How to Choose Fishing Line

Fishing line selection can feel like a daunting decision for anglers, especially with the variety of materials available. Among the most commonly used types are monofilament, fluorocarbon and braided fishing lines, each with unique properties that cater to different fishing scenarios. While they all serve the same purpose—delivering bait to fish and giving anglers a means of reeling in their catch—the materials, strengths, weaknesses and ideal applications for each line type vary significantly.

To help you understand when to use each line and why, we’ll break down the differences between fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided fishing lines, and offer guidance on how to make the best choice for your fishing style.

Monofilament Fishing Line: The Old Standby

Monofilament fishing line, often referred to simply as "mono," is the most traditional and widely used type of fishing line. It’s made from a single strand of nylon, and its characteristics make it an all-purpose line suitable for a variety of fishing techniques. However, it does have its strengths and weaknesses depending on the conditions and the fish species you're targeting.

Key Characteristics of Monofilament Fishing Line

  • Stretch: One of the defining features of monofilament is its stretch. Mono can stretch up to 25-30%, which provides a degree of shock absorption when fighting fish. This is beneficial when targeting fish that tend to make sudden runs or strong pulls, as the stretch helps prevent the line from snapping under pressure.
  • Ease of Use: Monofilament is relatively easy to handle, making it a great choice for beginners. It’s forgiving, knots well, and handles well in cold or hot temperatures.
  • Visibility: Monofilament is generally more visible underwater compared to fluorocarbon or braided lines. This can be an advantage in certain situations where visibility in the water can help with bite detection or if the fish are not leader-shy. However, in clear water or when fish are line-shy, this can be a disadvantage.
  • Affordability: Mono tends to be the least expensive of the three line types, making it a popular choice for anglers on a budget.

Best Applications for Monofilament Fishing Line

  • Topwater Fishing: Due to its stretch and buoyancy, monofilament is great for topwater fishing techniques where the line needs to float, such as with poppers, buzzbaits, or walking baits.
  • Crankbait and Spinnerbait Fishing: When fishing with moving baits, especially crankbaits and spinnerbaits, mono’s stretch helps absorb the shock when fish strike. It also adds a bit of forgiveness when trying to avoid snags or break-offs.
  • General-Purpose Fishing: For many anglers, monofilament is a go-to option for a variety of species and fishing styles. Its versatility, coupled with its relatively low price, makes it a safe bet for many situations.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line: The Invisible Workhorse

Fluorocarbon fishing line has gained significant popularity over the past two decades due to its unique qualities that make it ideal for certain fishing situations. It is made from a polymer that is chemically similar to the material used in the production of Teflon, giving it a set of properties that can make it a superior choice in certain scenarios.

Key Characteristics of Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

  • Low Visibility: One of the biggest selling points of fluorocarbon is its near-invisibility underwater. It refracts light similarly to water, making it much harder for fish to detect than monofilament or braided lines. This makes it an ideal choice for fishing in clear water or when fish are particularly cautious.
  • Abrasion Resistance: Fluorocarbon is highly abrasion-resistant, making it the go-to choice when fishing around rocks, structure, or heavy cover. This durability helps prevent the line from fraying and breaking, which is particularly important when targeting species with sharp teeth or when fishing in areas with underwater obstructions.
  • Sinking Properties: Unlike monofilament, fluorocarbon is denser and sinks faster. This can be beneficial when you want your bait or lure to get down to the desired depth quickly, especially when fishing deep or vertical presentations like jigging.
  • Stiffness: Fluorocarbon tends to be stiffer than monofilament, which can make it more difficult to cast long distances. It also tends to have less stretch, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the situation.

Best Applications for Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

  • Clear Water Fishing: Fluorocarbon’s ability to blend in with the surroundings makes it perfect for fishing in clear water conditions. Whether you’re targeting species like bass, trout, or bonefish, fluorocarbon is often the best choice when fish are likely to be wary of visible lines.
  • Leader Line: While you can use fluorocarbon as a mainline, it’s most commonly used as a leader material, especially when fishing with braided line. This is because fluorocarbon is less visible, tougher, and sinks faster, which makes it ideal for getting your bait or lure closer to fish without detection.
  • Jigging and Deep Water Fishing: If you’re fishing in deep water or using techniques that require the line to sink quickly—like bottom fishing or vertical jigging—fluorocarbon’s sinking properties make it an excellent choice.

Braided Fishing Line: Strength and Sensitivity

Braided fishing line, or "braid," has become a popular choice for anglers in recent years due to its unique advantages. Made from several strands of fiber braided together, braided line offers high strength and low stretch, making it ideal for certain fishing techniques.

Key Characteristics of Braided Fishing Line

  • No Stretch: One of the defining characteristics of braided line is its lack of stretch. This offers unparalleled sensitivity, allowing anglers to feel even the lightest bite or the subtlest changes in the environment. This is particularly beneficial for techniques like drop-shotting, finesse fishing, or using soft plastics where detecting bites is crucial.
  • High Strength-to-Diameter Ratio: Braided lines are incredibly strong for their diameter. This means you can use a much thinner line with the same breaking strength as thicker monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. For instance, a 10-pound test braid may have the same strength as a 20-pound test mono or fluorocarbon, giving you more line capacity without sacrificing strength.
  • Durability and Lifespan: Braided lines are incredibly durable and resistant to wear, especially in comparison to monofilament. While braid is more susceptible to abrasion than fluorocarbon, it will still last much longer than mono, especially in environments with minimal underwater structure.
  • Visibility: One downside of braided line is its visibility. Unlike fluorocarbon, which is almost invisible underwater, braided line is very visible, particularly in clear water. As a result, it’s often used as a backing line or when fishing in murky water or conditions where visibility doesn’t matter as much.

Best Applications for Braided Fishing Line

  • Heavy Cover and Structure Fishing: If you’re fishing in thick weeds, brush, or other heavy cover, braided line’s strength and abrasion resistance make it a great choice for pulling fish out of tough spots. It’s especially effective for techniques like punching, flipping, or frogging, where you need to make precise casts and handle fish in dense vegetation.
  • Deep Water and Distance Casting: Since braided line has a higher strength-to-diameter ratio, you can use thinner line for greater line capacity, which is ideal for deep-water fishing or long-distance casting. It also works well for applications like trolling where you need to cover large distances without worrying about line stretch.
  • Spinning Reels for Light Baits: When paired with a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader, braided line is fantastic for fishing with light baits, such as soft plastics, finesse jigs, or jerkbaits. The lack of stretch gives you the sensitivity needed for precise presentations, while the line’s thin diameter makes it easier to cast lightweight lures.

Choosing the Right Fishing Line for Your Needs

While each type of fishing line has its advantages, the choice between fluorocarbon, monofilament, and braided lines ultimately comes down to the fishing situation at hand. Here are a few considerations that can help guide your decision:

  • Fishing Environment: If you’re fishing in clear water with cautious fish, fluorocarbon is often your best bet. If you’re targeting fish in heavy cover or dense vegetation, braided line is ideal. For general-purpose fishing in more forgiving conditions, monofilament might be the best choice.
  • Fishing Technique: For techniques that require sensitivity (e.g., drop-shotting, finesse fishing), braided line is the way to go. For deep water or bottom fishing, fluorocarbon’s sinking properties give it an edge. For topwater presentations and situations where you need shock absorption, monofilament excels.
  • Budget Considerations: If you’re fishing on a budget, monofilament is the most cost-effective option, especially for beginner anglers. Fluorocarbon tends to be more expensive, while braided line can be pricier upfront but offers long-term durability.

Final Thoughts: There’s No Need to Overcomplicate Your Fishing Line Selection

Each of the three major types of fishing lines—monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided—offers its own unique set of advantages and drawbacks. Understanding the characteristics of each type and how they relate to the fishing technique or environment you’re facing can significantly improve your chances of success on the water.