When Should I Use a Fluorocarbon, Monofilament, or Braided Fishing Line?

The type of fishing line makes a big difference.

The first one is easy. Fluorocarbon lines sink and have considerable stretch, making them almost exclusively used by catfish and other bottom-dweller anglers. The other two are more complex, and not just because they float. A monofilament fishing line (mono) is typically a single nylon strand. A braided line (braid) is a tightly woven strand of synthetic fiber.

In a nutshell, a braided line is best for long, topwater casts. Braid’s smaller diameter allows you to pack more line onto your reel, greatly increasing your range. Braid also has less memory. So, it comes off the reel smoother and has fewer kinks catching the guides on its way through the rod. Mono is best in specific situations, like close-quarters fishing with treble-hook baits.

Angler 360, the number one bait and tackle shop in Dunedin, carries a full range of fluorocarbon, mono, braid, and more. Furthermore, we offer expert advice to anglers of all skill levels, helping you maximize your outdoor experience.

When to Use Braid Fishing Line

The thin diameter braid with less memory can be wound tight onto the spool and comes off limp and straight, making for longer casts with fewer tangles. Furthermore, you could conceivably use a mono leader with a braided mainline to capture the qualities of the braid and mono.

Braid is better suited for most vegetation applications. Braid blends in well with thick vegetation, making it harder to detect even in clear water. Furthermore, the braid easily cuts through most grasses and submerged vegetation.

Braid is even better for baits like buzz baits, spinnerbaits, and vibrating jigs when making long casts and fishing through relatively dense cover, though mono is adequate for these last three baits in open water when long casts are not necessary.

When to Use Mono Fishing Line

Mono’s low visibility and high stretch make it ideal for subsurface baits with treble hooks.

The main exception to this general rule is fishing lipless crankbaits over and through submerged vegetation. The low stretch of the braid provides you with the ability to rip your lure free from the cover during the retrieve.

Mono is better than braid in most clear-water situations, except in dense vegetation and long-range topwater fishing. As mentioned, a braid-to-mono leader gives you the best of both worlds. The combo takes advantage of the pros of each line type while simultaneously negating the negative aspects.

Mono is also great for beginners. It is cheaper and more forgiving, both when casting and fighting fish. Braid is often difficult to cast at first, so inexperienced anglers could have problems like cut-it-out-and-start-over backlashes.

Finally, when fishing around wood or woody vegetation like thick gator grass, heavy-pound-test monofilament is the better of these two-line selections (though most would argue fluorocarbon would win out again in a three-line runoff). Because of the braid’s thin diameter and high strength, it slices right through leafy and green vegetation. Be aware that these same qualities often cause braid to dig into wood and vines, often resulting in lost fish and hung-up baits.

For more ways to maximize your outdoor experience, contact Angler 360.