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Rewarded for its buttery taste and a low number of bones, Walleye is one of the most popular freshwater gamefish. And if fishing in the dark isn’t illegal in your area, then you’ll probably be catching a lot of these big fish on your after-dark fishing trips. But what is the best fishing line for walleye?
The success of every fishing trip starts with investing in the right gear, and getting prepared for catching walleye is no different. Here in this article, we’ll help you find the best fishing line for walleye and review some of the best choices on the market. So, get ready.
Best Fishing Line For Walleye
Walleye or Freshwater Perch is found in several rivers and lakes, so it’s one of the most common game fish that you’re likely to encounter during your fishing trips. You can also choose multiple fishing techniques to catch this fish, making it a popular choice for most anglers.
However, this is precisely the reason why choosing the right fishing line can be a little challenging, as one fishing line can work great for a specific fishing method and be a complete failure for another.
Luckily, we managed to find several good options that can work for you if you’re planning to catch walleye and will explain what each one of them can do for your chosen fishing technique. So, check out our top picks.
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks…
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
This sturdy braided line is made of double-knit fabric to provide more durability. Thanks to its strength and dynamically incorporated strands, you’ll easily tie stronger and better solid and clinch knots. It works best for baitcasting reels, mainly when you’re trolling a big fish like walleye.
It has low memory to help you cast better with less chance of wind knots. It’s also abrasion-resistant, so there’s little chance of you losing your walleye, even if you’re fishing through heavy cover.
Thanks to its high sensitivity and zero stretch construction, you’ll immediately notice an increase in your catch ratio, so it’s an excellent choice for all anglers. It also has a small diameter, so you can spool more line on your reel with zero issues.
However, you might not be able to make long casts when you spool with it in the beginning. But, after a while, the line’s sensitivity improves, and it will definitely help you catch more walleye.
What We Like
- Strong braided line for trolling.
- Double-knit fabric to improve the quality of knots.
- Low memory to allow it to cast better with no wind knots.
- Abrasion-resistant.
- High sensitivity and zero stretch.
- Thin line to spool more on your walleye reel.
What We Don’t Like
- The casting distance might not be satisfactory when you first spool it up, but it improves.
P-Line TCB 8 Carrier 150-Yard Braided Fishing Line
Walleye is known to put up a fight when caught and is unlikely to give in easily, but this fishing line is designed to handle its aggressiveness, guaranteeing that you will eventually leave with your target fish.
This is one of the strongest braided lines, with Teflon surface protection to add strength and durability when catching big fish. The coating also allows the line to flow smoothly through line guides with almost no friction. In addition, the line is quiet, abrasion-resistant, and offers an incredible casting distance.
Because it’s round and smooth, you can guarantee that you’ll almost go unnoticed as you cast it through the guides and vegetation, where the fish prefer to hide. In addition, it almost has zero stretch, so it will allow you to have more control, especially when jigging. You will be able to spool more of this line on your reel because it has a thin diameter.
This line will work whether you’re interested in deep vertical jigging or choose to throw lighter jigs in heavily covered areas where walleye fish hide. However, it’s more expensive than other lines, so it might not work for you if you’re on a tight budget.
What We Like
- High-quality braided line.
- Thin diameter.
- Teflon coating to reduce friction.
- Quiet casting with long distance.
- Abrasion-resistant line with zero stretch.
- Works for jigging.
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than other lines.
Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line
There are several reasons why we love this monofilament line. First, it’s one of the most affordable choices for walleye fishing, so it will work for you if you’re a beginner angler or want to stay on a tight budget while enjoying your fishing trip. Second, it’s a strong and thin line that works for multiple fishing techniques, although we strongly recommend it for trolling.
This line casts incredibly well on light gear with no risk of kinks or twists. It has minimum stretch and low memory to facilitate casting. It’s also thin, so you can spool it easier.
Nevertheless, it can handle a lot of knots, which are essential when you’re trolling. Moreover, it’s strong enough to handle being rubbed against structures, vegetation, and the bottom, since walleye likes to swim in shallow waters.
However, after a while, this line has the tendency of snapping, and it tends to form shelf memory. So, it might not work for you if you don’t go fishing regularly.
What We Like
- Affordable monofilament line for beginner anglers.
- Abrasion-resistance construction.
- Thin and robust line for trolling.
- Casts at good distances with light gear.
- Solid knots for improved trolling.
What We Don’t Like
- Develops memory after a while.
Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing
If you’re interested in a highly abrasion-resistant and durable braided line for long and improved casting, then you need to check this one out. It features new epoxy nano resin coatings that keep the line in top condition, even when you’re fishing in heavy cover.
The four strands hold up tightly to allow you to improve your knots, and the line is smooth with consistent roundness to cut through the water quickly. It’s a great choice for baitcasting as it’s designed to eliminate backlashes and help the bait reach the target water layer faster.
It offers low memory and minimum stretch and doesn’t need any time for breaking in. It’s a great choice for beginner anglers because you can immediately cast at longer distances successfully.
However, while spooling, you will feel that it’s rather sharp, so you need to be careful. The dye tends to run, especially at the beginning, so it might accidentally ruin your gear or clothes.
What We Like
- Durable and abrasion-resistant braided line with nano resin coatings.
- Improved knots.
- Smooth and round line to cut through the water easily.
- Eliminates backlashes.
- Low memory and stretch.
What We Don’t Like
- Some parts can be too sharp.
- Colors tend to run at the beginning.
P-Line CFX Fluorocarbon Leader Material 27 YD Spool
This fluorocarbon line is one of the most durable lines on the market and is an excellent choice for both professional and amateur anglers. It offers superior strength and stability because it’s made of high-quality components.
The line is copolymer-based so it’s soft and supple to cut through the water easily. As a result, it improves casting distances, so it’s a great choice for pro anglers.
It offers a more natural presentation to walleye and has a high refractive index to improve your catch ratio. As a result, this will be a great choice regardless of the water condition.
Moreover, this line shows excellent UV durability and protection, so it’s likely to last longer than other lines when submerged in water and used all day long. However, this line is stiffer than other lines and feels a bit thick.
What We Like
- Durable fluorocarbon line.
- Offers superior strength and stability.
- Natural presentation to walleye and high refractive index.
- High UV protection.
What We Don’t Like
- Thick line.
- Feels stiffer than other lines.
Reaction Tackle 100% Pure Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
This fluorocarbon line is abrasion-resistant with a smooth finish to sink faster. It’s a strong line to handle the weight and aggression of a walleye, so it will work for you even if you’re not an experienced angler.
The line is almost invisible in water, improving your catch ratio. Moreover, it features low stretch and low memory, so there will be a minimum chance of wind knots while you’re casting your bait, especially at long distances.
At the same time, the line’s strength allows you to tie knots easily and efficiently. It’s an impressive choice for baitcasting but will work for you in various fishing situations. Thanks to its durability, this line can be used as a mainline or leader line.
However, this line is a little bit stiff at first, but it improves with use. Moreover, it has a larger diameter than other fishing lines.
What We Like
- Durable fluorocarbon line.
- Suitable for multiple fishing situations.
- Durable and abrasion-resistant.
- Almost invisible in water to improve catch ratio.
- Can be used as a mainline or leader line.
What We Don’t Like
- Feels a little stiffer than other lines.
- Has a larger diameter.
SpiderWire Stealth Braid Fishing Line
This braided line is ideal for vertical jigging, thanks to its ultra-lightweight and slim construction. As a result, it can cast for longer distances with no risk of knots or kinks, and it sinks faster to optimize your chances regardless of the fishing technique you prefer.
Made of fluoropolymer treated microfibers, this line will shoot fast and resist abrasion, especially when you’re fishing in heavy cover. It’s a great choice for walleye fishing because it’s almost invisible in blue water lakes, where walleye are easily found.
Thanks to the color-lock coating technology, this line will stay sturdy and show no signs of memory or stretch. However, the color tends to fade over time.
What We Like
- Durable braided line for vertical jigging.
- Ultralightweight and slim construction.
- Abrasion-resistant.
- Almost invisible in blue water lakes.
- Color-lock coating to improve durability.
What We Don’t Like
- Color fades over time.
Seaguar 40 FC 25 Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
This double-structure fluorocarbon fishing line is a great overall performer in all fishing conditions. Regardless of your chosen fishing technique, this line will offer incredible bait presentation and improved abrasion resistance.
Thanks to its lightweight design, this line will sink faster and shoot easier. Nevertheless, it offers great impact resistance and tensile strength, so it’s unlikely to snap even when your walleye continues to resist.
Moreover, it offers improved knot strength, so you can tie trolling knots successfully. However, compared to other fishing lines, this one is a bit stiffer, especially if you’re switching from a monofilament line. It’s also more expensive than other fishing lines on the market.
What We Like
- High-quality double fluorocarbon line.
- Great bait presentation and abrasion resistance.
- Sinks fast.
- Improved impact resistance and tensile strength.
- Better knot strength.
What We Don’t Like
- Can be slightly stiffer than other lines.
- More expensive.
Stren MagnaThin
This monofilament line is a good choice for walleye catching as it improves lure action and offers faster sinking. Despite its smaller diameter, this line has a high strength-to-diameter ratio to allow you to reduce drag without sacrificing line strength. In addition, it’s a durable line and is less likely to break or snap.
Thanks to its smooth design, this line is easy to control and can increase the distance of your casts. It also has low stretch and memory, so there’s little chance of backlashes and wind knots, which is a great choice for you, especially if you’re a beginner angler.
Because it holds knots better than other brands, this line will work for you if you’re trolling. It also removes twists, so you’ll immediately witness the improvement in your catch ratio. However, this line is a bit stiff, especially at the beginning. It’s also more expensive than other lines on the market.
What We Like
- Durable line with high strength-to-diameter ratio.
- Fast sinking and better lure action.
- Smooth design to increase bait distance.
- Low stretch and memory to eliminate the risk of wind knots.
- Holds better knots.
What We Don’t Like
- A bit stiff compared to other lines.
- More expensive than other fishing lines.
How to Choose the Best Fishing Line for Walleye
Picking the right fishing line for walleye depends on the fishing setup you choose. Regardless of your level of experience, there are several factors that you need to consider to improve your fishing results.
Type
Although all fishing lines can be used for catching walleye, each type will offer better results depending on your chosen fishing setup. Braid fishing lines are good for jigging and similar lures because they have smaller diameters for the same strength level.
Braided fishing lines show increased durability and are perfect for fishing in heavy vegetation with the ability to tie better knots. In addition, the small diameter allows the line to twitch in the water to attract walleye. However, these lines can be too visible in clear water and should be used with a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to improve fishing results.
A monofilament fishing line is best for topwater fishing because it floats better. It’s also a great choice if you’re using large lures when you’re catching big walleye fish. Nevertheless, you will have to exert more effort when you’re setting the hook with a monofilament line.
Fluorocarbon lines sink better than monofilament lines and offer better abrasion resistance and invisibility in different water conditions. Thanks to their smooth construction, fluorocarbon lines are designed to cut through the water faster, so you will be able to reach deeper depths with your lure.
Author Note: However, these lines are usually stiffer and more expensive than other lines, so you might struggle while tying knots. They’re also more suitable for pro anglers and are better used as leader lines.
Pound Test
The strength of the fishing line is determined according to the pound test and will differ according to the type of line you’re choosing. For example, if you’re using a braided fishing line, you should aim for a line with a pound test between 8 and 10 pounds.
For a monofilament fishing line, the ideal pound test should be between 6 and 8 pounds. However, if you’re using a fluorocarbon fishing line, the pound test should be between 10 and 12 pounds.
FAQs
- What is the best live bait to catch walleye?
Using live bait is a better option if you’re trying to catch walleye for the first time. Both Shiner and Flathead Minnows guarantee better results when you’re catching walleye. Large and jumbo-sized Leeches also work, especially if the water is not inhabited by Bass, Panfish, and other types of game fish.
Both Minnows and Leeches can be used for multiple fishing setups. If you’re interested in an option that can float, you can try using Nightcrawlers.
- Where can you catch walleye?
Locating this fish is probably the most challenging part of catching it. Walleye usually spends most of the day navigating deeper waters but will navigate shallow waters at night. During the dusk and dawn feeding hours, you will most likely find a lot of walleye fish feeding in rocky, grassy, and sandy shallows.
Wrap Up
With lots of options for catching walleye, picking the right fishing line shouldn’t be a problem. All the options on our list are impressive, but we chose the KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line as our top choice because it’s suitable for trolling.
However, if you’re looking for an affordable line for beginner anglers, you can take a look at the Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line.
We hope you enjoyed our guide on the best fishing line for walleye.
Happy Hunting!
