Most reviews on the topic of the best fishing line for bass tend to lean towards packing out the article with tons of choices. Only the surface-level product features are usually offered for choosing each one. Instead, for this guide, I want to cut to the chase and focus on a small number of tried and tested picks; each matched to a clear purpose.
To help you jump straight to the info you need, the table of contents below contains clickable links to each section:
I've searched out the best options for product links that I can find to help hook you up with what you need. The links in this article include my Amazon Affiliates code which doesn't add to the price you pay; but qualifying purchases pay a commission (typically around 3 to 4 %) to Fishing Discoveries - which helps support the publication of free content across the full site.
Best Fishing Line for Bass: Spinning Reel Pick
Power Pro Spectra (10lb to 15lb)
Things you need for great performance on a spinning reel are:
- Low "coil memory" (so the line doesn't spring off the reel when you don't want it to)
- Low diameter to high breaking strain (thick line massively reduces casting performance on a spinning reel)
- Zero stretch for ultimate strike sensitivity, hook-set power and also accurate transmission of how you "work" your lure
For the best results, a fluorocarbon leader should be used with braided line (see the section on leader material below).
Why This Pick?
The most common reasons for choosing a spinning reel involve fishing finesse presentations - while still having good casting range with light lures. For more medium/heavy duty work, baitcasting outfits have so many advantages. This means that 10lb to 15lb breaking strain Power Pro offers an ideal combination of excellent finesse, great casting range with reliable strength for hook-sets and fighting fish.
Of course, if you have a specific application in mind that needs to go heavier or lighter, then you know your own angling better than anyone else. Use the button below to check the price and availability on a range of breaking strains and spool sizes:
Best Fishing Line for Bass: Baitcaster Pick
PowerPro Maxcuatro Spectra
:
It's crazy how often the PowerPro brand of braid comes up in bass anglers' recommendations for the best fishing line for bass fishing. Here are the tactics - and reasons why - I've matched the performance of this line to.
Ideal Characteristics for Baitcasting Line for Bass
- For Power Fishing (Flipping and Punching into cover) - STRONG breaking strains with LOW diameter (to saw/cut through weed stems)
- For Reaction Cranking (stop/start retrieves) zero stretch for crisp transitions between Burning and Pausing
- For Cranking/Jerkbaits Lower diameter for high breaking strain to cut through the water and help bait achieve good depth
- Slick and Thin enough to cast smoothly through the guides
Why This Pick?
The 25% reduction in line diameter for the same breaking strain gives you that power fishing performance. When you are looking at 40lb, 50lb and 65lb breaking strains for power fishing, being thinner by a quarter is a BIG difference. In contrast, for the light spinning application (in 10lb to 15lb lines), that reduction is less significant - and might even lead you to have more problems than benefits. For punching and flipping you can tie braid directly to your lure to maximise that zero stretch and huge breaking strain benefit.
Those same characteristics of strength with finer diameter - coupled with zero stretch - give you those crisp transitions between cranking and pausing. Thinner line cuts more directly through the water - with less bowing - creating that tight connection to your lure. That's also the reason your lures will get down a bit deeper compared to fatter braids (though check out the specialist fluorocarbon options for deeper cranking and jerkbait fishing below). A leader is best for these applications - both for creating a bit of a cushion to help keep treble hooks pinned as well as allowing open-water fish to inspect the bait without being distracted by dark braid.
The Maxcuatro also shines in the castability department too - passing through guides smoothly and also making excellent topwater braid.
Again, I've picked out a link with multiple breaking strain and spool size options for you (depending on your needs). Power fishing calls for 40lb, 50lb or even 65lb breaking strains. For cranking and jerkbait fishing, the thinner diameter makes 40lb is a good option.
Best Fishing Line for Bass: Deep Cranking & Jerkbaits
Sunline Assassin FC
If you are wanting to go deeper than, say, 12 feet with a jerk bait or crank bait, braid might not be the best option. In fact, in clear water and when you are continually cranking (rather than the burn/pause reaction style), the stretchier fluorocarbon might offer no disadvantage compared to braid. At the same time, the much greater density of fluorocarbon can let you get down much deeper with a diving bait.
What You Want from a Specialist Deep-Cranking Line
- Greater density than braid or nylon monofilament
- Clear material for pressured fish in clear water
- Robust with minimal/no deterioration in strength following multiple hard hook-sets
- Some stretch to help keep treble hooks pinned
- Long casting ability
Why This Pick?
By choosing the Sunline Assassin in 12lb (where you can get away with it) and either 15lb for medium cover and perhaps pushing it up to 17lb for heavier cover "hit and hold" fishing), then you get some fantastic advantages. In these breaking strains - particularly in the 12lb - the combination of density and fine diameter cuts right down through the water really well. Also, the long casting performance at these diameters is just great. With the clear fluorocarbon material used, both the clarity and slight stretch are natural qualities.
What is special about the formulation of this particular line is its increased toughness and ability to stand up to hook sets without busting apart unexpectedly. When coupled with the ability to get your lure deep, this is really what makes this specific line stand out as a speclalist application reel line. In fact, if braided line (or shallower fishing!) didn't exist - this would probably win out as the single best fishing line for bass.
I've combed the different available options to find the 12lb, 15lb and 17lb offerings to save you searching around for them:
Best Bass Fishing Leader Material
Heavy Leaders over 16lb: Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon
If this stuff was available down through all breaking strains (and it could keep its properties across that range) then it would be the ultimate bass fishing leader material. Period. As it stands, though, it is only available down to 16lb breaking strain.
What Do You Want From a Leader Material?
- Enough stretch to keep a fish pinned
- Complete transparent clarity
- To rebound to original length and diameter after being stretched
- To retain full breaking strain after multiple stretch/rebound cycles through a fishing day
Why This Pick?
While it is true to say that all half decent fluorocarbon lines will score well enough on the clarity and stretch scores, its the other characteristics on the list above that make this line special. While traditional nylon monofilament can have great shock-absorbing qualities of stretch, the ability to return to its original diameter and length is quite poor. The huge problem with that is this makes pre-stretched nylon brittle and prone to exploding on the hook set.
For some reason, Japanese-made fluorocarbon seems to be consistently excellent (with consistent diameters and well-designed properties of stiffness versus suppleness suited to each style of fishing). Sunline is no exception to that general rule - and their FC100 material lays a serious claim to the absolute best fishing line for bass as a leader material.
The resilience of this line - and its incredible ability to rebound to its original dimensions following brutal punishment on hook sets and landing big bass - set it apart from the competition.
Find it in a wide range of breaking strains and spool sizes on the button below:
Finesse Leaders (Below 16lb): Sunline Super FC Sniper
Almost matching the performance of the FC100, this line is available right down to extremely finesse diameters. What you want in a leader material does not change from the above list. However, the lack of offerings below 16lb in FC100 means there is a spot available for finesse leader material.
Why This Pick?
Also out of the Sunline stable, this has all the manufacturing standards and attention to detail you'd expect. Although it's impossible to compare in sizes below 16lb, the Sniper seems to be a fair match for the FC100 in terms of rebound. This means that, although this line is designed as a main-line (and not a specialist leader material), it performs brilliantly as finesse leader material.
Whether used in spinning reel "braid to leader" combos or as a leader for Bait Finesse System (BFS) style rigs, this is fantastic for spooky fish in clear water. Think tough smallmouth bass fishing in clear lakes...
You can go right down to 5lb in this as a leader material and expect great results.
Available in a wide range of breaking strains and spool sizes on the button below:
Round Up
OK, that just about does it. With the above picks for each specific purpose you should have all the bases covered for choosing your best fishing line for bass. From spinning through baitcasting with braid in both power and finesse categories PLUS specialised deep cranking/jerkbait fishing scenarios and the ideal leader materials too - you're fully covered.
I hope you find the above guidance helpful and that it gives you extra success and enjoyment out on the water.
Paul