Best Fishing Lines for Spinnerbaits (Complete Guide)
Spinnerbaits come in various styles, and knowing which fishing lines to choose can seem tricky. The perfect lure paired with the right line can greatly affect the spinnerbaits’ performance.
The best fishing line type for spinnerbait fishing is fluorocarbon in 12-15 pound test is generally a good option due to its sensitivity, low visibility, and abrasion resistance.
This article will list the best fishing lines and strengths for spinnerbaits, including inline spinners like roostertails and big musky bucktails, along with your more traditional bass spinnerbaits.
For a complete breakdown of fishing lines, check out this helpful guide to fishing line selection. I will show you the strengths and weaknesses of monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon and when they are best used.
Spinnerbaits Fishing Lines
Braid Fishing Line
When using braid for spinnerbaits, there are some things to remember. One of the biggest pros is that braid is super strong and sensitive so you can feel even the slightest nibble on your line. However, one of the cons is that it can be visible in clear water, which could scare off fish. It’s also important to use a leader with braid to prevent line breaks from fish with sharp teeth.
For spinnerbaits, I recommend using a 14-30 pound test braid. A popular brand is PowerPro, which has a green color that can blend in with water. Just make sure to use a leader that matches the fishing conditions. Fluorocarbon is my favorite leader material for connections to braid.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Fluorocarbon fishing line is a good choice for spinnerbaits fishing because it is nearly invisible underwater and sinks, making it great for fishing in deeper waters. However, it can be quite expensive compared to other fishing lines.
A recommended pound test is 12-17 lb; popular brands include Seaguar and P-Line. For color, clear or natural color is recommended. One downside to fluorocarbon is that it can be more prone to line memory, meaning it can retain a coil shape after being on the spool for a while.
But overall, fluorocarbon can be a great choice for spinnerbaits fishing if you’re willing to spend a little extra money for the benefits it provides.
Mono Fishing Line
Monofilament fishing line is another good option for spinnerbaits fishing. One of the pros is that it’s affordable and easy to find at most stores. It also has some stretch which can be helpful when fighting big fish. However, mono has some cons as well. It’s less sensitive than braid and more visible in clear water.
For spinnerbaits fishing, a good pound test is between 12-17lb, depending on the size of the spinnerbait and the type of fish you’re targeting. Some good brands to consider are Berkley Trilene and Stren. As for color, a clear or low-vis green color can work well.
Overall, mono line is a good option for spinnerbaits fishing, especially for beginners or those on a budget.
To learn which fishing lines to pick for finesse baits, check out this complete guide. You may also be interested in an article on the best fishing lines for jerkbaits.
Types of Spinnerbaits: Line Recommendations
Small Inline Spinners
Monofilament or fluorocarbon lines are good choices because they’re strong and easy to use. A 4 to 8-pound test line is a good size, and you can try brands like Berkley Trilene XL, Seaguar Red Label, or P-Line CXX.
Clear or low-vis green lines are good because they blend in with the water and are hard for fish to see. You should choose a line with a diameter of 0.005 to 0.010 inches.
To buy Seaguar Red Label from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Musky Bucktail Spinners
If you’re fishing for musky with bucktail spinners, you need a strong line that can handle the heavy lures and the aggressive fish. You can choose between braid line or fluorocarbon line. Braid line is strong, and fluorocarbon line is nearly invisible underwater.
For musky bucktail spinners, you need a 80 to 100-pound test braided line or a 30 to 40-pound test fluorocarbon line. Some good brands to try are PowerPro, Seaguar, and Sufix. You can choose a high-vis braided line or a clear fluorocarbon line.
1/4 Ounce Spinnerbaits
When fishing with 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits, the best fishing line is either monofilament or fluorocarbon. The monofilament line is strong and stretchy, which helps when you’re catching fish. Fluorocarbon line is hard for fish to see because it’s almost invisible underwater.
When picking a line, you should look for one 6 to 10 pounds, which means it’s strong enough to catch fish but not too heavy for the spinnerbait to move in the water. Some good lines to buy are Berkley Trilene XL, Seaguar Red Label, and Sufix Siege.
You should choose a clear or green line, so it blends in with the water and is hard for fish to see. The line size should be 0.008 to 0.012 inches so the bait moves freely in the water.
To buy Seaguar Red Label from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
3/8 Ounce Spinnerbaits
The best line is fluorocarbon or braid when using 3/8 ounce spinnerbaits for fishing. Fluorocarbon line is almost invisible underwater, and braided line is strong and thin. This helps you catch fish and feel the bites more easily.
A 10 to 15-pound test line is a good choice for 3/8-ounce spinnerbaits. Some good lines to buy are Seaguar InvizX, PowerPro Spectra, and SpiderWire Stealth.
To buy Seaguar InvizX from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Clear or green lines are good choices because they blend well with the water and are hard for fish to see. You should choose a line with a 0.010 to 0.015 inches diameter so the bait moves easily in the water.
1/2 Ounce Spinnerbaits
When you’re fishing with 1/2-ounce spinnerbaits, it’s important to choose the right fishing line. Braided or fluorocarbon lines are good choices because they are strong and thin, making catching fish and feeling bites easier.
A 15 to 20-pound test line is a good size to use. Some popular lines are PowerPro Spectra, Seaguar Red Label, and Berkley Trilene XL. Clear or low-vis green lines are good because they are hard for fish to see. You should choose a line of 0.012 to 0.017 inches diameter so the bait can move easily in the water.
To buy Seaguar Red Label from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
3/4-1 Ounce Spinnerbaits
When using 3/4 to 1-ounce spinnerbaits, it’s important to pick the right fishing line. Braided or fluorocarbon lines are usually the best options because they are strong and thin, which helps you catch more fish and feel when you get a bite.
A 20 to 30-pound test line is a good size, and you can try brands like PowerPro Spectra, Seaguar Red Label, or Sufix 832. Clear or low-vis green lines are good because they’re hard for fish to see. You should choose a line with a 0.013 to 0.018 inches diameter so the bait moves easily in the water.
To buy Seaguar Red Label from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Fishing Line Battle
Fluorocarbon vs. Braid
Braid is strong and has low diameter, making it good for fishing in heavy cover and feeling even the lightest bites. However, it is visible in clear water and can spook fish.
Fluorocarbon, on the other hand, is nearly invisible underwater and has low stretch, making it great for quickly setting the hook. However, it is not as strong as braid and can be more expensive.
Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament
Monofilament is a clear fishing line that is easy to see in the water and has some stretch, which means it can absorb some shock when a fish bites. Fluorocarbon is also a clear fishing line, but it is harder to see in the water, which can help fool fish into biting.
Fluorocarbon is also more sensitive than monofilament, so you can easily feel bites. However, fluorocarbon is more expensive than monofilament and can be stiffer, making it harder to cast.
Braid vs. Monofilament
Monofilament is a good choice because it is easy to use and affordable, but has some disadvantages. It stretches more than braid, making it harder to feel when a fish bites and not as strong as braid.
On the other hand, braid is a stronger line with less stretch, which means you can feel bites better and set the hook faster. However, braid can also be more expensive and harder to use because it doesn’t have as much give as monofilament.
Environmental Factors
Clear Water vs. Dirty Water
Fluorocarbon line is a great choice because it’s clear and hard to spot in the water. You should use a line between 8-12 pounds in strength.
If you’re fishing in muddy or dirty water, you want to use a line that is easy for fish to see. Braid works well for this because it’s bright and stands out in the water. It’s also strong enough to handle bigger fish. You can use a line between 20-30 pounds in strength for this fishing.
Clear Skies vs. Cloudy & Overcast
When fishing spinnerbaits in clear skies, you must pick a line the fish can’t see. Fluorocarbon and monofilament lines are good choices because they are hard to see underwater. Fluorocarbon is even better, but it costs more money. When the water is clear, you should use a lighter line of about 8-12 pounds.
In cloudy and overcast conditions, using a line you can see more easily is better. Braid is a good choice because it’s easy to see, and you can feel it when a fish bites, even when it’s not very bright outside. Braid also has a thinner line that can make your spinnerbait go deeper. When it’s cloudy outside, you should use a heavier line, about 15-20 pounds.
Are Leaders Needed for Spinnerbaits?
Fluorocarbon is a good leader material because it’s hard for fish to see and it’s strong. You should choose a leader about 1.5 times longer than your fishing rod. A double blood knot is a good knot to use when connecting the leader to the main line. It’s strong and makes it easier to cast farther.
Best Line for Night Fishing
When you fish at night, you need to choose a fishing line that is easy to see. Fluorescent or hi-vis lines are good choices because they are bright and easier to see in low light.
Braid line is also a good option because it doesn’t stretch, so you can feel the fish bite even in the dark. Monofilament line with a clear or blue tint is another choice because they are easier to see under a black light.
Line Strength & Diameter
Line strength and line diameter are closely related to fishing with spinnerbaits. Line strength refers to how much weight the line can handle before it breaks, while line diameter is the thickness of the line. The thicker the line, the more strength it has; the thinner the line, the less strength it has.
For spinnerbait fishing, choosing a line with the right balance of strength and diameter is important. A heavier spinnerbait requires a thicker line with more strength to handle the weight, while a lighter spinnerbait can use a thinner line with less strength.
The best recommendations for line strength and diameter when fishing with spinnerbaits vary depending on the weight of the spinnerbait. For a 1/4-ounce spinnerbait, a 10 to 12-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line with a diameter of 0.010 to 0.012 inches is recommended.
For a 3/8 ounce spinnerbait, a 12 to 15-pound test line with a diameter of 0.012 to 0.014 inches is recommended. For a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait, a 15 to 20-pound test line with a diameter of 0.014 to 0.016 inches is recommended.
