What is Fishing Line Made Of: Quick Facts
If you fish for a living, intend to or just like fishing, or are curious to know what is fishing line made of, then you have come to the right place. It may just be a question you will ask if you are concerned about getting the right line for your rod.
Another reason why you may be interested in fishing lines is that you may be curious to know which line is the most economical for your budget. Also, you probably just want a change and are hoping to try something new. So, naturally, you are going to be curious about what the lines are made of.
If you are a newbie and you have never really owned your own gear, you probably have no idea what a fishing line is. The veterans may be a bit more knowledgeable about what it is and how to install them and use them.
If you have some uncertainties, you can ask around or use Google or Youtube to get some information. But since you’ve already stumbled upon this piece, you are in luck because we will extensively discuss what is fishing line made of and the types of lines available on today’s market.
What is a Fishing Line?
The easiest way to describe a fishing line is by its appearance and functionality. To the eye, it looks like a long thread. Usually, it has what is called a sinker to keep it in the water and a float to keep certain parts of it above the water.
Fishing lines are a part of a rod mechanism that is used to catch fish. Usually, the bait is attached to a hook that is commonly located at the end of the line.
The fish will hopefully bite on the bait, their mouths hooked to the line, and the person using the rod will either reel the line in or just manually bring the line closer to themselves.
If you ask some fishing enthusiasts what is a fishing line, they are probably going to respond by telling you that it is used for angling. Angling is basically what was described before and, in this instance, is fishing by means of a rod. Other fishing methods such as trolling and long lining are also described as an angled method of fishing.
Types of Fishing Lines and What They are Made of
Fishing lines are made of various synthetic materials. These materials range from nylon and polyethylene to copolymers, fluorocarbon and polyvinylidene fluoride, to name a few. Prior to the use of synthetic materials, the Chinese used silk, while some civilizations preferred vines.
In Europe, braided horse hair and linens were some of the popular materials used in making fishing lines. The scientific revolution introduced the materials we use today to make our fishing lines. These materials contain certain properties that make them more favorable to water.
People tend to use fluorocarbon lines because they are reflective of the water and almost transparent, so they are not really visible to fish. Fly lines are a type of line made with a polyvinyl chloride coat and are basically waterproof.
Another line that they may use is the tenkara lines. These lines are braided but their threads decrease nearer to the hook, so it is important to know where you need to place the hook on this line. Lines made from microfilament of fluorocarbon are the most popular materials used to make fishing lines.
Microfilaments are used because they are cheap, and the manufacturers find the lines easy to produce. These lines are available in different breaking strains or tests—meaning, they have different strengths. In the earlier days, microfilament was barely used because it was difficult to use on fishing rods.
However, as time lapsed, it was known for having a good knot strength and almost invisible in the water.
How to Choose the Best Line
When choosing a fishing line, it is likely that you will want to choose a material that performs well and one that is of high quality. In terms of performance, diameter, stretch, strain, smoothness, stiffness, and resistance to abrasions are important.
If the line has a high breaking strain, it is easier to catch. Resistance to abrasions means that rocks will not damage the line.
If you have a low diameter, more line is stored on the reel so you can cast as much line as you need when you need it.
People also look at UV resistance and visibility. There is a preference for thinner lines as thicker lines will be more visible to us and therefore, also to the fish.
The quality of a line will be dependent on the raw materials used, heat, speed, cooling and other chemicals utilized in the manufacturing process. These may be a bit more difficult to cipher, as manufacturers are not likely to divulge this type of information easily.
Quick Facts About What is Fishing Line Made Of: Final Thoughts
Fishing lines are made with all sorts of materials, but microfilaments or nylon blends are the most popular materials for making fishing lines. The microfilament is preferred because it is able to stretch and take the load without breaking.
Fluorocarbon fishing lines are also used, but they are not as popular with fishermen as microfilament is. Other lines include braided lines and fly lines.
A lot of terminologies is being passed around, but if you get to talk to someone about it, they will be able to explain it to you, and if you have some time, you should probably do some investigative research on your own.
The type of line you choose to buy will, of course, be determined by two things, your budget and the level of your need. You should also look at the features of the line you are buying. Some fishing rod sets don’t come with lines probably because they want you to go out and select your own line.
Interestingly enough, you may be tempted to get a specialty line or an unconventional line. The lines may be made of stainless steel, copper or titanium.
If you get these lines, you should be careful because you may cut your hands on these sharp and hard lines when installing them.
