A Flurocarbon Misconception

[Green Trout]

A lot of anglers believe Flurocarbon has less stretch then Monofilament which intern makes it more sensitive. I thought this until I read something on it the other day. I read that Flurocarbon has just as much stretch as mono, but it is more sensitive because it is denser then mono. Your thoughts on this?

[Bruce424]

Oh man I think it's definitely true. Probly not AS much stretch as mono. But pretty much. Cause its denser probly the reason for abrasion resistance too.

That's why once the spool I have is done I probly won't buy fluoro again until money is on the line in clearer water situations. Hah. Just too expensive for me I think.

[A-Jay]

The discussions revolving around the characteristics and benefits (or lack there of) of Fluorocarbon line have gone round & round and will no doubt continue to do so.

 

The proponents of the line often relay information describing how having one of the better / higher quality fluorocarbons is a good way to help ensure an angler actually gets the best it has to offer; Getting what you pay for.

 

Detractors, which I am one, are not impressed with what the line has to offer.  Being able to get the same or better results with a good mono offers little reason to "Upgrade" to Fluorocarbon.

 

That's my story & I'm sticking to it.

 

A-Jay

 

.

[.ghoti.]

Every time I hear somebody claim fluorocarbon line has less stretch than mono, one thought comes to mind.

 

Behold the power of propaganda. Uh, excuse me, I meant to say marketing.

[jtesch]

I believe this is an impossible argument. Their are such massive differences in the performance and qualities of different brands of fluoro's that it makes it impossible to just say "fluoro is better" and the same can be said for mono

[J Francho]

Stretch?

Wet or dry?

Treated it untreated?

With how much force?

What's the measurement - inches of stretch per lb.?

How much line?

There's many other variables too.

Stretch, as its perceived while fishing, is not a linear sensation. Some lines give up a bit with little pressure before locking in. Others are the opposite. Some will deform, or stretch out. These are all characteristics to look at and consider when comparing lines - even from the same material.

One thing - sensitivity has more to do with density and how a line transmits vibration. Braid has almost zero stretch, but unless it's held taught has almost zero vibration transmission. Fluorocarbon is on the other end of the spectrum, with its density transmitting vibration on a semi slack line. I found when teaching fishing to kayakers, the ones that felt braid was more sensitive were tip watchers, whereas others were bite feelers.

[tomustang]

The retail boxes are misleading (among other products), but also pro's rep it for sales too.

[Cgrinder]

Stretch varies from line to line. You can't lump fluoro, nylon monofilament, and copolymer in to three groups and call it a day. 

[Catt]

For this Cajun sensitivity depends on who is holding the rod!

[J Francho]

Sensitivity? Well, I'm a delicate flower.

[A-Jay]

Sensitivity? Well, I'm a delicate flower.

 

 So J, do the bare feet help with sensitivity ? (Avatar)

 

 

A-Jay

[J Francho]

I'm wearing a pair of flip flops.

[Montanaro]

Hippie...

[K_Mac]

I have come to the conclusion that I don't give a rip about stretch when it comes to fluorocarbon. I like the way it works. That is all.

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm wearing a pair of flip flops.

Looks like toe thongs to me J.

[JGBassinAL]

The retail boxes are misleading (among other products), but also pro's rep it for sales too.

 

Pro's rep it because it's what they use almost exclusively, not just to promote sales.

[FryDog62]

In all my stretch tests, I have yet to find a fluorocarbon line that doesn't stretch more than a mono or co-polymer of the same pound test. If you argue that non fluorocarbon lines absorb water and become stretchier over time, then buy Yo-Zuri Hybrid that has significantly less stretch than 100% fluorocarbon and does not absorb water.

[Ozark_Basser]

In all my stretch tests, I have yet to find a fluorocarbon line that doesn't stretch more than a mono or co-polymer of the same pound test. If you argue that non fluorocarbon lines absorb water and become stretchier over time, then buy Yo-Zuri Hybrid that has significantly less stretch than 100% fluorocarbon and does not absorb water.

Does fluoro return to its original shape after it has been stretched though? Mono seems to be a lot more elastic.

[FryDog62]

Many of the fluorocarbon lines snapped in the stretch tests, and even those that didn't turned into a stretched and coiled up slinky. The mono and co-polymers for the most part went back to their original shape.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few applications I will still use fluorocarbon (as a leader on braid, or when drop-shotting in gin clear water) but IMO it should never be marketed as a low stretch line.

[A-Jay]

The need for lighter line when fishing in clear water for pressured or spooky bass is well documented and generally believed to be a fairly common & effective practice.

 

Presentations like the drop shot for example, really do come into their on when using 8, 6 & even 4 pound line; and some feel the need to even go lower than that.

 

Since I do not fish any habitat where I would require the advertised super abrasion resistance that fluorocarbon provides, the only other advertised characteristic of the line I could benefit from here is this magic "Invisibility". 

 

I have yet to find a situation where a bass would eat a drop shot bait on 4 or 6 lb fluorocarbon but would not eat the same bait on 4 or 6 lb mono. ( and I use braid & a green, clear & smoke mono leader for drop shot) 

 

 I must be fishing for far sighted bass because they couldn't seem to care less about the wispy little strand of 4 lb line attached to that bait - they just suck it right up anyway.

 

Your results may vary.

 

A-Jay

[FryDog62]

I don't disagree with anything you stated A-Jay.  Much of the advantages of fluorocarbon are exaggerated, but at 2x the cost, line manufacturers will continue to promote over mono.  

[FryDog62]

Its been posted previously, but here is the stretch test I conducted recently that seems to indicate that fluorocarbon is NOT low stretch:

 

I used a 12 foot piece of each line and hung an 8 pound weight to see how much each line stretched in inches.  Below are the results - least stretch to most stretch.

 

All Lines Tested

1. Trilene XT (Mono)                          21-1/4 inches of stretch
2. Yo-Zuri Hybrid (Co-polymer)           22-1/8 
3. Sufix Seige (Mono)                          22-5/8
4. P-Line CX Premium (Co-polymer)  23-1/2 
5. Maxima Treazure (Co-polymer)      24-1/2
6. Trilene XL (Mono)                            24-3/4
7. Tectan Superior (Mono)                   25-7/8
8. Berkley Sensation (Mono)               26-1/8
9. Sunline Sniper (Fluorocarbon)         26-1/2
10. Gamma Touch (Fluorocarbon)        29-1/4
11. Original Blue Stren (Mono)             29-3/4
12. Gamma Edge (Fluorocarbon)         31-0**
13. Bass Pro XPS (Fluorocarbon)        31-3/4*
14. Stren 100% (Fluorocast)                 31-3/4*
15. Seaguar Tatsu (Fluorocarbon)        32-3/4
16. P-Line 100% (Fluorocarbon)           33-0*
17. Seaguar Invizx (Fluorocarbon)        36-0**
18. Berkley 100% (Fluorocarbon)         38-3/8

 

*Line snapped once and was re-tested

** Line snapped twice - length estimated

 

Broken Down By Line Type

• 3 Co-polymer lines average stretch:      23.4 inches
• 6 Monofilament lines average stretch:   25.1 inches
• 9 fluorocarbon lines average stretch:     32.2 inches

 

Line Diameter

Line diameter can have an effect on stretch, but 9 of these lines all had the same diameter (.009 inches).  Those lines are broken out below.  The overall results are similar for the 3 different line types.  

 

1. P-Line CX Premium (Co-polymer)  23-1/2
2. Maxima Treazure (Co-polymer)      24-1/2
3. Tectan Superior (Mono)                   25-7/8
4. Berkley Sensation (Mono)               26-1/8
5. Sunline Sniper (Fluorocarbon)         26-1/2
6. Gamma Touch (Fluorocarbon)         29-1/4
7. Bass Pro XPS (Fluorocarbon)          31-3/4*
8. Seaguar Tatsu (Fluorocarbon)         32-3/4
9. Seaguar Invizx (Fluorocarbon)         36-0**

 

Overall observations

• Newer Co-polymer lines being marketed specifically as “low stretch” for the most part seem to be accurate.
• Fluorocarbon tends to be the line with most stretch.
• Monofilament tends to be somewhere in the middle, although those with a thicker diameter (i.e. Trilene XT .011 and Sufix Seige .010) did stretch less.  
• Line diameter may have an effect on the stretch of certain lines, but overall, lines of the same diameter seem to reflect that Co-polymer and Monofilament lines still stretch less than Fluorocarbon.  
• Fluorocarbon lines tend to break easier when stretched to their maximum breaking strength.  In addition, once stretched it deforms from it original state, whereas mono/co-poly returns to its original form.  
• If you are concerned non-fluorocarbon lines absorb water and stretch more over time, try one of the low stretch lines like Yo-Zuri Hybrid that don't absorb water.  

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Wow. I didn't know it was that much. I am a big fan of pline cxx. I here alot about yo zuri co. Is it better. Maybe I should start that thread.

[J Francho]

What size line and was the line wet?

[FishTank]

It may be a few years old but TT has a great article about Fluorocarbon.

 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbon2.html