Best Fishing Lines for Swimbaits (Complete Guide)

Swimbaits come in various styles, and knowing which fishing lines to choose can seem tricky. The perfect lure paired with the right line can make a huge difference in how the swimbaits perform.

The best fishing line for swimbaits is typically a braided line with a high pound test, such as 20-40 lb, as it provides the necessary strength and sensitivity to effectively fish these large lures.

This article will break down the best fishing lines and strengths for all types of swimbaits, including finesse, wake baits, glide baits, and large swimbaits.

I wrote a very detailed breakdown of the monofilment, braid, and fluorocarbon fishing line. In this helpful guide, you will learn when to select each line, which line is the strongest, and which line types apply to fish application. Additionally, you be armed with the knowledge of which fishing line is best.

Swimbait Fishing Lines: Big Picture Overview

Monofilament (mono) is easy to handle, stretchy, and has good knot strength, making it great for beginners. However, it has high visibility, low sensitivity, and poor abrasion resistance.

Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible in water, has low stretch and good sensitivity, and is abrasion-resistant. However, it can be expensive, has poor knot strength, and can be difficult to handle.

Braid has high sensitivity, low stretch, and excellent strength-to-diameter ratio. It is also highly visible and has poor abrasion resistance. However, it can be difficult to tie knots and is prone to wind knots.

Monofilament Fishing Line

Monofilament has some benefits and drawbacks to consider. One benefit is that it is very flexible and can absorb shock, which is important when reeling in big fish. However, it also has a lot of stretch, making it harder to feel bites or set the hook.

When choosing the right mono fishing line for swimbait fishing, you’ll want to look for a line with a higher pound test rating, as swimbaits are often fished for larger fish. Brands like Berkley Trilene and Stren Original are popular choices, and color is less important than the pound test rating.

For smaller swimbaits, a 10-15 pound test line may suffice, while larger swimbaits may require 20-30 pound test line. Remember that with monofilament, the higher the pound test, the thicker the diameter of the line, which can affect how the swimbait moves through the water.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

Fluorocarbon line is good for swimbait fishing because it’s strong and invisible underwater. But it can also be expensive and brittle, so it might break if you’re not careful. When choosing a swimbait fishing line, you should consider the size of the bait and the fish you’re trying to catch.

You should also consider the water conditions, like how clear or murky the water is. Some good brands of swimbait fishing line are Seaguar and Sunline. For small to medium-sized swimbaits, a 10-12 pound test line in natural green or clear color should work well.

For larger swimbaits, you might want to use a stronger line like 15-20 pound test in a darker color to avoid spooking fish. Always check your line for wear and tear, and retie your knots often to avoid losing fish.

Braid Fishing Line

One good thing about braid is that it is very strong and can handle big fish. But braid can also be visible in the water, which can scare fish away. Another thing to remember is that braid doesn’t have any stretch, so you need to be careful when setting the hook.

When you’re picking out braid for swimbait fishing, you want to look for a line that is strong but also thin, so it doesn’t spook the fish. Some good brands to consider are PowerPro, Sufix, and SpiderWire. As for color, you might want to go with a dark green or brown color to blend in with the water.

The pound test you choose will depend on what kind of fish you’re going after and how big they are. A good range to start with is 30-50 pound test.

To learn which fishing lines to pick for soft plastics, check out this complete guide. You may also be interested in an article on the best fishing lines for jigs.

Types of Swimbaits: Line Recommendations

Small Soft Swimbaits (2.5-5″)

For small soft swimbaits, a fluorocarbon line is a good option. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater, making it harder for fish to detect, and it has low stretch, which means it is more sensitive and allows for quicker hook sets. A 6-8 lb test line is recommended for this type of fishing.

One good option to consider is the Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon Line. It is a high-quality line that is strong, sensitive, and abrasion-resistant, making it suitable for fishing in different environments. The line comes in clear color, which blends in well with the water and makes it harder for fish to detect.

To buy Seaguar InvizX from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.

When choosing the line size, it’s important to consider the size of the lure and the species of fish you are targeting. A 6-8 lb test line is usually sufficient for small soft swimbaits. It’s also important to spool the line onto your reel properly and to check for any knots or weak spots before heading out on your fishing trip.

Large Soft Swimbaits (5-10″)

When fishing with large soft swimbaits (5-10 inches), fluorocarbon is the best line to use. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible in the water and has a low stretch, allowing for excellent sensitivity and quick hooksets. It also has a higher abrasion resistance, which is important when fishing around structure.

When selecting fluorocarbon line for large soft swimbaits, it is recommended to use a heavier line weight, such as 20-25lb test. This will help handle the larger and stronger fish attracted to larger swimbaits.

Some good options for fluorocarbon line include Seaguar InvizX, Sunline FC Sniper, and P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. When choosing a color, clear or natural is best for clear water conditions, while green or blue is recommended for murky or stained water.

To buy Seaguar InvizX from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.

As for size, it is best to match the line diameter to the size of the swimbait. A general rule of thumb is to use a line diameter roughly the same size as the width of the swimbait at its thickest point. This will help to maintain the natural action of the bait while fishing.

Small Glide Baits

I recommend using fluorocarbon line with a 6-10 lb test. Fluorocarbon is more invisible in the water and has less stretch, allowing for better sensitivity and hooksets.

You can try Seaguar InvizX or Sunline FC Sniper as these are popular fluorocarbon options for glide bait fishing. Clear or green are both good color options. As for size, a 200-300 yard spool of 6-10 lb test line should be sufficient.

To buy Seaguar InvizX from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.

Large Glide Baits

It is best to use a heavy line with a high breaking strength. Braided line is the best option as it has a thin diameter but a high strength, which allows you to cast the heavy lure a good distance. A braided line like PowerPro or SpiderWire with a breaking strength of 50-80 pounds is a good option.

The line’s color should be chosen based on the water conditions you will be fishing in. If the water is clear, a low-visibility color like green or brown is recommended, but a high-visibility color like yellow or neon green is a better choice in murky or stained water.

Regarding the size of the line, it should match the power rating of your rod. A rod rated for heavy power should have a line with a breaking strength of 50-80 pounds, while a medium-heavy rod can use a line with a breaking strength of 30-50 pounds.

Using a heavy line prevents the lure from snapping off during casting or retrieving and handles the weight of large fish that may strike the lure. A braided line with high breaking strength is the best option for fishing with large glide baits.

Wake Baits

When it comes to wake bait fishing, using monofilament line with a low to medium stretch is a good choice. The monofilament line floats on the surface, allowing the angler to control the bait’s action easily. A good monofilament option for wake bait fishing is the Berkley Trilene XL in 12-17 pound test with a clear or low-visibility color.

To buy Berkley Trilene XL from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.

Alternatively, braided line can be a good option for wake bait fishing, especially for larger baits. Braided line has low stretch which helps detect strikes quickly and set the hook. A good braided line option for wake bait fishing is PowerPro Maxcuatro in 30-50 pound test with a green or hi-vis yellow color.

It’s also important to choose the appropriate line size based on the size of the wake bait being used. For small wake baits, 10-12 pound test is sufficient, while larger baits may require 20-50 pound test. It’s recommended to use a leader when using braided line to prevent the line from being seen by the fish. A fluorocarbon leader with a double uni knot connection can be a good choice.

Micro Swimbaits

Because of its low visibility and sensitivity, a fluorocarbon line is a good choice for micro soft swimbaits. A good option to consider is the Sunline FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Line in 2-4 lb test, as it has high abrasion resistance and is virtually invisible underwater. The clear color is a good choice for maximum invisibility.

The line’s small diameter will allow for a more natural presentation of the bait, which is especially important when fishing with small lures. It is also important to choose a line with enough strength to handle potential catches while maintaining a small diameter not to impede the bait’s action.

Fishing Line Battle

Fluorocarbon vs. Braid

If you’re using swimbaits for fishing, you might want to know the differences between braid and fluorocarbon lines. Braid lines are very strong and don’t stretch much so you can feel bites easily. They’re also very thin so that you can cast further.

On the other hand, fluorocarbon lines are almost invisible in the water, so fish can’t see them easily. They also sink faster, which can be good if you want your swimbait to go deeper. However, fluorocarbon lines are more expensive than braid lines, and they can break more easily if you get a snag.

So, braid lines are great if you want to feel bites and cast far, but fluorocarbon lines are better if you want to be stealthy and get your swimbait deeper.

Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament

Swimbaits are different from jigs, so your line should also be different. Mono and fluorocarbon are both good choices for swimbait fishing. Fluorocarbon is good because it’s clear and hard for fish to see so they won’t be scared away.

Mono is good because it stretches, which can help when you’re fighting a fish. However, fluorocarbon can be more expensive than mono, so that’s something to remember. Also, fluorocarbon can be stiffer than mono, making it harder to cast.

Braid vs. Monofilament

When using swimbaits, you can use either braid or monofilament line. Braid is great because it is strong and sensitive so you can feel even the slightest bite. Plus, it has a small diameter so that you can cast farther. But sometimes, braid can be visible in the water, which can scare away fish.

On the other hand, mono is less visible and stretches, which can be helpful in certain situations. However, it is thicker and less sensitive than braid so you might miss some bites.

Environmental Factors

Clear Water vs. Dirty Water

For swimbait fishing in clear water, you want to use a fluorocarbon line that is invisible to the fish. A 10-20 pound test line should be enough for most situations. You want to use a braided line in muddy or stained water because it has high visibility and can cut through the water.

A 30-50 pound test line will provide enough strength to pull in larger fish. Just make sure to match the line color to the water color.

Clear Skies vs. Cloudy & Overcast

The best fishing line for clear skies for swimbait fishing is fluorocarbon because it is nearly invisible in the water and won’t spook the fish. However, in overcast and cloudy conditions, it is best to use braided line because it is more visible and easier to see.

Braided lines stretch less, so you can easily detect bites and set the hook faster. Using the right line for the conditions increases your chances of catching fish.

Are Leaders Needed for Swimbaits?

Sometimes it’s a good idea, especially if the water is clear or the fish are easily spooked. A leader is a short fishing line attached to the end of the main line and has the lure on the other end.

Fluorocarbon is a popular choice for leaders because it’s less visible to fish than other types of line. The double blood knot is a good connection knot when tying the leader to the main line.

Best Swimbaits Line for Night Fishing

When fishing with swimbaits at night, using a low-visibility line like fluorocarbon or monofilament is recommended. Fluorocarbon is a good choice because it has low visibility and is more sensitive, which helps you feel the bites in the dark.

Mono is also a good option because it is stretchy and absorbs shock better, which can help prevent you from losing fish when they strike. When fishing at night, it’s also important to use a heavier line weight to help you cast farther and to be able to control your bait better.

Line Strength & Diameter

Line strength and diameter are closely related and are important in swimbait fishing. The strength of a line refers to its ability to withstand tension, while the diameter refers to the thickness of the line. Generally, thicker lines have higher strength, while thinner lines have less strength.

Using a line with the appropriate strength and diameter is important in swimbait fishing. A line that is too light or thin may break under the weight of a big fish, while a line that is too heavy or thick may be easily detected by fish and negatively impact the lure’s action.

A good rule of thumb is to use a line with a strength of at least 12-15 pounds and a diameter of 0.010-0.015 inches for most swimbait fishing scenarios. However, if fishing in heavy cover or targeting larger fish, a line with a higher strength may be necessary.

It is also important to note that the type of line material used can impact its strength and diameter. For example, fluorocarbon lines have a higher strength-to-diameter ratio than monofilament lines. Experimenting with different line materials and diameters is recommended to find the best combination for your fishing situation.