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Best Line for Jerkbaits

​For years the best line for jerkbaits was monofilament, but the times they are a changing…

Flourocarbon now reigns supreme as the go to choice for jerkbait fishing line.

However, some fishermen are just plain stubborn and they will use their favorite line for just about any bass technique.

For most freshwater fishing applications there is usually a choice of four different types of fishing line, below we have ranked them in order of preference for use with jerkbaits:

• Flourocarbon
• Monofilament
• Braid
• Coplymer

Each type of fishing line has their own specific characteristics and some are suited to some applications and not others.

What Line do you Use for Jerkbaits?

​Flourocarbon fishing line is best for jerkbaits in the 8 lbs to 12 lbs breaking strain range.

It runs well on both spinning reels and baitcasting reels ad can cast very good distances even when using smaller jerkbaits.

Best Line for Jerkbaits

Flourocarbon

​The top choice for jerkbaits is flourocarbon as it beats out all others under especially in colder weathers when waters are running clear, it is low stretch, hard to detect in clear water and does not float.

• Low stretch
• Low visibility
• Does not float
• Good casting ability

Low stretch is almost a must as you need to transmit every jerk or twitch from the rod tip into the line an eventually to the lure. If there is any stretch in the line then some of the energy is lost.

Low stretch also means that you get quicker and more secure hook sets especially if you are using smaller treble hooks.

It is also slightly thinner than mono which helps make it even more invisible.

When working a jerkbait you need to allow the line to go slack on the pause. If you use mono that slack time usually means a bow in the line as it floats on the surface especially if it is windy out.

Any bow in your line will mean less power through to the lure when you strike.

Beause it is low stretch it will also cast better than monofilament and less memory.

Monofilament

Monofilament has just a little bit too much stretch in it for my liking when fishing with jerkbaits. The best jerkbait rods have either a fast or extra fast action and a medium power rating, meaning they are really sensitive in the tip section.

Pairing a super sensitive rod with a line that stretches makes no sense.

Mono also floats so if you are trying to work a suspended jerkbait deep down in colder weather then it will be more of a hindrance than a help on that front.

No mono is a great all round line especially on a spinning setup but it does lack sensitivity.

​Can You Use Braid for Jerkbaits?

Braid can be used for jerkbaits as long as you are using a flourocarbon leader. The main issue with using it is that it is so visible.

Bass will generally be attacking your jerkbait from below and braided fishing line will stand out like a sore thumb when viewed from underneath.

​Braid is an excellent choice as a frog fishing line as it can cut and slice through thick weeds but low visibility is the name of the game when considering what line to use for jerkbaits.

Using a flouro leader does create a problem in that you are now creating an extra weak point in your jerkbait setup – the braid to flouro knot!

​More often than not you will also be fishing a jerkbait in winter which may mean windier conditions and braid can be  troublesome in the wind.

Copolymer

You can think of copolymer as a more modern monofilament. It lies somewhere in the middle in terms of it’s characteristics and personally I’m just not a fan.