What weight braided line by fish

Braided Fishing Line Weight Guide by Species

A bad workman always blames his tools, but a good angler might be right.

Having the proper tackle can make the difference between reeling in a keeper and getting skunked. Fishing line is an angler's most nuanced and personal choice, often influenced by the targeted fish. There’s a world of options, but braided fishing line best fits every type of fish. 

From deep sea trolling to casting in your local lake, FINS Braids has the right weights of braided fishing line for every fish. Before you get your permits and bait fish, use this fishing line weight guide to decide what to cast based on what species you are fishing for. 

The Advantages of Braided Fishing Line

Braided fishing line has become increasingly popular recently, but what sets it apart from more traditional options? Unlike traditional monofilament lines, modern braided lines are made made with UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) fibers some well-known brands of these fibers are Spectra and Dyneema, which makes them incredibly strong and durable. 

Their smaller diameter also allows them to cut through the water with ease, providing excellent sensitivity and making it easier to detect even the slightest bites. Braided lines also have minimal stretch, which means they offer greater hook-setting power and can help reel in larger fish. 

It is also important to point out that Fins Braids are not weakened or damaged by UV rays like Nylon mono lines are, giving consistent performance until the braid is physically worn out.

The combination of strength, sensitivity, and low stretch makes braided fishing lines a top choice for anglers looking for the best fishing experience. You’ll be able to pull in larger fish without your line breaking or losing its strength. The higher durability gives braided lines a longer lifespan, making them more cost-effective in the long run. 

Further, a braided line has lower line memory and doesn’t tangle as easily. You can expect smooth and consistent casting and reeling with all weights of the braided line. 

The advantages of a braided fishing line make it a popular choice among anglers of all skill levels. And the wide variety in sizes makes it the best option for all types of fishing. That being said, you’ll need to use different line weights for different target species. 

Braided Fishing Line Weight Guide

Braided fishing lines are typically measured by their breaking strength in a “pound test.” This test measures the weight the line can hold before it breaks. The most common weights of braided fishing lines are 10, 20, 35, 50, 65, and 80-pound tests, but they can go well above 100 pounds. Essentially, you want to use a heftier line for heftier fish. Here, we’ve organized each range of braided fishing line weights by the species you would most often use them for.

10-20 Pound Test Line

Windtamer fishing braid best 10lb test line

A 10 lb braided fishing line is perfect for small to medium-sized fish fishing in calm or windy waters. This weight will give you the sensitivity you need to feel a tiny nibble. The lightweight nature of the 10 lb braided fishing line also makes it great for casting, so you can cover more water and increase your chances of hooking a fish. A 10-pound test line is perfect for finesse fishing for smaller species.

 

light weight fishing braid

Smaller fish like river trout, walleye, perch, bluegill, pompano, and smallmouth bass can use the thinnest and lightest braided line. A 10 lb test line will work for them. Slightly larger crappie, bonefish, and flounder need around a 15-20 lb braid. The smaller species of snapper, like lane snapper or mangrove snapper, can be caught with a 20 lb test line. Check out the FINS Crappie Fishing Braid or the Windtamer for excellent 10-20 pound choices.

25-50 Pound Test Line

best ten pound fishing braid

Using a 25-50 pound test braided fishing line can be an excellent choice for anglers looking to reel in some big fish. With strength and durability to reel in the most challenging catches, yet a diameter of 0.40mm or less, you’ll get longer casts out into the lake or ocean. Salmon, steelhead trout, bluefish, and redfish can all be caught using lines on the lower end of this range with 20-30 pound test lines. 

On the higher end, black sea bass, striped sea bass, mahi-mahi, fluke, cobia, tarpon, and mackerel need braid test weights of closer to 50 pounds. Larger species of snapper, like mutton, red, and dog snapper, also fall in the 30-50 lb test range. Use this line weight for pike, alligator gar, and large-mouth bass in freshwater and brackish ecosystems. The Spin5 line is great for baitcasting, spin rods, and conventional reels in this range. 

65-80 Pound Test Line

As we get into the higher weights of braided fishing lines, they replace steel wires. The braided line is more dextrous and far lighter, and polyethylene fibers won’t spook the fish like steel can. 

Additionally, lines also avoid blow-back and let you sink deeper to pull in your larger target fish. Along with ocean fish like the barracuda, musky, wahoo, and kingfish, use this line for smaller billfish specimens, like sailfish. Use a 65-80 lb test line for grouper, sturgeon, and smaller sharks. In the freshwater, use this heftier line for channel catfish. 

100-250 Pound Test Line

When it comes to ocean fishing, there are times when you need to bring out the big guns. And by big guns, we mean seriously strong fishing lines. Using a 100-250 pound test braided line is perfect for catching the ocean's biggest and strongest fish. Some of these fish can weigh over 500 pounds, so you’ll want a hefty 250-pound test line that can handle the weight and power of these massive fish. Just ensure that you have the right gear and are prepared for the fight of your life when one of these monsters takes the bait!

Even freshwater monsters like the blue catfish require an 80-100 lb test line to pull them from the bottom. Out in the salt water, you’ll want these heftier lines for amberjack, sharks, marlin, and larger tuna. For this range of line weights, use the XS Big Game line. It has excellent durability for trolling and bottom fishing in fresh and saltwater. 

Get Fishin’

It's important to note that the weight of the braided fishing line is not the only factor to consider when selecting a line. Other factors, such as color, visibility, and diameter, also play a role in selecting the right line. Additionally, the weight of the line should be matched to the size and weight of your fishing rod and reel to ensure optimal performance.

The weight of the braided fishing line you choose depends on the type of fish you're targeting, the environment you're fishing in, and your fishing techniques. Considering these factors, you can select the right braided fishing line for your next fishing adventure. 

For all your braided line needs, check out our selection at FINS Braids! We hold our products to the highest standards for tensile strength and abrasion resistance.

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