Ultimate Guide To Fishing Line

Monofilament

Monofilament is the most common type of fishing line. It is made from a single strand of nylon that is extruded into a thin line. Monofilament is cheap, easy to work with, and has good knot strength.

Monofilament has good stretch, which gives it some shock absorption. This can be an advantage when fishing around structure, as it will help to prevent break-offs. It is also less visible in water than other types of fishing line, which can be an advantage when fishing in clear water.

Monofilament has a number of disadvantages, as well. It is susceptible to UV damage, so it should be stored out of direct sunlight. It also absorbs water, which can lead to linememory. Line memory is when the line retains the shape of the spool, leading to coils and twists in the line.

When To Use:

Monofilament is a good all-around choice for most fishing situations. It is particularly well suited for fishing around structure or in clear water.

Flourocarbon

Flourocarbon is a type of fishing line that is made from a fluorocarbon polymer. It was originally developed for use in leader material, but has since become popular as a main line as well.

Flourocarbon is nearly invisible in water, making it a good choice for clear water fishing. It is also more abrasion resistant than monofilament, making it a good choice for fishing around structure.

The main disadvantage of flourocarbon is its price. It is the most expensive type of fishing line on the market. It is also more rigid than monofilament, making it more difficult to work with.

When To Use:

Flourocarbon is a good choice for fishing around structure or in clear water.

Braid

Braid is a type of fishing line that is made from multiple strands of material, typically Dyneema or Spectra. It is incredibly strong and abrasion resistant, making it a good choice for fishing around structure.

Braid has a number of disadvantages, as well. It is more visible in water than other types of fishing line, which can be a problem in clear water. It is also less forgiving than monofilament, so it is more likely to break if not used properly.

When To Use:

Braid is a good choice for fishing around structure.

Copolymer

Copolymer is a type of fishing line that is made from a blend of two different polymers. It is typically a blend of nylon and fluorocarbon.

Copolymer lines have many of the same advantages and disadvantages as monofilament and flourocarbon lines. They are more abrasion resistant than monofilament, but less so than braid. They are also more expensive than monofilament, but less so than flourocarbon.

The main advantage of copolymer over the other types of fishing line is its knot strength. Copolymer lines have very good knot strength, making them less likely to break at the knot.

When To Use:

Copolymer is a good choice for fishing around structure or in clear water.

Choosing the Right Pound Test

The pound test of your fishing line is the measurement of how much weight it can hold before breaking. The higher the pound test, the stronger the line.

The pound test you need will depend on the fish you are targeting. For smaller fish, such as panfish or trout, you can get away with a lighter pound test. For larger fish, such as bass or walleye, you will need a heavier pound test.

In general, a good rule of thumb is to use the heaviest pound test you can get away with. The heavier the pound test, the thicker the line, making it more difficult to cast. However, the added strength is worth the trade-off.

Leader Lines

A leader line is a type of fishing line that is used to connect the main line to the lure. It is typically made from a different material than the main line, and has a different breaking strength.

Leader lines are used to help prevent the fish from biting through the main line. They are also used to help prevent the fish from seeing the main line. In clear water, it is especially important to use a leader line that is invisible to the fish.

The main disadvantage of using a leader line is that it can be more difficult to cast. The added weight of the leader can make it difficult to cast long distances.

When To Use:

Leader lines should be used when fishing in clear water, or when targeting fish that are known to bite through line.

Conclusion

The type of fishing line you use should be matched to the conditions you are fishing in and the fish you are targeting. In general, monofilament is the best all-around choice. It is cheap, easy to work with, and has good stretch. For fishing around structure or in clear water, flourocarbon or copolymer lines are better choices. Braid is the strongest and most abrasion resistant, but also the most visible and difficult to work with.

When choosing the pound test for your fishing line, remember to use the heaviest you can get away with. The added strength will help you to land more fish and avoid broken lines.