One thing I noticed while browsing through all the Black Friday tackle sales last week is that about every manufacturer of line now has an available braid, fluorocarbon and monofilament to choose from. Another thing I’ve noticed is that from the sounds of things on the various fishing forums, lots of guys still have reservations about using some of the newer types of line, largely due to cost or handling issues.
Lets take a quick review of the various line type properties, and then hear your thoughts on which line(s) you use and why.
Monofilament/Copolymer: Good old tried and true line with some newer improvements in the case of copolys. Lots of colors available. Also lots of stretch (15-30%). Breaks down with UV exposure and absorbs water. Can be formulated to be stiffer or more flexible. Density is barely heavier than water (1.1 vs 1.0) making it almost neutrally buoyant. Higher refractive index than water (1.58 vs. 1.33) makes it supposedly easier for fish to see than fluoro. Easy and accepting of knots. Very affordable.
Fluorocarbon: Newer kid on the block. Pretty much available only in “clear” color. Stretches about the same as mono (15-30%) though some argue differently and advertisers/pros continue to state low stretch. Very UV resistant and absorbs almost no water (<0.04%). Fairly stiff line and doesn’t handle as easily on spinning gear especially. Density is greater than water (1.78 vs. 1.0) and so easily sinks, plus the added benefit of good “bite” transmission, even on slack line. Lower refractive index (1.42) means supposedly less visible to fish, and an advantage in very clear water or on highly pressured fish. Doesn’t play well with some knots, and doesn’t like being backlashed or bent hard. Fairly pricey.
Braid/Superlines: Braided “Dacron” has been around forever, but newer Dyneema and Spectra versions are what’s hot. Some even now have Gore fiber introduction. Good array of color selection, though nothing truly resembling “clear”. Good UV exposure and little to no water absorption. Very easy handling except in cases of abrasion resistant coatings. Plays well with spinning reels. Lighter than water (0.97 vs. 1.0) so it floats. Opaque, so it is arguably the most visible line to fish in most situations. Very low stretch (2-4%) for rock solid hooksets. Is somewhat knot specific. Great tight line feel but poor when slack. Very low diameter for rated strength. Regular braids are much more expensive than mono, and specialty versions now coming out are even pricier, but still similar to fluorocarbon on a pennies per yard basis.
If all the recommendations and analysis of professional bass anglers is a clue, it looks like fluorocarbon is the most widely used line on tour now for most applications. Mono has been relegated to the back shelf, yet it’s still very popular among some anglers due to cost and familiarity. Braid is a given for things like frog fishing and flipping heavy vegetation, but not many people seem to have made the move to all braid, either with or without a mono/fluoro leader.
So what did your line selection look like this year? Anybody still use mono for anything? Have you made the move to all braid? Is there one of the three you just won’t use at all for some reason? Is the higher cost of fluoros and superlines worth it to you?
Let’s hear some thoughts…
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Chad Keogh
December 5, 2011 at 8:03 am
When I first started fishing, a few decades ago, all there was where I lived was Stren. I used it because that’s all there was.
I still remember the day that my local tackle shop got this new stuff called Trilene. I grabbed a box of “my usual” and the same pound test of Trilene. The Trilene was about half the diameter and A LOT limper. Used my allowance to get a spool.
Used Trilene until Spiderwire made it to the tackleshop many years later. Then I switched to that. I liked it, but hated it at the same time. I liked the thin, limp, super strong line, but it was TOO limp. I was fishing only with spinning rods back then, and when it was windy the line would wrap around the tip guide constantly.
Shortly after that I started fishing tournaments. I switched to Mustad line since I had them as a hook sponsor. Spooled all my rods (spinning/casting) with UL Max. A great all-round mono/copolymer.
Then fluorocarbon started getting popular, so I used it as leader material. Then Trilene 100% fluorocarbon hit the scene and I now use it as my baitcaster mainline, and as leader material on my spinning rods.
Though it’s virtually impossilbe to find UL Max anymore, I still am using my original bulk spools. Not sure what I’ll switch to when they run out. Maybe Sensation if it still exists by then.
I should clarify that I fish 99% smallmouth, so braid for the thick stuff is not in my arsenal since it is not needed.
Ken Cook
December 5, 2011 at 8:55 am
You forgot Berkley’s newest, Nanofil. A new line type that is superior in many ways to braid, or flouro. Designed for Spinning reels, it is truly amazing. Small diameter, just the right amount of “body” and super strong. Expensive, yes, but it seems to last a very long time.
Brian
December 6, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Ken: I’ve got NanoFil spooled on two reels right now and have literally caught hundreds (and hundreds) of both bass and crappie. Been using it since just before it came out around June – really like it myself. I group it in with “Superlines” since it is still a Dyneema-based product, though not a braid.
Rich Arnold
December 5, 2011 at 12:22 pm
After this past season, I am making a few changes. I was using braid as a main line on my carolina rig with a flourocarbon leader. That is scrapped. Going with 20lb floro (seaguar) main line and 15 lb mono (sunline). I am cranking with 14lb Sunline mean green shooter floro and flipin and pitchin plastic with 16 lb Sunline sniper floro. Top water (open water) is still 12lb Sunline mono and the grass mats will get 40lb braid (Seaguar Kanzen). I am torn on the fairy wand. I have been using 8-10lb Floro (seaguar Red Label), but it isn’t working despite frequent line changes. I am hesitant to go with a braid because of visibility. I may experiment with some copoly lines that are more supple.
Randy S, Breth
December 5, 2011 at 9:05 pm
I went to superlines (braid or fused) either straight or with a leader years ago.
I would fight rather than go back to mono on spinning gear.
Kevin R
December 6, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Switched to mainly flurocarbon (Vicious 12 & 15, mostly) two seasons ago, although i still have one rod rigged with 14# Vicious mono for top waters poppers and chuggers…using 50# Vicious braid for flipping & pitching and 15# braid on my spinning reels. I usually use a fluoro leader with my braid, with line size dependent on structure and water clarity. Out of curiosity, on wihat do you base your statement regarding fluorocarbon line stretch?
Brian
December 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Kevin: The most widely referenced stretch analysis comes from a pair of Tackle Tour tests including (http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbon2.html), but there have been numerous other individual tests carried out by individuals and posted across various Internet fishing forums. A Google search for the topic will reveal several others.
MattBass
March 10, 2012 at 11:20 am
Hey Brian,
GREAT review article!
I’m in Marketing, so I know that the pro’s hafta shill for the sponsors. I understand that. But, a lot of what they promote about Flouro really is a load of bull-butter.
Personally, I use braid for (almost) all bait-casting (various brands & colors). I really like the limited stretch and extremely small diameter.
(I’d like to see some factual research on line diameter [braid vs Flouro – same test weight] on crank-bait depth. I’d be willing to bet that 20 lb braid can get as deep or deeper than 20 lb Flouro on a “normal cast”…!)
Spinning is equally split between Trilene XL and braid – headed to Nanofil next – I’ll try a spool on my new rig.
Having said THAT, I do use Flouro leaders on the braid (not the mono) if the water is extremely clear – but, only for slow presentations like worms or jigs – not for cranks, spinners, or top-waters.
The only reason I prefer Flouro over Mono for leaders: it has no memory – no loops or coils.
Micropterously yours,
mlg
Chad Keogh
December 9, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Just received a spool of Berkley Nanofil line (150 yards of 8 lb test, 0.006 diameter). The one thing I like about it is that it is a lot thinner diameter than my UL MAX 8 lb test line (0.010).
However, I don’t like that it is white. They call it “Clear Mist”, whereas I think they just “clearly missed” the point that line should be stealthy. I can only assume that they intend for you to use a fluorocarbon leader and then it doesn’t matter what colour the main line is.
I’ll try it out anyway, but not sure how long I’ll give it without a leader before I tie one on.
Chad