Choosing the Right Monofilament Fishing Line: A Guide for Alaskan Anglers
Choosing the Right Monofilament Fishing Line: A Guide for Alaskan Anglers
When it comes to fishing Alaska’s rugged rivers, deep lakes, and coastal waters, your line choice can mean the difference between landing a trophy and telling a story about the one that got away. With so many options on the shelves, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—even for the old-timers. That’s why we put together a straightforward, easy-to-follow Monofilament Line Selection Chart (see below or grab a printout in-store). In this post, we’ll break down how to choose the right monofilament test line based on species, fishing style, and Alaskan fishing conditions.
What Is Monofilament Line and Why Choose It?
Monofilament line, or “mono” as most folks call it, is one of the most versatile and affordable fishing lines available. It stretches (a good thing when you’re battling big fish), resists abrasions, and ties easy knots. It’s a solid all-around choice for most species in Alaska—from lake trout to lingcod.
Matching Line Strength to Target Species
Our handy chart breaks it down by pound test and common Alaskan species:- 2-8 lb test: Ideal for grayling, rainbow trout, arctic char, and dolly varden in clear, still waters.
- 10-17 lb test: Your sweet spot for coho, sockeye, and pink salmon, especially when bank fishing or casting spinners.
- 20-35 lb test: Best for big kings, lake trout, and heavier-duty setups in faster water or trolling applications.
- 40-100+ lb test: Your go-to for halibut, rockfish, sharks, or anything else in the “they could tow the boat” category.
Conditions Matter
Are you fishing near structure? Rock ledges? Fast current? Are you trolling or casting from shore? All of these impact which line strength and diameter are best. Ask yourself:
Will the fish be aggressive or cautious?
How deep will I be fishing?
Am I in snag-heavy waters?
Tips from The Frontier Fisherman
- Don’t overthink it, but don’t go cheap either. Cheap line breaks. And in Alaska, losing a fish hurts worse than losing your lunch.
- Keep fresh line on your reel every season. Sunlight and memory coils kill good mono faster than a hungry pike.
- Keep your bug spray away from your mono. It will cause it to breakdown and degrade the integrity of your line.
- Tried-and-true mono is your best bet for teaching kids or bringing out-of-towners who might not know the ins and outs yet.
Find Your Perfect Line
Ready to spool up? Browse our Monofilament Line Collection online or stop by the shop—we’ll help match you up with the right line for whatever you’re fishing for. And yes, we’ll even wind it for you on our industrial line-winding machine—free with every purchase.
At B&J Sporting Goods, we’ve helped Alaskans fish better since the 1950s. Whether you’re chasing burbot in the dark or halibut in the deep, the right line matters—and we’re here to make sure you’ve got the best chance at landing your next big one.
Keep your knots tight and your stories tighter!
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