There’s not much question about it, when it comes to fishing, probably the most common topic is what lure did you use to catch fish? Indeed, lure presentation is an important part of a successful outing, as is the right size and type of rods and reels being utilized. All too often, however, we seem to neglect the important role line plays in productive outings.
Years ago, we were pretty much limited to monofilament line; it worked, but it also had more visibility, more stretch, and too much memory that sometimes resulted in unwanted coils.
In recent years, however, a lot of changes have entered the fishing line market, and I and a lot of other fishermen have ventured into using these new offerings.
One big change was the new braided lines, and over the past five years, I’ve been experimenting with their use.
In some cases, the braid may consist of as many as eight fibers, but the line’s diameter is still small and may even be less than the monofilament diameter. So what’s the advantage to using braided line?
Some of the big advantages of braided line are that it will increase your casting distance and is more abrasion resistant.
Another big advantage that I like is that braided line has no stretch. and thus, it is much more sensitive than the old monofilament line.
Much of my fishing is done while utilizing a tight line; the tight line, coupled with the braid, enables me to detect even the slightest strike, resulting in more hookups.
If there is a disadvantage to using braided line, it might be that you have to be more careful after the cast when you begin to reel: keep the line tight as it goes on the spool to prevent tangling.
OK, the braided line has got my attention, but another line is high on my list as well, and that’s fluorocarbon line. Fluorocarbon is different from the old monofilament line in that it offers lower visibility underwater and is abrasion-resistant. What I like even more about this line is that, like braided line, it has less stretch, and thus, it is more sensitive.
Here again, that sensitivity is very important to me since, in a lot of my fishing, I rely on my ability to feel a strike during my lure presentation.
I will say, too, that when I’m using a braided line, I always attach a length of fluorocarbon to the business end to offer a less visible line next to my lure. I still have some outfits fitted with fluorocarbon only, and I’m just as pleased with that as well.
Of course, it’s still important to use the right size line for your particular fishing presentation. Generally speaking, lighter lines are for presentations to smaller fish with smaller mouths and heavier lines for larger fish or when working in heavier cover or weeds. The fluorocarbon and braided lines both offer smaller diameters but greater strength than the monofilaments.
Well, that’s my line; now, if I could just get a chance to go out and put those lines to use rather than cut grass.
