Braided line
Also called braid, superline, PE line
Line woven from several strands of synthetic fibre. Far thinner than nylon for the same strength, with essentially no stretch.
Braid is spun from fibres like Dyneema or Spectra, usually four or eight strands woven together. Eight-strand braids are rounder, quieter through the guides and cast slightly farther; four-strand braids are cheaper and more abrasion resistant.
Two things make it worth using. It has almost no stretch, so a bite at seventy feet feels like a bite, and a hookset happens instantly. And it is far thinner than mono at the same strength, so 30 pound braid has roughly the diameter of 8 pound mono. That means more line on the spool and better casting distance.
The drawbacks are real. It has no stretch to absorb a surge, so a fish that lunges at the net will pull hooks free. It is highly visible, which is why most people add a fluorocarbon leader. It cuts poorly with anything but proper braid scissors or tungsten carbide cutters. And it needs a backing layer of mono or a piece of tape under it, or the whole spool will spin on the arbor.
Braid main line with a two to four foot fluorocarbon leader is the standard modern freshwater setup, and it is worth the extra knot.
Common questions
Do you need a leader with braided line?
In clear water, yes. Braid is opaque and highly visible, so most anglers tie on two to four feet of fluorocarbon. In heavy grass or muddy water you can fish straight braid.
Related terms
Where this comes up
The guides that use braided line and show it on real gear.
Braided line is one of 206 terms in the glossary.
Browse the full fishing glossary