Freshwater Species
Saltwater Species
Line Type Cheat Sheet
| Species | Best Line | Pound Test | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | Mono or Braid | 8-17 lb | Mono for finesse, braid for weeds |
| Trout | Fluoro or Mono | 4-8 lb | Fluoro disappears in clear water |
| Catfish | Braid or Mono | 20-50 lb | Catfish don't spook at visible line |
| Salmon | Braid + Fluoro | 15-25 lb | Braid mainline, fluoro leader |
| Tuna | Braid | 80-100 lb | Zero stretch for long runs |
| Grouper | Braid | 60-80 lb | Stops fish before they reach rocks |
| Snapper | Braid or Fluoro | 30-50 lb | Fluoro for leader-shy snapper |
| Halibut | Braid or Mono | 50-80 lb | Mono absorbs big halibut head-shakes |
Species Line FAQ
Does line type really change by species?
Yes. Trout spook at visible line, so you want fluorocarbon. Catfish don't care, so cheap mono is fine. Match the line to how the fish sees and fights, not just how heavy it is.
Freshwater vs saltwater — do I need different line?
Saltwater line needs more corrosion resistance. Braid holds up better in salt, and you'll want a fluorocarbon leader for toothy fish. Freshwater is more forgiving.
How do I pick the right pound test?
Start with the fish's average weight, then add buffer for cover or current. A 10-pound bass in heavy weeds needs heavier line than a 20-pound catfish in open water.
Related Guides
From Species to a Line Choice
Species sets the starting line class. Water, cover and fish size move it from there. The line calculator takes those four inputs and returns a material, a pound test and a leader call, with the source of each rule shown. If you want the reasoning first, the PE rating chart explains why the number on the spool is not the line's strength, and the diameter chart shows what changes when you move up a size.