3 Different Types of Fishing Line: What You Need to Know

Fishing lines are an essential part of your angling gear. Whether you’re going to catch some regular small fish or you’re angling competitively, the fishing line plays an important role in determining your catch rate.

Not every type of fishing line is suitable for every angler, and to help you choose the best fishing line according to your needs, we’ve devised a comprehensive guide for you.

In this guide, we are comparing types of fishing lines, their pros and cons, and if they’re the right fit for you.

Let’s dive in!

Characteristics of Different Types of Fishing Lines

Before understanding the different types of fishing line and their capabilities, you first need to understand the significant, influential characteristics that determine the fishing line’s usability.

Understanding these qualities can help you decide what line would be best for your particular case:

• Memory: The ability of the line to retain its shape is called memory. If your wire loses memory quickly, it can affect the cast-off rate adversely. 
• Stretch: The amount of tension your line can withstand is called the stretch of the fishing line.
• Shock Strength: The more shock strength your fishing line has, the less prone it is to snapping due to tension.
• Buoyancy: This factor determines whether your line will float or sink under different circumstances.
• Visibility: Fishing lines are made to be invisible so that you can lure fish towards the bait quickly.
• Abrasion Resistance: The resistance against scratches and getting cut off by sharp materials

What Are the Different Types of Fishing Lines?

There are three different types of fishing line used according to the angler’s needs and the location where you’re going fishing.

The three main types used in bass fishing, freshwater fishing, and saltwater sea fishing are:

• Monofilament fishing line
• Braided fishing line
• Fluorocarbon fishing line

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on all three of these fishing lines and every pro and con you need to consider before buying one for yourself.

1. Monofilament Fishing Line

The multi-purpose monofilament is the most standard fishing line that’s great for any use. This line is made from nylon as one continuous filament that’s not twisted. It’s great for year-round use and is smooth in its texture.

Monofilaments usually come in pre-spooled reels that are readily available anywhere. They provide a little stretch but are extremely buoyant.

This lightweight attribute can be useful or a disadvantage depending on the angling situation. 

2. Braided Fishing Line

The braided fishing line is also made up of synthetic materials such as nylon or Dacron. It’s more potent than monofilament lines; hence it’s widely approved by anglers worldwide for any fishing.

It’s little to no stretch property, making it easier for anglers to detect fish, making it an excellent choice for fishing larger species.

Before synthetic materials, natural material such as horsehair or silk was used to make braided fishing lines. This is the best choice for saltwater game fishing; however, it’s not recommended for soft-mouthed fish angling.

3. Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

The fluorocarbon fishing line is built the same way as monofilament lines, where it’s extruded as one continuous piece. However, the fluorocarbon molecules are packed tightly together, making the line visibly denser and more massive. 

Made with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), fluorocarbon fishing lines sink quickly. Hence, they are great for jigging and bottom bouncing.

They’re incredibly useful when used as leaders and can increase the chance of hooking and catching fish without using your entire spool. 

Conclusion

We hope that with our comprehensive guide on the different types of fishing line, you were able to identify the best one for you according to your needs.

The type of fishing lines you use significantly impacts whether you’ll succeed at making your big catch, and we hope through this guide, you’ll choose the best one for you.