Fishing Line Types and Uses

On the other hand, green may be more visible than clear in very clear water. Overall, green is a good line color choice for many different situations. While we could write a book on performance fishing lines, the bottom line is that they have differences — characteristics that make them more applicable to certain situations. Hopefully the information shared here will help you better understand those differences, so that you can make the right choice for a given application, regardless of whose brand you buy.

Many of us started using fluorocarbon leaders, primarily in saltwater and fly fishing applications because of its low visibility. Sales currently have increased drastically because fishermen are catching more fish with it. The original fluorocarbon leaders were stiff and very expensive, but new technologies have produced more flexible fluorocarbon at more affordable prices. I recently read where Berkley has come out with a product called Nanofil that’s neither a braid nor a monofilament and it is actually made of the same stuff as braid.

History of Fishing Line and Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

You never know when you may need to add a piece of tippet as a bite section or reduce visibility for wary fish. In terms of braided line, Trilene makes some basic braided line, as well as braided super line with very high tensile strength. Fish will most likely be able to see it, especially if the weather and water is just right.

The breakdown of lines, especially in string trimmers, leads to microplastics which may cause starvation or poisoning of organisms in soil or water. With minimum stretch, Spectra is designed for maximum sensitivity, enhancing anglers’ detection of strikes and performance under stress. With up to 24% less stretch than nylon, Spectra offers anglers the edge they need to catch and keep their fish. This comes from the studies that show how red objects lose their color first underwater.

The yellow line does have a time and place and the benefit of being able to detect bites may outweigh any possible reduction in bites from line-wary fish. Manufacturers who make pink fluorocarbon lines claim that this tint of the line is hard to detect underwater. While it may be hard to believe since they are very visible to anglers, there is some truth to their claims, especially with pink lines. Scientific studies and first-hand accounts of divers underwater have shown that pink loses its color at various depths.

Tenkara lines are special lines used for the fixed-line fishing method of tenkara. Traditionally these are furled lines the same length as the tenkara rod. Although original to Japan, these lines are similar to the British tradition of furled leader. They consist of several strands being twisted together in decreasing numbers toward the tip of the line, thus creating a taper that allows the line to cast the fly.

It’s solid and sensitive, so you can almost immediately detect when a fish bites. This line has great casting distance and excellent abrasion resistance. Its smaller diameter makes it ideal for long hikes where you want to carry as little weight as possible.

Braided Lines

Monofilament line is the kind of fishing line that has been around the longest, for well over 60 years. Fluorocarbon line manufacturers set aside large budgets to undertake this research and development to bring new and improved fluorocarbon lines to the market. The die is made from metal and will have a series of holes all over it. The holes could be the same or different sizes – that depends on the company.

These don’t reference the breaking strength, but instead the heaviness of the line, which needs to match up with the fly rod. Fly line attaches to a leader called a tippet which comes in different breaking strengths. Fishing line provides the connection between you and the fish, making it your most vital piece of fishing gear after the rod itself. From hook to rod, every motion, every tug, every drag-screaming run flows through the line to the angler.