Difference Between Fluoro And Mono For Casting Distance

[iceintheveins]

Do you guys think there is a difference between fluoro and mono for casting distance? I'm not too sure there is from what I've seen.

[5fishlimit]

Not much if any, but that's not the reason to choose one over the other.

[J Francho]

Distance is way down on my list for why I'd use one or the other. If you know how to cast, it doesn't really matter. Now you want to compare different brands and different diameters, that's a different story.

I have to say, I'm not sure what the recent flurry of distance related posts is about, but I can assure you, if you can't cast far enough, you're setting your sights too high or need to practice. It's nothing to do with line, reels or rods. You're better off with a well placed cast, putting your bait in the right place than out casting everyone else at the bank.

[rippin-lips]

^^^ this!

[CJV]

Distance is way down on my list for why I'd use one or the other. If you know how to cast, it doesn't really matter. Now you want to compare different brands and different diameters, that's a different story.

I have to say, I'm not sure what the recent flurry of distance related posts is about, but I can assure you, if you can't cast far enough, you're setting your sights too high or need to practice. It's nothing to do with line, reels or rods. You're better off with a well placed cast, putting your bait in the right place than out casting everyone else at the bank.

What he said^

[SirSnookalot]

Distance is way down on my list for why I'd use one or the other. If you know how to cast, it doesn't really matter. Now you want to compare different brands and different diameters, that's a different story.

I have to say, I'm not sure what the recent flurry of distance related posts is about, but I can assure you, if you can't cast far enough, you're setting your sights too high or need to practice. It's nothing to do with line, reels or rods. You're better off with a well placed cast, putting your bait in the right place than out casting everyone else at the bank.

Is it possible to agree 10,000%?

 

This distance thing is really whacked out of shape.  Sure there are fish that are in constant movement following bait and distance is a benefit, bass are not one of them.  Your target spot is what matters.  I've never been convinced using F/C catches more fish, if it's a matter or stealth or abrasion I would go the leader route.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Distance is way down on my list for why I'd use one or the other. If you know how to cast, it doesn't really matter. Now you want to compare different brands and different diameters, that's a different story.

I have to say, I'm not sure what the recent flurry of distance related posts is about, but I can assure you, if you can't cast far enough, you're setting your sights too high or need to practice. It's nothing to do with line, reels or rods. You're better off with a well placed cast, putting your bait in the right place than out casting everyone else at the bank.

Dead on as usual. A similar golf analogy "Drive for show, putt for dough"!

[WRB]

Casting distance is related to the rod, reel and line being used.

Distance is important when casting deep diving crankbaits for example. Crankbait rods are longer and slower action to maximize casting distance, the more parabolic the rod, the better it loads up tp launch the lure.

Mono line has less memory, stays on the spool better, flows out of the and through the rod guide easier with less friction/ line slap resulting in longer cast with everything else being equal.

This is why I use mono on my deep diving crankbait and swimbait rods, when distance can be a factor.

Tom

[flicker1]

Casting distance is related to the rod, reel and line being used.

Distance is important when casting deep diving crankbaits for example. Crankbait rods are longer and slower action to maximize casting distance, the more parabolic the rod, the better it loads up tp launch the lure.

Mono line has less memory, stays on the spool better, flows out of the and through the rod guide easier with less friction/ line slap resulting in longer cast with everything else being equal.

This is why I use mono on my deep diving crankbait and swimbait rods, when distance can be a factor.

Tom

This is an interesting school of thought. What I'm getting from this is the added distance of the cast from mono vs. fluoro is of greater value than the fact that mono floats and fluoro sinks, in regards to getting the crankbaits deeper. Correct?

[aavery2]

The line diameter and density of FC line will more than make up for any perceived casting distance increase with mono in regards to getting crankbaits deep.   Mono has long been the preferred line of choice for crankbait fishing, but with FC line becoming better and better many serious crankbait anglers have made the move.  A lot of crankbait anglers still prefer mono for shallow crankbaits, as it does exactly that, helps keep them shallow.

[fishindad]

Also agree however, when fishing on Lake St. Clair, or other similar bodies of water and for similar fish (smallmouth) which tend to roam in packs, covering as much water as possible helps. And when water is super clear and fish tend to be spooked easily. That said, no reason to cast longer than one can set hooks. For me, fishing grubs for smallies in open water, mucho-long casts make a difference. A 7 1/2' spinning rod and superline or 6 lb. mono is the ticket for this type of fishing. I imagine some shallow, saltwater scenarios could be the same?

[Raul]

Hell I don´t know, fluorocarbon is monofilament line just as nylon, so I can´s say if fluro casts farther than nylon.

[BobP]

There are too many variables for a simple answer, if it matters.  How much spool memory does the mono vs fluoro have on your reel at the time?  Which specific brands are you comparing?  Mono brands vary greatly in surface hardness and the speed at which they develop spool memory, which affects distance.  Fluoros are the same, plus there are differences in the density/weight of different brands.  Heavier fluoro tends to cast longer.  But it also develops spool memory faster, which limits distance.  The bottom line is that both will cast adequately long, so choosing one over the other depends on qualities that are much more significant than casting distance.  

[WRB]

What it boils down to is castibilty, how well does the line cast for the presentarion you are using.

With bottom bumping lures like jigs and soft palstics my choice is FC line because it gives me better control of what those lures are doing. I DO NOT like FC line regarding castibily and knot strength, it's improving every year.

Technically FC is  monofilament line but bass anglers consider Mono being Nylon line, not FC, hybrid or a copolymer.   

Deep diving crankbaits, where I fish them in deep rocky structured lakes, ease of casting far out weighs a few inches difference in diving depth. The thing FC line does better is it has less drag going through the water, therefor less belly in the line. This advantage is a possitive with bottom bumping lures like jigs.

The draw back with FC when making hundreds of casts, when using crankbaits, is the line strectches and weakens over time and should be changed after a few outings when cranking. Mono line also weakens with use and changing Mono is less costly than FC.

Fewer casting issues, longer cast for me, stronger knot strength and less cost. I use 10 and 12lb green Berkely Big Game for cranking and 25 lb for big swimbaits. Tried FC several times over the years for both cranking and swimbaits and go back to Mono do to poor performance issues with those 2 lures types.

Tom. 

[Fishes in trees]

I like being able to throw baits far.  In and of itself, it is fun.  I understand far is a relative term, lure weights, line diameters, etc. come into play.  I don't care that I will occasionally miss a long distance hook set.  If I hadn't have thrown far, I probably wouldn't have gotten the bite, and therefore wouldn't have had the opportunity to miss a long distance hook set.  Besides, you can't miss them all.  You will stick some distance hook sets, (or they will stick themselves, which is more likely) 

 

Some baits, covering the water is important (a rattle trap style bait comes to mind), others not so much.  In many instances while bank fishing, distance is important.  Is it as important as accuracy?  The real answer is yes and no, it depends on the situation.

 

All I know is that I like being able to throw far when I want to.

[aavery2]

In my experience FC line does not stretch in the same manner as mono-nylon line.  mono-nylon line is similar to a rubber band or elastic in that it stretches and then returns to original shape or close there to, only when you reach its breaking strength does it deform.  FC line does not stretch in the same manner, it deforms when stretched, it does not return to its original shape.  You generally see this when snagged and have a break off.  FC line that is deformed is easy to see, and only needs to have the deformed portion removed, usually a few feet.   I have never had or heard of any issues with using FC line for many outings as long as it was not nicked or had abrasion issues.

Nylon line is also porous so it soaks water, this greatly reduces its abrasion resistance  it also brings water back to your spool  and subsequently to your reel.    FC line is much harder and does not soak water. 

 

IMHO a good quality FC will nearly always outcast Nylon, the reason being is hardness, FC line has less drag through your guides, all poor lines suck to cast, but if you compare good line of both types, I will choose FC for casting distance.  

[OkobojiEagle]

If you're trying to cast that far, you must be trying to hook something that far away.  I'd rather be fishing with a PE line if I need a strong hook-set at a far distance.

 

 

oe

[WRB]

Tackle Tour is doing line testing FPI for FC and MPI for mono line.

Nylon is a hygroscopic polymer meaning it absorbs water, it's not porous. The Nylon polymer chain is strengthen when it absorbs water, the water isn't sticking to the line or coating the line surface.

Nylon isn't elastic, it's tensile to yield strength is similar to FC, the difference is deformity, Nylon tends to have better memory without deforming after yielding. What causes deformation is pulling force when you cast and hopefully catch bass. High pulling force trying to break the line obviously deforms the line.

Line conditioners like KVD coat FC so it will behave similar to Nylon, the conditioner absorbs water.

Abrasion resistance is better with most FC line however hardness creates more casting issues.

The question was about casting distance and it's been my experience with everything being equal that mono line cast further under fishing conditions. Keep in mind I cast on average over 90' and up to 120' using FC line when jig fishing, so I have a lot of experience casting FC line.

The best Nylon mono line that I have used is Sunline Defier, FC is Sunline Super Sniper. Defier is expensive mono.

[aavery2]

Thanks for the research, I knew porous was not the correct term, but hygroscopic was not one that I was familiar with. Anyway my point being that nylon line absorbs water which reduces its abrasion resistance greatly.    Also I did not say that nylon is elastic, only that it compares to elastic in terms of the way it stretches.    30 -40 yards are average casts with modern equipment, so I don't know that I would consider that  a long distance.  

The polymers that the KVD line and Lure are made from are hydrophobic, and most certainly do not absorb water.

Anyway thanks for sharing, I will continue to use FC line as I feel that nylon has just about out lived its usefulness as it relates to fishing line, its primary benefit being cost at this point, and will eventualy go the same way as silk.

[WRB]

Quote from TT " Seriously, if FC line behaves poorly in abrasion test, you almost might as well save your money and use Nylon mono as your main line". I agree with this evaluation and use mono where abrasion resistance isn't a factor and use it where it is.

Tom

[aavery2]

Quote from TT " Seriously, if FC line behaves poorly in abrasion test, you almost might as well save your money and use Nylon mono as your main line". I agree with this evaluation and use mono where abrasion resistance isn't a factor and use it where it is.

Tom

This was only a reference to how heavily weighted the abrasion resistance part of their new testing was going to be.  Your quote is being used out of context and the key word is IF, FC will always out perform other lines in abrasion, so the only contest is between other FC lines   to determine who is best.  The next line in that paragraph went something like this,  "Nylon monofilament is not as sensitive as fluorocarbon nor does it possess the mystical refractive index, but the cost is significantly less."  So other than cost what does it have to offer over FC?

[WRB]

Been fishing with FC line since '94, 20 years and know a few things about it, some good and some bad, it's not the panacea line it's claimed to be. Let's wait and see what shakes out with the newest FC lines before sticking a fork in mono.

There was nothing taken out of context. No line has had more failures and knot strength problems than FC has generated. The processing is getting better and cost has come down somewhat.

Tom

[aavery2]

Tom,  we agree no panacea, and no line is.  Think about how much the entire fishing industry has changed since 94, rods, reels, line, hooks, boats,  etc. etc.etc.  FC line has it's roots in Japan, as leader material mainly for saltwater fishing.  It was stiff and expensive.   Since its development it has become an everyday fishing line for approximately 80%of the Elite level Pro's, you know the guys who make a living at fishing.    Think where it will be in the next 5, I assure you Nylon line is a thing of the past, and someday our kids, grandkids will look at it and think, how the heck did they fish with this, much like the braided Dacron line that Nylon made obsolete. 

 

I respect your time on the water, but history is nothing but a great lesson, what we have is today, and we live for tomorrow,  I choose to use the best line available to us today, and in my opinion that it FC line, and most of the best Anglers around agree.

[Tim Kelly]

I haven't found it makes much difference on casting gear, but with spinning gear fluoro definitely seems harder to cast. 6lb mono is much easier casting than 6lb FC on my dropshot rod, but the advantages of FC make it worth the fight.

[iabass8]

Think where it will be in the next 5, I assure you Nylon line is a thing of the past, and someday our kids, grandkids will look at it and think, how the heck did they fish with this, much like the braided Dacron line that Nylon made obsolete. .

I am a huge advocat of fluorocarbon and use it for everything i can but there is absolutley no way nylon line is going away. It will never be a thing of the past...unless somebody creates a floating line without zero stretch.....