mono filament vs fluorocarbon vs braided

[chris kowaleski]

what is the difference between each line, and the proper use or technique for each?  I use mono on my spincasting reels, but bought some fluoro for an old spinning reel i got running again. only reason i got the flouro is because it said optimized for spinning reels. so far that is the only difference that i know.

[Leo Nguyen]

Hi Chris. I'll just throw a few cents worth of opinions your way. Most would either agree or disagree on certain things. Remember, this is basic comparison, and not focus on brand vs brand. You can find quite a bit of info about the three types of lines head-to-head. However, this is mind perspectives of them, using in a variety of reel types:

Mono 2 to 4lbs test:

Very stretchy, very quick sink, not as sensitive in detecting bites, especially during conditions of high wind, or heavy currents. However, they are cheap to replace, and come in variety of styles for different evolved form of fishing. They don't need flouro leaders since they are less to be seen by fish.

Flouro 2 to 4lbs:

2lbs is great for large spinning reels. 2lbs is a bit stiff. Sink less than mono, but add a bit of weight, and it will sink just as much as mono. Same sensitivity as mono in my experience. No need to worry about line size which cause spooks, which exceeding 6lbs, due to its refractive index underwater, below 4ft that is. Much more expensive than mono. I only use this as leaders, and nothing more. My mistake was to use it as my primarily lines in the past. So much bird's nest effects that drove me insane, even with my baitcasters.

Braid:

Extremely thin, easily to cast ultra light weigh lures, and extremely sensitive, and extremely expensive compared to mono. However, the down side for light test pound will suffer wind backlashes, creating knots. On top of that, if it touches against sunken structures and branches, it will nick and tear. I lost a few good fight due to line breakage because there was a damage to the line from being weaken from rocks abrasion. I use 15lbs test for hunting bass in heavy sunken structure, and boy, can that line handle the abrasion well, compare to the bulkier mono and flouro.

[dick tabbert]

Leo I use mostly flourocarbon reason being I like the extra sensitivity because I fish lots of jigs and I feel that the fish cannot see the line. You know this year I'll be doing a little fishing with floats so to save that extra expense of the flourocarbon and go to mono on them reels. I have used braid but really don't care for it but I know many people do so it's what ever floats your boat.  

[chris kowaleski]

So fluorcarbon gets all birdnesty easier? because i put some on a spinning reel i have and it loops up quite often, and i got too frustrated to use it till i figure something out. i figured it could have been because the line might have been old having something to do with it, since the top of the box was covered in dust. it's also 6lb test if that has any effect on it.

[Leo Nguyen]

Chris, you got it. The stiffness of of flouro is truly a pain for the spinning reel, and even more so for the baitcaster. The one good thing about it is the low memory effects, beside being nearly clear under water. Otherwise, it's a freaking pain to deal with. If you have the 6lbs test, use it as leaders. Why waste it. If you're using high test pound for your mono chasing after big games in clear water, use the flouro for leaders so you wouldn't spook the fish. I noticed a major different between tying my high test pound mono and braid directly to my swimbait/cranks/lures/spinners vs with a nice 24" to 36" leaders when hunting big games (bass/carp/cat). I will have to try using my braid without a leader this coming spawning season, since everyone one here indicated hi-vis mono don't have any effect on panfish. I'm still scratching my head on this one. I must have rotten luck when using braid directly to my jigs and hooks.

[dick tabbert]

Chris I haven't found a mono filament or fluorocarbon line that won't get all birdsnesty as you call it. There are ways to delay it. When you open your bail make your cast and manually close your bail by hand and make sure you get all the slack out by lifting your rod tip then reel. Make sure drag is set properly I usually tighten a little bit extra, reason being if you have a fish on and fish is taking out drag and we reel while the drag is being pulled we are putting in line twist. When the fish is taking drag hold your rod at about 11 oclock when fish quits pulling drag then reel. We have way's we can help to prevent or I mean delay the nest but I don't know of a way to permanently eliminate them.  These few things will help lots, hope this will help. When you do these things after awhile you will be doing them second nature. GOOD FISHIN..

[chris kowaleski]

Ah i see. I've grown up using spincasters, so i'm not very good at using a spinning reel. But i have a vintage spinning reel from my grandpas tacklebox that he gave me, so i regreased everything in and and tried using it. Once i get rid of all the tangles from last time i used it, i'll try what you mentioned.  Will those tips also help to delay the loop that it gets in the spool when i reel in too?

[Leo Nguyen]

Dick may have some excellent trick up his alley, but my trick for preventing entanglements and excessive loops using flouro is using a heavy weight sinker or bait, anything greater than 1/2oz, while holding one hand near the reel to prevent a sudden deployment of excessive lines/loops during casting. Once I done with the casting, I hold onto the line to taut it first as I reengage the bail to reel in the slacked line, and once the line is full taut under the weight of the sinker/bait, I reel it in while keeping my eyes on the spool for a sudden slack/entanglement of the line in the spool. I don't have much issue with mono, in comparing to flouro. I use flouro for years until the spools required change out.

[chris kowaleski]

I messed up, and it's actually 8lb test because it's not really an ultralight reel.  So would monofilament be alright to use on the reel instead? The leader idea doesn't sound too bad. I've never used any though, so is there a certain way your're supposed to make em?

[Leo Nguyen]

8lb..wow..that is one thick line for flouro. If you're using the gear for hunting big game, go cheap and stick with mono. Flouro is perfect as leader materials. Other may chime in differently. How about using Cajun Red 10lbs? Cheap, very hi-vis, strong, and combine it with your flouro. Always have your main line at least 4lbs greater than your leader. 2lbs greater is fine.

 

For leaders used with mono or braid, they require knots' knowledge. Tying flouro to mono, you can use blood knot. Simplicity would be a surgeon knot, but, blood knot minimize line breakage.  Trilene knot would be great as well. If you're tying braid to flouro, it's a tad hard. I normally use a swivel at this point to max the line holding potential. If the line is under stress during heavy fight due to entanglement with structures, I rather loose the leader than a large segment of my main line. This is why leaders test pound is less than main line. But if I'm using expensive crankbaits/swimbaits/etc., I will try my best to retrieve everything.

 

Plenty of us use different techniques here. Just let us know how you want to approach with your set up. Your gears dictate quite a bit on which type of lines is best to use. We al have gone through them. The ones with experience here are those who have gone many generations before us, and me included. I'm still learning from them about their gears and methodology. I'll be glad to share with you what I've experienced. Just take my experience as a collective info, and decide which method is best for you in comparison with others. Hope they will chime in as well.

[chris kowaleski]

well, the only reason i got it honestly is because the reel i put it on was probably medium action, and i put it on an ultralight so i put 8lb test on it... haha. On my zebco 33 i run 12lb mono, and then on my utlralights i run 6lbs, because of several times i took a nice fish out of the water and my line breaking at the hook.  I just got a new up to date spinning reel, and maybe i'll try spooling it with the fluoro next time i need to spool and i'll see how that goes. thanks for the information Leo!

[David Dillman]

Is Fireline  and nanofil by Berley considered flurocarbon, or are they superlines?  I just got some 4lb fireline in the bright green,  so I am wondering if I should of stuck with mono?

David Dillman

[Leo Nguyen]

David, Fireline is braid. So, it's not flouro. Nanofill is reinforced mono. So, no, it's not flouro either. The vanish and clear labeling of flouro will be true flouro lines to use.