A fishing line is the only thing that links you directly to the fish. Aside from the hook and the reel, this piece also plays a big role in connecting the angler to its catch. One of the most important skills a good angler should know is how to choose the best fishing line.
The success of your fishing starts with picking the right equipment. If you made a bad choice, chances are you also had a bad day fishing. Because even if you are the best in casting or trolling, if your fishing line does not suit your abilities, your fishing trip is not going to be productive.
This is the reason you should understand the differences and special features of the line you are using. Before making your next purchase, make sure to consider some factors such as your angling technique and the fishing environment where you will be casting your rod.
There are so many brands out in the market offering a number of mind-boggling features. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Whether you are planning to change your line or buying your first one, it is always good to know the advantages and disadvantages of the various kinds of fishing lines. So read on and discover the answers to when, where, and how you are going to make the most out of your chosen line and become a better angler.
Types of Fishing Lines
Monofilament Line
The monofilament line is a single strand of material which is one of the most widely used fishing lines worldwide. It is made of various materials, such as different kinds of nylon.
These nylons are blended together in co- and multipolymers to make the line durable, strong, and abrasion resistant. The best colors of monofilament lines are clear and blue. These colors are popular because they can blend easily with the environment, making it difficult for fish to see.
Its inexpensive cost is perhaps the main reason why anglers choose this fishing line. Although it is way cheaper than the other lines, it has many remarkable qualities. This line is known for its flexibility, allowing anglers to be active in any fishing conditions.
Braid Fishing Line
The braid fishing lines are created with thin synthetic fibers which are incredibly strong. It is a product of intensive braiding process which makes it strong, ultra-thin, and sensitive.
Though thin in diameter, this fishing line could be twice as strong as the mono. In fact, it is known for being 10 times stronger than the steel. Anglers often use this line for flipping heavy cover, top water baits as well as Carolina Rigs.
Another feature of braid line that is recognizable is its durability. It does not break easily, allowing you to use and store it for a long time.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Originally made in Japan, the fluorocarbon fishing line is a polymer that is nearly invisible in the water. This property is among the reasons that make it popular with anglers who are particular about their bait presentations.
It is often used as leader material during saltwater and fly fishing applications because of its low visibility. Compared to its early productions which were stiff and expensive, recent versions of fluorocarbon lines are more flexible and affordable. It is also extremely abrasion resisting for fishing in rough condition.
Attributes to Consider
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to take a closer look at the features mentioned above. Since there is no product that is perfect, the following attributes can help you decide what feature is more important to you according to your preference.
- Line strength, which is also called test, is measured in pounds. This is always found on each spool of your choice. It usually varies because line strength is related to the amount of weight it takes to break the line. For example, a monofilament line requires about 8 lbs. of pressure before it breaks. There are many factors to consider before you can say that the line strength is strong. For one, stronger knots can reduce the performance of the line. Environmental conditions such as too much exposure to certain elements can degrade the quality of the fishing line.
- Durability is the measure of how strong and how long your fishing line can be in the in the water. It tells how resistant your fishing line is to abrasion and other intense water conditions. Lines with thicker diameter seem to have more resistance to abrasion from rocks, weeds, and other underwater situations.
- Stretch is also another attribute of a fishing line that can impact the success of your cast. High-stretch lines are usually great for casting bit can be poor for hook setting due to elasticity. On the other hand, low-stretch lines do an excellent job at hook setting and fighting fish. It also seems to be more sensitive in detecting bites.
- Buoyancy depends on the fishing lure you are using. A monofilament line tends to be more buoyant than a fluorocarbon or braided line. It is the ideal line to use for topwater baits. Meanwhile, fluorocarbon is better for fishing in open water because it sinks easily.
- Color or visibility can impact the success of your fishing. You should pick a color that easily blends with the surroundings or the underwater environment to catch more fish. The fluorocarbon line is clear and almost invisible when submerged into the water, making it hard for the fish to notice. On the other hand, monofilament lines come in a variety of colors including stealthy, low-visibility options such as green, and blue.
- Low Memory is a fishing line attribute that refers to how much it remembers how it was bent when its wrapped on a spool. Having a low memory fishing line means you can store it for a long time and use it again without worrying about kinks and twists. Higher quality lines will hang almost perfectly straight.
- Abrasion Resistance is an important feature of all fishing lines. If you want to fish in various conditions and situations, you have to make sure that your line is extremely abrasion resistant. With it, you can drag bait along the bottom or across sharp coral rubble in saltwater without experiencing backlash or break-offs.
- Sensitivity is likely to be your second reason to choose fluorocarbon lines. When your line is sensitive, you can better detect light bites and lures ticking the bottom surface. Ultra-sensitive lines can even discern subtle changes at a long distance, giving you a heads up.
- Shock Strength refers to the fishing line’s ability to absorb sudden impacts like hard hooksets and headshakes. It comes into play when your line has to endure big fish thrashing violently. Compared to superline and fluorocarbon, nylon monofilament line is the top choice for this category.
- Diameter can influence your performance in casting and knotting. Most anglers prefer fishing lines with a small diameter such as braided lines because they are thin and hard. It is good for pitching and flipping heavy cover. Aside from that, it helps to get the plug down deeper and tends to have a low memory too. Meanwhile, lines with larger diameter can hold up fish with heavier weight without breaking easily.
Image |
Product |
Price |
Rating |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B00FZ1SLX2″ locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51oj0g2BOBnL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00FZ1SLX2″ locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $$ | 4.5/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B000ALJFOG” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51o2Fg2mvrL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000ALJFOG” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $ | 4.5/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”156″ identifier=”B00LDYLZFQ” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51d0bCify7L.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00LDYLZFQ” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Spiderwire Ultracast Invisi-Braid Superline[/easyazon_link] | $$ | 4.2/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B0081IVSTK” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51EfdexMurL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0081IVSTK” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon 1000 yards Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $$$ | 4.5/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”111″ identifier=”B008ATJRNY” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51jlXBg7DSL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B008ATJRNY” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $$ | 4.4/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B018XJR6HE” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51afZJlxniL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B018XJR6HE” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Piscifun PE Braided Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $ | 4.4/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B01M314UBV” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51cDSnjqyAL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B01M314UBV” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]LINEXPERT G-BRAID Super Strong 100% Pe Multifilament Braided Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $$ | 4.4/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B011DPMZKI” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51Ea7Y0iiAL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B011DPMZKI” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Spectra 100%Pe Braided Fishing Line Gray[/easyazon_link] | $ | 4.3/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B00MYN0FYM” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51k58QK5q3L.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”132″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00MYN0FYM” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Fluorescent Green Super Strong Pe Braided Fishing Line[/easyazon_link] | $ | 4.1/5 |
| [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B00NWD362Q” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51CMchLVJL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”160″] | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NWD362Q” locale=”US” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″]Stren Catfish Mono[/easyazon_link] | $ | 4.6/5 |
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00FZ1SLX2″ locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51oj0g2BOBnL.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”500″]Has low memory for better casting experience. Affordability is one of the key features of the KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line. It has an incredible superline that is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene braid fiber; strong enough to catch your big one.
The woven fiber is the same material used for bulletproof vests and ice rink edge guards, promising extreme durability that lasts longer. Furthermore, the product also comes in many options of tensile strength. Its 4-strength strands can handle 6-50 lbs. while the powerful 8-strand has a higher elasticity ranging from 65-150 lbs.
Aside from these, the line is sure to give you a smooth and even cast even if you are gearing for a bigger catch, because it won’t get stiff easily.
Features
- Outstanding abrasion resistance feature
- Has smaller diameter compared to other brands
- Strong knot strength allows you to tie a more solid knot
- Superior hook setting to increase catch ratio
- Comes in 10-150 lbs. test strength
- Options for tensile strength ranges from 65-150 lbs.
- Comes in gray, green, multicolor, blue, white, pink, and yellow
Another thing that makes this product a good choice is its great abrasion resistance ability. There is relatively a lesser chance of fraying or break-offs even in intense water conditions.
It has stronger knot strength, allowing you to tie knot nice and tight. The waxy coating is great for superior lure swimming action. Spooling is not a problem, either.
The braided fishing line is made thinner to spool more line into your reel. It has a low memory for better casting, too. Meanwhile, it is also incredibly sensitive and has zero stretch, increasing your opportunity to catch your limit of the day.
PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B000ALJFOG” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51o2Fg2mvrL.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”500″]If you are looking for something super thin and durable, the PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line is what you need. This product is regarded as one of PowerPro’s best fishing lines.
The diameter of this product ranges from 0.005 – 0.035 in. yet amazingly strong. You will be surprised how it can get you through nasty situations in saltwater, freshwater, and icy rivers.
The braided lines are made of 4 strong strands. Each of the strands is composed of thin spectra fibers in a regular diagonal pattern. They also have a 3-strand line.
Though it is flat, it still appears to be relatively rounded and thin in profile. Generally, all the stands are coated individually to increase durability and prevent break-off.
Features
- Braided line is made of thin Spectra fibers
- Comes in varying diameters ranging from 0.005 – 0.035 inch
- Color options include moss green, hi-vis yellow, and white
- Can be used in variety of applications
- Comes in a wide range of pound tests suitable for both fresh and saltwater anglers
- Has high visibility line
- Incredibly thin and slick profile that won’t cut your guides
- EZ Spool and built-in cutter
Though it is quite harder than it should be, it is limp and has low memory. In addition, the PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line is the most sensitive line the brand has made so far.
You can use it for catching deep dwelling species and those that are found in heavy vegetation areas. Retrieving your heavy loads with this braided line is smooth and safe. It does not saw nor scratch your guides at the tip of your rod.
Spiderwire Ultracast Invisi-Braid Superline
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”486″ identifier=”B00LDYLZFQ” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51d0bCify7L.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”500″]The Spiderwire Ultracast Invisi-Braid Superline is regarded as the best among the series of lines the company released. It aims to outperform the other braided lines by utilizing the most advanced technology, finest nylons, and PE fibers.
Fish will find it hard to see the lines because this product is almost invisible underwater. Aside from these, it also hooks up amazingly and in an instant, you can feel the activity underwater. Tying knots is way easier, too. Its waxy finish helps greatly in pulling knots nice and tight.
Features
- Available in varying lengths from 12 -2,800 yards
- Breath strength of 6-80 lbs.
- Ultra-smooth 8 carrier braid for stronger and longer durability
- Comes in translucent color for invisibility when submerged into the water
- Made of most advanced nylons, fluoropolymers, and High Molecular Weight PE fibers
- Incredibly thin and sensitive
- Made with innovative cold-fusion process to make braids permanently bonded
Since it is light, you can cast smoothly and effortlessly with lures and baits. Wind knots are not a problem, either. This fishing line is perfect for practicing flipping and punching techniques.
Highlighting its translucency and flexibility, the Spiderwire Ultracast Invisi-Braid Superline promises to bring out the best in you as you enjoy the action of these sports during your fishing trip.
Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon 1000 yards Fishing Line
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B0081IVSTK” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51EfdexMurL.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”500″]Even though you can buy the Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon 1000 yards Fishing Line at an affordable price, you will notice that this brand did not compromise quality. It provides high-quality features that you are looking for in a great fishing line.
The materials that make the fishing line strong and durable are 100% Seaguar resins. Through extensive proprietary extrusion process, ensuring that every strand can withstand all sorts of fishing conditions.
It is good for beginners who are trying to find a new hobby in fishing. Aside from this, it also a great introduction to using fluorocarbon lines.
Features
- Has 30 better knot strengths to level up your fishing experience
- 100% fluorocarbon main line specially designed for freshwater fishing
- Has high sensitivity to better detect and catch fish
- Comes in various line diameters ranging from .185-.405 mm.
- Has great tensile strength and good impact strength
- Holds up very well in heavy cover situations
- The 1000-yard spool has 4-20 lbs. test
- Has clear color for invisibility when submerged into the water
- Can be used in both spinning reels and bait casting reels
- Suitable for both fresh water and salt water
Based on several observations, the Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon does an excellent job in pitching jigs, spinning reels, and bait casting reels. If you are particular about the ease of use, this product has high grades for manageability.
You can expect very few backlashes and kinks for it has remarkable abrasion resistance. It holds knots well, has high sensitivity, UV resistant, chemical resistant, and is non-absorbent. You can even go ice fishing with this fishing line.
Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”348″ identifier=”B008ATJRNY” locale=”US” src=”http://fishermanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51jlXBg7DSL.jpg” tag=”hpd-fsmzo-20″ width=”500″]The Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon Fishing Line is the brand’s flagship product that is created for anglers looking for durability and reliability. Many anglers find it great that the fishing line is nearly invisible in the water, allowing them to put more fish into their boats.
For years, the Sunline Super FC has been the choice for whipping up big bass. That can be proven by its amazing features that are comparable to leading brands in the market.
Features
- Outstanding abrasion resistance to decrease chances of break-offs and backlashes
- Choices range from 200-1,200 yards and 4-25 lbs.
- Has triple resin coating to make it softer and easy to handle
- Great for heavy cover applications
- Low memory for better casting
- Comes in various line diameters ranging from .17-.41 mm.
- Features stronger lines for fishing worms, jigs, and more
- Low pound-test lines perfect for all light line techniques
Handling and sensitivity won’t be your major concern because the fishing line has triple resin coating. It is softer and easier to use for tying knots and making long casts.
Sunline Super FC is also a good line to use during calm and windy conditions for it launches your bait efficiently. Though fluorocarbon lines can begin to take the shape of the spool in time, this brand does otherwise.
Its low memory allows you to leave the line on your reels for a long time. Combined with extreme abrasion resistance, invisibility, and durability, Sunline Super FC could make a considerable difference on your next fishing adventure.