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Choose the Best Musky Line – Say Goodbye to Lost Fish and Lures!

Last updated on March 7th, 2023 at 05:30 am

best musky line testAre you shopping for the best musky line?

When fishing for giant toothy musky, you might have the best musky reel, but if you don’t load it with the best musky line, it is likely to disappoint you at some point. Thankfully, today’s musky fishermen have a large selection of high-quality lines to choose from. But how do you choose the best musky line for 2023? Read our buying guide below to learn exactly how to have the best musky line setup.

When musky fishing, you need a line which won’t bury in the reel spool, won’t snap on a backlash, and can be cast confidently into the wind when necessary. In fact, castability is extremely important when musky fishing. Unlike bass fishing where accuracy is more important, casting distance is perhaps more important for musky fishing.

Table Of Contents

  • Best Musky Line 2023
  • Best Musky Line Buyer’s Guide
  • Braid Or Mono For Musky
  • Musky Line Types
  • Mono
  • Braid
  • PIC Count
  • Musky Braided Line Types
  • Spectra HT (High Tenacity)
  • Test
  • Musky Leaders
  • Best Musky Line Setup
  • Conclusion
  • Best Musky Line Comparison

Best Musky Line 2023

#MUSKY LINEBRANDTEST (LB)FEATURESCHECK PRICE & AVAILABILITY
1
Our Top Pick

Sufix 832 Braid65, 80- Eight fibers
- TGPTMTechnology Enhances Color Retention
- GORE and Dyneema fibers offers a line with far superior abrasion-resistance
- Available in Low-vis Green and Ghost
Click For Price
2

HI-SEAS Grand Slam65- Made with Spectra fibers
- Thin, round, and packs uniformly
- Enhanced abrasion-resistance
- Virtually no stretch for sensitivity
- Available in green, red, and yellow
Click For Price
3

P-Line TCB 8 Carrier65, 80- Eight fiber strands
- Utra-smooth finish, small diameter, and round shape.
- Uses DuPont’s Teflon Surface Protector for abrasion-resistance
- Available in green
Click For Price
4

Berkley Trilene Braid65, 80- Eight-carrier, high PIC count
- Dyneema radial braid is round, smooth, and strong
- Available in low-vis green
Click For Price
5

Power Pro Maxcuatro80- 25% thinner than existing PowerPro
- High Tenacity Spectra 4-End for long casts
- Available in moss-green, hi-vis yellow, and aqua green
Click For Price
6

POWER PRO Zero-Impact65, 80, 100- PowerPro’s ICAST 2014 “Best New Fishing Line” winner
- Termination Zone Technology that features knot-tying zones that are 50 percent stronger than the line designation
- Zero-Impact is available in both hi-vis yellow/black and aqua green/black
Click For Price
7

Spiderwire Braided Stealth Superline65, 80, 100- 30% stronger
- Color-Lock coating
- Fluoropolymer-treated microfibers
- Dyneema PE microfiber construction
- Available in moss green, hi-vis yellow, and new translucent
Click For Price
8

Sufix Performance Braid65, 80 - Exclusive Y6 braiding
- Effortless handling, castability, abrasion-resistance, sensitivity, and wind knot-resistance
- Available in fluorescent neon fire, hi-vis yellow, and low-vis green
Click For Price
9

Sufix Metered Performance Braid65, 80, 100- Made of five colors in 25-foot sections for precision depth control
- Exclusive Y6 braiding for tight weave that handles easily
- High strength-to-diameter ratio
- Low stretch
Click For Price
10

Vicious Braid65- Eight carriers for better castability, easier reeling, thin diameter, and abrasion-resistance
- Spectra fiber to resist UV damage, abrasion, and water absorption
- Available in moss green
Click For Price

Best Musky Line Buyer’s Guide

Fishing for monster muskies pushes our gear to the limit and losing a once in a lifetime trophy due to not using the best musky line is a heartbreak none of us want to experience. Better line braid means more efficient and pleasurable musky fishing experiences, with more boated fish and less disappointment. But with the plethora of options to select from, picking the best musky line can be a challenge in itself.

Pro Tips

  • Go for a higher PIC count, even though it will cost more.
  • 65 pound test is the minimum you should use, with 80 pound being most ideal.
  • Dyneema and Spectra are quite similar, so you can’t go wrong with either.
  • Castability is extremely important.
  • Back your reel spool with 30-40 yards of mono, ahead of adding your braided line.
  • Sufix 832 and Berkley Trilene Braid are two of the best musky line options.

Braid Or Mono For Musky

A question that some newcomers to musky fishing often ask is whether they should use braid or mono for musky fishing. The short answer is braid.

Braided musky line doesn’t stretch like mono. This is an important factor when dealing with fish that have the weight and power of muskies. However, due to the fact that braided lines are more prone to nicks, especially with such a toothy fish as a musky, it’s important to use a higher test musky line.


Wondering what are the best musky lures for trolling?


Musky Line Types

There are two main types of fishing line to consider when musky fishing: mono or braid. In musky fishing, braided line is almost always used. Let us take a look at the differences between the two to fully understand why.

Mono

Monofilament line, or “mono” as it is most often referred to, is a single strand of material, in contrast to braided lines, which are made from multiple strands of fibers that braided together. Mono fishing line stretches far more than braided lines, by up to 25% or more. By its ability to stretch under heavy pressure, monofilament can help to stop your lure hook from ripping a hole in a fish’s mouth. This is a good thing when fishing for smaller fish, such as bass. However, muskies have very hardy mouths and lips that can withstand stronger hook sets.

Braid

So, how do you determine a good quality braid musky line from a sub-par one? You could ask a more experienced angler what their favorite brand is that provides resistance to backlashing, superior strength, and offers the best “feel” to them. But, if you don’t have somebody with whom you can consult, you should take a look at the following factors when trying to select the best braided musky line.

  • roundness and diameter
  • castability
  • abrasion resistance
  • suppleness
  • color retention
  • break-in period
  • PIC count
PIC Count

PIC count, which is short for Per Inch Crosses, is a very significant factor. More flexible lines will have a higher PIC, while stiffer musky fishing line will have a lower PIC. Water absorption is also less with a higher PIC count. Unfortunately, some brands do not list PIC count, so you may have to do some research online first.

Sufix fishing line is one of the companies that does list PIC count. The original Sufix 832 is composed of 32 PICs or weaves, within eight carrier strands. The eight strands consist of one GORE strand and seven Dyneema fibers. Having used a lot of different muskie fishing lines ourselves, we can say that Sufix lines provide great abrasion resistance, superior strength, allow for powerful hook-sets, and extended life. Sufix musky line is one of our favorites, for sure.

Braided musky line with a higher PIC count take longer to produce, so they are naturally priced a little higher than others. However, since these lines last longer, they are certainly worth the investment. These higher PIC count lines also have better sensitivity and perform much better when casting. Another one of our favorites is Berkley Trilene Braid, which features an eight-carrier braid. The Berkley Trilene Braid line is great at shedding water, which is especially important in freezing cold temperatures.

Musky Braided Line Types

A conflict exists between fishing line manufacturers that use Spectra fibers and those who prefer Dyneema, both of which are brand names for “ultra-high-­molecular-weight polyethylene”, or  UHMWPE,  gel that’s spun into materials with super-high yield strengths. Developed by DSM, Dyneema, called by some “the World’s Strongest fiber,” is the gel-spinning technique utilized by some brands such as Sufix and Pure Fishing braids. Other brands like Hi-Seas Grand Slam, Cortland Master Braid, and PowerPro use a Honeywell fiber called Spectra.

Oddly enough, Spectra is manufactured using the same process as Dyneema and is licensed from DSM. What makes them both unique is that their strength-to-weight ratios are quite high–up to 8 to 15 times higher than that of steel. In fact, these materials are used to make some medical devices, ballistics, and even body armor. Some companies, like sufix, for example, are combining super-high-strength Spectra or Dyneema with other fishing line technologies. The Sufix 832 with GORE and Dyneema fibers offers a line with far superior abrasion-resistance.

Spectra HT (High Tenacity)

One of the newest technologies to arrive on the scene is Honeywell’s Spectra HT (High-Tenacity) fiber, which is 25% stronger than competin super-high-strength fishing line fibers. Original 80lb-test Spectra 375 is made up of six carrier strands, the new Spectra 375 HT is composed of only four carrier strands, which brings down the line diameter by 30%. Additional benefits of the new HT line are improved casting, additional reel capacity, better sensitivity, decreased line visibility under the water, and minimal stretch. According to Honeywell, the HT line has twice the abrasion-resistance of competing super-high-strength fiber lines. Spectra HT is being used in PowerPro’s Maxcuatro and FINS 40G braided lines.


Wondering what is the best musky reel for bucktails?


Test

If you are wondering what pound test for musky fishing is best, we generally recommend using at least 80-pound test when casting for muskies. You could get away with 65-pound, but don’t even think of going below that. The heavier line is the insurance that you need against fraying or breakage. If you have a monster musky on and it decides to run, the 65-pound line could more easily break.

WARNING: Braided musky lines testing below 65 pounds are strong, but they are also quite thin and can easily break with even a small nick.

Musky Leaders

One of the big issues faced by musky fishermen is the dreaded bite-off. Because muskies have so many sharp teeth, they can easy bite-off the line. This is a heartbreaking experience when it happens. The easiest way to help prevent this is to use a leader.

There are various forms of musky leaders on the market, from titanium wire to fluorocarbon to stainless steel leaders. Your chosen baits and fishing style will determine which musky leader is best to use.

Best Musky Line Setup

The best musky line setup combines each of the elements that we mentioned above. You should start with 30-40 yards of mono on your reel, in order to prevent slippage. Next, tie your 65 to 80-pound braided musky line onto the mono. After you’ve spooled on your desired length of line, finish off with a high quality musky leader, if your fishing style requires it. This is the best musky line setup if you want to be successful catching giant muskies.

Conclusion

We recommend that most musky anglers should stick to larger musky fishing line diameters. The lack of stretch of braided musky line can accentuate any issues, such as a nick from a tooth, hook, gill, or even the net. Back in the mono line days, 30- or 40-pound test was sufficient for most. However, with braided musky line, you want to use a higher test line with greater diameter. Most folks would do good with 80-pound line when casting for muskies.

Regardless of which braid you select, we recommend using a mono line backing on the reel spool. If not, the line may slide on the spool, making your drag useless. By adding a mono backing to the braid, the line will stick to the spool. This will also save you money by using 30-40 yards of mono instead of the more expensive braid.

Best Musky Line Comparison

#MUSKY LINEBRANDTEST (LB)FEATURESCHECK PRICE & AVAILABILITY
1
Our Top Pick

Sufix 832 Braid65, 80- Eight fibers
- TGPTMTechnology Enhances Color Retention
- GORE and Dyneema fibers offers a line with far superior abrasion-resistance
- Available in Low-vis Green and Ghost
Click For Price
2

HI-SEAS Grand Slam65- Made with Spectra fibers
- Thin, round, and packs uniformly
- Enhanced abrasion-resistance
- Virtually no stretch for sensitivity
- Available in green, red, and yellow
Click For Price
3

P-Line TCB 8 Carrier65, 80- Eight fiber strands
- Utra-smooth finish, small diameter, and round shape.
- Uses DuPont’s Teflon Surface Protector for abrasion-resistance
- Available in green
Click For Price
4

Berkley Trilene Braid65, 80- Eight-carrier, high PIC count
- Dyneema radial braid is round, smooth, and strong
- Available in low-vis green
Click For Price
5

Power Pro Maxcuatro80- 25% thinner than existing PowerPro
- High Tenacity Spectra 4-End for long casts
- Available in moss-green, hi-vis yellow, and aqua green
Click For Price
6

POWER PRO Zero-Impact65, 80, 100- PowerPro’s ICAST 2014 “Best New Fishing Line” winner
- Termination Zone Technology that features knot-tying zones that are 50 percent stronger than the line designation
- Zero-Impact is available in both hi-vis yellow/black and aqua green/black
Click For Price
7

Spiderwire Braided Stealth Superline65, 80, 100- 30% stronger
- Color-Lock coating
- Fluoropolymer-treated microfibers
- Dyneema PE microfiber construction
- Available in moss green, hi-vis yellow, and new translucent
Click For Price
8

Sufix Performance Braid65, 80 - Exclusive Y6 braiding
- Effortless handling, castability, abrasion-resistance, sensitivity, and wind knot-resistance
- Available in fluorescent neon fire, hi-vis yellow, and low-vis green
Click For Price
9

Sufix Metered Performance Braid65, 80, 100- Made of five colors in 25-foot sections for precision depth control
- Exclusive Y6 braiding for tight weave that handles easily
- High strength-to-diameter ratio
- Low stretch
Click For Price
10

Vicious Braid65- Eight carriers for better castability, easier reeling, thin diameter, and abrasion-resistance
- Spectra fiber to resist UV damage, abrasion, and water absorption
- Available in moss green
Click For Price
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Comments

  1. Jason says

    October 14, 2019 at 11:29 am

    I’ve been searching for info on what is the best type of line (braid or mono) for Muskie trolling and why. I am relatively new to the Muskie hunt game. A group of friends and I recently started trolling one trip (long weekend) in the fall for Muskie on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands New York/Canada region. We’ve noticed there’s some pros/cons with each type of line. Braid when running multiple lines on downriggers or planar boards can get tangled and is a disaster of rats nests. We have used heavy mono on some reels and noticed its not as bad when the inevitable tangles happen due to ’emergency’ sharper turns or depth changes and shoals. The 1000 Islands has extreme depth changes and when trolling multiple lines becomes a challenge it itself.

    My question is if we use mono on some reels what # test is recommended? #30? 40# 80# 100#? Our reels are basic trolling reels with counters so 100# may be too thick. We generally troll 75ft up to 250-300 ft of line out to space lures on either side of boat.

    I find a lot of info on casting for Muskie but not a lot on methods for trolling. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Muskie Jason says

      October 14, 2019 at 12:47 pm

      Hi Jason.

      Great question. Thanks for asking.

      As with a lot of things when it comes to musky fishing, the answer to this is based upon a lot of opinion and preference versus any type of actual scientific or factual proof. You are right in that there are pros and cons to both mono and braid musky line.

      If you are going to use mono for trolling muskies, then our recommendation would be 30-50 lb test. For bigger baits, use 40 or 50 lb test, and for smaller baits you could probably get away with the 30 lb.

      Hope this helps. Good luck with whatever you end up using.

      Reply

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