Have you ever wondered which fishing line is best for you? You are not alone. A lot of anglers still struggle with picking the right fishing line with more options available on the market than before. Finding the winner in the battle of fluorocarbon vs. monofilament leader lines can be confusing, if you don’t understand the pros and cons of each one. While this might sound too weird if you are still a beginner, tying a different line to the end of your fishing line can actually affect your fishing experience to a great extent.
A leader is a separate line that you can tie to your fishing line. This is where you tie your rigs or lures to attract fish and do your business. A leader is supposed to offer extra protection to your fishing line. It will protect it from sharp rocks and shells and help keep it last. A leader is also used because sometimes a fishing line is actually sometimes too visible. By attaching a high-quality leader line, the fish will not be able to see the line connected to your fishing line and this means you will be able to catch more fish.
Most anglers will struggle with finding a winner when they are comparing fluorocarbon vs. monofilament leader lines. This is why you need to compare them with regards to visibility, strength, stretch, density and knotability. A lot of people make the wrong assumption that fluorocarbon lines are better than monofilament lines just because they are more expensive. However, price shouldn’t be your number one concern when you are trying to improve your fishing experience. In fact, each type of line will work for a certain situation.
Visibility:
The light refractive index of fluorocarbon is similar to that of the water. This means that a fluorocarbon line is actually less visible than a nylon monofilament line. As a result, fish will not be able to see your leader and you will probably end up catching more fish as a result. Fluorocarbon lines will work perfectly in very clear water as they will make your lure more appealing.
Strength:
When we talk about strength, there are actually a lot of aspects to consider. Fluorocarbon is naturally stronger than monofilament. It is sturdier and will better handle abrasion. It doesn’t absorb much water or sunlight and this means that it will naturally have a longer shelf life than a monofilament line. We can also compare monofilament vs. fluorocarbon when it comes to water absorption. Since monofilament will absorb more water, it will weaken over time.
Monofilament lines get affected by the elements. This will include UV rays, humidity and extreme temperatures. Over time, it will lose its strength and will not be good to use. But because fluorocarbon doesn’t decompose easily, you need to understand that every piece of it will stay in the river or the sea for a very long time.
Stretch:
Monofilament is relatively stretchier than fluorocarbon. This makes it the best line to use when you are trying to fight a big fish. It will better handle more shock for hard hitting strikes. However, you don’t need such a stretchy line when you are targeting subtle takes. Fluorocarbon is more sensitive and will be better to use if you are dealing with smaller fish because it is less elastic.
Density:
Fluorocarbon is denser than water and this means that it will sink down. This will provide less buoyancy and will allow your baits to go down faster. This is exactly what you need if you are fishing deeper. Monofilament is less dense with more buoyancy. This is better for top water fishing or any situation where you want your lure to run shallow or to sink slowly. When it comes to choosing between fluorocarbon vs. monofilament for times when fishing dries, monofilament will definitely be the line to choose.
Knotability:
Knotability is not something that every angler shouldn’t take lightly. A knot is probably the weakest link in your fishing setup and this is why you need to make sure that you are picking the right type of line to make the perfect knot.
Monofilament is the best material to choose when you want to tie a strong knot for bigger games. Since fluorocarbon is usually stiffer, the knots don’t set that easily. This means that you will probably spend more time trying to get the perfect fluorocarbon knot in order to avoid the knot breakage or slippage.
Final Verdict
There is no winner in the battle of fluorocarbon vs. monofilament. Each line will work perfectly in certain conditions. Although fluorocarbon might seem like the perfect choice, there are certain situations where the monofilament would excel. As an angler it is your job to test different lines offered by different manufacturers in order to find the one that best fits your needs.
