Fishing has always been an interesting, fun-loving, and stimulating hobby for many. Be it in a pond, river, stream, or out in the bigger grounds such as sea or ocean, fishing never fails to amuse hobbyists or anglers. In this hobby, it is important to know about the right fishing line types, if you want to get some big catches for the day...
One important thing to remember is that not all fishing conditions have a common type of fishing line. One of the most probable reasons most hobbyists or fishermen do not find much luck in their fishing could be their unawareness about the kind of fishing line they should use. Such lines are mostly available in four varieties; monofilament, braided, fused, and fluorocarbon. Let's have a brief look at each of them.
Monofilament Fishing Line
Most people go for the monofilament fishing line; known to be suitable for most fishing conditions. Green, red, clear, etc. are colors in which the fishing line is available. Here are its pros and cons:
Pros:
✔ Best suited for freshwater fishing such as in streams or lakes. The line has better elasticity, and it is less visible in water.
Cons:
✖ It cannot be straightened easily unless it is used frequently. This is because, it takes the shape in which it has been stored. Given that, the line is suitable for frequent fishing activities, like that of fishermen, and may not be a good choice for hobbyists.
✖ It also needs replacement after a few years, as it does not promise long-lasting durability against heat and water.
✖ Also, since the line absorbs water, it is not recommended for deep sea fishing.
Braided Fishing Line
The braided fishing line boasts being the strongest of all types. It is generally used for long-line fishing, and it is strong enough to resist the weight of large fish. Its pros and cons are:
Pros:
✔ It lasts longer than the monofilament fishing line, and has better abrasion-resistance.
✔ It absorbs less water, and has higher endurance against sunlight.
✔ The line has high knot strength, and great overall power.
Cons:
✖ Due to its inelastic nature, the line may break the fishing rod in case the drag is not set correctly.
✖ It can easily injure your hands, and damage the fishing rod, line guides, and the reel. That is why, long-lasting fishing rods and reels are recommended to be used with a braided fishing line.
✖ If you prefer fishing in clear water, then this line may not fit the bill. Given its opaqueness, it becomes visible in water thus, might ruin the fishing. So what most people do to counter this drawback is, they attach the end of this line with a monofilament to mask the visibility.
Fused Fishing Line
The fused fishing line shares similar features with the braided line. The manufacturing process is what differentiates the two from each other. The fused one is made of multiple layers of microfilaments of gel spun polyethylene fibers. These fibers are thermally fused together, and in order to produce a single strand of line, the fused fibers are applied with a separate coating. And all this is done to beef up the line.
Pros:
✔ The line is thin for its strength, and provides great hook sets.
✔ It does not weaken easily due to sunlight, and has no stretch.
✔ Its abrasion-resistance is higher than that of monofilament, but lesser than that of braided line.
Cons:
✖ High chances of getting your hands injured by the line.
✖ The line can only be cut using a sharp knife or scissor.
✖ And as it is in the case of the braided fishing line, even this one has high visibility in water.
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
This type is known for its wide use in saltwater, but now it has become popular in freshwater hunting as well.
Pros:
✔ This line is popular due to its complete invisibility in water.
✔ It scores well when it comes to being resistant against sunlight, gasoline, and battery acid. It does not absorb water, thanks to the polymer fluorocarbon, which is inert in nature.
✔ For fishing spots crowded with rocks, submerged logs and the like, this fishing line is the most suitable, as it is also abrasion-resistant.
✔ This line is heavier than other types, and this makes it easier for the bait to fall faster and deeper in water.
Cons:
✖ Casting the line could be a difficult job because of its stiffness.
✖ For its diameter, the line is less stronger than other lines having the same diameter.
✖ Because of its slickness, it does not do so well in holding knots as other fishing lines.
The right type of fishing line depends upon the type of fish being targeted, and the fishing spot. Properties such as proper breaking strength, diameter, abrasion resistance, stretch, flexibility, knot strength, visibility, and durability should be taken into consideration before deciding to buy fishing lines. Needless to say, the right fishing line can decide between a hefty catch and returning empty-handed and blaming it on the day. Happy fishing!
