Choosing The Right Fishing Line
December 26th, 2009 | Fly Fishing News | No Comments »When we were much younger, everything seemed to be so much easier when we wanted to fish. All we really cared about was having the pup travelling along with us, any rod would do and the little two-tray tackle box. We didn’t need much, hooks and sinkers did it for us. We didn’t really pay much attention to what we were using for line and regardless, we felt that we caught the best fish! Today, look around and see how many rods and reels you now own and check out how many different types of line you now have stashed away in the closet.
The fishing tackle industry has managed to come up with a staggering variety of line types. The categories are easily defined as monofilament, braided and fluorocarbon and depending on whether you enjoy freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing or offshore you’ll want to use the line that is most beneficial to what you’re doing.
For the last 40 or so years, many people have fished using monofilament line. In reality, it is likely still the best selling fishing line available today. Monofilament line is made from one filament of extruded nylon. It is very inexpensive, but also very strong and somewhat pliable. Monofilament line is somewhat stretchy under tension, which acts like a shock absorber for catching aggressive fighters.
The biggest problem with monofilament line is that it tends to spiral off of the spool while you cast, and the springy coils caused by this “memory” turn into knots and similar negative effects. The stretch can also be a problem, especially when you are trying to pull a largemouth bass from thick weeds, or trying to keep a big striper from ducking between rocks and getting away.
Some of the issues with monofilament line can be avoided by switching to a braided line – though braided lines have their own issues. One of the most significant pitfalls to the braided line is its visibility. Braided line is best if used with a low or non-visibility leader or the fish will have too much warning! One of the best things about braided line is unlike its cousin the monofilament line it doesn’t have a great memory and is far less likely to develop knots as a result of coils and kinks. Another great thing about braided line is that it is very thin and also very strong. An eight pound monofilament line is about the same diameter as a thirty pound braided line – and it is great for fishing for small mouth bass or trout. Due to braided lines low abrasion resistance it is not the best line if you’re going to be fishing in an area that will cause your line to rub a great deal.
Initial marketing efforts of fluorocarbon lines were challenging – many anglers felt that its rigidity made spooling a challenge and that casting was problematic. Once fluorocarbon lines were enhanced, many fishermen discovered that this now popular line solved more problems than it caused. The fluorocarbon line is nearly invisible underwater which makes it perfect for those shallow waters and is also effective in deep water that’s clear. Many elect to create their leaders from fluorocarbons because it is highly abrasion resistant.
Regardless of what type of fishing you are doing, you will find the right line to make your experience fun and exciting. Remember, that the right line can make a difference between the numbers of fish you bring home at the end of the day. While fishing might have been a lot easier when we were young, familiarizing ourselves with the tools that allow us to keep bringing home bigger and better fish makes it even more exciting. Combine your knowledge of lines with your knowledge of lures and while it may not seem like it’s as easy as it used to be, fishing is still an exciting adventure regardless of your age. Sure, it may not be easier, but your increased knowledge and wisdom make it more fun and even more productive.
In order for your line to work correctly you have to make sure you have the right reel to use with it. Some of the most popular reels include: Daiwa Reels and Shimano Spinning Reels.