What Line Do I Need
So by now you should have your rod and reel. You are itching to go fishing but you need something to attach your bait to and bring in some fish. That’s where your fishing line comes in. Many anglers will argue that fishing line is probably the most important thing to consider when going fishing; after all it is your lifeline to the water and to the fish. In this article I will explain to you the three basic and most commonly used types of fishing lines, but first thing is first as I will explain to you about pound test.
Pound test is the measurement that all fishing lines are measured against and this measurement will be clearly labelled on any fishing line you buy. Pound test is a measurement that explains how much weight or pressure the line can support before it breaks. Obviously the more pound test the line has the more weight/pressure it can support. Now you may be asking why am I mentioning pressure? Well the reason is that you may be able to land a 6 pound fish on 6 pound line but don’t forget that fish will be fighting you, may get wrapped up in some weeds, or some tree stumps making the actual pressure greater than 6 pounds, so ideally you want a line that has a greater pound test than the fish you will catch. The main idea is to really think about what type of fishing you plan on doing, what you will be fishing for, and what works best for you.
1. Monofilament Line
Monofilament line, often just called mono, is probably the most popular type of fishing line. It is simple and cheap to make therefore it is usually the first type of line that most beginning anglers use. Often times when you buy a cheaply made rod and reel combo it will come pre-spooled with mono line, but as I mentioned in my article What Rod and Reel Do I Need to Started With Fishing stay away from those too good to be true deals as they will simply frustrate you, break down, and cause tangles. Don’t get me wrong, there is a place and time for mono line, just as there is a place and time for all lines but I really do not want you to get aggravated with cheap fishing equipment.
Mono line comes in many pound tests but usually you will see it anywhere from 5 pound test up to 20 pound test. It also comes in many different colours from white and clear to blue and green. The idea is that the colour of the line blends in with the colour of the water you are fishing. Mono is a great line to use for beginners, but be aware that there are some drawbacks with it. It is susceptible to UV rays and heat causing it to degrade and weaken. It also has a tendency to absorb water the older it gets, so initially it will stay on top of the water when you cast it out making it easy for you to set the hook, but as it gets old it tends to start sinking making your hook sets not as effective. Mono line also has high stretch. This means that when you go to set the hook you will have to set it quite aggressively to make sure you hook up with your catch. It also has less sensitivity when fishing which may cause you to lose a fish or two. If you plan on trying fishing for your first time or are not an avid angler I highly suggest you try using mono line first and as you begin to fall in love with fishing you can start looking at other options in line.
2. Braided Line
Braided lines, my personal favourite, have a few advantages over mono lines, but their one major drawback is that they are quite visible and can scare off fish. The way around this is by attaching a few feet of mono or fluorocarbon line on the end of your braided line so that the portion of your line that is attached to your bait looks natural and blends in with the water. Braided lines usually have a higher pound test rating then mono lines and can range from 15 pound test up to 65 or even 70 pound test. These lines are not as susceptible to heat and UV rays as mono line is since they are made out of different materials and even though they are usually rated higher in pound test they are thinner than mono. They have excellent knot strength, are abrasion resistant, and have very low stretch allowing you to easily set your hook and pull fish out of really heavy cover such as weeds, lily pads, and stumps. One unique thing that I really like about braided lines is that they are quite visible for the angler. This means that you will be able to see your line tighten and can set your hook that much faster to make sure you hook up and land a fish.
3. Fluorocarbon Line
Fluorocarbon line is one of the newest and hottest lines on the market. It is a great all around fishing line and if you plan on fishing often and wish to have less tangles I highly suggest you forego buying mono line and spend the extra money on fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon is valued for its many characteristics. This line becomes almost invisible once it is in the water so fish do not get scared off, it has low stretch which allow for quick and solid hook sets, and it is very abrasion resistant. Fluorocarbon is so strong and abrasion resistant that it can be used as a leader since fish have an almost impossible time trying to bite through it. When fishing in clear waters I love to use this line. It comes in a variety of pound tests ranging from as little as 4 pounds up to 20 pound test. Another big advantage with fluorocarbon is that it has very low memory. Unlike mono line, fluorocarbon will not come off in spools or coils when stored on your reel for long periods of time, in turn causing less tangles and more successful fishing.
If you are just getting started in fishing then mono line is definitely the way to go, but if are getting more experienced and more serious about fishing try using some braided or fluorocarbon lines.
