Fishing Line Diameter VS Fishing Line Density/Weight & Sink Rates

[DEPS_250]

When it comes to fishing line sink rates, I have read mixed opinions when it comes to comparing different fishing line diameters/LB tests. 

 

I have heard some people say...

Thicker line = More friction/drag = Slower rate of fall

Thinner line = Less friction/drag = Faster rate of fall

 

On the other hand I have also heard people say...

Thicker line = Heavier/Denser line = Faster rate of fall

Thinner line = Lighter/Less Dense line = Slower rate of fall

 

I am all confused, which variable takes precedence in this case/scenario, the line diameter or the line density/weight? Which one will have the most effect on impacting the rate of fall? 

 

More specifically, I am also concerned with the line type too. Mono vs fluorocarbon vs copolymer. Therefore...

1. Will a thicker mono sink slower than a thinner mono because it has more friction/drag or will it sink faster than a thinner mono since its heavier/denser?

2. Will a thicker fluorocarbon sink slower than a thinner fluorocarbon because it has more friction/drag or will it sink faster than a thinner fluorocarbon since its heavier/denser?

3. Will a thicker thicker copolymer sink slower than a thinner copolymer because it has more friction/drag or will it sink faster than a thinner copolymer since its heavier/denser?

 

With that said, I fish nothing but braid to leader for all of my fishing. I have been experimenting a lot lately with different line thickness/LB tests and some of my testing/observations are really confusing and all over the place. I have personally observed some of my baits sinking slower on a thicker line. On the other hand, I have also seen some baits sink fast on a thicker line also. I don't get it. 

 

Therefore, I need some accurate info and tips so I can better gauge which line diameters and/or LB tests I should be using in order to get the best action out of my baits, while also being able to fish them at the right sink rate and depths. 

[WRB]

Smaller diameter wins sink rate all things being equal. Small diameter steel line sinks faster then small diameter mono line  do to density. 
Coefficient of line drag increases with diameter but all line types are different.

Fluorocarbon coefficient of drag is less then both mono and copoly lines.

Braid is the lightest density of all lines, it floats!

larger diameter FC doesn’t sink faster then smaller diameter FC.

Tom

[dodgeguy]

Your first mistake is saying thicker lines are denser.IMHO thinner braid gets lures that get returned down the fastest.next is mono. Thicker mono is resistance to depth. There is not enough density to make mono sink. Thinner flourocarbon goes deeper. Flourocarbon is denser so that also helps.

 

 

 

[bulldog1935]

OP confuses two different effects. Thicker line drags slower through the water. 

Density compares specific weight of everything to water.

PE braid is 4% lighter than water.  Monofilament is 15% heavier than water. Fluorocarbon is 78% heavier than water.

For the same diameter,  the heavier line will sink faster. For the same line MOC, thinner diameter has less drag and the lure will pull it down faster. 

Because of drag difference, thinner lighter braid will sink faster than thicker heavier mono or fluoro - especially fishing lighter lures.

 

As far as the strength, starting with 4-lb mono, PE braid of the same diameter varies from 10-lb to 25-lb.  (yes, there's that much difference in braid).  

 

The whole thing falls apart when you remove lure weight and consider surface tension - what does it take to initially break through the water surface and start sinking - thin wins here again, slicing through the surface tension.  

Even though they were denser than water, old silk fly lines fished dry flies, not because they floated in the water (they didn't), but because they sat on the surface tension.  

[WRB]

Braid floats regardless if diameter. Braid being very small diameter will let a sinking or diving lure run deeper but not deeper than equal diameter FC line. This is where strength vs diameter comes into play.

Tom