The 3 Best Types of Fishing Line & How To Use Them
There is a fishing line available today for nearly every situation bass anglers will encounter. Anglers now have the options of monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braid, so you have to decide which type of line is best for your style of fishing and the technique you are currently fishing. Monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided fishing line each have strengths and weaknesses and are ideal for specific baits and techniques. In this episode, Jordan breaks down everything you need to know about you using the three most common types of fishing line.
When selecting the right line make sure to think about the weight of your lure, conditions you plan on fishing, and the species of fish you plan on targeting. Most fishing rods come include line recommendations which are written just above the rod handle. Following these recommendations will increase your overall fishability and prevent hazards like break off or snapped rod tips.
Monofilament
Monofilament was the original fishing line your grandfather talked about. For many years, monofilament dominated the fishing market because it was cheap, manageable, and worked well in most situations for the average fisherman. Monofilament is neutrally buoyant by nature and is effective in fishing topwater lures as well as lures that require a line to neither sink nor float, such as hard jerkbaits. Additionally, monofilament line has long been used for backing (A.K.A. “filler”) for fishing reels.
Fluorocarbon is the premium line of choice for jig and worm fishermen as the sensitivity is unrivaled and the line is nearly completely invisible in the water. Fluorocarbon allows a greater amount of natural light to pass through it whereas monofilament tends to refract light, alerting fish of its presence. This property also makes fluoro the optimal line for fishing all sorts of crankbaits.
It is no secret that you can catch big, mean bass by fishing the thickest, nastiest slop. When throwing a hollow-bodied frog or a soft plastic toad around heavy vegetation, braided line (50lb to 65lb) is an absolute must for winching swamp donkeys out of their lair. Try a Palomar knot to connect your line to the hook eye, and make sure to wet the line before cinching the knot.
Braided lines typically consist of between four and eight strands of microfibers, which are braided together by machine, collectively creating a strong, floating line with a skinny diameter.
In comparison, 10lb braided lines will be as thick as 4lb monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing lines. This benefit allows anglers to fit a much heavier line on their reel while still having the easy-to-use feel of the lighter line.
Updated January 13th, 2022 at 4:25 AM CT