Strength charts by diameter for monofilament, fluorocarbon and braided fishing line. Line weight per diameter may vary by manufacturer.

Monofilament has a higher knot strength than fluorocarbon or braid and is easier to tie. However, it is the weaker of the three lines having the lowest relative strength versus diameter measurement. Both braided line and fluorocarbon have a higher breaking point than monofilament at a most diameters.

Even though mono is not as strong as fluoro or braid, it’s lower density makes it an ideal line for many fishing applications. Its lower density and near-neutral buoyancy make it ideal for fishing topwater lures, float fishing, and jigging. It’s ability to stretch makes monofilament shock absorbant and prevents hooks from tearing out of a fish’s mouth.

Fluorocarbon line has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than monofilament line at most diameters, but a lower strength-to-weight ratio than braided line. It stretches less than monofilament line making it better for fishing baits that require a strong hookset.

Fluoro is more abrasion resistant than standard monofilament line of the the same diameter. It is also resistant to damaging ultraviolet rays that tend to degrade monofilament line. Unlike monofilament line, fluoro doesn’t absorb water whereby allowing it to maintain its strength and integrity over time.

Braided fishing line is the strongest type of fishing line—and considered superior to mono or fluoro by many anglers. It is composed of interwoven polyethylene strands that together create a strong, durable opaque line that can stand up against the most fiesty fish.

Braided fishing line is typically constructed with 4, 6, or 8 strands, with an 8-strand braid being the most common. A higher number strand creates a denser, smoother line, with superior casting ability. A lower number strand is coarser and more abrasion resistant, but can be quite audible.

When fishing heavy cover, the durability and abrasion resistant braid out perform monofilament. Its smaller diameter exhibits less drag making braided line ideal for fishing in heavy current. Fishing techniques that require extra sensitivity benefit from the limited stretch of a braided line. It’s also good for trolling because of less drag.

Braided line is often used in combination with a fluoro leader. This setup combines the strength and castability of the braid with the invisibility and abrasion resistance of fluorocarbon. Braided line may also be used with a monofilament leader to provide stretch factor to prevent break offs.

The following are fishing line test recommendations for the most popular freshwater and saltwater fish species. Recommendations are based on an average adult specimen. Line data collected from a survey 150 anglers.

A good rule of thumb is to choose the lightest possible line that can handle your target fish. Anglers tend to go with heavier line thinking it might break or they’ll be reeling in lunkers all day long. However, more often than not a lighter line will be more than adequate to handle your catch. You want a line strong enough to handle the weight of the fish, but thin enough not to spook it.

Another thing to consider when selecting test weight is line type. At any given diameter braid is going to be stronger than mono. So if you’re going to use a braided line you can typically use a line at the lower end of the spectrum. Monofilament isn’t going to be as strong as braid and you’ll want a heavier pound test. For billfish and pelagic species you’ll typically fair better with braided line.

Also take into account the type of fishing technique you’ll be employing as well as water conditions when determining line strength requirements. If you going to be punching through thick vegetation or trolling at over 3 miles per hour, you’re going to need a stronger line to support the added drag.

Lastly, how big of fish are your really targeting? It’s not unheard of to reel in a 150 to 300 pound halibut off the coast of Alaska—that’s what every angler wants, right? But realistically, your average halibut catch is going to be between 15-30 lbs. If you’re fishing large tackle with heavy lures targeting larger specimens, then you’ll want to up your line strength accordingly.