Does Flourocarbon Matter As Much As Companies Say It Does

[stephens30]

I've fished many different types of lines from fluorocarbon to braid and all in between. But mostly fish with a co polymer, mostly because it is cheaper. Does the fluorocarbon really make that much of a difference in the amount of fish you catch? Leave your opinions below! Thanks,

[Darren.]

First, welcome to the forum!

 

Second. You'll find some here that will say no, it doesn't matter as much. Others will say yes.

 

My experience leans toward the "no" as well. But I don't fish crystal clear waters where it may make a difference.

[WRB]

In clear water when bass are line wary FC can make a difference. When bass are not line shy, FC doesn't make a difference, at night for example no need to use FC line. Some anglers believe the slight difference in stretch, less buoyant and less drag, FC helps under all conditions. The simple fact that FC has less knot strength than mono or copolymer line is a big factor with me. I use FC for jigs and worms during the day, I fish gin clear deep structure lakes.

Tom

[Jeff H]

I've done my own testing with it and I don't need it, for anything at any time!

[Catch and Grease]

I've built a lot of confidence in fishing braid with a FC leader in any water clarity now... But I'm trying to get away from this and start fishing straight braid in non-clear situations...

[doyle8218]

I've done my own testing with it and I don't need it, for anything at any time!

X2

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I've fished many different types of lines from fluorocarbon to braid and all in between. But mostly fish with a co polymer, mostly because it is cheaper. Does the fluorocarbon really make that much of a difference in the amount of fish you catch? Leave your opinions below! Thanks,

One aspect I did find that lost me fish is at a fair distance the stretch causes poor hooksets compared with the same rods with braid. I have not noticed an increase in bites either in the clear lakes I fish.

[K_Mac]

I was always in the 'don't need it' crowd until this year. After several months of using it I also think it makes a difference in clear water. I think it makes a real difference on contact baits as well. It does transmit information better than copoly or mono IMO. I rarely use braid and have no love for its lack of feel on anything but a tight line. Do I need it? No. I do prefer it though.

[gulfcaptain]

Have a differnt angle for the use of FC.  Fishing offshore found fishing a short leader of FC helped with abbrasion from fishes teeth, mainly smaller bluefin and Dorado (Mahi Mahi).  Hook up to land ratio on the later was about 50% on mono, but the use of FC it jumped up to around 80%.  The FC just held up better with the abrasion.  In the bass fishing world, use it on my worm/jig fishing or crankbait, but always in topshot's since I fish with braid on all my reels, and topwater switch to mono.  Does it help me get more bites, well not sure but it's just what I prefer to fish, but it does let me fish a bit heavier with FC in clearer water then I would be able to with mono.

[thehooligan]

I've always done well with braid & copoly leaders.

For the clear water quarries I fish the green mist fluorclear has always worked really well for me and its a lot cheaper then a quality flouro....

[Tywithay]

Being "invisible" has never really shown a huge improvement over clear mono, as far I've seen. The biggest advantages to fluorocarbon are the sensitivity and abrasion resistance. A high quality fluorocarbon is unmatched in those two areas.

Keywords: high quality fluorocarbon; the cheap stuff offers little to no advantage.

[Cgrinder]

I like fluorocarbon in fast water and wind.

[shanksmare]

I recall a study done by Glenn Lau (I think) on the visiability of various lines. The braid was actually the least visible in the pictures. The mono and especially the flourocarbon lit up like a light bulb in clear water sunny conditions.

 

I never noticed any difference bertween mono and flourcarbon other than the price and the fact that flouro is less managable when it gets colder.

[IAY]

I feel like fluorocarbon is more sensitive and sinks better than the other lines. So up to you on how much you value that.

[nepabassfishing]

I fish a lake where the water clarity is super high (you can see as far down as 8' - 10') and FC makes a huge difference.  I've been fishing it for a few years now and have seen an improvement right after I made the switch.  The only thing I don't use FC is for my topwater set-ups and for fishing in heavy structure.  I agree with the posts that if you are fishing murky or stained waters, FC probably is not that big of a factor

[Smokinal]

I use it on every one of my setups...as a leader. I can't stand line memory and fluoro has a ton of it. I use braid on everything but I fish mostly rocky bottomed lakes and braid has zero abrasion resistance to rock. So, I use a leader of fluoro and that stops my break-offs.

[OkobojiEagle]

Smaller diameter line makes a bigger difference...

 

 

oe

[FishTank]

I love FC.  It last longer, it casts longer (but only a little) and I do catch more fish with it.  With that said there are certain conditions where FC is not the best choice.  For example, heavy moss, for this braid is the best option.  I do like hybrid lines as well, like Yo Zuri hybrid ultra soft.

[BrianinMD]

I have switched all of my non-topwater rods to flouro, the biggest thing to me was the slack line bites. The density of the line transmits the bites better then other lines, and I fish a lot of baits which have a pause in the retrieve. Before I did this I had several trips where my boater (using flouro) would be beating with several fish to each of mine. I would also go to move the bait sometimes and something would have it. by the time I got a hookset in the fish was gone. Since I have switched I can keep up with my boater and have greatly reduced the lost fish due to not feeling the pickup.

[bradc36]

Fish Lake Erie and the Niagara River all the time (pretty clear water) and have noticed little to no advantage of having FC instead of braid. There are a few instances that I will use it (crankbaits, jerkbaits, dropshot), or use braid with a FC leader. I don't like having FC on my reels because when I get to local lakes where you are fishing in thick cover or flipping jigs all day, or throwing topwater or buzzbaits, I would much rather have the braid on and not have to re-spool. Just my $0.02.

[Raul]

The simple answer is: NO

[K_Mac]

The simple answer is: NO

Or YES. It just depends on who you ask. That is pretty much the case in all aspects of fishing. The only real way of answering most questions is to see what works for you. That is part of the fun of fishing IMO.

[S Hovanec]

In clear water, absolutely. Stained water, not so much.

[Tywithay]

In clear water, absolutely. Stained water, not so much.

Unless you want slack line sensitivity and abrasion resistance. That will be present, regardless of water clarity.

[primetime]

I used to hate the stuff, but now I love it, especially for Worm fishing or any slower application...Maybe it's confidence, but once I took care of it and learned how to use it I am a believer...

 

Also, the newer stuff is much better than line from even last year IMO