When it comes to fishing line, there are three major types:

monofilament, a stretchy and versatile single line fishing line,
braid, a strong and long-lasting multi-line fishing line that’s woven together,
and fluorocarbon, a single strand fishing line that is both strong and waterproof.

In this article we are going to focus on everything you need to know about braided line.

Braided fishing line, or braid, is a popular type of line used to catch large fish and fish in heavy cover. Like its name implies, braided fishing line is made up of multiple strands of line that are woven together. Known for its durability, strength, and longevity, braid tends to be more expensive than other lines like monofilament or fluorocarbon line but outlasts them by years.

Read on to learn all about braided fishing line and how you can use it to reel in your next catch.

What is braided fishing line?

Braid is an engineered fishing line that looks exactly like it sounds: it is fishing line made up of multiple strands of a material woven together to create a strong, durable, and distinctive fishing line.

Braid does not stretch much and can withstand stronger fish that might put up a bigger fight. It has a smaller diameter than mono or fluorocarbon, meaning that you can fit more fishing line on your reel. This is particularly important for deep-sea fishing when it is in your best interest to have as much line as possible.

Braided fishing line has been around for hundreds of years and was originally made of cotton or horse hairs. Over time, manufacturers began making braid out of nylon or other materials like Dacron, or polyethylene—you may see this type of braid sold under the Spectra or Dyneema brand names. Braid is increasingly popular and easy to find, but tends to be more expensive than other types of fishing line.

The pros and cons of braid

Pros of braided fishing line

Long-lasting. Braid will last for many years with the proper care. Unlike other types of line, you may only need to replace it every several years versus several times a season.
Great for knots. Braid will hold many types of knots in place, whereas others will not.
High capacity. Braid has a smaller diameter and higher strength ratio than other types of line, which allows you to catch larger and stronger fish.
Little to no shock absorption. If you are the type of fisher who likes to feel what's happening on the other end of your line, braid allows you to know right away that a fish has bitten.
Tough for fish to bite through. Frustrated by fish biting straight through your line? That won’t be as much of a problem with braid. It is more difficult to cut through than your average mono line and will stand up to sharp teeth trying to break free.
Better cast performance and no memory. Braid is known for having a great cast performance. A distinct advantage braid has over other types of fishing line is that it has no memory, so when you cast you are not dealing with the sometimes-frustrating twists and turns of monofilament.

Cons of Braided Fishing Line

There is no perfect fishing gear, and fishing line is no exception. For all of the benefits of braided fishing line, there are of course some cons.

It’s not cheap. It's a good thing braid doesn't need to be replaced that often, because it is significantly more expensive than other types of line. Consider this an investment in quality gear.
Braid is hard to cut or break. While braid’s durability is very appealing, but that same feature can be equally frustrating if you don’t have the right tools. Before you head out, make sure you have the right tools for cutting braid—your teeth literally won’t cut it.
Low abrasion resistance. Once braid is damaged, its performance suffers quickly. If you’re fishing around structure, you might want to rely on monofilament or fluorocarbon leader lines. More on that in a bit.
Visibility. Braid tends to be more visible than monofilament or fluorocarbon line. This is really only a challenge if you are in clear water or in other high visibility conditions. In lower light the line visibility does not matter as much, but it’s something to keep in mind as you plan out your fishing trip.
Hard on your fingers. Ask anyone who has used braid regularly and they’ll tell you: cutting your fingers on braid can ruin your fishing trip. Because of its small diameter, and you’re typically using it with a heavier cast, you can do some damage to your digits. Consider a breakaway cannon to help prevent hand injuries and pick up a finger guard.

Picking the right kind of braid

When you start to look for braided fishing line, you’ll notice you have lots of options in everything from line color to test strength.

Brighter color line, in general, will be more visible in the water. Blue, green, and white can blend in with surroundings more. If you’re using a long leader, the color will not matter as much.

To figure out what test, or line strength, you will need, consider what you are fishing for. A fish that weighs 30 pounds would do best with, you guessed it, 30-pound test line. Braid performs well for offshore fishing when trolling for larger species, as well as near shore for tuna or snapper. If you’re doing any freshwater fishing for generally fishing for smaller species like trout or other native fish, check out our guide to the best monofilament line. [SB1]

No matter what, plan accordingly. The larger and stronger the line, the heavier it is. Most recreational anglers are out there to have fun, and the weight of all your gear can add up quickly. Don’t go heavier than you will need to keep your load a bit lighter.

Using leaders with braid

What is a leader line and why should you use it with braid?

A leader is a length of line, like mono or fluorocarbon, that you attach on one end to your lure or hook and on the other end to your main fishing line. Abrasive structure can cut braid straight through, and braid is generally more visible in the water than other types of line, so a leader line can protect your line from breaking and improve your bait presentation.

A leader line can also provide some additional shock absorption to your braided main line and allow for longer casts, and you won’t have to cut as much of your main line

A leader line is not an absolute must with braid, but it can certainly be helpful in some conditions.

Leaders, Knots, and Braid

If you’re new to using braid, it’s important for you to know that many popular mono knots, like the miller or porter knot, may slip and break off when using braid.

Some of our favorite knots to use with braid plus a leader are:

The “fine grip” or FG knot.
Palomar knot. Easy to tie, strong, and popular.
Uni knot.
Berkley braid knot.

Braid on a budget

Braided fishing line is more expensive than other types of line, but for good reason. You will not need to replace braided fishing line very often, even if you are fishing a lot. It is so durable that some people don’t change their braided line over the course of many years.

You can expect to pay around $30 for several hundred yards of braided fishing line. Braided line also comes in much longer lengths including 2,000-3,000 yards, which of course is more expensive.

We recommend using monofilament as backing when using braided line. Backing your reel with mono allows you to realize the performance benefits of braid while also saving a good amount of money because you don’t pack the entire spool with costly braid. Braid is known for free-spinning, particularly when fighting a bigger fish, and a mono backing will grip your reel and prevent a free spin.

For more information about using monofilament backing with braided main line, check out our post about How To Get Started With Beach Fishing For $250 or Less.

Banning braid?

Braided fishing line is banned in some areas due to some anglers using braid to fish in heavily weeded areas. Braid can damage fish by cutting into the flanks or damaging their mouths. Braid can be difficult to untangle when it crosses lines, which in close quarters can cause disputes with other fishermen.

It is best to check local regulations, or the rules of a charter boat, to make sure you are prepared with the right type of line.

Storage and Disposal of Braid

How to store your braid

With the proper care and storage, all your fishing gear will last for a long time. When you return from fishing, make sure to rinse all your gear off in freshwater and let it dry completely before putting it away, preventing mold and rust.

Properly stored braided fishing line can last for a long time and unused braid has a relatively long shelf life of a decade! Even with regular use, it’s not unusual for braid to last 2 to 3 years under the proper conditions.

Proper storage for braid does not differ greatly from proper storage of any type of fishing gear. Keep your reels, lines, and other gear inside, in a temperature-controlled space.

We know that sun and sand are two of the biggest culprits in deteriorating any type of fishing gear, but can be especially harsh on fishing line. While braided line is typically quite hearty, and can withstand UV rays, it’s still a good idea to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, out of direct sun. This will also protect against fading colors.

Pro tip: for added protection in storage, save the plastic line covers that come with your line. When it’s time to store them, rewrap the line with the covers to prevent further nicks and other abrasions.

Disposing of braid

We want to leave the water better than it was when we got there, and that means making sure that we don’t leave behind our gear.

Because it’s a stronger line, braid tends to be harder to break, meaning that often times fishermen end up leaving behind braid that might be stuck in rocks or cut off from their spool.

This can be a significant environmental hazard, so use the right type of line depending on where you are fishing and be sure to remove as much braid as possible and properly dispose of it at your local bait shop or at marked recycling containers that are often found near fishing areas. For more information, check out our post on Proper Fishing Line Maintenance and Disposal.

Our Recommendations

Berkley X5 Braided Fishing Line

Daiwa J-Braid X4 Dark Green Line

PowerPro Super Slick V2 Braided Line (great for saltwater)

KastKing Superpower Braided Fishing Line

PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line (great for saltwater)