Best Fishing Lines for Jerkbaits (Complete Guide)
Jerkbaits 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 jerkbaits’ performance.
The best fishing line for most jerkbaits is fluorocarbon because of their invisibility to fish closely examining your jerkbait intently in between jerks.
This article will list the best fishing lines and strengths for jerkbaits including soft plastic jerkbaits like Flukes and jointed and suspended jerkbaits.
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.
Jerkbaits Fishing Lines
Braid Fishing Line
Using braid fishing line for jerkbait fishing can be good because it has no stretch, making it easier to feel bites and set hooks quickly. However, it can also be bad because it is more visible to fish than monofilament or fluorocarbon. When selecting the right braid fishing line for jerkbait fishing, it is important to consider the pound test, color, and brand/model.
Some good options include Power Pro Super Slick V2, Spiderwire Stealth, and Sufix 832. Using a pound test between 10-20, with a darker color, is recommended to minimize visibility to fish.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Fluorocarbon fishing line is good for jerkbait fishing because it is strong and invisible in the water, which can help you catch more fish. However, fluorocarbon line can be expensive and hard to handle because it is stiff. If you are using a spinning reel, it can cause tangles and knots.
When choosing a fluorocarbon line, make sure to pick one that is appropriate for the size of fish you are trying to catch. Some popular brands of fluorocarbon line for jerkbait fishing include Seaguar InvizX, Berkley Vanish, and Sunline Super FC Sniper. A pound test of 10-15 is generally good for most jerkbait fishing.
Mono Fishing Line
Monofilament fishing line is good for jerkbait fishing because it is stretchy and can help absorb the shock of a fish biting. It is also cheaper than other types of fishing lines. The downside is that it can be hard to cast long distances and can be visible in the water.
To pick the right mono line for jerkbait fishing, choose a low-visibility color like green or clear. Berkley Trilene and Stren are good brands to try, and for the pound test, choose something in the 8-12 pound range, depending on the size of the fish you are targeting.
To learn which fishing lines to pick for spinnerbaits, check out this complete guide. You may also be interested in an article on the best fishing lines for soft plastics like worms, swimbaits, craws, and toads.
Types of Jerkbaits: Line Recommendations
Suspending Jerkbaits
Fluorocarbon is the best line for suspending jerkbaits. It’s hard for fish to see, so they won’t get scared away, and it sinks quickly, so your jerkbait will look more like a real fish. A good brand to buy is Seaguar InvizX. They have it in different strengths, like 10 lb and 12 lb, and it comes in clear or green.
If the water is clear, use a clear line; if it’s murky, use a green one. Remember to use a line conditioner to keep it from getting tangled on your reel, and tie a little swivel between the line and the jerkbait to stop it from twisting.
To buy Seaguar InvizX from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Floating Jerkbaits
Mono is the best line for floating jerkbaits. It floats in the water, which helps your jerkbait stay afloat too. A good brand to buy is Berkley Trilene XL. It’s easy to cast, has good sensitivity, and comes in different colors and strengths, like 8 lb and 10 lb.
If the water is clear, use a clear line; if it’s murky, use a green one. Stretch your line before you use it and put a little swivel between the line and the jerkbait to stop it from twisting.
To buy Berkley Trilene XL from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Sinking Jerkbaits
Braid is the best line for floating jerkbaits. It’s tough and can help you feel when a fish bites your lure. One good brand to buy is PowerPro Super8Slick.
It comes in different colors and strengths, like 20 lb and 30 lb. If the water is clear, use a green or yellow line; if it’s murky, use a darker one. Tie a little swivel between the line and the jerkbait to stop it from twisting. Don’t forget to use a leader too, so the fish can’t see your line.
To buy PowerPro Super 8 Slick from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Lipless Jerkbaits
Braid is the best line for floating jerkbaits. It’s tough and can help you feel when a fish bites your lure. One good brand to buy is PowerPro Super8Slick. It comes in different colors and strengths, like 20 lb and 30 lb.
If the water is clear, use a green or yellow line; if it’s murky, use a darker one. Tie a little swivel between the line and the jerkbait to stop it from twisting. Don’t forget to use a leader too, so the fish can’t see your line.
To buy PowerPro Super 8 Slick from Amazon, click here to check out the product page and read customer reviews.
Jointed Jerkbaits
Fluorocarbon is the best line for floating jerkbaits. It’s hard to see in the water, so the fish won’t know it’s there. One good brand to buy is Seaguar InvizX. It comes in different strengths, like 10 lb and 12 lb, and is clear in color. This line is also sensitive, meaning you can feel it when a fish bites your lure.
When using fluorocarbon line for jointed jerkbait fishing, it’s important to tie a swivel between the line and the lure to keep the line from twisting.
Soft Plastic Jerkbaits
Fluorocarbon is the best line for soft plastic jerkbaits. Sunline Super FC Sniper is a good brand to buy and comes in different sizes like 12 lb and 15 lb. The color is clear, so it’s hard for fish to see too. If you want a different type of line, you can use braided line, like PowerPro Super8Slick.
Just make sure to consider the size and weight of your lure and the water conditions to pick the right line. Don’t forget to use a swivel to prevent line twist and a leader if the water is clear.
Fishing Line Battle
Fluorocarbon vs. Braid
Braid and fluorocarbon are both good fishing lines for jerkbaits, but they have some differences. Braid is strong and sensitive, which means you can feel every bite, but it’s also visible in clear water and can scare fish.
Fluorocarbon is less visible underwater and can help you catch more fish, but it’s not as sensitive as braid. Braid is also more durable and can last longer than fluorocarbon but is more expensive. In the end, the best line for you depends on your preferences and the fishing conditions.
Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament
The good thing about monofilament is that it is easy to handle and cast, and it floats well, which helps with topwater presentations. However, it may not be as sensitive as fluorocarbon, and it stretches more which can make it harder to detect strikes.
On the other hand, fluorocarbon is less visible in the water and has less stretch, which means we can feel more bites and set the hook better. But it can be more expensive and harder to handle due to its stiffness.
Braid vs. Monofilament
Monofilament is good because it has stretch, which helps with hooksets and keeps fish from getting away. It also has good shock absorption to handle sudden movements from the fish. But it has more visibility in the water, which can make fish more cautious.
Braid is good because it has little to no stretch, which means you can feel every movement of the jerkbait and detect even the slightest bites. It’s also more sensitive, so you can detect when the lure is hitting structure. But it has less shock absorption, which can lead to more lost fish, and it’s more visible in the water.
Environmental Factors
Clear Water vs. Dirty Water
If the water is clear, using a line hard for fish to see, like fluorocarbon or monofilament is best. Fluorocarbon line is hard for fish to spot in the water and helps you feel when a fish bites your bait.
But, if the water is muddy or stained, you can use other kinds of line, like braided line, which is very sensitive and strong. Fluorocarbon and monofilament lines can work too, but you may want to pick a color that stands out, like green or chartreuse.
Clear Skies vs. Cloudy & Overcast
When the sky is clear, it’s best to use a fishing line that’s hard for fish to see in bright light. Fluorocarbon lines are good for this because they’re almost invisible in the water. Monofilament lines can also work. When it’s cloudy or overcast, you have more choices.
Fish might not be able to see your line as easily. Fluorocarbon and monofilament lines can still work, but you might also try a braided line. Braided lines are good for feeling bites and setting hooks.
Are Leaders Needed for Jerkbaits?
Sometimes it’s a good idea to use a leader when fishing with jerkbaits. A leader is like a separate line you attach to your regular line. It can help protect your line from getting cut or damaged by fish with sharp teeth or gills.
It can also make your bait look more natural in the water, especially if it’s clear. Fluorocarbon leaders are a good choice because they’re hard to see underwater, but strong. The double blood knot is one way to connect your leader to your regular line, but there are other good knots too.
You might want to use a leader if you’re fishing for fish with sharp teeth or in clear water. But if the water’s murky or you’re going for less toothy fish, you might not need one.
Best Line for Night Fishing
When you go fishing at night with jerkbaits, it can be hard to see your line. So, you want to use a line that is easy to see in the dark. One good option is to use a braided line in a bright color like neon green or yellow.
Another option is to use a monofilament line thicker than usual, making it easier to see. Fluorocarbon lines are also good because they are hard to see underwater, but you can still see them above the water.
Line Strength & Diameter
The strength of a fishing line is usually measured in pounds and refers to how much weight the line can hold before it breaks. Line diameter, on the other hand, refers to the thickness of the line. The stronger the line, the thicker the diameter will be.
When fishing with jerkbaits, the line strength and diameter can impact how the lure behaves in the water. A heavier line will cause the lure to sink more quickly and may limit the action of the jerkbait. On the other hand, a lighter line will allow the jerkbait to move more naturally in the water.
Generally, a good rule of thumb when fishing with jerkbaits is to use the lightest line possible that still allows you to fish the lure in your conditions effectively.
For example, if you’re fishing in clear water with light cover, you might use a 10-12 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament line. If you’re fishing in heavier cover or using a larger lure, you might need a stronger line, like a 15-20 lb line.
It’s also important to consider the type of jerkbait you are using. Some jerkbaits are designed to suspend in the water, requiring a lighter line to achieve the desired action. Other jerkbaits may sink quickly and require a heavier line to keep them at the desired depth.
