After the rod, the fishing line is the most important piece of fishing equipment since it connects you to the fish. A fishing line is a long threaded material (typically nylon, silk, or wire) used to capture and reel fish using a fishing rod.
It’s what’s thrown from the rod, travels through the air, and eventually rests in the water’s depths. Every move, every tug, every drag-screaming rush passes through the line to the fisherman from hook to rod.
You’ll need a fishing line no matter how or where you’re fishing. It’s the line that links your entire rig together, whether you’re trolling for Tuna offshore or flipping for Bass in your local pond.
More significantly, you’ll require the appropriate line. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of fishing line types that are available in the market.
Contents
Different Types Of Fishing Lines List 2023:
1.) Monofilament Line
2.) Copolymer Line
3.) Fluorocarbon Line
4.) Braid Line
-
Monofilament Line
The term “monofilament” refers to a single thread. A single sheet of plastic, generally nylon, is stretched out and fitted into a narrow tube, and that’s exactly what this is. Mono has existed since the 1930s. It may not be cutting-edge, but it’s a tried-and-true “jack of all trades” that remains the most popular line.
Advantages
- Mono is less costly than other lines, stretches to accommodate shocks, resists abrasion, and has a consistently round cross-section, which helps it stay clean on the spool. Monofilament is simple to tie knots with, although it has a tendency to “memorize” the shape of the spool.
- Mono comes in a variety of colors, but transparent and blue are particularly popular since they vanish underwater and are difficult to spot by fish.
- Monofilament fishing line is one of the most common varieties of saltwater fishing line available.
Disadvantages
- For a given diameter, monofilament is not as strong as braid, hence higher pound test mono takes up more area on a spool.
- It’s also nylon, which means it degrades over time when exposed to sunshine, thus re-spooling with a new line once a year is essential.
When To Use Mono
For novices, monofilament is ideal. If you’re new to fishing, start with monofilament. It’s inexpensive, simple, and works well on all reels.
It also lessens the punishment of battling fish by maintaining line tension and smoothing out strong head jerks. When fishing at deep or for tough-mouthed species, though, switch to something different.
-
Copolymer Line
The monofilament fishing line has been enhanced using a copolymer fishing line. It’s constructed in the same fashion, but with two or more materials rather than one (usually different forms of nylon).
This allows producers to fine-tune their formula and adjust the properties of the line to specific applications.
Advantages
- It has less flexibility than mono but maintains shock resistance.
- It’s still easy to tie knots and throw, and it has even less memory.
- It’s also more abrasion-resistant and tougher than mono for its size.
Disadvantages
- Normally, the copolymer line does not float. That isn’t always a good or negative thing; it is just different.
- The only real disadvantage of the copolymer is its higher cost.
- Because it’s still made of nylon, it’ll be harmed by the sun and heat just as easily.
When To Use Copoly
“Whenever you want,” is the brief response. It works well on all reels and is ideal for deep-water techniques like jigging and suspension rigs.
There are other surface-fishing-friendly recipes available as well. There’s no reason not to upgrade to copolymer if you don’t mind spending a bit extra.
-
Fluorocarbon Line
A fluorocarbon line is created in the same way as a nanocarbon line is, but with a denser substance. It’s related to the substance that prevents your pans from sticking (Teflon) and your freezer cool (freon).
Fluoro initially became popular in the 1970s. It was only used as a leader at the time since it was stiff and difficult to manipulate. Since then, things have progressed significantly.
Fluoro is one of the different varieties of fishing lines available for freshwater, saltwater, and fly fishing. It’s completely imperceptible underwater and extremely abrasion resistant, making it the ideal braid complement.
Advantages
- The major advantage of fluorocarbon is that it is virtually undetectable underwater.
- Although it isn’t as strong as mono or copoly, it is extremely abrasion-resistant and lasts far longer than other lines.
- It can stretch, but only when put under a lot of strain. This translates to strong shock resistance without sacrificing accuracy.
Disadvantages
- If knots aren’t done correctly, they’ll fail, and the line’s high memory will cause it to twist and kink at the drop of a worm. It’s also prohibitively pricey.
- Consider it a high-end, high-performance fishing line, but you’ll need to know what you’re doing with it.
When To Use Fluoro
Fluorocarbon is a fast-sinking line, so it’s best for jigs, drop shots, and other bottom-fishing techniques. On a spinning reel, you can use a very light line, although it’s best suited to bait casters.
Its principal application, as you may have surmised, is for fishing in crystal clear water. Many people also use a few feet of fluoro as a leader to deter predators who hunt by sight, such as Pike.
-
Braided Line
Brain line is manufactured by weaving together numerous strands of Dacron, Spectra, and Dyneema polyethylenes. This results in a super-thin line capable of stopping a Swordfish in its tracks.
Advantages
- A braided line is made up of four to sixteen strands. A braid with fewer strands is more abrasion resistant, whereas a braid with more strands is thinner.
- In any case, it’s constructed to last and is by far the strongest line pound for pound. Because braid has no memory, it may flow freely without kinking.
- Because braid does not degrade in the sun, you may keep it on the spool year after year.
- It is also non-stretchy and with the trade-off of lesser shock strength, you get perfect accuracy.
Disadvantages
- Because the braid is slick, you’ll need to select knots that will hold despite the minimal friction.
- Underwater, braid sticks out like a sore thumb, is difficult to tie knots with, and can be cut off by toothy fish.
- Because it is so resistant and thin, it can bury itself in the spool and cause harm to less expensive equipment.
- It makes such a mess when it backlashes that you often have to cut it out.
- Because the braid is so strong, cutting it requires nail clippers or very sharp scissors.
- It’s also the priciest of the group.
When To Use Braid
If you’re fishing in low-visibility waters or need a lot of line on your spool, braid is the way to go. Deep jigging and precision jigging are two popular techniques.
It’s also wonderful for cutting through weeds and thick foliage because it doesn’t get tangled up in them. Braid is most commonly seen on spinning reels, although it may be used on any type of reels as long as it is of good quality.
Characteristics of Fishing Line
- Memory: Is the line on your spool hanging straight or curling up when you pull it off? That’s how memory works. As you reel in, a line with a lot of memory can kink or knot. It also interferes with your presentation and makes casting a long distance more difficult.
- Stretch: When fighting a fish, a stretchy line maintains tension better. It also lessens the impact of large head motions. Stretch, on the other hand, reduces accuracy and feedback, making it more difficult to place the hook.
- Shock Strength: Another benefit of having some stretch is that it reduces the likelihood of your line snapping under abrupt strain. This is shock or impact strength, and it prevents you from being broken off by hard-hitting fish.
- Abrasion Resistance: Have you ever been fishing and had your line cut off by rocks? You’ll need clothing that can withstand abrasion. The current line is abrasion resistant in general, although higher-end materials withstand scratches better.
- Visibility: If a fish notices your line, it may become agitated and refuse to bite. In clear water, people normally use a low-visibility line to avoid this. The colored line can also be used to match the depth and hue of the water you’re fishing in.
General Fishing Line Tips And Tricks
- If you’re fishing thick cover on a regular basis, inspect your line for nicks, wrinkles, and other flaws that might cause backlashing or poor casting.
- Always buy and have more lines on hand than you think you’ll need. You’ll very certainly discover that you go through a lot more than you thought.
- Protect your fishing line, especially the nylon line, from damaging UV rays when storing it. UV rays can degrade the line’s strength over time. If in doubt, start each season with a new spool.
- To minimize line strength loss in the knot region, use real perfected knots no matter what sort of line you’re employing.
- Try to match the type of line you’re using to the type of rod and reel you’re using.
- A fishing line is only as good as the quality of the knots used to connect your lures and bait, so be sure the knots are strong enough.
- If you’ll be casting frequently, choose smooth, light lines that come off the spool more easily, allowing you to make more precise casts over greater distances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):
Which fishing line is better, mono or fluorocarbon?
Fluorocarbon may be the preferable alternative for fishermen wishing to add strength and sensitivity to their line (especially when fishing for large fish). It will also survive longer than monofilament and be able to handle larger fish with the same line diameter.
If you use the correct sort of spinning fluorocarbon line, fluorocarbon may also perform effectively for expert spinning fishers.
Which is the most versatile fishing line?
Fluorocarbon is the most adaptable of the three most used fishing lines. It can be used for any type of fishing, even topwater, and while some may disagree, We prefer a softer/slower rod combined with a stiffer line to a stretchier line paired with a stiffer rod.
When should I use a fluorocarbon line?
It’s a great line to have on hand when you require limited visibility and a little stretch – which might be in any fishing circumstance. A fluorocarbon leader is an excellent option if you’re targeting any fish in clear water to minimize visibility and boost hook-ups.
When casting crankbaits, wacky worms, Texas rigging, or rigging for walleyes or crappies, you can use fluorocarbon.
Which type of fishing line is best?
Monofilament is the greatest versatile line. For years, it’s been an excellent all-around bass fishing line that’s also economical.
Monofilament is perfect for running shallow-diving crankbaits through wood or rocks because it has more flexibility than fluorocarbon or braid. The extra stretch in the line helps the crankbait kick off the cover easier when it hits an item.
Monofilament is particularly ideal for using with suspended stick baits since it floats, allowing the lure to stay in the striking zone for longer. Fluorocarbon absorbs water and sinks, reducing the buoyancy of the suspended bait.
Choose The Right Fishing Line
If you want to capture and reel in a fish using a fishing rod, you’ll need the assistance of a fishing line. To make it easier for you to decide, we’ve put up a list of the best fishing lines that you may use based on your preferences. The list also includes the benefits and drawbacks of the various fishing lines.