How to Select Fishing Line Right for the Situation

Whether you are a dedicated saltwater angler or a die-hard freshwater fisherman, the type and quality of the fishing line you use can make all the difference in the world when it comes to fishing success. Today, anglers have the luxury of choosing between many different kinds of fishing lines, each offering certain advantages for specific angling assignments. So how do what type of line is best for a particular fishing situation? It helps to know the differences between the various types of lines available. Here is some useful information that will help you make an informed choice before you “Spool Up”.

Monofilament Fishing Lines

For decades, monofilament fishing line has been the most commonly used line among saltwater and freshwater anglers alike. Despite the fact that there are newer lines now available, some of which are better for certain applications, monofilament line is still one of the best, most versatile choices available for all-around fishing. Mono line does stretch under pressure, allowing for advantages and disadvantages. Line stretch weakens the strength of the line as a fish exerts pressure on the other end. However, it also allows for some extra reaction time when a fish runs or jumps. This extra reaction time can provide the angler with the few seconds needed to make adjustments before a hooked fish is able to break the line.

Monofilament line comes in many different colors, and every angler has his or her favorite for various reasons. Obviously, you’ll want to select the color that will be the least visible to the fish, considering the surrounding water color and conditions. Most veteran anglers opt for either clear, clear/blue or clear/green colors when it comes to line. There are also fluorescent lines available, designed for specific situations that call for increased visibility by the angler. The problem with flourescent lines is that it seems these lines are just as visible to the fish.

Nylon Copolymer-Resin Monofilaments

This fairly recent line innovation is a variation of traditional monofilament. Copolymer resins, like most monofilament lines stretch under pressure, but they offer greater flexibility than ordinary mono. This allows for greater casting ease and accuracy. Line strength, diameter and price are typically on par with various high quality monofilaments available.

Superbraid Fishing Lines

Superbraids represent a relatively new development in fishing line, and offer some definite benefits for certain angling scenarios. Extremely sensitive superbraids, such as Spiderwire, allow the slightest, most subtle hit by a game fish to be transmitted quickly up the line to the rod and the angler’s fingertips. This allows the fisherman to detect any “pick-ups” from a predator right away, allowing for a timely hook set. The diameter of superbraided line is much thinner than monofilament, allowing for increased line capacity on a reel. Like monofilament, the superbraided lines are easy to cast. Superbraids cost more than most quality monofilament lines. However, many anglers feel the advantages justify this higher price tag.

Gel-Spun Polyethylene

Gel-spun polyethylene lines are among the newest fishing lines available to anglers. While they are more costly, they do offer some significant advantages. The composition, along with the fact that these lines have virtually no memory, allows for easy and accurate casting. The polyethylene lines are strong, with breaking strengths similar to superbraids. In addition to excellent castability, these lines have minimal stretch, making them ideal for working jigs in deeper water. Some anglers feel that the dark gray/black color of these lines is detectable by fish under certain conditions, but for the most part, polyethylene fishing line offer more benefits than drawbacks.

Dacron Braided Fishing Line

Dacron fishing line has been a long-time favorite among saltwater anglers, but is being replaced in many situations by the newer superbraids (which offer the same low stretch benefits and a much thinner diameter). Dacron lines are still an excellent choice, however, for trolling or deep-water fishing assignments. The fact that there is very little stretch in Dacron fishing lines allows for more positive hook sets when a lot of line is out (i.e. when trolling or deep fishing). Dacron lines are also fairly limp, and have little or no memory. This means the line won’t remain tightly coiled or kinked up after being cranked up – even tightly – onto the spool of a reel.

Wire and Monel Fishing Line

These specialized fishing lines are often used by anglers for fishing deep or trolling in waters with strong currents. The primary advantage of using Monel or Wire is the quick-sinking qualities of such lines. If you need to get your offering down into the strike zone quickly, wire line will get the job done better than anything else. Wire is prone to kinking and tangling, however, so care needs to be taken when letting this type of line out or cranking it back onto the spool. Monel, or lead-core lines, offer the same weight advantage for getting down deep, but are more flexible and less likely to tangle. Anglers should note that both Wire and Monel fishing lines are optimally designed for conventional reels with extra line capacity (to handle the wider diameter lines) and chromed-bronze spools (for corrosion resistance).

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