Which Line?

[Rcfan7]

I just want to know the the advantages and disadvantages of braided, fluorocarbon, and monofilament line? 

[AdamsEye]

Using them all to your advantage is key, for each fisherman results may vary.

 

Basic properties braid and mono float, floro sinks. Floro and mono stretch, braid does not.

 

Floro is least visible in the water, and braid offers the smallest line diameter.

 

They will all work, some better then others in different situations.

[John G]

Both FC and mono have better slack line sensitivity than braid which has none.

[Neil McCauley]

Mono: Soft, supple, but stretchy, has high memory. Casts far but damages easily, absorbs water, gets twisted up. I like this for casting long distance topwater in clear water, or casting very small lures like small plugs, spinners, jigs. That is about it. Everything else FC does better. Especially for lures over 1/2 oz when casting is easier. Mono is a really bad choice for anything when you need to detect a strike and set the hook firmly, mainly plastics and crankbaits. It does better when you can visually detect a strike and don't have to set the hook through 20 feet deep of water. In other words- topwater and small panfishing gear. I like it a lot for casting, when it's fresh it just flies off the spool, can 50-60+ yards with certain lures. But it wears out quick, I usually re-spool it for every trip.

FC: very stiff, it is like fishing with a wire directly connecting the bait to you, has amazing sensitivity. I swear I can feel even just a leaf of weed brushing by. Downside is it doesn't cast well at all, especially with small lures. It's a fantastic trolling line. I can tell by the way the rod tip vibrates whether the lure is running clean or has some weeds clung to it. The best part is it doesn't absorb water, doesn't stretch or retain kinks/twisting damage as much. So you can go a long time without changing it. Worst part is it costs about 3x as much as mono. But worth it! I can't stand fishing crankbaits and plastics without FC now.

Braid: I don't really use it.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

FC has knot problems and kinking problems also .i think your onto something though straight line trolling with all the cons FC has this may be its only advantages.mono and copolymer may not be as abrasion resistant but id rather bring back my empty line that was abraded rather then a knot that failed.and that hasnt happened yet in 35yrs of fishing so im good

[d-camarena]

Mono: Soft, supple, but stretchy, has high memory. Casts far but damages easily, absorbs water, gets twisted up. I like this for casting long distance topwater in clear water, or casting very small lures like small plugs, spinners, jigs. That is about it. Everything else FC does better. Especially for lures over 1/2 oz when casting is easier. Mono is a really bad choice for anything when you need to detect a strike and set the hook firmly, mainly plastics and crankbaits. It does better when you can visually detect a strike and don't have to set the hook through 20 feet deep of water. In other words- topwater and small panfishing gear. I like it a lot for casting, when it's fresh it just flies off the spool, can 50-60+ yards with certain lures. But it wears out quick, I usually re-spool it for every trip.

FC: very stiff, it is like fishing with a wire directly connecting the bait to you, has amazing sensitivity. I swear I can feel even just a leaf of weed brushing by. Downside is it doesn't cast well at all, especially with small lures. It's a fantastic trolling line. I can tell by the way the rod tip vibrates whether the lure is running clean or has some weeds clung to it. The best part is it doesn't absorb water, doesn't stretch or retain kinks/twisting damage as much. So you can go a long time without changing it. Worst part is it costs about 3x as much as mono. But worth it! I can't stand fishing crankbaits and plastics without FC now.

Braid: I don't really use it.

Thats a biased opinion, flouro has just as much stretch and more memory than mono

[FryDog62]

In fact, almost all fluorocarbon lines stretch MORE than mono or co-polymer lines...

[boostr]

I don't know what your talking about, I use 18lb sufix floro for flippn an pitchn jigs, and it's awesome. It stretches much less than a mono in that pnd test. I don't have any knot problems. I've pulled in trees with it.

[FryDog62]

I don't know what your talking about, I use 18lb sufix floro for flippn an pitchn jigs, and it's awesome. It stretches much less than a mono in that pnd test. I don't have any knot problems. I've pulled in trees with it.

I didn't include Sufix fluorocarbon in the stretch tests I posted earlier but did test several other brands.  Co-polys stretched the least, followed by mono and fluorocarbon bringing up the rear.  Maybe you have a unique fluorocarbon in Sufix but overall, flouros are a very stretchy category of lines... 

[K_Mac]

I use mono for trebles, and fluorocarbon for everything else. I also do not like braid and don't have it on any of my gear at this point. As you can see, some think braid is the best choice for manageability and sensitivity. I do not. You really have to decide by using various lines and seeing what works best for you. Good luck.

[FryDog62]

I can virtually guarantee if you did a stretch test between 18 pound Sufix fluorocarbon against either Trilene XT (mono) or Yo-Zuri Hybrid (Co-polymer) in the same pound test, the Sufix would stretch more.  And the XT and YH would be more abrasion resistant.  Fluorocarbon would have more of a sink rate but that's about the only advantage IMO.  

[K_Mac]

Frydog we've been around this bush many times. The increased density of fluorocarbon is the advantage. That not only causes it to sink faster, but also transfers vibration better. I feel more when using fluorocarbon. Is it the best choice for the OP? I don't know. Only he can decide. It is certainly the best choice for me.

[FryDog62]

Agreed, if the OP needs density (faster sink rate) then Fluorocarbon may be the best option.  But if he needs a more manageable line, less stretch, higher strength, better knots, more abrasion resistance, and better price then XT of YH may be a better option IMO.   The other option I would offer is a sinking braid (Tuf-line Hevicore, Spiderwire fluorobraid) attached with a fluorocarbon leader, might be another option worth experimenting with...allows sink rate and sensitivity (and minimal stretch).  Just offering suggestions... so he can arrive at his best choice for his fishing style.  

[Team9nine]

Agreed, if the OP needs density (faster sink rate) then Fluorocarbon may be the best option.  But if he needs a more manageable line, less stretch, higher strength, better knots, more abrasion resistance, and better price then XT of YH may be a better option IMO.   The other option I would offer is a sinking braid (Tuf-line Hevicore, Spiderwire fluorobraid) attached with a fluorocarbon leader, might be another option worth experimenting with...allows sink rate and sensitivity (and minimal stretch).  Just offering suggestions... so he can arrive at his best choice for his fishing style.  

 

That statement still seems like a bit of an overgeneralization to me. Tying density only to "sink rate" doesn't tell the whole story. The same could be said of claiming "higher strength" and "more abrasion resistance." For example, making certain that exactly similar diameters are being compared, and that wet samples are being used/tested, I think you'd find at worst a negligible difference in most nylon and fluoro samples in these two categories, and in many cases, especially abrasion resistance, better performance by fluorocarbon. Since there are so few (if any) industry standards in regards to rating fishing lines, combined with so many different formulations and variations on the market, it really is getting difficult to make general comparisons...but I'm with you on stretch and manageability

 

-T9

[bigbill]

Just to add another choice,

Mono rubber band.

Copolymer is way less stretch over standard mono.

I use Excalibur silver thread copolymer.

[FryDog62]

Just to add another choice,

Mono rubber band.

Copolymer is way less stretch over standard mono.

I use Excalibur silver thread copolymer.

 

Yes co-polymers tend to stretch the least of any line type (outside of braided lines), but if mono is a rubber band, then what is fluorocarbon?  Most fluorocarbons will have more stretch than mono.... many by quite a margin.

[MrBigFishSC]

I always get into trouble with line posts. Seems like I rub someone the wrong way every time.

Anyway, mono is cheap and easy to spool. It doesn't have the abrasion resistance or sensitivity of fluoro but it's easier to cast. Use it for just about anything moving or surface. Just watch the wear if fishing around cover. Fluoro is stiffer and more dense than mono and sinks so it works well with deeper and bottom oriented presentations. Knots and castability are compromised somewhat so just pay attention to your knots and spooling. Braid is the most durable and casts well but you must tie leaders between it and most baits. It's the rage now so you can find any size and weight to accommodate. It floats so remember that when fishing bottom oriented presentations or deep cranking.

I remember fishing a Creme worm on a spin cast 40 years ago slowly dragging it across the bottom. I didn't know line or anything then just how much fun it was to catch bass. Just have a good time and don't worry about your line.

[bigbill]

Using Excalibur silver thread line 8#/10# test I can outcast anyone.

In shore fishing that matters.

In my beginning of bass fishing I lost to many bass of all sizes do to poor quality line. I could fish with a dropline as long as it had good line. I pulled in a snapping turtle the size of my 235-15 jeep tire with 8lb test.

[bigbill]

I always get into trouble with line posts. Seems like I rub someone the wrong way every time.

Anyway, mono is cheap and easy to spool. It doesn't have the abrasion resistance or sensitivity of fluoro but it's easier to cast. Use it for just about anything moving or surface. Just watch the wear if fishing around cover. Fluoro is stiffer and more dense than mono and sinks so it works well with deeper and bottom oriented presentations. Knots and castability are compromised somewhat so just pay attention to your knots and spooling. Braid is the most durable and casts well but you must tie leaders between it and most baits. It's the rage now so you can find any size and weight to accommodate. It floats so remember that when fishing bottom oriented presentations or deep cranking.

I remember fishing a Creme worm on a spin cast 40 years ago slowly dragging it across the bottom. I didn't know line or anything then just how much fun it was to catch bass. Just have a good time and don't worry about your line.

Creme worms natural color or black. Then they went to purple

[bigbill]

I always get into trouble with line posts. Seems like I rub someone the wrong way every time.

Anyway, mono is cheap and easy to spool. It doesn't have the abrasion resistance or sensitivity of fluoro but it's easier to cast. Use it for just about anything moving or surface. Just watch the wear if fishing around cover. Fluoro is stiffer and more dense than mono and sinks so it works well with deeper and bottom oriented presentations. Knots and castability are compromised somewhat so just pay attention to your knots and spooling. Braid is the most durable and casts well but you must tie leaders between it and most baits. It's the rage now so you can find any size and weight to accommodate. It floats so remember that when fishing bottom oriented presentations or deep cranking.

I remember fishing a Creme worm on a spin cast 40 years ago slowly dragging it across the bottom. I didn't know line or anything then just how much fun it was to catch bass. Just have a good time and don't worry about your line.

Creme worms natural color or black. Then they went to purple that's a lifetime ago.