As a fisherman, there is a good chance that you have choices to make regarding your fishing line? Perhaps you have difficulties, your lines breaking while you were reeling a catch or casting your favorite lure. Having a faulty fishing line may not be the whole reason.
These events may reinforce the fact that you need to change your fishing line or use the wrong type. The question now is – What fishing line to use?
Like the lure and rod and reel, fishing lines are one of the components necessary for any angler’s success. It doesn’t matter if you’re catching bluegill from the bank, flipping bass out of thick grass, or trolling offshore for sailfish. You need the excellent quality and right type of line to land fish and have a hassle-free time.
With hundreds of different fishing lines on the market, what types, what sizes, what diameters should you use? It’s about the most difficult choice for most anglers.
So we were going to break down all the different fishing lines reasonably according to their uses, faults, and certain types of fishing best suited for each style.
Identifying the target species, fishing style, habitat, lures, and baits, and the angler’s skill all have a bearing in choosing the best line for the job.
From trolling spoons for oversized pike and steelhead; to deep jigging lead heads for walleyes and smallmouths; to working topwater frogs or spinner-baits for bass; there’s a specific kind of line to help anglers get the best results.
There are four significant types of fishing lines on the market today that matter for all practical purposes. Each has its pros (strengths) and cons (weaknesses), and anglers love each type.
99.9% of the anglers, when starting, only understand the difference in the packaging and color of the line. Braid, fluorocarbon, and monofilament mean nothing to them. We want to share what the pros already know about the fishing line and how they choose the different types. Share the cons no one wants to talk about and the pros of why you should be using it. You will know the perfect fishing line to use when selecting your favorite lure. Additionally, plan on fighting your favorite fish species by article end.
All Fishing Lines have Personalities
Before we start suggesting different products on the market, there are a few personalities of each line to go over. Later in the article, this will help you understand why one line might be not as good as another in your current situation.
Abrasion Proof:
Ever have a fish cut the line with his teeth? Maybe your favorite fishing spot has lots of rocks, and you get cut off all the time? Having a line that is more abrasion-resistant will help. Or, more importantly, make sure you are not using a fishing line that is not abrasion-resistant.
Buoyancy:
This is how your line floats in the water or how quickly it may sink. Different situations are going to call for a specific fishing line. The more buoyant the line is, the better it will work for topwater lures. Lik that sinking provides a better feel of the fishing lure or bite of a fish. It also helps with the hooking of fish in some cases.
Memory:
This happens to some types of lines when it gets old or is stored in the sunlight. When you cast, and your line lies in the water, is it straight or curled up? That’s memory. A fishing line with lots of memory will also get kinks or knots as you reel cast and retrieve. The biggest problem that occurs from the fishing line with lots of memory is losing all your casting distance.
Strength:
It comes in all types and forms of fishing line. Strength should not be only the breaking point. The most critical factor to consider regarding power is the diameter of the fishing line. Not all fishing lines are equally treated when looking just at diameter vs. strength. There is a time when stability is more important than the diameter, and the diameter is more important than power.
Stretch:
Is the distance the line with giving before breaking.The stretchy line is vital for certain fish and lures. In some cases, it helps with fighting a fish; other times, like with crankbaits, it gives the fish time to inhale the bait before you can react. Typically, the stretchy line also provides less sensitivity to the lure and bite of a fish.
Visibility
: This should be a given; fish can see line color. The fishing line’s specific colors work better in different color water, other fishing techniques, and various fish species. Spooking of fish because of line color is one of the number of mistakes beginners make in choosing a line.
Okay, now that we understand the fishing line’s personalities, let’s deep dive into the types of lines on the market today!
Monofilament: The Old Reliable
Since I can remember, monofilament has been the standard line for catching bluegill or Blue Marlin worldwide. Even today, the retail stores are full of inexpensive fishing lines, which is monofilament. It’s an excellent value for anglers; it works, catches fish, and casts well initially. It can be used on any style fishing reel, is easy to work with, and has good knot strength.
Pros of Monofilament
Monofilament is known for its reliability. It stretches under pressure; it’s durable and forgiving in the same breathe. The bulk of the fish landed in the world happen on monofilament. Some Monos are a bit stretchy; they still provide a right hook to drive hooks deep in to fish. Unlike its sister line fluorocarbon, monofilament is more forgiving and softer. It is helping with abrasions from rocks, fish teeth, and others. Think of mono as the old reliable; when you need a line you can rely on for almost all fishing forms, she won’t let you down.
Because it’s softer and more flexible than fluorocarbon, knots tie easier with mono, and cutting the line with almost anything, including your teeth, works for a Mono connection. Monofilament is exceptional for line sizes smaller than 12 pounds. It’s easy to cast lighter lures and adaptable for any terminal tackle, such as snaps, hooks, sinkers, bobbers, and swivels.
Cons of Monofilament
Monofilament is the line with the most stretch. It can be a fault or an asset for anglers. It provides less sensitivity than the fluorocarbon line, which can lead to anglers’ loss of fish as some anglers have difficulty detecting light strikes. Stretch also requires anglers to set the hook harder to drive deeply into the fish’s mouth.
The monofilament fishing line’s main fault is the memory, which creates loops, knocks, and twists, causing multiple casting issues. Monofilament can be especially tricky with lures that spin the line, like that happens when trolling. Twisting is caused by not adequately using leaders and swivels to decrease line twists.
How And Why Anglers Use Mono
There are many monofilament applications, and since it’s been around for decades, many top anglers are committed to it, like a veteran fishing guide, Capt John Leech, of Kissimmee, Florida.
“I use Trilene XL monofilament line the most it’s what I feel like I get the most bites on,” he says. “Yes, still use braid and fluorocarbon with no-fault, braid has many advantages in thick covers, such as no stretch, incredible strength, solid hooksets, lots more sensitivity, longer life spam on the reel. And use monofilament because it works on sunny days, cloudy days, and all days in between. I have just always had confidence in it, so if it’s not broken, why change.”
Capt John also commented that monofilament is much cheap when your fishing every day as he does. It’s smooth, and it makes it easier to tie knots quickly.
Florida fishing guide Capt Al out of new Smyrna Beach uses limp monofilament leaders when he uses live bait, especially when bobber fishing with a slip-float rig.
For Saltwater fishing trout and redfish, it mostly uses monofilament.
“Being able to see my line is important so a hi-vis Mono is a majority what I use. And so fish won’t see or shy from it, I always employ a fluorocarbon leader.” My preferred monofilament is Berkley Trilene Big Game for trout and redfish; both are smooth casting.
Copolymer: A Basic Improvement
Attempt to make improvements to monofilament; the industry created a copolymer fishing line. It’s a newer version of the version of monofilament, with slite changes. They embedded a different cord of nylon, making it two or stains of material instead of one. This process strengths the line reduces stretch and, more importantly, provides manufacturers access to create a unique recipe and customize the line’s characteristics to specific types of fishing.
Pros of Copolymer
You wonder when you go to the store and see so many different fishing lines and ask, why? The copolymer is responsible, as the manufacturing process allows quickly unique signatures of a new line into the market. The manufacturers can mimic existing lines and make slight changes so they can say it’s better and different”? In general, its a lower stretch than monofilament but carries less memory. All while maintaining shock strength, improved casting, and knot strengths. It’s also more abrasion-proof, all while adding increased stability to the line.
Cons of Copolymer
A unique difference between monofilament and copolymer is it doesn’t float very well. While it is still nylon-based, the core to monofilament can still heat up and get sunlight damage from the UV rays. The big loser is the angler; with all the technology changes to monofilament to create copolymer, it has made the price considerably more expensive. You have to decide if the difference is of value to you.
How And Why Anglers Use Copolymer
There are many specific applications for copolymer that lead Captain Troy Wells of FortLauderdaleFishing.com uses in his day-to-day operation.
“I use copolymer line on most all reel types, and I love it for deep-water tactics like jigging and suspension rigs. It’s what we get the most fish on,” he says.” I don’t mind paying a little more; there’s no reason not to. We land more fish; you can’t convince me otherwise.”
The Ever So Popular Braided Line
Braided line has boomed in popularity in recent years due to comparatively new improvements that have resulted in high abrasion resistance, excellent diameter per test, superb casting characteristics, and extended life use. Perhaps braid’s biggest asset is that it has virtually no stretch; thus, it’s exceptional sensitivity. It makes it a top choice for deep water and heavy cover fishing and “feeling” the slightest bite from fish. However, no stretch can be detrimental if anglers overplay fish, pulling out or straightening hooks, resulting in a loss.
Pros of Braided Line
Its strength, clearly the #1 feature of the braid. Secondly, it would be the diameter, especially in the big sizes like 15, 30, 50, and 80 pounds. In very light tests, let’s say, under 10 pounds, it is extremely sensitive and still super strong. Most people use it for its casting distance, which outperforms all of its counterparts. The addition of adding a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader provides an exceptional advantage over the fish.
Cons of Braided Line
It’s the most expensive, more than monofilament, copolymer, fluorocarbon, and it can be tricky; even wind knots can tie in a ball of waste. It can be much harder to tie knots; if the proper knot is not connected, the braid tends to slip. Many stand monofilament knots that work great, such as the Clinch Knot and Blood Knot, do not hold well with braided lines. Not necessarily a negative, unless you don’t have them. With braid, it requires a pair of clippers or scissors to retie.
How And Why Anglers Use Braid
Well, respected multi-species angler and Lake Erie fishing guide Capt Mark Rose out of Erie, PA uses braid for finesse applications deep jigging for big smallmouth. “I use Berkley X9 braid attached to a fluorocarbon leader for most deep and clear water fishing applications I do.” Capt Mark says explicitly, “for drop shot fishing in the clear waters of the Northeast, I use 6- or 8-pound braid with an 8 to 10pound fluorocarbon leader.”
Mark adds that one of the primary reasons he uses braided lines is that it increases his customer’s sense of “feel” when fishing deep water. He says the benefits of supper thin diameter and lack of stretch are unbeatable.
Capt Tom Goodrick, Lake Erie Walleye expert, says, “braided line is his first choice when running moving baits to set hooks in fish like pike and walleye. Crankbait trolling for walleyes and other species is perfect for braid because I can ‘clear’ a lure of debris without reeling the bait back to the boat. Deep jigging with hyper-sensitive, no-stretch braided line makes for controlled solid hook-sets by customers.”
Fluorocarbon
The fluorocarbon fishing line is a relatively new product compared to its counterparts that have been around forever and improved dramatically over the years. Its price had also come down considerably from when it was introduced into the marketplace.
Pros of Fluorocarbon
Visibly almost identical in design to monofilament in that it’s round and feels very similar. It’s virtually invisible, ultra-clear underwater because light passes through it. For this reason, anglers can use fluorocarbon in heavier pound tests than monofilament and copolymer lines that are more visible.
While fluorocarbon does stretch, it has much less bonce than monofilament, although it feels more elastic than braided line. It’s built with a hard casing, so it’s more rigid and more resistant to abrasion. Fluorocarbon is known as a stiffer line than all its counterparts, and it is. But technology and development have made many improvements in recent years. Cleary excepted by new era of anglers, fluorocarbon is quickly gaining lots of endorsements from top anglers.
Cons of Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon, because of its density, sinks faster than monofilament. So for topwater lures, it’s not the best choice of line. The bigger continued to complain from the weekend angler is the difficulty of tieing knots due to additional stiffness. It is most critical to wet your line when tying with fluorocarbon to help the line slip and tighten the knot.
How And Why Anglers Use Fluorocarbon Line
“Berkley FLUOROSHIELD Fluorocarbon has become my number one all-purpose line,” says Capt Mark Shepard. “It’s durable and castable on bait-casters while still maintaining lots of abrasion resistance. I mainly use it because it’s the most transparent line of all that is manufactured. That means it’s the closest to transparent of anything other than water.
Shepard says he uses it almost exclusively for throwing his WOW Factor Crankbaits. “It’s stronger than monofilament and abrasion-resistant, and fluorocarbon helps a bunch.” everything else.
In closing
Most anglers know that they have to change their fishing line regularly. However, most only do so when something happens to remind them of this. Choosing the correct one based on conditions and species will change how you fish and the results!
Different Types of Fishing Line
Technologically advanced fishing lines are designed for specific types of fishing. Braided line is great for bottom fishing. Monofilament is best for big fish. Fluorocarbon makes the best leader material. And that’s just the beginning.
Untangling the different types of fishing line will answer the question: what is the best type of fishing line? Do you need sensitivity? Do you need stretch? Are you looking for a low-visibility line? In this section, you will find different types of fishing line explained.
The first modern fishing line was monofilament. Looking for ways to use their new synthetic fiber nylon, engineers at DuPont extruded a thin and strong fishing line. But what is monofilament fishing line? Like the name says, monofilament is a single (mono) strand (filament) of nylon material.
Today, there are many brands and models of monofilament, but they all offer the same qualities. Unlike braided line, monofilament stretches to absorb impact. For this reason, anglers who troll for big fish like to use monofilament to take the shock of a hard strike. Mono is also great for topwater lures and jerkbaits, which also elicit a hard strike and hook set. Moreover, monofilament also has higher knot strength than fluorocarbon for more secure connections.
For many anglers, the most important feature of monofilament is cost. Mono fishing line is generally less expensive than fluoro or braided line. Some anglers fill their reel three-quarters full with mono then add a top shot of braid or fluorocarbon. Anglers also like monofilament because it is easier to untangle, making it a good choice when fishing with more than one rod.
SHOP MONOFILAMENT LINE ON AMAZON
After comparing the price of a spool of fluorocarbon and a spool of monofilament, you may ask what is the benefit of fluorocarbon fishing line? While fluoro and mono look the same, there are significant differences that make fluorocarbon worth the money. Like monofilament, fluorocarbon is a single polymer of material. However, unlike nylon monofilament, fluorocarbon is chemically designed to be stiffer, stronger and less visible under water.
So, is monofilament or fluorocarbon better? Because fluorocarbon is stiffer, more abrasion resistant and nearly invisible underwater, it is better for leader material added between the hook and the mainline. Since fluoro is more sensitive than mono, some anglers use flourocarbon as a mainline for finesse fishing jigs and other methods that require a light touch.
Fluoro used for leader material is stiffer and tougher than fluorocarbon lines used to fill a reel. Fluorocarbon is heavier than monofilament, so it sinks faster. Since the raw material has a similar light refraction to water, fluoro is more difficult for fish to see. When the water is clear and the fishing is tough, many times using fluorocarbon will be the only way to fool the fish.
SHOP FLUOROCARBON LINE ON AMAZON
The most recent advancement in fishing line combines different types of nylon to make a copolymer line. But what is copolymer fishing line? As you can probably guess, copolymer fishing line uses two different types of material in one fishing line. Usually, the line features a stiffer, abrasion resistant coating over a softer core material. This allows the line to cast well and take a beating.
Because copolymers are stronger than a single polymer, they can also be thinner than monofilament. At the same time, copolymers are softer than fluorocarbon with similar abrasion resistance. Copolymer lines are great for anglers looking for a line that doesn’t sink, is highly sensitive and strong. Also, copolymers have less line memory than mono, so copolymers don’t tangle as easily.
SHOP COPOLYMER LINE ON AMAZON
Braided fishing line is one of the greatest advancements in fishing technology. It doesn’t look or perform like monofilament or fluorocarbon, so anglers often wonder about the benefits of braided fishing line.
Unlike monofilament’s single strand of nylon, braided fishing line takes multiple strands of Dyneema or Spectra fiber and weaves them together. The result is a super strong, stiff and thin fishing line that has revolutionized fishing tackle and tactics. Because of braided fishing line, anglers are able to catch giant fish on vertical jigs, wrestle a trophy catch out of heavy vegetation and cast extra distance to skittish shallow-water phantoms. Due to braid’s qualities, tackle manufacturers have had to develop rods and reels that are tougher and more sensitive.
Braided line is thinner than monofilament or fluorocarbon. For example 20-pound braided line will have the same diameter as eight-pound monofilament. This allows braided line to pass through the water easier, making it possible to drop a lure or bait with less weight. Braid has no line memory and the thin diameter reduces wind resistance, allowing braided line to cast farther. Also, braid is more sensitive, so you can feel a light bite or changes in bottom structure.
Braided line comes in a variety of weave patterns using four or eight strands of fiber. Eight-carrier lines are softer and easier to cast while four-carrier lines are more abrasion resistant. Anglers love braided line when they need the ultimate sensitivity and strength with great deep-water performance.
SHOP BRAIDED LINE ON AMAZON
Different Colors of Fishing Line
Fishing line comes in a rainbow of colors for a wide variety of uses, but does the color of your fishing line really matter? The answer: yes. Clear fishing line is best for sharp-eyed fish in clear water like king mackerel, tarpon or bass. High-visibility fishing lines are great for bait fishing and trolling where the angler has to keep an eye on the line to detect a bite and prevent tangles.
Braided fishing lines come in color-coded models that change color pattern every 30 feet so anglers can monitor he depth of their lure. If the fish are hanging 300 feet below the boat, the angler drops the jig and watches watch the line color change ten times to know his lure has reached the right depth. Camo fishing lines feature mottled color patterns to break up the profile of the line in stained or dirty water.
Yellow fishing line is great for trolling or bait fishing when you have multiple lines to manage. Yellow, orange, blue and bright green are easier to see in bright sunshine or at night. Many colored lines refract light to almost glow in the sun. It is often best to fill the reel with high-vis fishing line, then add a leader of clear monofilament or fluorocarbon between the mainline and the lure.
Bass have good eyesight, so low-visibility or clear line is best. Braided line in dark green, brown or black is a good choice for fishing in heavy vegetation or using deep-diving lures. Fluorocarbon line has become popular with finesse anglers who are working a small lure super slowly. Clear monofilament is a popular choice for all-around fishing and it can be tied directly to the lure or hook.
Trout have sharp eyes and live in clear water. Anglers targeting trout favor clear lines or fluorocarbon. Use the lightest line possible and the least amount of weight. It takes a light touch to fool a trout.
Type of Line for Different Fish
To fish for mountain trout, anglers use the lightest, clearest fishing line. Brook trout, rainbows and browns have incredible eyesight, and these species often live in clear water. Trout anglers are advised to use eight-pound test clear monofilament. Monofilament will allow the lure or bait to have the most action as it drifts in the current. Mono is also abrasion resistant to survive the rocks and deadfalls where trout run to hide.
The average tournament bass angler carries dozens of fishing rods on his boat. A kayak angler may only be able to use four or five rods in a day. Each rod will usually have a different type of line for a specific tactic or lure. Bass anglers use braided fishing line for fishing is heavy vegetation where the line can cut through grass or reeds. Fluorocarbon is best when using finesse lures to entice a bass. Since it floats, monofilament is popular for topwater lures. Many anglers use mono because it is easier to untangle and less expensive to replace.
Line to Use on Different Reels
Any type of fishing line will work on a baitcasting reel. Many anglers use monofilament because it is easier to cast and untangle. Monofilament has memory, meaning it retains its shape when bent. It is also stiffer than braided line, so it is possible to pick out a tangle caused by an overrun. Still, experienced anglers will use braided line on a baitcasting reel when they are looking for the best sensitivity and longest casting distance.
Fishing Line Weight Guide
Fishing line comes in weights from two-pound test to 500. Two-pound test is the diameter of a human hair and used for light lures and little fish. 500-pound test will stop a sea monster. While all manufacturers label their line with the breaking strength in “lb test” or pound-test, not all lines are created equal. There are variations in diameter and performance that can affect how the line breaks. To help pick the perfect weight line for your fishing, we’ve included the guide to fishing line weight.
To figure out what pound fishing line you need, the general rule is to use the lightest line that won’t break under the weight of the average fish you will target. Lighter line will cast farther and perform better than a heavier pound test, and many anglers consider it more sporting to battle a big fish on light line.
While two-pound test might be good for fishing tiny jigs for panfish, a hundred pound fish can be beat on 20-pound test. The trick to beating a big fish on light line is set the reel drag to one-third the breaking strength of the line and work the fish until it tires. Most fishing rods and reels are rated for line test, so use 20-pound line on a 20-pound combo.
Sometimes anglers will use heavier line in heavy structure, where they have to control the fish with heavy drag. And bass anglers like to use 50-pound braid so they can rip the fish out of the water and into the boat. So, choosing the right weight fishing line depends on the fish and the fishing conditions. For general fishing, 10-pound line and 15-pound leader will catch a variety of fish in freshwater and salt.
For most applications, anglers will want to use 10- to 15-pound line for bass. To fish a variety of lures, many anglers choose 10-pound braided line with a 12-inch leader of 20-pound fluorocarbon.
Some tactics require heavier line. For example, anglers fishing in heavy cover will use 50-pound braided line. Thin and strong, braided line cuts through vegetation like a knife. And, braid is more abrasion resistant for fishing in wood and rocks. Since 50-pound braided line has the same diameter as 10-pound monofilament, anglers don’t lose casting distance or lure performance with a heavier line.
The latest trend in fishing line is using new, better-performing fluorocarbon as a mainline for finesse fishing. In fact, fluorocarbon is more sensitive than monofilament and nearly invisible, making it perfect for fishing light lures with a light touch.
Fishing line strength is measured in pounds of pressure required to break the line. To test breaking strength, a special machine stretches the line until it breaks. The machine measures the pounds of pressure required to break the line.
The breaking strength is labeled pound test or lb on the package. For example, line that breaks with 20 pound of pressure are labeled 20-lb. Line is also measured in diameter. For the best casting performance and action, use the line with the thinnest diameter.
Fishing Line Brands
Making fishing line is a complex process requiring complicated chemistry and mechanics. The best fishing line maintains breaking strength evenly. It is also abrasion resistant and bends easily. Braided lines require a tight, even weave of the individual strands of fiber. The best braids are round, not flat. There is also variation in fluorocarbons. Look for line that is not milky or stiff for the best performance. Below are our favorite sources of monofilament, flourocarbon and braid.
Other Questions About Fishing Line
Fishing line is your most important connection to the fish, so it should be cared for carefully. Over time, heavy use and the elements damage fishing line. Monofilament fishing line should be replaced each season. Fluorocarbon is affected by UV light, which reduces its invisibility and strength. Replace fluorocarbon leaders after each fishing trip.
Braided line is tougher than monofilament or fluorocarbon and will last for years. Monitor the braided line for abrasion and changes in color. A good protocol is to cut back a few feet of the mainline and replace leaders after each fishing trip.
Tangled fishing line is unavoidable, but you can prevent the worst with a few simple techniques. To start, if the line is not spooled on the reel correctly it will be more prone to tangle.
To keep the line from twisting, make sure the line is leaving the spool the same direction it is going on the reel. Tie the line to the reel spool and turn the handle to start winding line. After a few seconds, stop cranking. If the line twists into loops, flip the line spool and continue adding line. Stop adding line an eighth of an inch from the lip of the spool. If you overfill a spinning reel, the line will twist and cause a wind knot. Overfilling a baitcasting reel will cause an overrun and a backlash.
When your fishing line tangles, the first step is keep the line loose. Slowly and carefully start picking apart the tangle. Once the tangle is loose, start unweaving the line. For bad tangles, remove the fishing lures, terminal tackle and hooks.
Loose fishing line is a primary cause of tangles. It is especially important to keep braided line tight on the reel. As you crank the line on the reel, pinch the line with your thumb and pointer finger to add tension. Loose fishing line will bunch up on the reel and dig into itself.
Curls in the fishing line are caused by twisting the line. Eventually, these curls can cause a massive tangle. To avoid curly line, be sure the line is added to the reel correctly. If you are fishing with a spoon or another type of lure that twists, add a small swivel to the line to absorb the twists.
If your line gets twisted, paddle the kayak in a straight line while releasing the line from the reel. When 50 to 100 feet of line is trailing behind the boat, wind it back on the reel while applying pressure to the line with your fingers.
Fishing line can be recycled into many products. Since line has to be periodically replaced, it is best to take used fishing line to a recycle center. Many launch ramps, fishing piers and tackle shops have receptacles to drop off old fishing line.
Choosing the right fishing line will improve your chances of landing a trophy fish. | Feature photo: Jay Erickson/Flickr
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