Braided Fishing Line Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Right Braid

Braid fishing line has become a favourite for Australian anglers. Braided line is made from many fine fibres woven together, which makes it strong for its thickness, with very little stretch. That gives you longer casts, better feel for bites and more control over fish.

This guide covers the basics of fishing braid: how it compares with mono, how to choose a breaking strain, and how to join braid to a leader. Browse our full range of braided fishing line.

Braid vs mono

Both lines have their place, and plenty of anglers use both.

• Braid line is thinner for its strength, so you can fit more line on a reel and cast further. It has almost no stretch, so you feel bites clearly and set hooks quickly. It's less resistant to rubbing on rocks and teeth, so it's usually fished with a leader.
• Mono fishing line stretches more, which makes it forgiving and helps keep hooks in fish that shake their heads. It's generally cheaper, easy to tie and handles abrasion well. See our monofilament fishing line range.

For lure fishing and deeper water, braid usually has the edge. For simple bait fishing, mono is still a great choice.

How to choose braid

Breaking strain. Match the braid to your rod's line rating and the fish you're chasing. Lighter braid suits estuary and light lure fishing, and heavier braid suits offshore, rock and big-fish work. Some braids list a PE rating as well, which relates to thickness, but these aren't always consistent between brands, so treat them as a rough guide.

Number of strands. Braid is often sold as 4-strand (x4) or 8-strand (x8). As a general rule, 8-strand braid is rounder and smoother, so it casts quietly and flows through the guides well. 4-strand braid is often a little tougher against abrasion and usually more affordable.

Braid colour. Bright colours are easier to see, which helps you watch for bites and track your line. Darker or low-vis colours are less obvious in the water. Multi-colour braid changes colour at set lengths, which helps you judge depth when jigging or bottom fishing.

Why use a leader with braid?

Because braid is visible and less resistant to abrasion, most anglers tie on a length of leader. Fluorocarbon or mono leader is harder for fish to see and stands up better to rocks, reef and teeth. Browse our fishing leader range.

Best knot for braid to leader

There's no single best knot for everyone, but these are popular braid to leader knots:

• FG knot: very slim and strong, so it passes through rod guides easily. It takes a little practice to tie.
• Double uni knot: quick and simple to learn, and a good choice for beginners.
• Albright knot: a reliable option that's easy to tie with leaders of different thicknesses.

Whichever knot you use, moisten it before pulling it tight, and test it with a firm pull before you fish.

How to tie braid to leader

If you're new to it, start with the double uni:

1. Overlap the braid and leader by a good length.
2. Use the braid to tie a uni knot around the leader, with several wraps (braid holds better with extra wraps).
3. Use the leader to tie a uni knot around the braid.
4. Moisten both knots, then pull the two lines apart so the knots slide together.
5. Trim the tag ends neatly.

Braid FAQs

Can I put braid straight onto my reel?

Braid can slip on a bare spool, so most anglers put on a mono backing or a strip of tape first. Our spinning reels buyers guide covers spooling a reel.

Does braid need a special line cutter?

Braid is tough to cut cleanly with blunt tools, so sharp braid scissors or line cutters make it much easier.

How long does braid last?

Braid generally lasts longer than mono, but it wears over time. Check the first few metres regularly for fraying or fading, and cut off any damaged line.

Ready to choose? Browse our full range of braided fishing line.