What About Fishing Line - Which Do I Use!
MonofilamentMonofilament line is the most popular kind of fishing line. It accounts for more than two-thirds of all fishing lines sold. Monofilament is made by melting and mixing polymers and feeding the end product through tiny holes, forming the line, which is then spun into spools of various thicknesses. This process is relatively inexpensive, producing a less costly product. That is the main reason monos are so popular. It also comes in different colors- white, green, blue, clear, and fluorescent. It can be used on spinning reels, spincasting reels, and baitcasting reels. Also if you fish at night, as I do, you need the fluorescent mono to show up under a blacklight. On the downside, monofilament can weaken when exposed to heat and sun. Monofilament stored in a spool for a long time is likely to come off the fishing reel in coils or loops. It is advisable that this type of fishing line should be changed at least after every season or more depending on how often it is used. Monofilament line stretches, which can be bad or good. Stretch makes line more forgiving when a big fish makes a strong run, but it also makes it harder to set the hook. The amount of stretch can be controlled by the additives but all monofilament will stretch some. FluorocarbonThis fishing line is made from polymer of fluorine bonded to carbon. This super line has several advantages over the others. This line
One application for fluorocarbon line is to use it as leader material. Invisible line on a Carolina rig, when probing deep structure for finicky, lethargic bass, is a great plus and will most likely get many more fish in the boat as a result. Fluorocarbon line has its own distinctive handling characteristics, different from monofiliment, and is more dificult to handle. Using it only for the leader eliminates this problem. Another tactic that makes great use of the good characteristics of fluorocarbon fishing line is drop shotting. This new way of presenting a soft plastic bait, can make great use of the invisible line. For those of you who know what the drop shot rig is and what it looks like, imagine the worm appearing to literally hover in place, no line leading to or away from the bait. What a way to improve your strikes! Braided LineThere are three complaints I hear about braided lines. First, the line buries into the reel at the hook-set. Second, is that reels backlash more
Because of the way the braided fishing line is made and its relative strength, there is little or no stretch in the line. While this gives better sensitivity to the angler, it is the number one reason for missed fish. It will cause an angler to rip the hook out of a fish's mouth if care isn't taken. Braids are very strong, yet very thin lines. Part of the sales pitch for them is that a braided line will be "20 pound test with the diameter of 6-pound test." This is one factor that causes problems. Because the line is twenty-pound test, lots of anglers will set their drags heavier. The thinner a line is, the more likely it is to bury into the reel spool on a heavy drag set. So a lighter drag will help stop the burying line issue. On a hookset with a tighter drag, braided line tends to bury itself in the spool. That buried line will not show itself until the next cast or two. Once a fish is caught, the buried line is hidden down in the spool. When a cast is made and the line leaving the spool reaches that buried spot, the mother of all backlashes usually occurs which allows the angler to sit down, pick line and mumble about braided line for a while. Backlashes with braided line can be avoided by preventing the line from burying into the spool. And preventing that buried line can be as simple as backing off on that drag! With a braid, a hookset under the same drag and rod conditions as monofilament can actually tear right through the lip of a fish, leaving the angler wondering why he can't seem to hook a fish. The truth is he is hooking a fish, but all the power of his hookset on a line that does not stretch is ripping the hook out of the fish, either at the hookset or halfway through the fight. Since the braid can't stretch and give, you must provide that stretch and give with some other part of your equipment. The answer lies both in the drag setting on the reel and in the type of rod you use. It's as simple as that. On the plus side, braided line has no memory. Unlike monofilament line, it remains limp and supple over time allowing it to cast easier and farther. Just get a rod with a little give and set your drag correctly. Then enjoy the best aspects of braided line. SummaryNo single type of fishing line is perfect for all fishing conditions. To choose the best line, consider the size of fish being targeted, the type of water being fished, and the type of tackle being used. Then consider all the qualities needed in a good line for those situations. Spend time studying each line and its characteristics so you will have the best chance to improve your catch rate. And catching more fish is what its all about!
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comes the closest to the refractive index of water so it is virtually invisible under water. The invisibility is needed in clear waters. One thing I have found is that the sun's ultraviolet rays do not affect this line so it will last longer. Fluorocarbon line has ultra low stretch which improves sensitivity and gives you great hooksets. This line doesn’t float and allows your lures or bait to fall faster and deeper quicker. It doesn’t absorb water like monofilament and this makes it much stronger. Finesse fishing is really where this line comes into it’s own. Instead of having to cut down on line size, many anglers just change to fluorocarbon.
often. And third, is that fish tend to come off the hook before getting them to the boat, or that they simply can't seem to hook the fish. Fortunately, there is a simple fix for each of these problems.
