Buy Fishing Line at FishUSA

FishUSA has a wide selection of fishing line from the most respected names in the industry. Whether you're fly fishing, ice fishing or heading out with any other type of rod and reel, we have the fishing line you need to land the catch of the day.

Fishing Line 101

Line is the general term for fishing line, which can come in many variations, all similarly designed to connect an angler to terminal tackle or lures and, ultimately (hopefully), fish.

Fishing lines were initially held by hand and thrown into the water. Eventually, we invented fishing tools to help cast, control and retrieve fishing lines. Most sportfishing lines are wound onto fishing reels attached to rods which cast the line out and guide the line back onto the reel. The end of the line that's cast or released into the water has lures and baits attached to attract and hook fish.

Early fishing line was made of natural materials such as catgut and silk. Modern line for fishing is made from synthetic materials like nylon, Dacron, polyethylene and fluoropolymer PVDF and has become highly specialized for use with modern fishing tackle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing Line

There's more to fishing line than you might imagine, and we are often asked questions about how to buy fishing lines. We've addressed some of these questions here, but please get in touch if you need additional information.

How Is Fishing Line Used?

Fishing line can serve many purposes for an angler. Some line for fishing is simply used as filler or backing on larger reels to fill up a spool to aid with casting distance and retrieval speed. Other fishing line provides additional length behind specialized lines, such as fly lines. Backing can be relatively inexpensive and made of materials completely different from the mainline used for the actual cast and retrieve. Mainline typically comprises the most fishing line on a reel, which may or may not attach directly to the reel and fishing lures, but is always deployed and retrieved.

What Characteristics Should I Look for in Fishing Lines?

Fish lines are available in various types based on the size and species of fish you're trying to catch. Following are some things to look for when purchasing fishing rod line.

• Color: Lines can be colored to aid in better visibility for the angler to manage the line, while other lines are clear or colored to make them invisible to fish.
• Strength: The strength of a line, or test, is measured at the breaking point of the fishing line when pulled in opposing directions.
  The weight of a fish will not necessarily determine the test strength of the line needed – the line transfers energy to the rod, and the drag of the reel will allow the fishing line to pull off as pressure from the fish increases. These factors enable an angler to use relatively light fishing line for heavy fish.
• Thickness: The thickness of all fish lines will increase as the test strength increases.

What Kinds of Fishing Lines Do You Sell?

You can buy fishing lines of the following type at FishUSA:

• Monofilament: Monofilament line is the oldest of the modern fishing lines. It is made of a single strand of nylon and is the most popular of mainlines because it's the most versatile and least expensive.
• Copolymer: Copolymer fishing lines are relatively new and made of two types of nylon line combined. Copolymer stretches less than monofilament line and has even greater abrasion resistance than fluorocarbon.
• Braided & Super: Braided and super fishing lines are made of multiple strands that are braided (or fused) to form thin, low-stretching lines of superior strength compared to all other castable fishing lines.
• Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon fishing line can also be used as a mainline, but due to cost, it is very often used as a leader or tippet material for its abrasion resistance and near invisibility in water.
• Wire & Lead Core: Wire fishing lines are single-strand or braided lines of copper or stainless steel designed with strength and weight for deep water trolling. Lead core lines are also weighted lines, but they have a braided Dacron outer covering with a single strand of lead inside. Lead core lines are far more manageable than wire lines but do not sink as fast.
• Fly Leaders: Fly fishing lines are designed to cast relatively light flies out to great distances with a precise location yet soft landing.
• Ice Lines: Monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer and braided ice fishing lines are designed to stay supple yet strong in cold water.

Fishing line can be purchased in various spool lengths, ranging from 25-yard tippet spools up to 7,400-yard bulk spools and in test strengths of 1-pound to 200-pound tests.

What Are Leaders and Tippets?

Some fishing tactics call for leaders or tippets, which are shorter pieces of fishing line typically of much different strengths and material than the mainline. This is most widely associated with fly fishing but actually applies to many other tactics, too.

Fishing Line Tips From the Pros

As serious anglers, we're happy to share some of the tips and tricks we've picked up about fishing line after years spent on the lake, by the stream or in the river.

• Monofilament mainline can gain invisibility and abrasion resistance with a short piece of fluorocarbon tied on as a leader. It is entirely possible to catch large fish with sharp teeth while using a light mainline if a wire leader is used.
• Many anglers use a heavier mainline and much lighter leader material for fish which are considered “line shy,” meaning they tend not to bite lures tied to heavy, visible lines.
• Wire and lead core lines for fishing need to have softer, less visible leaders tied on to allow lures to behave as designed and to
  entice fish to bite.
• Fly fishing uses tapered leaders to allow for the fishing line to turn over and make a soft landing with the fly. The very end section of tapered leaders can easily be replaced with tippet material to extend the life and effectiveness of the leader.
• Both leaders and tippet can be made of monofilament, fluorocarbon and even wire.

Find the Best Fishing Line at FishUSA

When it's time to buy fishing lines, FishUSA is your best bet. With popular brands of fishing line like Seaguar, PowerPro, RIO, Berkley, P-Line and Sufix, you're sure to find the high-quality fishing line you need. Order yours today!