FS Digest

I’ve always used monofilament line on all my reels since it’s cheap and readily available anywhere that sells fishing stuff. I can’t say that I’ve really had any issues with it but I wouldn’t mind trying something else next time I restring my poles.

I know there’s 4 main types of line; monofilament, copolymer, fluorocarbon, and braid. I know very little about the differences, mostly because I haven’t cared enough to look into it, until now.

I know monofilament is the cheapest and most widely available, but it has a shelf life, degrades with UV light, holds memory on the spool, and it’s stretchy.

I think I heard copolymer is basically mono line with a fluoro coating? Supposedly it’s stronger than mono, or so I’ve heard, but apparently it’s really only marginally better and it’s thicker than mono in the same weight.

I have heard that fluoro is the most invisible and does not hold memory like mono, but evidently it seems to be brittle/snaps easier if it hits a jagged edge like a rock? Not 100% on that fact but that’s what somebody told me. Also I believe it’s the most expensive line.

Braid is pretty obvious what it is. Usually fabric-y feeling IMO, stronger than the others supposedly, has no shelf life, but cuts easily on sharp objects and is very thick and visible.

That’s basically all I know about the lines. Is this accurate? What could you add or change? I want to make an informed decision next time I buy.

Also, one last thing about the braid, they say 40lb braid is like 10lb mono? Thickness wise anyways. If my rod is rated for 10-17lb line, and I wanted to use braid, is it safe to use 40lb braid or will it snap my rod? I believe if I were to use a 20lb braid in that situation, my baitcast reel may have trouble with it.

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by StraightChasin

FS Digest

Fluoro is tougher and more resistant to abrasion/knot breaking than mono, it is recommended when fishing rocks and sharp surfaces. Fluoro sinks and mono floats. For braid you can just compare the diameter of the line to an equivalent mono to see how it will fit your rod.

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by Artifoo

FS Digest

Everyone I’ve talked to that runs fluoro seems to love it. The fact that it doesn’t stretch is appealing to me, and if it’s more resistant to cuts and abrasions then that’s great.

Only thing is it would seem weird to me that the line sinks. I’m very used to and really like that fact that the mono I’ve been using floats. I feel like it’s less likely to snag if I’m fishing somewhere with a lot of trees and brush, and it makes it easier to see where exactly my line is.

Does Fluoro line have a shelf life or degrade with UVs like mono?

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by StraightChasin

FS Digest

Any line will degrade if you leave it sitting in direct sunlight for long periods. The only real reason I know to use mono because it floats is when using topwater lures, otherwise it doesn't really matter.

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by Artifoo

FS Digest

I hate using mono, pain in the ass to tie and hate the stretch. Been using braid and flouro for years now and would never go back. Braid is the line I use for basically everything except trout.

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by FiscalReports

FS Digest

But braid to mono for topwater. Even jigging with mono leader is boss at times.

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by mtlbass

FS Digest

I’m thinking about putting braid on a lot of my spinning reels and baitcasters next time around.

Would using a 40lb braid on a baitcast rod that’s rated for 10-20lb mono or 20lb braid on a spinning rod that’s rated for 6-12lb mono break the rod? I’ve heard generally you’re supposed to go with a lot higher pound test when switching to braid.

Also, some say that braid is a lot harder on the guides than mono, but a quick search on google seems like the general consensus is that it really isn’t an issue, especially with modern braids and rods.

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by StraightChasin

FS Digest

The weight of the fish is what would break your rod. The line lb doesn't really matter unless you going overkill. I use 30lb braid on my spinning reel rated for 15lb. I've used 65lb braid on that same reel cause I didnt have another at that time.

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by FiscalReports

FS Digest

As long as your drag is set properly for the rod power you aren’t going to break the rod on a fish even if you use 200lb line. When using these heavier lines, the drag should slip way before you ever get to the breaking strength of the rod or line.

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by GrayCustomKnives

FS Digest

For a bait caster I would just buy a 150yd spool of whatever size raid that would fit. Then size a mono or floro leader to your fish. For my salt water spinning reels I fit 300yds of braid and a short top shot of mono for leader. For example my 4000 size I put 300yr of 15lb braid and 2 or 3ft 20lb mono leader.

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by Madshadow85

FS Digest

Braid with fluro leader for everything except top water and trout.

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by setthehook

FS Digest

Do you normally tie the leader directly onto the braid or use a metal swivel to connect them?

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by StraightChasin

FS Digest

I tie them, I use an Albright knot. The knot is very small and you can reel it through the eyelets if you want to.

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by setthehook

FS Digest

You are mostly correct. Fluoro seems to have the most memory rather than mono. Another advantage to braid is that line twist is never a big problem. I prefer braid + leader. The biggest issue I have had with braid is in the winter it freezes and becomes impossible to fish with (which is something not often mentioned). I mainly use spinning reels however. As far as line rating for rods goes I have never been able to understand the meaning and haven't even seen a direct relationship between rod strength in a dead lift and line tensile strength however I think this might be the purpose for the rating. Rod blanks come with this rating so it is unlikely related to line diameter and guides but more likely whether the line will break before the rod (depending on a reel's drag setting). Otherwise it is one of the great mysteries of fishing equipment.

I would suggest braid as your main line and use a leader whether it is mono, fluoro, or other braid. The only limitation being your reel's line capacity.

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by SomeKindOfSound

FS Digest

I’ve always done straight braid for everything. Is adding the leader important? Is it simply because braid is easily visible?

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by TarinMage