Best Catfish Line
Getting a high-quality fishing line can significantly improve your chances of catching a lot of catfish. Besides being very effective, catfish lines are easy to use and affordable. The best catfish line should have these features, but should also match your needs and withstand the different fishing conditions.
Baiting, even in prime catfish locations, won't ensure that you fill your boat with catfish if your line fails. The fishing line is an integral part of catfishing and will help you in every step of the way as you cast your bait, detect a bite, set the hook, and fight the fish.
While amateur catfishing fans used lines made from cotton and silk, technological advancements have ensured that catfish lines are crafted using the best techniques and with the best materials. The best catfish lines are designed with features geared towards suiting the specific techniques, situations, and species.
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Selecting the Right Lines for Catfish
Selecting the best catfish line is quite a difficult task. Fights have broken in some catfishing circles whenever this subject is brought up. Even expert anglers don’t seem to agree which is the right line for catfish. Is it the monofilament or the braided line? These arguments are quite overwhelming for amateur fishermen.
Your fishing location and the fish species will greatly determine the strength of the fishing line you choose. The 12 to 17-pound test line is recommended when fishing channel cats whereas the 30-pound line is best when fishing in the rivers with fish weighing between 15-30 pounds.
As a general rule, you should increase your line as the fish get bigger. The best practice in fishing is finding the right line instead of selecting the toughest one for the job.
Monofilament Line Works for Catfish
Some expert anglers will agree that the monofilament line for catfish has been tried and tested. It can also be easily found in stores selling fishing gear. The monofilament is also quite affordable, strong, and highly resistant to abrasions. It also has high visibility underwater. Guide’s will find this line very forgiving since it breaks easily in case one snags up.
If the goal of any catfishing enthusiast is to catch small to medium-sized catfish, then the 20-pound monofilament line will be ideal for them. It has enough power to catch fish weighing between 2 to 12-pounds. Besides, it’s ideal if you’re looking to save some money.
Nonetheless, this fishing line has some limitations. When compared to the braided line, the monofilament is thicker. Anglers who’re looking to get more drift or troll will find that it gives more drag. It’s not recommended for fishermen looking to get exceptional casting performance since it has little casting capacity.
The monofilament line can also stretch. This isn’t great because it weakens the line, and can cause it to break off. High line memory isn't as big a deal as some expert anglers will try to portray.
The 20-pound monofilament will then be ideal if you want to catch medium-sized catfish. The ease of handling makes the monofilament great for new anglers. Generally, the 15-pound monofilament line is great for catching small-sized catfish while the 20-pound monofilament is ideal for medium-sized catfish. Bigger fish may require the 50 to 65-pound test line.
Braided Line Works for Catfish
The braided line is amazing for catfish enthusiasts. Unlike the monofilament line, braided lines don’t have any stretch and memory. It’s also very sensitive that anglers will be able to experience every single bite when they set their hooks down. This line features a smaller diameter that makes it easier to glide through water when trolling or drifting. You can put more lines in your reel due to its thinness.
Braided lines are stronger and give anglers enough resistance to fight strong fish. The line has a great castability that helps fishermen to perfect their cast. Similar to monofilament lines, braided lines are also very visible underwater.
However, high-quality braided lines are more expensive than monofilament lines. They can cost up to three or four times more. Anglers can easily buy heavier lines because of this line’s small diameter. This is a common mistake that increases the risk of damaging rod eyelets. Heavier lines can also cause a lot of misery in case they snag.
Overall, the braided line is considered the best line for catfish. However, braided lines don’t hold up very well against sharp rocks when compared to monofilament lines. The line's knot also tends to break down.
Fluorocarbon for Catfish
The fluorocarbon line is sometimes used as the leader material in catfishing. This line is known to be very strong and highly resistant to abrasion. However, it isn’t used extensively in catfishing. One of the main reasons for this is because it's quite expensive.
What Pound Line for Catfish?
A 50-pound test fishing line can be used to easily handle fish weighing 30-pounds. Fish weighing between 40 to 45-pounds can be easily handled using a 65-pound test fishing line while 80 to 100-pounds lines can deal with fish between 50 to 65-pounds without any difficulty. The 50-pound braid mainline and the 40 to 50-pound monofilament leader line are sufficient if you're going to fish in freshwaters.
Does Fishing Line Color Matter?
Having a brightly colored line is integral when catfishing. Catfish aren't shy they're very aggressive. Therefore, the line color doesn’t have anything to do with the fish, rather, it has more to deal with the angler. It’s common for anglers to fish in low-light conditions using a couple of lines. Brightly colored lines make it easier for anglers to monitor what’s going on. Common bright colors used on catfish lines include yellow, orange, or neon green.
With many catfish living in coves or muddy water, line color doesn’t mean a thing to them. A brightly colored line will make your catfishing even easier. The bottom line for any angler, expert or amateur, is to get a line that’ll suit their preference and give them confidence when fishing.
Top 10 Best Catfish Lines
Mason Big Cat Braided Nylon Fishing Line
The Mason Big Cat is a braided line designed to catch big catfish. It’s ideal for catching fish weighing as much as 45-pounds. This braided line allows anglers to spool up to a distance of 150-yards.
Those looking to get a large spooling distance will find the Mason Big Cat ideal for them. This line is available in a tan color, which increases your chances of catching sly catfish. Moreover, the nylon fishing line is waterproof ensuring that mildew won’t cause you any problems.
Pros
- This is a very sturdy model and is sure to pass the 45-pound test.
- It has 150-yards of spooling distance.
- Its tan color allows you to easily catch more catfish.
- It’s made of a waterproof nylon material that prevents the development of mildew.
Cons
- The color isn’t fluorescent making it less ideal for use in low-light conditions.
- It’s quite expensive when compared to other lines.
Stren Catfish Monofilament Fishing Line
The Stren Catfish is a monofilament fishing line that’s considered sturdy by amateur and expert anglers alike. Its sturdiness makes it ideal for lifting heavy fish from the water without worrying about the line snapping.
The line is resistant to abrasion from sharp rocks and other structures that may be present in water. This monofilament fishing line features a fluorescent orange color that makes it visible when fishing both during the day and night. Anglers can detect the slightest of movements with this brightly colored line.
Pros
- It comes in a bright orange color that improves its visibility in low-light conditions.
- This line is sturdy enough to support heavy fish without snapping.
- The monofilament line is resistant to abrasion, which improves its durability.
- It has a small diameter that makes it easy to tie a knot.
- It comes at a very affordable price.
Cons
- It has a high line memory, which is an inherent feature of any monofilament line.
Berkley Trilene Big Cat Monofilament Fishing Line
The Trilene Big Cat is a monofilament fishing line known for its sturdiness, particularly when catfishing. It has a “super shock strength” feature, which when combined with this line’s stretching ability makes it easier for the user to tackle any fighting fish.
It’s also resistant to abrasions from rough or sharp objects that can be found in the water. This feature ensures that the line will last you for many years to come. Additionally, this line has a neon green color that makes it visible both at night and during the day.
Pros
- This monofilament line is sturdy enough for catfishing.
- It has a fluorescent color that makes it great for night fishing.
- It’s ideal for long and short casts. This makes it easier for anglers to manage their fishing.
- It’s very affordable.
Cons
- Some reviewers found that the line is stiff and isn’t great to use with spinning reels.
Zebco BCAT30Q Big Cat Line
The Zebco Big Cat Line comes in a camo color, which is a combination of hi-vis yellow and low-vis moss green. This color is invisible to any catfish ensuring that they won’t be spooked.
Besides, the line is very sturdy and reliable making it great for catching heavy fish. It’s capable of lifting fish as heavy as 30-pounds. Anglers looking to get more spooling distance will find it ideal. It can achieve spooling distances of up to 450-yards. The line has a 0.020-inch diameter that makes it easier to tie knots. Moreover, the line is durable and doesn’t twist easily.
Pros
- This is a very affordable catfish line.
- It comes in a highly visible color that'll suit fishing in low-light conditions.
- The line casts smoothly and doesn’t break easily.
- This is a durable and reliable catfish line.
- It’s ideal for beginners.
Cons
- It has a high line memory.
- It comes in only one color and size.
Hercules Super Cast 8 Strands Braided Line Review
The Hercules Super Cast is a braided catfish line that comes in 15 different colors and sizes ranging from 10 to 300-pounds. It’s a high-quality line that anglers can get without breaking their bank. It's ideal for long-distance casts because it features 8 strands having a diamond weave structure.
This structure makes the line rounder and smoother. The thin line of this braided line makes it easy to tie knots. It made from a strong PE fiber that improves its durability.
Pros
- It’s ideal for amateur and experienced anglers because of its versatility and ease of use.
- It comes in 15 colors.
- The 8 strands make it ideal for long-distance casts.
- It’s very affordable.
- It’s easy to tie knots because of the line’s thin diameter.
Cons
- The color comes off easily.
Sufix Braid Line
The Sufix 832 is a braided fishing line that’s sturdy enough for catfishing. It’s available in sizes between 6- to 80-pounds, making it great for anglers looking to catch a wide range of catfish sizes. This line is made with a Patent Pending GORE Performance Fibers that improve the line’s abrasion resistance. This feature also increases the casting distance and accuracy of the line.
Moreover, the line has a small diameter and features 8 strands that improve its roundness and consistency. The Dyneema fibers make the line very sensitive to even the slightest of bites. The water-repellent material also ensures that you don't have to worry about mildew formation.
Pros
- This is a very durable and strong catfish line.
- It’s available in a wide range of sizes.
- It’s sensitive to even the slightest bites.
- It has a small diameter making it easy to tie knots.
Cons
- This braided line is quite expensive.
- Some users have complained that it doesn’t spool well.
Berkley FireLine Superline Fishing Line
The Berkley FireLine Superline is a strong and abrasion-resistant catfish line. It offers amateur and professional anglers great handling capabilities and improved sensitivity. It’s easier to cast using this line and feel every bite. The line’s thin diameter ensures that you can tie knots easily but also makes it less visible to any catfish.
The line is made of Dyneema PE fibers that make it 3-4 times stronger than Berkley’s Fireline ties. It’s not easily affected by the sun’s rays or the cold ensuring that it’ll last you for many years to come.
Pros
- It’s resistant to abrasions.
- It’s very durable.
- The strong line can be used to catch small to heavy sized catfish.
- It offers smooth handling that makes it ideal for use with spinning reels.
- The thin diameter ensures that you can tie a knot easily.
Cons
- It comes at a very high price.
- The color comes off easily.
KastKing KastPro Braided Fishing Line Spectra Super Line
The KastKing KastPro is a thin but exceptionally strong braided catfish line. It also boasts of a diamond weave that makes it tough and resistant to abrasion. These features make it ideal for fishing in heavily vegetated waters and rocky areas. The line is coated with a bio-solvent coating that penetrates and wicks into the braid giving it a more uniform color and increased abrasion resistance.
The line has a smooth, round finish that makes it easy to cast in both fresh and salty waters. Its thin diameter ensures that you can easily tie a knot while the low stretch provides greater sensitivity.
Pros
- It’s available in 5 highly visible colors.
- It’s very sensitive to the slightest bites.
- The thin diameter makes it easy to tie knots.
- It’s strong and abrasion-resistant.
Cons
- Some users have complained that the 20-pound and 30-pound lines break easily.
Ande Monstor Monofilament
The Ande Monstor prides itself as one of the strongest monofilament catfish lines available on the market. This strength ensures that you can lift heavy fish without worrying about the line snapping. You can be sure to land large catfish with this line due to its incredible knot strength and resistance to abrasion. The line also comes in a Hi-Vis yellow color that makes it visible in low-light conditions.
Pros
- It’s highly visible for both night and day fishing.
- It’s strong enough for catching large catfish.
- It has a small diameter that makes it easy to tie strong knots.
- The high tensile strength ensures that it won’t snap when lifting heavy fish from the water.
- The line is resistant to abrasions.
Cons
- There are no negative reviews on this monofilament line yet.
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
This braided fishing line from KastKing has a small diameter that allows you to tie very strong knots. It features dynamically incorporated strands that give anglers a more solid knot. The line has a low memory that makes it easy for users to achieve a better and longer cast. It has a high abrasion resistance that reduces the risk of losing your big catch.
Pros
- It’s available in 5 highly visible colors.
- The thin diameter allows you to spool more fishing line.
- The low memory increases the casting distance.
- The abrasion resistance makes it ideal for fishing in heavy vegetation and rocky waters.
Cons
- Some users have complained that the 30-pound line keeps breaking when subjected to the 20-pound test.
