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Everything is perfect when it is used for the right purpose, in suitable condition, and with the right tools and equipment so is the same case for fishing. Having a perfect location, rod, reel, and most important the suitable types of fishing line all indicates perfect fishing.
There are different fishing lines categories each with different qualities, styles, strengths, lengths, and materials. Although after many successful or failed attempts professional anglers become aware of the key differences among lines but always a tricky part for beginners to select a suitable line when different brands offer different types of fishing lines.
Before moving to types of lines let you know what fishing line is and what it does.
Fihsing Line
A thin, long string that serves as a connection between an angler and a fish, it is a long thread usually made from nylon and now Dacron or Spectra is also used. A hook is attached at the end of the line for catching fish with a fishing rod and a reel. Different lines have different strengths, materials, weights, thickness, UV resistance capability, stretch, and abrasion-resistant properties.
Most anglers focus on the breaking strength, knot strength, castability, and line being abrasion-resistant when selecting a fishing line so you can also consider these factors.
Types of Fishing Line
FEATURES
One of the classic and widely trusted types of fishing line among anglers is monofilament or mono. The line is made up of nylon or a mixture of other plastics melted down to give a single strand, single thread look. The monofilament line has greater stretch leading to greater shock strength means it wouldn’t snap under pressure when catching a big fish, this stretch also adds flexibility to the line. It remains untwisted and spools back very neatly.
Moreover, monofilament lines are abrasion-resistant and able to withstand rubbing and friction. The best part about this line is the ease of use, it’s easy to tie knots quickly making it the best choice for newbies, it also comes in a variety of colors even available in clear that would be invisible to fish and saved from a fish bite.
The very first reason for its popularity is the cheap price many anglers still use it even though many types of fishing lines with more strength and stretching power are now launched. Secondly, is an all-rounder line, being abrasion-resistant works well in rocky areas, cast light lures, casts smoothly, and is available in multiple colors.
But, there are some downsides to monofilament line type that the line twists which is a nightmare for anglers moreover this line type gets affected by UV rays, its quality degrades due to sunlight so you should often replace it with a new one and should have a backup line with you.
Monofilament line has a thick diameter as compared to other types of fishing lines resulting in less line spooling.
The stretch in the mono may be probe for many as it causes loss of lure feel.
However, anglers still believe that monofilament can be their best fishing line even under pressure as a result monofilament is one of the most popular types of the fishing line among its users.
No matter how often you fish, and at what skill level you are, monofilament plays an all-rounder line for anglers, fishermen, and beginners.
- Less expensive line
- Available in a variety of colors
- Abrasion-resistant
- Easy to tie knots
- Spools back easily
- Significant stretch
- Casts smoothly
- Line twists
- Can be damaged by sun exposure
- Not as strong as other lines
- Line stretch may cause loss of lure feel
- Thick diameter
- Absorbs water
FEATURES
Braided fishing lines are much stronger, with more strength, and thin in diameter but relatively expensive than monofilament. In the early stages, natural fibers were used as line material, but later, improvements were made, innovations were added to upgrade line quality, and Dacron, Spectra, or micro-Dyneema are now used instead of cotton, linen, and silk which makes the line stronger, lighter in weight and resists line stretch, as stretch in a fishing line causes loss of lure to feel which may cause problems for many anglers, especially in the bottom fishing. So, the braided line is free of stretch.
The braided line contains all its properties mostly opposite to mono it is twice stronger, has a thin diameter, is protected from line twisting, and has no memory means the line’s original look will never be disturbed.
In contrast to monofilament which has a thick diameter, braided line has a thin diameter which makes a lot of the line on your spool possible. So, you can cast much longer with this line.
Spectra braided lines increase the life span of fishing lines up to 6,7 years as compared to mono. They wouldn’t be affected by sunlight so you will be free from the worry of always having a backup line. For a Dacron braided line, it is recommended to clean your reel with fresh water for a long life span.
On the other hand, braided lines are slippery so it’s difficult to tie knots.
Although there are very rare chances of line twisting or tangling with a braided line, it will be a very horrible experience of untangling as it is not soft but hard and tough as compared to other types of fishing lines, it is difficult to cut this line, sharp scissors will be required. Moreover, the braided line is less abrasion resistant than the mono and fluorocarbon fishing line.
Braided fishing line is available in many visible colors i.e. it does not contain the invisibility property and may get cut off by fish bite to overcome this, you can add fluorocarbon or mono leader. This technique is all about attaching a part of the translucent line at the end of your braided line this also adds stretch to your line in case required.
Even though the braided line is an expensive line than other fishing lines but it will be your fishing companion for a long time and will be proved as a worth buying product with such incredible qualities. It can be the best type of fishing line for spinning reels.
- Much strength
- strong line
- No stretch in the line
- Thin diameter
- Casts longer/li>
- Sinks Faster
- No memory
- Not affected by UV rays
- Long life span
- Perfect for deep water fishing
- Much expensive
- Less abrasion resistant
- Not translucent
- Difficult to cut
- Difficult to untangle
- Difficult to tie knots
FEATURES
Another popular type of fishing line is the fluorocarbon fishing line. This fishing line is produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Its manufacturing process is the same as the monofilament line, the plastic is melted and passed through a metal die in the shape of a hole to give a single-threaded look. Fluorocarbon fishing line sinks faster than mono so your lure will reach groundfish so this type of fishing line is perfect for bottom fishing.
Fluorocarbon is a kind of hybrid line that possesses the qualities of both mono and braids it has stretch as well as elasticity but stretches less than mono, on the other hand, more elastic than braided anyhow is stiffer than both the lines.
Another quality added to the fluorocarbon fishing line is being highly abrasion-resistant so it last longer. It sinks underwater very fast allowing the lure to reach the bottom surface and is sensitive enough that you can feel the slightest hit by fish moreover it does not absorb water like other lines and is great for setting instant hook sets.
Fluorocarbon lines are UV resistant lines.
The fluorocarbon fishing line has been improved over the years they were stiff and were hard to tie knots in the back, now they are often used as a leader because they are invisible underwater allowing light to pass through them blocking refraction and protected from a fish bite thus a perfect line leader.
A famous fisherman declared this line as an all-purpose, all-rounded fishing line as it is tough in nature, stretches under pressure, and is perfect for trolling fishing, jigging, and worm fishing.
As everything comes with some downsides this one has also, fluorocarbon lines are more expensive than mono, and due to high memory makes line curly, causes kinks, and tangles when re-spooling line.
Although they are expensive but due to line stiffness, longer life, and their performance as heavy-duty saltwater leaders many anglers declared them the best type of fishing line.
- Translucent line
- Protected from fish bite
- Highly sensitive
- sinks under water
- UV resistant/li>
- Best for bottom fishing
- Serves as a line leader
- Expensive line
- High memory
- Stiffer
- Line tangles
How to pick the right type of fishing line?
When to use monofilament line
I will recommend you to use mono if you are a beginner new to fishing as it is a cheap and easy-to-use line or if you have a spinning reel and what to go for a freshwater fishing select monofilament as your fishing partner. You can target both small and freshwater species and it is easier to tie knots using mono.
When to use braided line
If you are interested in trolling or jigging or you have experience in tying knots and need a line with a long life span then you must give it a try to braided line.
Many anglers use this line for deep water fishing.
When to use fluorocarbon line
If you have a visible and expensive fishing line and are interested in deep clear water fishing then what to do???? Use fluorocarbon line as a line leader i.e. add it to your existing line’s bottom and attach a lure with it. Now you have a translucent line without changing your expensive line. Moreover, if you are interested in bottom fishing use this line mainly as a leader.
How to remove line twisting?
Line Twisting
You cast your lure, releasing your line, suddenly you notice some unusual curls, and knots on your line, and bang!!! This is line twisting it also happens when you improperly spool your reel. Curls and knots may be smaller in size but they are a big mess.
Let me explain to you with an example, remember that yoyo toy from your childhood, when you throw or drop a yoyo in the air the yoyo starts spinning but sometimes it rotates on its own axis, now remember the yo-yo’s string condition, it results all messed up and twisting. The same is the case for a fishing line and a lure.
Line Twisting is a nightmare for anglers even the experienced ones get offended by line twisting and take all precautions to prevent line twisting because it can happen to anyone and due to many reasons although chances are higher at beginner level however professionals face it too.
Line twisting is like a sequential process, twists causes curl, curls cause knots, and untangling one knot may appear in another causing poor casting so it’s a huge mess. let us explore how to remove line twisting.
Removing line Twisting on Boat
You can remove twists from your fishing line while on a boat, just follow the following steps
1: Remove lure from line
2: Cast the line out the reel that much which has a line twist
3: Now drop your line in the water
4: Let your line relax in the water, your line will be dragging behind your moving boat
5: Just move 40 to 50 meters
6: Hold your line with tight fingers and now spool it evenly on your reel
This process will soften your line, removes twisting, and straighten it up.
Remove Line twisting on the ground
Another trick to remove line twisting but this time you are on a dry ground
1: Attach something heavy with your line which allows you to cast as luch long as you can
Or
1: Place your rod and reel on the ground and move all the way with the line in your hand until your reel is free of line
2: Hold your line with your fingers tight and now pull your line with some force, this leads to straitening up the coils and line stretching hence removing line twisting
3: Now re-spool your line evenly
Precautionary measure
You can use gloves to protect your fingers from cuts.
Final Thoughts
Fishing lines are as important as other fishing gears are. They vary for different species and for different techniques. And each fishing line type has different qualities and requires a different type of maintenance.
I personally like braided fishing line although an expensive line but lasts longer and with a very rare chance of line twisting. However the final choice is up to you.
You can pick any type of fishing line that best fits your criteria or you can consider the above-mentioned points while buying a fishing line.
Hope you find this guide helpful as I have tried my best to clear your points of confusion on different types of fishing lines.