A fishing line is one of the most essential fishing accessories every fisherman should have at all times when they’re fishing. It provides the connection between them and the fish, right after the rod itself. For novice anglers, it may be confusing to know what particular type of fishing line to use when catching different types of fish. There are so many types of fishing lines out there and each of them has a specific function.

What is a Fishing Line?

A fishing line is a long-threaded material that is made of nylon, silk or wire. This is used with a fishing rod to catch and reel in fish. The line is cast from the rod then flies through the air, and ultimately lands down into underwater. When you buy a fishing line, they usually come spooled on a reel. It can usually be bought at marine shops. 

The Different Types of Fishing Lines

Monofilament: This type of line, also known as mono, is composed of just one plastic fibre, most commonly nylon, and has been around for a long time. Some benefits of using monofilament lines are their affordability, abundance of availability, and ease of use. Due to its flexible and stretchable material, you can use mono on most fishing adventures. 

Additionally, the material has good elasticity under pressure, reducing the likelihood that the hook will tear through a fish’s mouth, making it easy for the fish to escape. Mono also has a slow sink rate, which is ideal for topwater lures so the lures can stay afloat longer on the water’s surface. 

You can also choose various colours available in the market because it is much easier to tint mono than other types of lines. You can pick less visible shades, such as green, clear, or blue, or you can also choose contrasting colours to help you watch the lines. Some monolines change tones when they go underwater. In addition, monofilament lines are among the most affordable ones, giving you plenty of opportunities to catch fish without breaking the bank. 

While there are a lot of benefits when using mono lines, there are also some drawbacks. For instance, prolonged exposure to UV light degrades them, which means you’ll have to replace them more often.

Braid: Braid is stronger compared to mono, so you can pack more lines on a spool. It also sinks faster, casts farther, and trolls deeper as well. Braid is usually considered one of the best fishing lines for spinning reels. It also doesn’t break down easily so you can keep it on the spool year after year. And though it comes in several colours, it’s not see-through like mono.

The downside with a braid fishing line is that it is very slippery so you have to use knots that can hold it together. Braid is also so strong that it’s difficult to cut using regular shears. You need to carry nail clippers or very sharp scissors. Braids can easily be damaged on harder structures, so it’s not the best choice if you’re fishing near docks, reefs, or rocky waters.

Braids are also not very beginner-friendly, so they can be tricky to handle it. You need some guidance and practice to be able to use braids correctly.  Braided line is more expensive than mono, but lasts longer.

Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon line or ‘fluoro'  as it is sometimes called, is the third type of fishing line generally in use. The key attribute of fluoro is that it allows light to pass through it due to having a similar refractive nature to water. This characteristic is what attracts a lot of professional anglers to use this type of line to tie their hook to because of its low visibility properties, especially in sparkling clear water. Fish can’t easily see it and won’t get easily spooked in biting down the bait.

 Another common use for fluorocarbon is for a leader between the main line and rig to ensure fish can’t see the few feet of the line above the rig. Another key attribute of fluorocarbon is its abrasion resistance. It’s not prone to get bitten through by the teeth of a fish or damaged on hard structures found in environments some fish live in. This means fluoro is a good choice if your fishing activities get aggressive.

Fluorocarbon is more expensive than mono because it’s harder to make but, as it’s used in smaller lengths than mono, a spool usually lasts for a long time. Fishing is one of the most enjoyable family activities, and choosing the right type of fishing line is the key to a successful trip and catching bountiful fish.