The monofilament line is a great choice for beginners or those that fish seldom. Beginners will damage the line by mistake. So the beginner may have to change the line often. While others fish so little it goes bad. All lines have a lifespan. After a period of time, it becomes weak or has other problems. You need to change the monofilament line every year. Monofilament is a low-cost choice suitable for many anglers.
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Why Use Monofilament Line
These lines come in many colors, strengths, and other features. There is monofilament with fluorocarbon coating for abrasion resistance. Others have good shock strength. A few have special processes used. A few lines improve sensitivity or casting.
An angler will find a line that suits the needs, they have fishing. There are situations other lines do perform better. Yet beginners will do better with mono until their skills grow. The other lines need good knot tying skills and experience with hook sets.
Tying knots with mono has some forgiveness. The other lines do not allow any mistakes causing failure. The monofilament line does not slip apart or cut itself as easily as the others. Wetting the line when doing the knot is all an angler must do with mono. This gives an inexperienced angler time to learn better knot tying. While they enjoy fishing.
The other lines have little or no stretch and less shock strength. The stretch in line helps with a hook set. It slows down the movement of the hook. This lets a fish get a better hold of a lure. Braid or fluoro with a fast hook set pulls the lure out of a fish’s mouth. The shock strength helps in keeping the fish hooked.
A fish thrashing and jumping throws the hooks with inexperienced anglers. It takes experience to set a drag just right. Plus, how an angler works the rod matters. Both of these skills need learning through experience.
The Best Monofilament Lines
Look for a line with the characteristics needed for your style of fishing. There are choices with monofilament lines. Some have better casting, sensitivity, abrasion resistance, or shock strength. Berkley makes the “Big Game” with better shock strength. Going after big fish needs the shock strength. Do not confuse this with test pounds.
Whereas, “Sensation” line has more sensitivity. A trout or walleye angler seeks a sensitive line. This helps feel a bite.
Go with the lightest line needed for fishing. The lighter lines cast farther and help with more bites. Some fish can sense or see a heavier line. Having the drag set right overcomes line breaking. You may fight a few fish longer but it will be more fun. Using lures mostly a little heavier line is fine.
Remember though the line affects a lure’s action. So use the lightest you are comfortable with for the lure. A 3-inch jerk bait is okay on an 8-10 pound line. A heavy lure of 3/8 to 1/2 ounce uses a 12-14 lb test to prevent break-offs when casting.
The line comes in many colors. An angler can use a bright line for seeing bites or moss green to blend into stained water. Both choices have situations that work better. At night a bright line is easy to see, but in the day the green is almost invisible in greenish stained water. If Algae blooms are common on the waters fished this will help. Choose the color on function not by if it looks nice.
The best monofilament lines made are Sufix, P-line, Trilene, and Stren. The Sufix is the best followed by P-line, with Trilene being a good line. The Stren line is good but has more memory creating loops in slackline.
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Line Tensioning Tools
Experienced anglers know the importance of proper line tension while spooling a reel. Using your finger pinching the line creates uneven tension and poor line lay on many reels. A low-cost tensioning tool solves the problems. Spend more time fishing and less time fixing line problems from poor tension.
Line Tensioner
Waterproof Knot Tying Chart at Bass Pro
Summary
There is not a one-size-fits-all line. The lines come in many colors and test strengths. They also have other features including smooth casting or abrasion resistance. You need to decide on which line is needed for your fishing style. Owning more than one rod lets an angler go with different lines based on situations. Always think about what you are fishing for and how. Then select a line that fits the purpose.
John McIntyre