What Weight of Fishing Line for Trout

The suggested fishing line for trout fishing is 4 to 6-pound test fluorocarbon. If you’re trout fishing with spinners, you’ll want to use 10-pound test.

There are three fishing lines for trout, and they are Monofilament, Fluorocarbon, and Braided lines. Each one has its own advantage and disadvantages.

Monofilament Lines are the most common because they are cheap, strong, and elastic. It has a refractive index close to the water so it is hard for fish to see it in the water. However, monofilaments can stretch up to 30%. So when you hook a fish, the fishing line could snap because of pressure from fighting or struggling with your catch.

And if you use a monofilament line on a spinning rod, there is the possibility that the bobber will not sink properly. If it doesn’t sink properly, you won’t be able to detect bites well and keep your bait at desirable depth. On top of all these disadvantages; mono-filaments can be easily damaged by sharp rocks or teeth during landing big fish.

Fluorocarbon Lines are stronger, invisible, and less visible to fish. They offer higher density than water which makes them sink faster. And they have a refractive index close to that of water (1.42) and are almost invisible to fish and it’s difficult for fish to see your bait or lure if you use fluorocarbon line with lures like crankbaits and jerk baits.

To solve all the disadvantages of mono-filament; fluoro-carbon is more expensive than monofilaments but it lasts very long so you should expect low maintenance costs in the long run. Fluorocarbon lines also require little stretch so there won’t be any unnecessary tension on your hook when fighting a big fish therefore you will have a good chance of landing them safely. And if you take care of your fluorocarbon lines, they should last longer than your fishing career!

Abrasion resistance isn’t perfect like monofilaments but fluorocarbon lines are designed to be strong. Fluorocarbon line is not recommended for spinners because it sinks quickly; therefore bobber or float would not stand properly on the surface and notify angler about bites.

Braided Lines comes with various options like color, thickness, length, and strength. Penetration capability is much better than mono-filament because they weigh very little. Braided line has a small diameter which reduces the friction while boat travel so you get distance casting with less effort.

They are very strong, abrasion-resistant, and castability is unmatched by others. Because of its small diameter, the braided line has low visibility underwater therefore it is not recommended to use with lures that require high visibility like crankbaits or jerk bait.

If you want to start trout fishing, then your choice should be fluorocarbon line because it is strongest and less visible than mono-filament and also cheap in long term.

In this article, we will talk about the weight of fishing lines for trout fishing based on their size, specific trout specifies, and what is the best fishing line for trout.

Choosing The Right Fishing Line for Trout

The pound test differs based on the size of the trout. We will go over the various weights and the type of line you should use for each size.

Trout Size Guide

Small Trout – The recommended fishing line for small trout should be 0.9 to 2-pound test fluorocarbon. The reason is that this size of trout is harder to catch, so you need to use a strong line that can pull it up from the water.
Medium Trout – The suggested fishing line for medium-sized trout should be a 6-pound test fluorocarbon. This size of trout is large enough to get bigger. Therefore you need to use a stronger line that can pull them out of the water, but not too heavy since they are still smaller than other fishes.
Large Trout – The recommended fishing line for large trout should be 8 or 10-pound test fluorocarbon. At this rate, trouts have sharp teeth and will fight hard to get back into the water, so you need a very powerful line in order to bring it up from the water’s surface.
Lake Trout – When it comes to catching lake trout, you’ll need light monofilament or braid (20+ pound test) in order to do so. We recommend monofilament or braid for lake trout because they are more visible to fish and they can bite harder, so you need a strong line.

Suggested Line Weight for Specific Trout Species

Rainbow Trout

The recommended fishing line for rainbow trout should be 6-pound test fluorocarbon.

This size of trout has a thick body, strong teeth and very strong power, therefore you need a stronger line to pull it up from the water.

Brook Trout

The suggested fishing line for brook trout should be 4 to 6-pound test fluorocarbon.

This type of trout is found in fast flowing waters, with deep pools and very cold temperature, they need to have protection against this conditions.

Brown Trout

The recommended fishing line for brown trout should be 6-8 pound test fluorocarbon.

Brown trouts are big fishes, heavy bodied and highly pressured by anglers; thus you need to use strong lures that can help you to fight against them.

What Is the Best Fishing Line for Trout?

The best fishing line for trout fishing is Seaguar blue label fluorocarbon. Seaguar blue label fluorocarbon has a very slight stretch designed to give you an extremely sensitive connection between you and the fish, plus it’s highly abrasion-resistant.

The reason why Seaguar blue label is the best fishing line for trout fishing is that its ability to remain clear underwater allows anglers to watch every move of the fish as they play with it looking for that perfect strike. This is important for beginners who want not only to catch their first trout but also to release them back alive.

How is Line Strength Measured

Fishing line strength is measured in a “pound test”. A pound test is defined as the weight (in pounds) of a fishing line that it takes to break under a tension of one pound.

For example, if you have a 30-pound test fishing line, this means that it will take thirty pounds of force before the line breaks. If you go for a 20-pound test fishing line, then it would take only twenty pounds of force before the line breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Color of Fishing Line Matter for Trout?

The color of the fishing line for trout does matter. Trout can see color, so you have to use a color of fishing line that is easy for them to see. This will give them an advantage, which means easier catching.

There are many colors available for fishing lines, therefore the most suitable one for trout is clear with a hi-visibility yellow running line.

Can Trout See Heavy Line?

Yes. Trouts can see heavy line, so you have to use a light fishing line.

If the fishing line is too heavy, then you won’t be able to catch trout because they will see it coming and run away. With lighter lines, trout won’t be able to spot it as easily and won’t have time to escape before you set your hook into their mouths.

Final Thoughts on What Weight of Fishing Line for Trout Fishing

Overall, when choosing the fishing line for trout, try to look for fluorocarbon lines with 6-pound test or higher because they are strong enough to withstand the teeth of trout.

And remember, the pound test differs based on the species of trout you’re looking to catch.

Josh Hassell

There's nothing better than going out to the lake early in the morning, and catching some fish! Like many other anglers, I find fishing to be very therapeutic. I've been fishing since I was about 10 years old, and fell in love ever since. I hope to share my expertise and knowledge with the community, and help everyone become better anglers.