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If you’re just starting out on your lure fishing journey, or you’re a seasoned saltwater fisherman, then you need a quality braided line. Braided fishing line is lightweight, strong, durable and sensitive. The perfect makeup for fishing in rough and rugged conditions and an essential piece of sea fishing tackle.
We’ve broken down the best-braided lines on the market based on their strength, sensitivity, durability, manufacturing quality and price. Whilst braid is famed for being much more expensive than monofilament or fluorocarbon, it’s absolutely worth the upgrade if the conditions necessitate it. Particularly if you’re after some serious predators.
So whether you’re chasing trophy bass in snaggy saltwater conditions or a quality pike in overgrown, branch-ridden rivers and lakes, you need one of the best braids on the market. Perfect when you combine it with some of the best fluorocarbon.
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What’s on this page?
What makes a good braided fishing line?
A good braided fishing line must be;
- Strong: a quality braided line must be able to withstand heavy pressure and have excellent tensile strength
- Made from multiple woven fibres: all braided line is made from woven fibres. Typically the higher the count of woven fibres, the stronger the line
- Sensitive: braided lines are known for their superior sensitivity compared to monofilament lines. A good braided line should transmit even the slightest movements and taps to the angler’s hands
- Abrasion resistant: a line with a tight and durable braid construction will help prevent fraying and maintain its integrity in snaggy conditions.
- Thin and lightweight: whilst braid has particularly high tensile strength, it’s known for being the thinnest available type of line
- Low stretch: Braid has minimal stretch when compared to other lines like fluoro or mono , which improves sensitivity and hook-setting
- UV and water resistant: UV resistance prevents the line from breaking down due to sun exposure, while water resistance ensures that the line maintains its strength and performance even when wet.
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What is the best braided fishing line?
Sufix’s 832 Advanced Superline is the best-braided fishing line on the market. This precision-engineered braid is ultra-thin, powerful, sensitive and abrasion resistant. Everything you want out of braided line.
The braid is made from eight separate gore performance fibres, expertly woven together. Arguably the most unique feature is its hydrophobic protection, designed to repel water, keeping the line safe from saltwater corrosion. It’s what makes this line the best braid for saltwater conditions.
At a glance
The 6 best braided fishing lines
Sufix 832 Advanced SuperlineThe best overall braided fishing line
Sportsman's Guide
eBay
Tackle Direct
Decathlon UK
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- Breaking strain: 10lb – 80lb
- Low-stretch, sensitive design
- Eight fibre construction with 32 pics (weaves) per inch
- Hydrophobic coating to repel water
Sufix’s 832 Advanced Superline is a precision-engineered braided line that sets very high standards when it comes to strength, durability, and performance. Its durable, sensitive design is capable of withstanding tough salt and freshwater conditions thanks to its hydrophobic protection that repels water, resulting in a line that stays strong and reliable even when wet,
The braid is made from eight separate gore performance fibres woven together providing high-level tensile strength. Its thin diameter is sensitive, almost friction-free and designed for long-distance casting. Unlike other lower-quality braids, Sufix’s Superline doesn’t rip your fingers and its low-stretch design increases sensitivity.
Spectra Power Pro Braided Fishing LineBest braid for big fish
Sportfish
- Seven different breaking strains; from 20lb to 121lb
- Fine diameter, abrasion-resistant braid
- Minimal stretch and no reel memory
- Designed to reduce wind knots, backlashes and wrap overs
Spectra’s Power Pro Braided Fishing Line is one of the best quality braided fishing lines on the market. With a tagline of stronger, smoother, thinner it hits every mark expected from a quality braided line.
The incredibly fine, near-zero stretch braid has a superb strength-to-diameter ratio and is capable of handling seriously powerful saltwater predators. The abrasion-resistant design works in two ways – minimising the chance of line breaks due to snags and not cutting guides. Essentially braid that is good for your rod and your chances of catching powerful predators in intense conditions. With an array of colours designed for both visibility (hi-vis yellow) and blending in (moss green), it’s got something for everyone.
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Daiwa J-Braid X8Best value Japanese braided line
Fishing, Tackle & Bait
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- Breaking strains: 9lb – 79lb
- Pure Japanese eight braid
- Minimal stretch with very good sensitivity
- Colourways: chartreuse, dark green and multi-coloured
Daiwa’s J-Braid X8 is one of the best all-around braided lines on the market. With a huge variety of breaking strains, colourways and diameters, this Japanese-made braid is some of the best and most readily available lines. As with all Japanese-made lines, the sensitivity-to-power ratio is largely unmatched and whilst the breaking strain doesn’t reach the same heights as the Spectra Power Pro Braided Fishing Line, it is more adept at fighting smaller fish.
The J-Braid X8 is named like so because it is built with eight strands of tightly woven fibres, resulting in a smooth, round profile that glides effortlessly through guides and casts with precision. An all-around superstar that is excellent for bass fishing.
Hercules Braided Fishing LineThe best value braid
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- Breaking strain: 6lb – 100lb
- Colourways: 16, from army green to multi-coloured and white to black, with everything in between
- Length: 100m – 2000m
- No stretch and high-sensitivity
Hercules’ Braided Fishing Line is one of our most trusted lines thanks to its excellent abrasion resistance, power and, frankly, value. We used it on our trips to the ultra-snaggy waters of the Beara Peninsula with no problems at all. Its excellent tensile strength ensures you can confidently battle formidable fish and the high sensitivity allows you to detect even the subtlest bites, giving you an edge on the water. With its abrasion resistance and low-stretch design, this line provides optimum control and responsiveness. At a more than reasonable price point.
With arguably the largest diversity of colourways and break strains, Hercules can kit you out for any fishing adventure. Quality-wise it isn’t up there with Japanese-made braid – like Daiwa’s J-Braid – but it’s very good value.
Spiderwire Stealth Smooth Braided Fishing LineBest stealth casting braid
- Breaking strain: 6lb – 102lb
- 8-carrier braided line
- Micro-coating for smooth, quiet casting
- Shock-resistant and tangle-free
Spiderwire’s Stealth Smooth Braided Fishing Line is a softer-than-usual braid designed for quiet casting and reduced wind knots. Like Daiwa’s J-Brad X8, Spiderwire’s Stealth Smooth Braided Fishing Line has eight or 12 strands of tightly woven PE fibres, making a smooth, shock-resistant line with outstanding tensile strength.
With an excellent array of breaking strains (that go up to over 100lb), this micro-coated line is one of the very best on the market. Superb for long casting and challenging conditions, this braid is superb for sea fishing for serious fish in rough conditions.
Berkley Fireline BraidBest strength-to-diameter braided line
Fishing Republic
- Breaking strain: 14lb – 64lb
- Eight carrier braid with higher abrasion resistance (up to 50% better than traditional line)
- Made from durable Dyneema PE fibres
Berkley’s FireLine Braid is a fine, smooth braid popular with both fresh and saltwater fishing and is a top choice for anglers who demand the best. With up to five times more abrasion resistance than a standard braided mainline, the eight-strand thermally fused line is ideal for rough, tough conditions.
With its almost unmatched strength-to-diameter ratio, this braided fishing line casts like a dream and handles even the toughest battles with ease. Engineered for durability, FireLine Superline boasts high abrasion resistance, ensuring it stands up to the harshest conditions. Its thin diameter allows for effortless, long-distance casts, while the exceptional sensitivity lets you feel the faintest nibbles.
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FAQs
What is braided fishing line?
A braided fishing line is a type of fishing line that is made by weaving together multiple strands of synthetic fibres, typically polyethylene or Dyneema. Unlike monofilament fishing line, which is made from a single strand of material, braided fishing line is created by intertwining several individual fibres. This braiding process results in a line that is extremely strong and durable, with high tensile strength and minimal stretch.
Is braided fishing line better?
A braided line is better if you need a line that has a high strength-to-diameter ratio, high sensitivity and abrasion resistance. Typically it’s the line of choice for saltwater fishermen or those fishing in particularly rough conditions. However braided line is more expensive and is easier for fish to see when compared to translucent lines.
Compared to other fishing lines like monofilament or fluorocarbon, braided line has a higher tensile strength, tends to be more durable and – thanks to its thinness – enhances the amount of line you can fit on a reel. So fantastic for serious predator fishing.
Can you use braided line on a spinning reel?
Yes, a braided line can be used on a spinning reel. For most lure fishermen or those using spinning reels, braid tends to be the line of choice thanks to its high tensile strength, sensitivity and power-to-diameter ratio.
Typically when you use a braided line on a spinning reel you should use a backing line like fluorocarbon or monofilament to act as a cushion and prevent the braid from slipping. At the very least tie an arbor knot. Whilst braid is very strong, its lack of stretch does generate more break-offs than usual.
How long does braid last on a reel?
If you set your braid onto a reel tightly, with an effective arbor knot and enough line to take a number of line breaks, some good quality braided line should last for years.
Of course, this is dependent on a number of factors. If you’re fishing in saltwater it’s good practice to rinse the line with fresh water to prevent corrosion and to make sure you look out for signs of fraying.
Does braided line damage guides?
Yes, a braided fishing line can damage fishing rod guides if certain precautions are not taken. The high tensile strength and lack of stretch in braided line, combined with its thinner diameter, can pose some risks to rod guides if used improperly.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, make sure you purchase quality braided line that is abrasion-resistant but coated with a smooth outer coating to prevent guide damage. Using a softer, smoother leader material like fluorocarbon will prevent some damage to the top guides. Then check your guides carefully and frequently for any signs of damage and seek professional support if required.
What colour braided line is best?
There is no ‘best’ colour for braided fishing line. You need to consider the fishing conditions, the behaviour of the target species, and your own visibility preferences when selecting a colour. Some fish – like bass or mullet – are particularly spooky and most anglers prefer to use a see-through or darker-coloured line depending on the prevailing visibility.
However, there are some instances where seeing the line is beneficial in detecting strikes and a brighter-coloured line is used.
Can fish see braided line?
Fish have varying visual capabilities, and their ability to see braided fishing lines depends on the species and visibility in the water. Bright, high-visibility colours can attract attention, while low-visibility options like fluoro or mono leaders are translucent and harder to see. Even in bright conditions.
However, factors like lure presentation, movement, and scent influence fish behaviour more significantly than the colour of the braided line. Which in itself is very thin and hard to see. So understanding species, water clarity and fishing conditions aid in selecting appropriate line color.
Can you fish with just braided line?
Yes, it is possible to fish with just braided fishing line. A braided line can be used as the mainline without the need for a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader or any mono or fluoro backing.
However, using leaders does reduce line visibility and improve the line’s stretch, which tends to reduce line breaks because it has slightly more give. Of course, you need to tie a knot properly for this to be the case. And whilst braided line is ultra-strong and sensitive, it is more prone to tangles. It’s the best, but ultimately most frustrating line to use.
Harry
Hi, I'm Harry. A keen, albeit exceedingly average fisherman. I've spent the last few years trawling London's waterways with - if I'm being kind - varied success and would love to help you avoid the mistakes I have made.
