The Best Fishing Line for Trolling


When trolling, you often pull your fishing line along on a boat. You need a strong, stretchy fishing line for this form of fishing, but which is the best kind?

The best type of fishing line for trolling is undoubtedly monofilament. Less expensive than a braided fishing line and with better knot strength, a monofilament fishing line has the stretch you need when a heavy fish attacks your line aggressively.

In this guide, we’ll delve a lot deeper into the advantages of a mono fishing line for trolling. We’ll also share some of our top recommendations for a monofilament fishing line so you can get ready for your next trolling trip. Keep reading! 

Why Monofilament Is the Best Fishing Line for Trolling

Trolling has been called by some the ultimate fishing technique. The point, as we touched on in the intro, is to drag bait or a lure through the seas from your fishing boat. You can use one fishing line at a time, but many anglers favor multiple lines.

Considering the long casting distances and the weight of the fish you could catch, you need a strong, durable type of fishing line. Here are some reasons we think a monofilament line fits the bill when troll fishing.

Related Reading: Braided Fishing Line vs. Mono: How to Choose Which is Best?

Great Knot Strength

To secure your tackle, lure, or hook to your fishing line requires you to tie knots. The last thing you want after learning all the painstakingly different types of fishing knots is to tie one off and have the line snap near the knot.

Yet with some weaker types of fishing line, that’s the precise fate that can befall you. That’s why a fishing line with exceptional knot strength is crucial when trolling.

With a monofilament fishing line, the knot strength will hold up over time. If you’re managing multiple lines as you usually are when troll fishing, you won’t have to worry about one particular line or several of them snapping on you. 

Reduced Visibility

Trolling motors exist to reduce the noise levels of your engine so you don’t scare the fish away, but some can still be spooked by the movement of your boat in the water. The last thing you want to do is make yourself more obvious with a very visible fishing line.

Monofilament fishing line is beloved for its near invisibility. 

When in the water, the fish will have a difficult time determining where your fishing line is. If they don’t see it, then they may not realize that the live bait they’re munching on is attached to a fishing hook.

You now have the perfect opportunity to reel in a big fish! 

Thinner Diameter

Do you shop for your fishing line based on its diameter? If not, you should start. 

The thinner or smaller the diameter of the fishing line, the deeper the bait can usually get. If you’re fishing with a jerk bait or a crankbait, then you must have a thin-diameter fishing line.

A monofilament fishing line has a thinner diameter so you can reach further depths when trolling. 

Good Degree of Stretch

Some anglers fear stretchable fishing lines, especially if they’re new to fishing, but a bit of stretch is not the worst thing. 

The stretchy quality of fishing lines such as monofilament fishing lines allows the line to stretch when under a heavier load without snapping.

Monofilament isn’t overly stretchable, though. Rather, it has a controlled amount of stretch. In other words, it’s pliable when and where you need it, but not overly so. 

Excellent Abrasion Resistance

When your fishing line travels throughout the water, it will undoubtedly connect with sea hazards such as rocks, rough sand, coral, hard-shelled creatures, and other debris that floats through the water.

Without any abrasion resistance, your fishing line will weaken. Upon receiving more strain on this damaged part of the line, it’s only a matter of time before the line snaps.

You won’t have to stress about that when trolling with a monofilament line. Monofilament is favored for its great abrasion resistance. 

Useable with a Variety of Fishing Hooks 

Fishing hooks come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, and monofilament is compatible with many of them. You can freely switch the type of fishing hooks you use from morning to afternoon or from day to day without having to change your fishing line. Now that’s streamlining operations!  

Casts Easily

Trolling often involves long-distance casting, sometimes as far out as 80 feet. If your fishing line is dense or bulky, then you won’t cast far. You’re sort of cutting yourself off at the knees, as you won’t be able to catch many fish. 

A monofilament fishing line casts smoothly and easily so you can fish the way that trolling requires. You shouldn’t go home empty-handed! 

Good Buoyancy 

The buoyancy of monofilament is often celebrated as well. However, you should be aware that as you use the fishing line for a while, it will absorb water. The mono line won’t float as well at that point.  

Fair Costs 

No fishing line is overly cheap, but it doesn’t all have to put a hurting on your wallet either. A monofilament fishing line is considered reasonably priced among anglers. You can stock up on fishing line without spending a fortune, and that’s always an excellent feeling. 

Should You Use Other Types of Fishing Line for Trolling?

What if you visit your favorite fishing supply store before your big fishing trip but the monofilament fishing line is sold out? You can’t shop online at this point because you’re already en route to the lake or river. 

If you must, a fluorocarbon fishing line can work in exchange for monofilament, especially if you plan on trolling in clear waters. Fluorocarbon doesn’t have quite the buoyancy that a monofilament fishing line does though.

Also, fluorocarbon will sink gradually. This won’t limit how far you can cast your line, and if you’re using crankbaits, their functionality shouldn’t be impacted either. 

Why does a fluorocarbon fishing line sink? It’s due to the density of fluorocarbon, which is higher than a monofilament fishing line. However, as you’ll recall from the last section, monofilament can still sink. It just takes a while, as the line needs to absorb water.

Keep in mind if you have to buy a fluorocarbon fishing line instead of a monofilament line that the former costs at least twice the price of monofilament. 

We’d recommend staying away from a braided fishing line unless push absolutely comes to shove. 

A braided fishing line is also going to be expensive. Aside from that, a braided fishing line isn’t great for long-distance casting since the braid can begin to dig into and break itself down.

The knot strength of a braided fishing line also isn’t as good compared to a monofilament line. 

Our Favorite Monofilament Trolling Lines

To wrap up, we’ve gathered our top six monofilament fishing lines you can use for your next trolling trip. These exceptional, moderately-priced fishing lines have the qualities of monofilament as described above.

Let’s take a closer look. 

Hurricane HCM-100 Monofilament Fishing Line

Starting our list is the Hurricane HCM-100 monofilament fishing line. 

This high-quality fishing line is nearly invisible once it hits the water. The lack of visibility of a fishing line, to reiterate, makes the line more undetectable to fish so they may make mistakes and bite your lure.

Abrasion-resistant as well, you can buy the Hurricane monofilament fishing line in half-pound spool quantities, which is 275 yards. The fishing line is rated for 100 pounds, so go ahead and use it during your roughest fishing expeditions! 

KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line

If you want exceptional quality from your monofilament fishing line, then shop KastKing. Their premium monofilament features high-density nylon threads made from KastKing’s own unique formula.

The manufacturer promises that their monofilament fishing line has greater strength and less wear and tear than your average mono line. 

Tested for up to 30 pounds of load on the line, KastKing’s monofilament line casts out smoothly. The thin-diameter monofilament can be used as a leader line due to its excellent abrasion resistance and impressive strength. 

Parallel Roll Track technology improves your reel capacity so casting and handling feel better than using other monofilament lines. 

Plus, KastKing made their premium mono line less absorptive so the monofilament won’t fill with water and begin sinking after a few hours of use.

You can select from several colors that are supposed to have low visibility in the water. The colors include Sunrise Yellow, Rebel Red, Pink Shocker, Mountain Green, Ice Clear, and Chrome Blue. 

You can buy this fishing line in quantities of 300 or 600 yards. 

Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line 

We mentioned before a that monofilament fishing line is usually less expensive than fluorocarbon and braided fishing lines, and that’s certainly the case for the Berkley Trilene XL line. 

This bargain fishing line does not skimp on quality in the slightest. Forgiving, all-purpose, easy-to-use, and boasting good knot strength, the Trilene XL mono line is always good to have ready to go on your reel. 

The Trilene XL line is neutrally buoyant so it doesn’t sink too far into the water. Berkley recommends using this monofilament fishing line with spinnerbaits and topwater baits especially for the best results.

Beloved for its strength and smooth casting, the Trilene XL fishing line is less likely to kink or twist up. This clear line is rated for eight pounds. You can buy the monofilament fishing line in quantities of 330 yards. 

Calamus Bastion Monofilament Fishing Line

Designed for saltwater and freshwater trolling alike, the Calamus Bastion monofilament fishing line is reasonably priced and very reliable. 

The Bastion line is nearly invisible so that even line-shy fish are more likely to come out and bite on your bait. That said, if you prefer a colored fishing line, the Calamus Bastion line is also available in black.

Breakage resistance gives you the confidence to tie whatever fishing knots you need on this monofilament line. It won’t snap on you. 

Bastion also designed the Calamus monofilament line to absorb less water so it doesn’t sink easily. 

The abrasion resistance of this fishing line is top-notch as well, and the Bastion monofilament line is rated for four to 30 pounds of load. You can buy it in quantities such as 600 yards, 900 yards, 1,500 yards, and 2,200 yards.

Zebco Outcast Monofilament Fishing Line

A monofilament fishing line can be prone to high memory, which means it won’t stay straight for long. Not the Zebco Outcast fishing line. 

This monofilament line is designed with a lower memory so it won’t kink, twist, or bend.

More sensitive than most monofilament fishing lines, you’ll know precisely when you get a bite on your fishing line. The tensile strength is another noteworthy feature.

The Zebco Outcast monofilament fishing line is rated for six pounds of load at 650 yards. The line is available in one color, clear. 

RUNCL PowerMono Fishing Line 

Finally, there’s the RUNCL PowerMono fishing line. This monofilament fishing line has great shock absorptive properties. 

Even better is its unbeatable knot strength. The PowerMono fishing line is less dense than other brands of monofilament lines, so its buoyancy remains neutral. You can expect a slow sink deeper into the water so you can use buoyant treble hooked lures and topwater baits alike.

Aggressive strikes? Sudden pulls on your line? The strength of the PowerMono fishing line is enough that you get more shock strength and durable hooksets. 

When combined with the knot strength and abrasion resistance of this fishing line, PowerMono is tough stuff!

You can select between Low-Vis or High-Vis lines depending on where you’re trolling. The PowerMono fishing line has the right amount of stretch to boot!

The available colors for the RUNCL PowerMono fishing line include yellow, brown, orange, gold, green, and clear.  

Final Thoughts

When trolling, a monofilament fishing line will be your best friend. The fishing line has a good stretch, high sensitivity, powerful knot strength, invisibility, decent buoyancy, and burly tensile strength for catching more fish from your boat! 

Tim Butala

My name is Tim and I have been a fisherman my whole life. My favorite fish to go after is a Striped Bass.

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