Your Best Darn Guide To Fishing Line

Having the right fishing gear is essential to reel in the big one. One of the most critical pieces of equipment is the fishing line. With so many different types and brands of fishing lines on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. This article will guide you through the different types of fishing lines and the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision on which is best for your next fishing trip.

How Fishing Line Is Made

Fishing line is typically made from one of several materials, including nylon, fluorocarbon, and braided lines made from materials such as Spectra or Dyneema. The specific manufacturing process for a particular type of fishing line may vary but generally involves melting the raw materials, extruding them through a die to create the desired shape and thickness, and then cooling and conditioning the line. Some lines may also be coated or treated with special chemicals or materials to improve their strength, abrasion resistance, or other properties.

Where Fishing Line Is Made

Many countries have companies that produce high-quality fishing lines and are known for their technology and quality. For example, Japan and the United States produce some of the best fluorocarbon lines, while Korea and China are known for their braided lines made of Spectra or Dyneema. Although many manufacturers use raw materials from a different country to make their fishing line, the quality of the line also depend on the manufacturing process, the quality control, and the treatment of the line.

Types Of Fishing Line

There are several types of fishing lines, including monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines. Monofilament line is made of a single strand of nylon and is the most common type of fishing line. Fluorocarbon line is similar to monofilament, but it is made of a different material that is less visible underwater. Braided line is made of multiple strands of material braided together and is known for its strength and sensitivity. There are also specialty lines such as fly fishing, ice fishing, and lead core lines.

Monofiliment Fishing Line

Monofilament line is made of a single strand of nylon and is the most common type of fishing line. There are several different types of monofilament fishing line, including:

1. Standard Monofilament: This is the most basic type of monofilament line and is suitable for many fishing applications.
2. Copolymer Monofilament: This type of monofilament line is made from a blend of nylon and other materials and is known for its strength and abrasion resistance.
3. Low-Vis Monofilament: This type of monofilament line is designed to be less visible in the water, making it a good choice for fishing in clear water or for species that are easily spooked by a visible line.
4. Extra-Strength Monofilament: This monofilament line is designed for heavy-duty fishing applications and is suitable for catching large fish or when extra strength is required.
5. Teflon-Coated Monofilament: This monofilament line is coated with Teflon, making it more abrasion resistant and less likely to twist or kink.
6. Fluorocarbon-Coated Monofilament: This monofilament line is coated with fluorocarbon, making it less visible in the water and more abrasion resistant.
7. Color Monofilament: This type of monofilament line come in different colors like clear, blue, green, yellow, etc., which makes it more visible in other water conditions.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

Fluorocarbon fishing line is made from a type of synthetic material known as fluorocarbon, similar to a monofilament line but less visible underwater. There are several types of fluorocarbon fishing line, including:

1. Standard Fluorocarbon: This is the most basic type of fluorocarbon line and is suitable for a wide range of fishing applications.
2. Copolymer Fluorocarbon: This type of fluorocarbon line is made from a blend of fluorocarbon and other materials and is known for its strength and abrasion resistance.
3. Low-Vis Fluorocarbon: This type of fluorocarbon line is designed to be less visible in the water, making it a good choice for fishing in clear water or for species that are easily spooked by a visible line.
4. Extra-Strength Fluorocarbon: This type of fluorocarbon line is designed for heavy-duty fishing applications and is suitable for catching large fish or in situations where extra strength is required.
5. Teflon-Coated Fluorocarbon: This fluorocarbon line is coated with Teflon, making it more abrasion resistant and less likely to twist or kink.
6. Colored Fluorocarbon: This type of fluorocarbon line come in different colors like clear, blue, green, yellow, etc., which make it more visible in other water conditions.

Fluorocarbon is denser than monofilament line, which makes it sink faster and can be used as leader material. Also, it has a lower refractive index than water, making it less visible underwater. The Fluorocarbon line is more expensive than monofilament, but it is also more durable and resistant to abrasion and UV rays.

Braided Fishing Line

A braided fishing line is made of multiple strands of material, creating a line known for its strength and sensitivity. There are several types of braided fishing line, including:

1. Standard Braided Line: This type of braided line is made from multiple strands of nylon or other synthetic fibers and is known for its strength and abrasion resistance.
2. Micro-Braided Line: This type of braided line is made from skinny material strands, making it more sensitive and easier to cast.
3. Spectra Braided Line: This type of braided line is made of a kind of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, which are known for their strength, abrasion resistance, and low stretch.
4. Dyneema Braided Line: This type of braided line is made from Dyneema fibers, which are known for their high strength-to-diameter ratio and UV resistance.
5. GORE Braided Line: This type of braided line is made from GORE fibers, which have a high strength and abrasion resistance.
6. Pe Braided Line: This type of braided line is made from polyethylene fibers, which are known for their low stretch, high strength, and abrasion resistance

A braided line is typically thinner and stronger than a monofilament or fluorocarbon line of the same diameter, which allows anglers to use a thinner line without sacrificing strength. However, it is also more visible in the water and can have more wind knots than other types of fishing lines.

The "X" Factor. In the context of the braided fishing line, the "x" is used to indicate the number of strands that make up the braid. For example, a "4x" braided line would mean that it is made up of 4 strands of material, while an "8x" braided line would mean that it is made up of 8 strands of material braided together. The more strands a braided line has, the stronger it will be. However, more strands also mean that the line will be thicker and more visible in the water. The number of strands also affects the line's sensitivity; a line with more strands tends to be less sensitive than one with fewer strands.

It's important to note that the number of strands doesn't always indicate the line's strength; other properties, like the material and the coating, also impact it. For example, a line with a lower number of strands but made with a stronger and abrasion-resistant material will be stronger than one with more strands made from a weaker material.

Braided Pounds Vs. Monofiliment Equivalent 

When comparing braided fishing line to monofilament line, it is common to use the term "pounds" to indicate the strength of the line. However, the pounds measurement for the braided line and monofilament line is not directly comparable.

A braided line is generally stronger than monofilament line of the same diameter, meaning that a braided line with a lower pound test rating may be stronger than a monofilament line with a higher pound test rating.

For example, a 20-pound braided line is often considered to be the equivalent of a 30-pound monofilament line in terms of strength. This is because a braided line is made of multiple strands of material, making it more robust for its diameter than a monofilament line.

It's important to note that the strength ratio varies between brand and line, so it's always best to check the manufacturer's specifications. Also, the strength of the line alone is not enough to make a decision; factors such as abrasion resistance, knot strength, stretch, etc. should be considered as well.

Spectra and Dyneema

Spectra and Dyneema are both high-performance fibers commonly used in the construction of braided fishing line. Both fibers are known for their high strength-to-diameter ratio, low stretch, and abrasion resistance.

Dyneema is a brand name for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, which are known for their exceptional strength and durability. Dyneema fibers are 15 times stronger than steel and 40% stronger than aramid fibers like Kevlar.

Spectra is a brand name for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers (UHMWPE) that Honeywell makes. Although Spectra fibers are similar to Dyneema fibers in terms of strength and durability, they are also light and have low elongation.

The main difference between Spectra and Dyneema is the manufacturer and the process used to make the fibers. Spectra is made by Honeywell, and DSM makes Dyneema. Both fibers are similar in terms of properties, but the production process, coatings, and the way they are braided can affect the final product's performance.

In conclusion, there are a variety of different types of fishing lines available, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. Monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided fishing lines are the most popular options. Choosing the right one depends on the type of fishing you will be doing and your personal preferences. Properly maintaining and storing your fishing line is also essential to ensure it lasts as long as possible and performs at its best. Finally, with the proper knowledge and understanding of fishing lines, you can always be equipped to catch the big one.

Tight Lines!

Jay Galvin is the owner of www.fishandsave.com, an online discount fishing tackle store serving the die-hard wholesale and retail fishing communities worldwide since 1997.