Best Braided Fishing Line for Anglers in 2018 – Top 5 Products Review

When it comes to fishing lines, monofilament is usually the favorite while the braided variety has taken the backseat. What you're missing with the latter is its awesome overall power that goes with its high knot strength minus the stretch. As it has made a comeback in the last couple of years, here are five of the best braided fishing line this year.

​​**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Pros And Cons Of Braided Fishing Line - When To Use It?

Resistance to abrasion, breaking strength higher than its pound-test rating, and flexibility are some of the best traits of braided lines.

However, if it is indeed as advantageous as it seems, it is curious how it has been less popular compared to mono in recent years. Clearly, there are cons to it as well, but only when used at the wrong place and time.

Pros Of Braided Fishing Line

  • ​Oftentimes twice as strong as mono

via www.amazon.com

At the same diameter, braided is much stronger than mono. Back in the days, they were made from cotton and linen, but these natural fibers have long been replaced by man-made materials such as micro-dyneema, polyethylene terephthalate or Dacron, and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or Spectra.

Dyneema and Spectra are both known for having comparable yield strength to high-strength steels. In towboat communities, Spectra wires are preferred to steel wires for its lightness.

In fact, the fiber is used for cables and hawsers of ships since it floats on sea water. Dyneema, on the other hand, became even more valuable in 2007 as it was used in space to tether in for 30 kilometers the ESA/Russian Young Engineer's Satellite.

Dacron is a brand name for polyethylene terephthalate or woven polyester fibers, which is commonly used in containers and fiber for clothing to name a few. In fishing, Dacron is known to be rot and mildew resistant.

Fishermen who are out to get Tuna and other heavy fish as well as bottom fishermen who prefer Rockfish and Cod usually use Dacron for its strength and flexibility.

  • More lines on your spool

With 1/3-1/4 the diameter of fluorocarbon or monofilament lines at a specific breaking strength, it is easier to put longer braided line on your spool on a smaller reel for the same strength.

This works very well for deep sea fishing since you do not want big reels to accommodate long lines.

  • No stretch and less resistance

Another good reason for using braided lines in deep sea fishing is its capacity for less resistance to sea currents.

They work well for calmer waters or for fish species that bite gently on the bait as well, as they have no stretch, which makes the rigs highly sensitive to fish bites.

  • Sinks, Casts, Trolls
04

When it comes to sinking, casting, and trolling, braided lines have it faster, farther, and deeper than mono lines.

They are so thin that they cut through the air easily. This makes a big difference when you need your line to reach a specific distance as quickly as possible or you will miss the sweet spot where your target is.

  • ​Resistance to abrasions
05

via www.scout.com

Compared to mono lines, the braided variety is less likely to get cut off due to rubbing on underwater structures and rocks. It does not deteriorate from the sun compared to monofilaments.

With proper spooling and maintenance, you can leave braided fishing lines on your reel without worrying that it may lose its tensile strength or become brittle.

Cons Of Braided Fishing Line

  • More expensive

If you are working on a budget, braided fishing lines may be a bit of a challenge since it is 3 - 4 times more expensive than mono.

The fact that it is susceptible to tangles and knots don't help either since once they do get tangled, most anglers would rather cut the line than spend hours untangling the knot.

In effect, this means you will go through your line quicker and may even need to get a new one sooner than your budget would allow.

  • Puts additional stress on line guides, rods, and reel parts

The fact that braided lines are stronger than mono is also a disadvantage as it adds stress on the lines, reel parts, and rods. It is so strong that it can result to the line snapping into the bail if you try to pull and unhook it if it gets snagged.

Also, due to its strength and little to none shock absorption, setting a braided fishing line too hard may result to the hook getting ripped off the fish's mouth. This may also mean you will need to carry sharp scissors and clippers around with you since it is not easy to cut.

  • It is highly visible under water

These lines come in various colors and most anglers use a leader to help hide the line under water. However, this does not deny the fact that using these lines will make it harder to catch shy fish in crystal clear water.

  • No stretch
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via Daiwafishing.com.au

This can be useful in some instances, but oftentimes, not having stretch means there is no give when an aggressive fish strikes thereby resulting to a snapped line. This is disappointing in the sense that you not only lose your fish, you may have also lost some of your line, your hooks, and your lures.

To address this problem however, some anglers use less drag and improvise ways on setting up a hook so it gives a little give when the fish bites the bait.

Best Braided Fishing Line on the Market

The lines included in this list are some of the best reviewed and well accepted brands or models in the market today. Although some of them do have disadvantages still, these lines have generally impressed anglers and consumers who have tried them out in the water. Here are five of the choices that you may want to try out yourself.

1

Via Amazon.com

This braid can withstand 10-50 lbs and is made with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. It comes with a higher tensile strength from 65 - 150 lbs and eight tightly wrapped and powerful strands to help provide smaller profile with strong knots for better casting.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Knot strength with superior resistance to abrasions
  • The line is backlash free due to its consistent roundness and unparalleled smoothness
  • ​Strong fiber material with 4 strands to keep it tight
  • ​Extremely low memory, which helps avoid knots and tangles
  • ​Zero stretch making it highly sensitive
  • ​Reasonably priced
  • ​Comes with different colors that help camouflage it on water
  • Smooth casting and allows more space for the spool
  • Inability to stretch makes it vulnerable to snapping when aggressive fish takes the hook
  • The braid may appear to be thicker for some anglers
  • ​Color leaks are possible depending on where it had been exposed among other factors
  • ​A bit pricey for people who wish to save money
  • Since it is a very thin line, some older people may have a problem in managing it in terms of tying knots and the like.

2

Via Amazon.com

It's interesting how this line creates more action in water as it works well with different types of lures while staying virtually invisible underwater. It also works pretty good with different kinds of fish species and is quite versatile in terms of whether you want to use it on freshwater or saltwater.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Ultra strong fiber
  • Has rounder profile, which makes it easier to spool, spin, and run through the line guides
  • Up to 99% stretch-free, making it hypersensitive to bites and hookups. This also makes casting and retrieving a lot easier.
  • Line is as thin as 1/4 - 1/5 in diameter, which is almost equal to the poundage of mono lines
  • Smooth gliding for better and easier casting
  • Fairly priced for those who are trying to fit in a budget
  • Some color may bleed or run off with continuous use
  • Its strength can add more pressure to the spool, which may lead to corrosion especially when frequently used on saltwater.
  • Line tends to be stiff , which makes it susceptible to tangles and accidental wrapping on the spool

3

Via Amazon.com

Suffix 832 has gained popularity for being one of the strongest and most durable small diameter braid sold in the market today. Its fiber technology features increase casting distance and better accuracy while reducing line vibration.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Farther casting and almost zero memory addressing problems in knots and ties
  • Reasonably priced and cheaper than most products in the market
  • Round profile allowing ease in going through the guides
  • Improved strength that can withstand grassy patches underwater
  • The dye may bleed off after consistent use and exposure to saltwater
  • Line may not be as resistant to abrasions compared to other brands
  • Coating may come off with time and this may result to issues with embedding in the spool

4

Via Amazon.com

This line is made with Dyneema, the material that has become known to be one of the strongest man-made fibers. It comes in moss green to allow low-visibility underwater, as well as hi-vis yellow to allow visibility above water. Despite its thin diameter, this line is constructed to allow quiet, and smooth performance.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

  • 30% stronger than previous models
  • Comes with color-lock coating technology
  • Stays longer and casts farther than its predecessors
  • Dyneema material allows round, strong, and smooth construction
  • Little to no stretch which in effect allows more feel to it
  • Reasonably priced
  • Anglers may need to use gloves if a lot of casting is required as it has been observed to likely cause more hand injuries than monofilaments
  • More difficult to tie regular knots or braids
  • May be prone to tangles, unraveling, and brakeage

5

Via Amazon.com

Despite being launched in 2013, Mega 8 Super Braid still remains to be one of the most sellable products in North America today. It is made from what has become known as the world's strongest fiber - ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, which means it has zero stretch and state-of-the-art tensile strength.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Incredible bite sensitivity while providing incredible strength to help pull your prized catch in
  • Line is smoother and rounder, which allows better casting while reducing friction by means of the rod guides
  • Better precision and further casting
  • Higher strength to diameter ratio, which means it has stronger power in lesser diameter
  • Abrasion resistant, low spool memory, and great knot strength
  • Has the tendency to get tatted up especially when reeling in a big and heavy catch
  • Dye has the tendency to bleed, which can spread through your hands and rod
  • Despite being abrasion resistant, proper maintenance such as ensuring the line is dry upon storage is needed as it can lead to abrasions if left wet all the time
  • Line may get too heavy resulting to unbalanced spool

... And the Best Braided Line Goes to

Of the five brands and models mentioned, the winner has to be Piscifun Braided Fishing Line. It may be more expensive compared to Power Pro Spectra, KastKing SuperPower and Spiderwire, it has proven from its advantages, however, that it can live up to its price.

Like the other brands, Piscifun has its weaknesses, but these disadvantages are common to all kinds of brands. In other words, its advantages definitely outweigh its weak points.

In fact, it has all the pros and the cons that are mentioned in the list of strengths and weaknesses of braided lines. Piscifun Braided Fishing Line represents the best one as it helps you get the most out of your fishing trips this year.

You are in good company with this line. Don't get me wrong though, the other brands mentioned here are worth your consideration as well. At the end of it all, choose one that fits your style of fishing as well as the type of trips you want to take this year. Sounds exciting!

John Morris
 

Hi, I’m John Morris. I’m an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, blessed with an awesome wife and 2 kids. Fishing is not my passion, it is my lifestyle. I fished before I knew how to walk! I’m obsessed with all things related to fishing, even the fishy smell. I’m always willing to extend a hand to novice anglers looking for fishing tips and tricks thus I created this blog. This blog is a collection of my experiences, knowledge, and also research from other blogs.

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