Otter, that's probably the biggest struggle we all go through until our choices meet our needs. I wasted money on many miles of line trying them all out, and boiled it down to 3 lines. There isn’t a safe “rule of thumb” that wouldn’t actually further complicate your task of choosing. Don't feel bad. My favorites have changed twice a year. For now the experimenting is over with.
My main concern is quality. I wasted most over going cheap for many years, pretty much out of necessity when I had a very large boat payment. I passed on having the best rods, reels, line, sounders, and paid dearly for that choice. You get what you pay for in fishing line. There's a mountain of it now made in China and other places that don't have the quality control needed to be premium line manufacturers. Line diameter isn't usually consistent in cheap line, too thick then too thin. Some made in Japan are rivaling American line. I look up line reviews and compare ratings given by experts testing line, reels, rods, etc.
Next, what type of line based on target species, assuming you are only considering black bass. That eliminates heavy weight, extremely tough line designed for saltwater. I use that for stripers and catfish here, but never bass. Braid is the most expensive, favored by many, as noted specifically for flipping at close range, but also for long casts over fields of thick vegetation. Such cover is usually coated with silt and is highly abrasive on line. But other types of line have abrasion-resistant models too. I believe braid is at the top for toughness, durability, and overall strength. I'm confident it will slice through the toughest weeds as long as I don't exceed the rod capability. Many of us don't fish such cover, not needing braid. It's highly visible to fish, isn't recommended for clear, clean water, needing a background of plant stems. In open water mono or superline like Fireline is usually sufficient. In ultra clear water and where bass are over-exposed to anglers, fluorocarbon, co-polymer, or hybrid line offer great “invisibility”. In stained to muddy water many lines come in a variety of colors for matching water color.
A critical factor is rod capacity. Never spool line exceeding the upper line test limit. You can sometimes go below the lower limit, but the rod will perform best in the recommended range. Using too-light line can result in problems like line tangling over the rod tip. List your rods and the load ranges. That narrows your line choices quite a lot.
Next list the recommended bait sizes. Those further narrow your choices, the lower bait size matching up with lower line test in the range, the heavier bait size matching up with heavier line rating, all within that stated range.
Another fine-tuning in all this comes from selecting a rod for a primary bait type, like a crankbait rod. You are attempting to find the just right rod you are comfortable with that will do what you have in mind. Once found, you are better off reserving that rod for either the larger or the smaller bait size, and spool on the smallest diameter line necessary to handle that bait size.
If you plan to cast the full range with that one rod, you’d need to compromise and select a line capable of handling that range, about mid range on line test rating. For instance, if the lure weight range is 1/4 - 5/8 and line weight is 8 – 14#, lots of folks cast the whole range on one size line, a reasonable mid weight being 12#. But that’s pretty heavy line for casting a 1/4 oz lure with much wind resistance and expecting a decent cast distance. So it’s best to decide which end of the lure weight range you mostly want that rod for. Imagine having to choose one line for a rod with a lure weight 3/8-1 3/8 oz and line weight range 12-25#
You won’t likely cast a 3/8 oz lure on a mid weight of 18# more than a few yards, and not many fish would bite that small lure, easily seeing that heavy line. The lure wouldn't swim worth a hoot, either.
Well, there's some basics for chewing on. There's a lot more to be said about choosing line, but for now digest this.
So far my sweetheart mono line is Ande Premium for topwater (12#), and Sufix Elite (8-10#) for cranking, and Yo-Zuri Hybrid for clear water with all lure types. I mostly use the Yo-Zuri since the water here is usually very clear. I've tried out most every brand and those are the only ones I respool with now. Those are thin compared to rated line weight, handle very well, cast easy, and the Sufix digs deep to get crankbaits down to where I need them. I'll usually tie on some Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader in ultra clear water or after big tournaments have the bass spooked. When I use up the Seaguar I might try Sufix copolymer for leaders since I like the Elite so well, but have a large spool of Yo-Zuri Hybrid 15# that does the same job. It's a fluorocarbon coated mono for ultra clear water, and is a really good general casting line, 8-10#. I'll be adding their 6# line for drop shotting, and 12# for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc. I like Power Pro, Spiderwire, and Seaguar 30# braids for heavy weed casting and pitching, 50# for flipping, each line having some differences and detailed applications. They're all good.
I use Stren 17# flourescent mono for night fishing with black light.
Jim
