with a 6:3:1 reel, you have a better chance of bringing the fish to meet their relatives in the live well! Let’s not forget the northern pike. They do stop by the pads once in a while. I once threw a mouse into some heavy vegetation on 17-pound mono. A 7 to 8 pound northern blew up on my lure. It came flying out of the water while engulfing my mouse and broke the line. Bye bye $7 mouse! I was fishing the mouse around lighter cover earlier and was going by some pads and thought why not. First cast, mouse gone!

If you want to keep it simple, buy 12 pound and 17 pound mono and 30 pound braid.
Don’t let the wall of line intimidate you. Select your brand and you’re done.
Most of the major brands in the line industry have comparable quality.

Lastly, check for nicks or abrasions by running your fingers down the line.
Cut the line back if you find any nicks.
When you begin to see the spool or have reduced distance when you cast, you should change your line.

Good fishing!

Bill Mathis
classicbass.com Field Staff
Member Team Skeeter