The best fishing lines for trout are 4 to 6 lb, low visibility and high sensitivity line.
The Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon is my top choice its low visibility will get more strikes from scared fish. It is a premium line that is extremely sensitive. It is ideal for trout anglers looking for a near invisible line to spool on their spinning reel.
Trout fishing can be an enjoyable experience when you know what you are doing and are using the correct equipment for trout fishing. Trout are commonly found in clear streams or lakes, so it is good to know you won’t be fishing in highly choppy waters to catch them.
As you probably know hence why you have come here there are several different lines when it comes to fishing and they are all great but some work better than others in regards to what type of water you’ll be fishing in and what kind of fish you are trying to catch.
This article doesn’t include any fly lines, but is purely focused on trout fishing lines suitable for spinning reels.
Table of Contents
1. Seaguar Blue Label
When it comes to catching Trout the Seaguar blue label is one of the premium choices. Many experienced fishermen are huge fans of using this line. The material used for its making is Fluorocarbon making it a highly sensitive line.
It is crucial for catching Trout that the line you have selected is highly sensitive as Trout who when in lakes aren’t aggressive towards bait so it is important that you can feel even the faintest of nibbles when casting your line out.
Due to Trout in lakes being less aggressive, it means that they are more hesitant when approaching things such as bait. That means it is essential that the line you are using cannot be easily spotted by the fish causing them to not take a nibble on your bait. Luckily with the Seaguar line it is practically invisible for trout.
Seaguar Blue Label is my top recommendation for a fluorocarbon line that is low-visibility underwater and will help you get more bites.
Pros
- Fluorocarbon line makes it almost invisible to fish underwater.
- I found it to be a very sensitive line that gives you additional warning to prepare to set the hook when a fish nibbles.
Cons
- I didn’t think there was anything special about its abrasion resistance.
- Great Abrasion Resistance
- Low Stretch
- Superior Tensile and Knot Strength
2. P-Line Floroclear
The P-Line offers complete knot strength making it the perfect line for you if that is what you are mainly looking for. It is a blend of Fluorocarbon and nylon, which provides durability and also its sensitivity.
It is also an incredibly easy line to cast which makes the whole process that much more enjoyable. It also provides zero stretch which is highly important when trout fishing as it makes the sensitivity all that more prominent.
Due to its nature, it is highly surprising that this line is an inexpensive one as the majority of fluorocarbon lines are on the expensive side. It also has a small diameter which makes it the perfect line when fishing for trout.
Pros
- I think this line has a good combination of highly sensitive, strong, durable, and affordable.
- Zero stretch.
Cons
- The line can be known to tangle, which can be an absolute nightmare, especially if you are sight-fishing for trout in clear water. The last thing you want is to get a tangle while you can physically see the fish you are chasing.
- Virtually Invisible
- Superior Knot Strength
- Supreme Castability
- Low Memory
3. KastKing FluoroKote
KastKing are a well known brand around the fishing world so it is no surprise that they make it onto this list. The FluoroKote line in question is an incredibly designed line at that. It is fully Fluorocarbon making it incredibly strong and also making it highly sensitive, which as you know is incredibly important when fishing for Trout.
It is highly resistant to abrasions due to the material used to make it meaning that it can be dragged over rocks or other forms of debris that may be at the bottom of a lake without receiving damage which is highly important for all fishing lines.
It is practically invisible underwater, thanks to its coating being a copolymer. Visibility is again of high importance when catching Trout as they are much more hesitant when taking a bite out of your bait and anything that could put them off will make them scurry away.
The line also provides zero stretch making it very useful to have in your bag if you go Trout fishing regularly.
Pros
- Zero stretch
- Highly sensitive
- Durable
- Practically invisible when underwater which will get you more bites.
Cons
- I noticed some early warning signs of it having too much line memory meaning it will curl on the spool after a while.
- Almost Invisible
- Low Memory
- Long Casting Distance
- Extremely Versatile
4. Stren Fluorocast
The Stren Fluorocast is a very popular choice for Trout fishing amongst experienced fishermen. As it again is made of fluorocarbon it is an incredibly strong line that also provides excellent sensitivity.
It is also highly resistant to abrasions making it difficult to become damaged from usage or being dragged over debris. This is one of the most important factors when it comes to durability. It also is known to sink quickly, making your bait go deeper in much less time than if it was to sink at a lower rate.
Underwater it is completely invisible due to its fluorocarbon making. This once again is important for Trout fishing as they aren’t aggressive towards bait and will swim away if they suspect the line. Fluorocarbon lines provide everything you need in regard to Trout fishing and should really look no further when it comes to making your final decision.
Pros
- Durable
- Sinks quickly
- Sensitive
- Strong
- Invisible underwater
Cons
- Has been known to twist.
- Handles Like Nylon
- Excellent knot and shock strength
- Virtually invisible for more strikes
- Greater density allows lures to run deeper
5. Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon
The Sunline Super line is an incredibly sought after line by experienced fishermen, it is fluorocarbon so you already know that it will be strong and durable making it much easier to reel in your catch.
It is also highly sensitive because of its fluorocarbon making. Meaning it is perfect for catching Trout that are less aggressive in lakes where there aren’t specific territories. It is also incredibly abrasion resistant which of course adds to its durability and strength.
Abrasion resistance is again an important factor for Trout fishing as you never know what type of rugged terrain you may end up dragging the line over. It also has Zero stretch which adds to its highly sensitive nature.
Due to its strength the casting process is incredibly easy and much more enjoyable than if something was weak during the cast.
Pros
- Strong during the cast
- Highly sensitive
- Durable
- Resistant to abrasions
- Zero stretch
Cons
- Been known to tangle.
- Thin, strong, highly sensitive
- Great for deep water
- Low water Absorption
6. Berkley Trilene Monofilament
The Berkley Trilene Monofilament line is an incredibly good line to have in your arsenal. It is highly durable which is to be expected with monofilament lines. These lines are slightly more visible than fluorocarbon but not by a massive margin and should still work perfectly for Trout fishing.
It provides good knot strength which is a very useful feature. It is also a very easy casting line due to its monofilament nature. Like mentioned it offers low visibility. Visibility is important when fishing for trout in small areas as they won’t be aggressive to your bait.
It is also incredibly abrasion resistant making it strong and durable. This is important as if a line is weak and not resistant to abrasions you will notice it starts to wear the more you use it before eventually breaking.
In my opinion, this is the best monofilament for trout angling, but you still may want to use a fluorocarbon leader.
Pros
- Abrasion resistant
- Good knot strength
- Durable
- Strong
- Easy to cast
Cons
- Offers low visibility but is not completely invisible.
- Available in Up to 10,800 Yard Spools
- From 8 to 200 Pound Strength
- Extremely Powerful
- Shock Resistant
7. KastKing Superpower Braid
Normally a braided line wouldn’t be the best choice for fishing for Trout, however they are a good choice if you use a spinning reel. It offers an incredibly durable and strong finish which is of course always useful to have when fishing.
It is definitely one of the more abrasion resistant lines on the market today just by being a braided line. Abrasion resistance is one of the more important factors when it comes to longevity of the line and that is something that is provided when using this line.
It has low memory too which is brilliant in regards to preventing curls forming or from the line becoming tangled as this is one of the most infuriating things when it comes to fishing.
It is also incredibly sensitive as it has zero stretch making it easy to feel any little nibble that might occur. This is highly important when it comes to fishing for trout as they can be very passive in calm water meaning you will need to feel everything when fishing for them.
The KastKing Superpower is one of my favorite braid lines for any scenario. Although I generally wouldn’t recommend it for trout, if you want to spool your spinning reel with braid for versatility, this is what I would use. I would also suggest you use a fluoro leader for reduced visibility.
Pros
- Zero stretch
- Doesn’t tangle
- Low memory
- Strong
- Durable
Cons
- Color can fade over time leaving it more visible to the fish you are trying to catch.
- Strong Knot Strength
Low Memory
High Abrasion Resistance
Ultra-high Sensitivity
Trout Fishing Line Buying Guide
Let’s go through in detail some of the features and specifications that make fishing line particularly suitable for trout angling.
Strength
Strength is another imperative factor to consider when Trout fishing. Although a light line is what you want for Trout fishing it is vital that it isn’t so light that the pull of a trout can break it.
Ideally line strength for tourt is between 4 and 6 lbs.
Strength is definitely an important factor when it comes to Trout fishing and should be treated as such when making your decision. A line can never be too strong, but that being said if you focus too much on the strength of the line you may be missing out on more important features like sensitivity for example.
Visibility
When it comes to catching Trout, visibility is highly important. Often you find trout in lakes or slow-moving rivers, because of this trout aren’t very aggressive or territorial when found in these environments.
The best color fishing line for trout is clear, green, or blue.
Trouts can be very hesitant when it’s time to take a bite out of your bait so it is essential to select a line that maintains its invisibility over time, the best type of line to do this is a fluorocarbon line.
If a Trout is made aware of your line they are much less likely to take a stab at that bait that sits on it. It’s good to look at different colors that are offered when making your decision as this will also impact how visible the line that you are using is.
Line Memory
Line memory is an important part of fishing in general and is not specific to just catching Trout. Line memory is when a line starts to curl because it has been sat on the spool for an elongated time which of course just happens anyway when fishing because you most likely won’t use all your line up in one trip.
When a line starts to curl it can make the whole casting process an incredibly difficult one and will also tangle a lot more frequently than you might expect. Therefore it is important to make sure you look for a line that offers low memory when it comes to making your decision.
Mono and fluorocarbon fishing line are more likely to curl than braid, but you can still use them as long as you are willing to replace them regularly.
Stretch
Stretch is highly important when it comes to Trout fishing. If a line has a lot of stretch it means that it’s much less sensitive than a line that offers zero stretch, with regards to Trout fishing it is important to have zero stretch because like previously mentioned Trout are much more passive than many other types of fish and won’t jump at your bait right away, meaning you need all the time possible to have the best chance at catching one.
Fluorocarbon lines usually offer the least amount of stretch as they are typically the most sensitive, the two kind of come as a package deal. The stretch is what makes it so sensitive or very insensitive but as mentioned you will need the most sensitive line you can get your hands on when it comes to Trout fishing as they are always the most reactive when it comes to the smallest of nibbles that other lines may not feel.
Casting
Whether or not a line is easy to cast is again of importance, if a line is clunky and presents difficulties during the casting process then it could make the water much more lively meaning that Trout won’t even come anywhere near your bait and can render your whole trip pointless.
It is important to research properly before making your final decision about which type of line offers the easier casting process, especially if you are a beginner, more experienced fishermen may be able to get away with using a more difficult line to cast.
