Fishing Line Comparison: How to Choose the Right Fishing Line

No matter if you’re a veteran angler that is looking for a new type of line to use or if you’ve never fished before in your life, it’s important to have the right line in your tackle box. Much like anything else in the world, if you choose the wrong fishing wire you’re going to be caught in a situation where your equipment won’t function properly.

In this guide we will discuss the different types of fishing line and which designs are better for various purposes.

What to Look for in Fishing Line

Before you even begin to look into the different types of fishing line, it’s important to think about what you should be looking for in the first place. You’re going to need to take your preferences into account such as the environment surrounding your normal fishing spot, what time of species you’re going after, and what helps you to have a more enjoyable time out on the water.

The Durability of Your Fishing Line

The first thing you need to consider is the durability of the line you choose. This is different from the strength of the line, as durability is based on how well your line holds up once it’s in the water.

To find the perfect resilience, take a moment to think about where you typically fish and the environmental conditions. Do you prefer to go out on the open water or do you cast off in an area that has a ton of grass and waterweeds?

If the environment is relatively rough, you’re going to want to take a look into large diameter lines that are designed to prevent abrasion from rocks and underwater structures. You also need to take note of the manufacturer you’re buying from as durability will vary from company to company.

The best way to test which lines are best for your fishing is to test out different designs from different manufacturers.

Functionality

There are a few factors that make up the functionality of your line ranging from its stretch to buoyancy.

Stretch:

When you’re fixing your lure to your line the most important thing is to make sure that you can easily knot the wire and that it won’t become loose with consistent casting. The higher the stretch, the better the cast, but tying knots will be difficult due to its elasticity.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, low stretch lines may not be as easy to cast, but they’re preferred for setting your hook and dealing with fighting fish.

Flexibility:

Also known as “memory” the flexibility of your line will determine how the line sits in your reel. If you choose a fishing wire that has no memory, it means that the material won’t return to a predetermined shape.

The more fluid your line is, the easier it will be to avoid line twists and issues with casting out into the water. You’ll also notice that more flexible lines will travel farther.

Buoyancy:

Depending on your preferred method of fishing, you may or may not want a fishing line with a high level of buoyancy. Fluorocarbon lines are designed to sink quickly into the water whereas monofilament lines are designed to float on top of the water.

Fishing Line Comparison: The Different Types of Line

Below are the most popular types of fishing line that people use for a variety of professional and personal fishing purposes.

Monofilament

Easily one of the more popular staples of line, the monofilament is a useful and versatile type that gives you an overall good fishing experience. But there are two main concerns that most anglers have with its design.

The majority of monofilament fishing line is going to have a very low resistance to abrasion, which makes it relatively impossible to use in rough terrain. You may also notice that it is far easier to tangle and unintentionally knot which forces you to spend more time untangling it than using it.

You’ll also find that monofilament has the tendency to stretch as it has a very high elasticity rating. Although this makes it okay for casting, it can make it difficult to achieve the perfect hook set.

Even though it does have its issues, you’ll find that professional anglers will continue to use monofilament because of its low-visibility and high buoyancy.

Fluorocarbon

Many anglers have transitioned from the traditional monofilament to the more modern fluorocarbon fishing line. It is similar in some aspects, but it also has strikingly appealing differences that make it better for a variety of applications.

First, fluorocarbon is phenomenal for fishing in rough terrain as it has an extraordinary abrasion resistance rating. It also has little to no stretch, helping to make it far easier to set the perfect lure without having to worry about losing your bait.

You’ll also notice that monofilament is nearly invisible once in the water, making it far simpler to catch unsuspecting bait.

There are only 2 concerns that prevent fluorocarbon fishing line from being adaptable to every fishing situation. First, it’s less flexible which forces the line to be susceptible to coiling. Second, it sinks incredibly quickly, and that makes it difficult to use for topwater baiting.

Braided

Much like its name suggests, the braided fishing line takes advantage of a braided design where multiple fibers are microscopically woven together. The main advantage of a braided fishing line is it helps to overcome any issues you might experience with monofilament or fluorocarbon line.

With a minimal stretch and incredible strength, it’s the go-to fishing line for most anglers.

Even when using a braided fishing line in abrasive cover, you won’t have to worry about damage or fraying. Plus, setting your hooks is smooth as the fibers easily tie a knot and keep your lure steady with every cast.

The main concern with braided wire is that it is far more visible in comparison to the other types of line that you can choose from. You may also find that the colors embedded in the fibers are prone to fading over time and with regular use.

When it comes to choosing the perfect fishing line, you’ll need to ensure you choose a design that is going to accommodate your target species, the build of your rod and reel, and convenience. From durability to flexibility, each type of fishing line has its own benefits and disadvantages.