Make your cast with the best line for you.
One of our fishing line suppliers once commented that “the best line is the one the fisherman likes”. While this might be true in the eyes of anglers who like the line they use, there are different materials and production methods that result in fishing lines with distinctively different characteristics.
West Marine’s selection of fishing line breaks down into three different categories: monofilament line, braided line and fluorocarbon line. Following are a few (but not all) of the pros and cons of each type of line. For more help with selecting fishing line see our West Advisor articles Selecting Fishing Line or Our 4 Best-Selling Fishing Line and Leaders.
Nylon Monofilament Line
Nylon monofilament line or “mono” is extruded in a single continuous strand of untwisted filament.
Pros: Compared to braided or fluorocarbon line, nylon mono costs the least. Nylon mono offers a compromise between strength, stretch and abrasion resistance.
Cons: Nylon mono can develop a “memory” that manifests as spiraling which increases friction and the possibility of line tangles during a cast. Nylon has the least abrasion resistance and is easily damaged by UV light. It also absorbs water, which decreases knot strength.
Braided Line
Modern braided line is made of high-tech synthetic materials such as Spectra and Dyneema.
Pros: Synthetic braided line is extremely strong and has very low stretch. High-strength, low-stretch lines permit the use of very small diameter lines, which increase the capacity of the spool. The low stretch of braided line also makes it easier for an angler to feel the light tap of a fish against a bait, or to set a hook.
Cons: It is very slick, so knots tied in it can be prone to slipping. So if you plan on using braided line, brush up on the types of knots that work best. Expensive.
Fluorocarbon Line
Flourocarbon fishing line is manufactured from the fluoropolymer PVDF. It first came into vogue among saltwater anglers in the 1970s and later among freshwater anglers in the 1990's.
Pros: Fluorocarbon fishing line is nearly invisible to humans and more importantly to fish when underwater. It absorbs very little water, so the knot strength is high. It stretches far less than nylon mono and resists UV light, which increases its longevity.
Cons: Most expensive.