If you've ever watched your jig drift perfectly through the zone only to miss the grab, there's a fair chance the problem wasn't the jig at all. When anglers ask what line for egi fishing, they're really asking how to get better control, better sensitivity and cleaner hook-ups on squid that can be fussy one session and aggressive the next.

Egi fishing is one of those styles where the line does more work than many people realise. It affects how your jig sinks, how well you can work it, how clearly you feel a touch and how much confidence you have when a squid loads up close to the rocks, jetty or boat. Get the line right and the whole outfit feels sharper. Get it wrong and even good jigs can feel clumsy.

What line for egi fishing should you use?

For most Australian egi setups, braided main line is the clear first choice. In most situations, PE 0.6 to PE 0.8 is the sweet spot, usually paired with a fluorocarbon leader around 8lb to 12lb. That combination gives you a light, responsive setup that still has enough abrasion resistance for land-based squid fishing around reef, weed and structure.

Could you go lighter? Yes, especially in calm conditions, clear water and when you're fishing smaller jigs. Could you go heavier? Also yes, particularly around rough country, stronger current or when wind is making line control harder. But if you want one all-round answer to what line for egi fishing, a quality PE 0.6 or PE 0.8 braid with an 8lb to 10lb fluorocarbon leader is where most anglers should start.

Why braid is the best main line for egi

Braid suits egi fishing because it is thin for its breaking strain, has very low stretch and transmits what your jig is doing far better than mono. That matters every time you cast, work the jig and wait on the drop.

Squid often hit on the pause or while the jig is sinking. Sometimes it's a clean grab. Other times it just feels like a bit of weight, a slight hesitation or the line doing something odd in the water. Braid helps you notice those subtle signs earlier. That means quicker lifts, better connection and fewer missed opportunities.

The thinner diameter also improves sink control. A fine braid catches less water and less wind than heavier line, so your jig sinks more naturally and stays in touch with you. That's especially handy when you're fishing from jetties, breakwalls and open shoreline where breeze can put a belly in the line and ruin your angle.

Mono has a place in plenty of fishing styles, but for dedicated egi fishing it usually gives away too much sensitivity and control. You can still catch squid on it, no question, but it's rarely the cleanest setup.

The best braid size for squid fishing

This is where a lot of anglers overdo it. Heavier braid feels safer, but it can make the whole outfit less efficient. Your jig won't behave as cleanly, you'll carry more line drag and the setup loses some finesse.

PE 0.6 is excellent when conditions are calm to moderate and you want maximum sensitivity with smaller to standard squid jigs. It's a very popular choice for anglers who fish land-based and want a crisp, technical feel.

PE 0.8 is the safer all-rounder. It still keeps things light, but gives you a bit more insurance around rough ground, windy conditions and bigger southern calamari. For many anglers, especially those wanting one setup that covers most sessions, PE 0.8 is hard to fault.

Once you move much beyond that, you usually start trading away too much jig performance. There are exceptions - rough platforms, dirty weather, very strong current - but heavier isn't automatically better.

Fluorocarbon leader matters more than people think

Your leader does three jobs in egi fishing. It gives abrasion resistance around reef and weed, adds a bit of stealth in clear water and provides a touch of shock absorption when a squid grabs at close range.

Fluorocarbon is the standard choice because it handles abrasion well and sinks better than mono. A leader in the 8lb to 12lb range is ideal for most local squid work. If the water is very clear and the area isn't especially brutal, 8lb can be a smart option. If you're fishing tighter structure or rougher terrain, 10lb to 12lb is often the better call.

Very heavy leader can make the presentation look less natural and may affect how the jig moves, particularly with smaller egi. Very light leader can nick too easily around rocks and weed-covered edges. Like most tackle choices, there is a balance.

A leader length of around one to two rod lengths works well for most anglers. That gives enough protection without making casting awkward. If you're fishing from elevated structure or around abrasive country, a slightly longer leader can help.

What changes with local conditions?

South Australian squid fishing often means dealing with clear water, weed beds, broken reef and wind that can turn a tidy session into a line-management exercise pretty quickly. That's why line choice shouldn't be copied blindly from overseas charts or one-size-fits-all social posts.

If you're fishing sheltered water with very little breeze, you can lean lighter and enjoy the added finesse. If you're casting across wind or current, stepping up slightly in braid strength can sometimes improve control simply because the line behaves better under pressure. That's not about brute force. It's about keeping contact with the jig.

Water clarity matters too. In very clean conditions, fluorocarbon leader becomes even more important. Squid aren't line-shy in the same way some fish can be, but a natural presentation still counts. If your jig is wafting properly and not being dragged around by thick line, you're usually in a better position.

Common mistakes when choosing line for egi fishing

The biggest mistake is using line that's too heavy because it feels more durable. In egi fishing, too much line diameter creates drag, reduces sink performance and makes the jig harder to work cleanly. You end up fighting your own setup.

The second mistake is going too cheap on braid. Budget line can be inconsistent in diameter, noisy through guides and less reliable on repeated casting. In a technique where feel matters, line quality is worth paying attention to.

Another common issue is matching light braid with an oversized, stiff leader. That combo can work against itself. If the main line is built for finesse but the leader is too heavy and rigid, the setup loses some of the action and subtlety that makes egi fishing effective.

Poor knot choice is another weak point. A slim, well-tied braid-to-leader knot helps with casting distance and reliability. If the knot is bulky or poorly finished, it can catch in the guides and create frustration all session.

Matching line to your rod and reel

Line doesn't sit in isolation. A good egi setup works because the rod, reel, braid and leader all complement each other.

A dedicated squid rod is generally designed around lighter braid sizes, so overfilling the spool with thick line can throw the balance off. Most 2500-sized and similar reels suit PE 0.6 to 0.8 beautifully for this style of fishing. You get enough line capacity, smooth casting and good line lay without making the outfit feel oversized.

If your rod is on the softer, more finesse side, a lighter braid will help it perform as intended. If you've got a slightly more powerful setup for rougher platforms or mixed-use lure fishing, PE 0.8 may suit the rod better. The key is keeping the whole outfit responsive rather than just strong.

So, what line for egi fishing is best for most anglers?

If you want a practical setup that covers the vast majority of squid sessions, spool up with PE 0.8 braid and tie on 8lb to 10lb fluorocarbon leader. That gives you a very good mix of sensitivity, control, casting performance and enough toughness for real-world conditions.

If you already fish calmer water, prefer a more finesse presentation or use smaller jigs a lot, PE 0.6 with 8lb leader is an excellent step lighter. If you're regularly around rougher country, stronger current or dirty weather, PE 0.8 with 10lb to 12lb leader gives a bit more margin without getting too clunky.

There isn't one magic answer that suits every angler, every jetty and every tide. But there is a clear pattern - light, quality braid matched to sensible fluorocarbon leader will outperform heavy, generic line choices almost every time.

At Reel 'N' Deal Tackle, this is the sort of setup advice that saves a lot of trial and error. Start with line that lets the jig do its job, and you'll spend less time second-guessing your gear and more time watching that next squid slide into range.

The best egi line setup is the one that keeps you in touch with the jig from splashdown to strike, because with squid, the small details are often the difference between a follow and a hook-up.