What do a Space-X rocket and a fishing combo have in common? On any given day they can perform their assigned task with ease and confidence, or they may succumb to the weakest link in their complexity; thus failing to complete a desired function. Now, fishing is not rocket science, but there are similarities. Any complex tool made by man is susceptible to breakage. Complex meaning two or more working parts depending on one another to succeed at completing a desired task: In this case, catching fish.
When it comes to fishing line, let’s further define complexity as water conditions, abrasion resistance, bait presentation or any of myriad of reasons anglers use as excuses for failing to catch fish. Fishing line is arguably the weakest link in any fishing scenario. However, it may be the easiest and most inexpensive link to maintain or replace.
It’s recorded that the Egyptians and Phoenicians were among the first civilizations to develop and utilize a stick and string for fishing. Lines then were made from plant fiber, or the hair or sinew of animals (perhaps giving rise to the term catgut). Cotton and Dacron followed but for us, line history began in 1936, when DuPont developed a new and exciting product called monofilament. Since that time, and perhaps with the aid of modern rocket science, fishing line has been refined into the wonderful, affordable product we have today. Not without a few drawbacks, mono, as most of us know it, is the most common fishing line being spooled today, so it stands to reason, it catches the most fish. So what are the drawbacks?
Keep in mind most of these issues occur regardless of the test strength or manufacturer. And a backlash or bird’s-nest can often be attributed to user error, not the line’s fault. Also remember knots are a function of the line, but knots are not the focus here. There is more than ample knot tying instructions available to the public these days. Find a knot you can tie, become proficient at tying it, and stick with it until you experience knot failure and need to find a new knot.
Rob Kinney
Monofilament
Every spring a truck came around to Sessum’s Grocery bearing bundles of cane poles, cards of Barr-Nun flies, some shyster baits and other cards of “ready-rigs” (a hook, line and sinker below a small brown cork). It was a heaven sent day for a 13-year old fishing addict. By age 15, I had a new spinning reel, a fiberglass rod and a hand-me-down Zebco 33. I was a farm pond fishing guru.
It was in this stage of my youth that I began to learn about line troubles. No doubt the pre-rigged cane poles were lined with the cheapest mono the tackle company could find. It often broke where the split-shot had been crimped on, or the knot holding the hook was not dependable. When a sunfish breaks a 10-pound test line, there is a problem.
Examining a recent shipment of cane poles at the bait shop, I noticed little has changed over the years except the cork floats are now Styrofoam. But I digress. The point is, line problems persist. Monofilament is by far the most popular line in the water. This according to sales reports from numerous retailers. Product cost is probably the determining factor. But mono has a list of problems that manifest themselves as angler frustration and lost fish.
Memory may be the most commonly manifested problem anglers face, after a while sitting unused a cast is made and the line looks like a slinky toy spooling off the reel. This is caused by line being spooled in the same form for too long; to keep this from happening, fish frequently. Not possible you say, well there are things to cure the problem. Several companies make a spray that will relax line memory. I personally use Reel Magic, by TTI Blakemore.
The famous angler Bill Dance, has a cheaper trick that also seems to work. Hot water poured over the line for a few minutes causes line relaxation. Remove the line spool from the reel before trying this as hot water might harm reel lubricant. Hot water straight from the tap will suffice; hold the spool with a pair of needle nose if the water is uncomfortably hot.
In summary, monofilament has a lot of advantages on its side; its inexpensive, available in a wide variety of sizes and weights, and knots well. It absorbs shock and stretches rather than breaks as long as there aren’t any abrasions. The stretch, however, is a detriment to long-range hook-sets. You can probably re-spool mono two to three times for the cost of one braid or fluorocarbon loading. Most beginners should definitely begin with monofilament.
Braided
Braided lines have a place in any fishing arsenal where strength and sensitivity are key. Not having the stretch of mono, even the slightest bite can be felt. However, for inexperienced anglers, the slightest twitch can also be felt on the other end and a hook spit out so quickly the angler doesn’t have a chance to react. Being of superior strength also allows for more solid hooksets and braided line can actually cut through some types of vegetation and get fish out of heavy cover. It’s easy to cast and glides smoothly through the water. Another plus is the fact braided line has very little memory, so it lasts longer on the spool without the “slinky-effect.”
Early braided lines have issues with visibility under water, which can spook wary fish. Most makers have now gone to a low-vis green or brown line that remedies that problem.
If there is one single weakness I’ve found in braided line is its poor knot retention. Check the knots regularly, check for fraying on the cut end and use knots such as the double polymer knot or Berkley Braid knot. Both tying techniques may be found online. A drop of adhesive such as Super-glue on the knot will also go a long way in strengthening the knot.
Profession fishing guide, Captain Debbie Henson, is an expert in Florida-strain and Peacock bass in southern Florida. She recommends that all her clients using spinning or casting tackle use braided line. When she supplies the tackle, it is spooled in braided line. “Firm hookset, sensitivity, durability and the fact braid doesn’t stretch, making for better hooksets, are all pluses.” says Henson, who operates SheFishies (SheFishes.com) charters. “South Florida has obstacles in the water just as other parts of the country do, some from natural placement such as downed trees and introduced objects from tropical storms.”
Lastly, braided line is expensive, but when considering the long life of the line compared to several re-spoolings of fluorocarbon or better monofilament, the price is justifiable.
Debbie Henderson
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon fishing lines have a number of pros compared to only a smattering of cons. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible for those situations where fish exhibit “line-shyness.” It is often used as a leader when paired with braided line. This combo allows anglers to take advantage of fluorocarbon’s abrasion resistance and near invisibility near the lure, while also benefiting from braided line’s long life and castability.
Another prime advantage is that the line sinks, making it ideal for those baits you want to sink fast such as Texas rigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc. Remember the old Bomber lure that emulated a crawfish? It would have worked so much better with fluorocarbon line. With other lines that float or are slow sinkers, the fall of the bait is opposed by the buoyancy of the line. For the same reason, Fluorocarbon is not recommended for top water or in heavy vegetation.
So why do you see professional fishermen using an array of rods and reels on their bass boat’s fore deck? Different line and lure combinations for different fishing situations. You don’t have that problem when you have just a single rig to use. No problem, load it with the line that most fits your fishing needs. Rods and reels make suggestions as to line weight and rod lengths and actions for every scenario.
Loading line onto a reel properly can go a long way to prevent a lot of problems such as bird nests or twisting, especially on spinning reels. When loading line, don’t over fill the spool, as this is a common cause of casting catastrophes. Only load the line spool to a point near the lip of the spool. On the same token, under filling the spool will result in shorter casts. Line tension is also important when loading spools. Every effort should be made to maintain no less tension than that created by a lure or even a fish. Looser and tighter line spooled together is a recipe for disaster.
Not having a drag system set properly or fighting a fish improperly is also a recipe for line twists. When using spinning or spincast reels, where the spool sits at a right angle to the rod, if the reel has a 6:1 ratio, for every crank around where you do not make headway, you are putting six twists in the line. You wouldn’t think that six twists is a lot, but give your line a little slack and watch it spiral and kink.
Casting reels are known for backlashes, this is when the reel continues to spool-out line when the line has nowhere to go. Keep a line pick in your pocket or tackle pack for correcting backlashes.
Inspect rod guides for wear, and if they are not ceramic check for corrosion. Both can shorten line life. Get your equipment from a reputable dealer and chances are they will load your spool for you, at the correct line tension and spool amount. Don’t rule out watching some YouTube or Facebook videos for helpful pointers.
Last but certainly not least, all lines are recyclable, so be a responsible steward of the outdoors and dispose of discarded line properly. Boxes or other receptacles are often found at boat ramps, fishing piers or public fish cleaning stations. Line is recycled into new line much as water bottles are used to make new ones. Fish often and remember, as the Dean of Fishing, Homer Circle was fond of saying, “You can’t be unhappy when you’re catching fish.”
