Braided and Monofilament Fishing Lines
Fishing lines refer to long threads that are attached to baited hooks and are usually with floats or sinkers. They are used for catching fish as is clearly stated by the name.
They have been made of synthetic plastic since the early 20th century but due to the changing competition advancements and improvements have been made. Recently the common material is nylon, polyethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride. These materials are preferred because they are light in weight yet very strong, and they are flexible. Although there are fishing lines made of other materials, for example, the Trotline is made of cotton. Also, the Fly line is Dacron, which is coated with polyvinyl chloride. Types Of Fishing Lines
There are different types of fishing line which re-categorized according to the way in which they are made. These are the braided fishing lines and the monofilament fishing lines.
BRAIDED FISHING LINES.
As the name indicates these are fishing lines with braids. They are made by joining many material fibers. When using braided lines, it is easier to know when the fish is struggling with the bait because is more sensitive compared to other fishing lines. Also, these fishing lines are designed to tie stronger knots, and since it has no memory, the knots can be untied.
The braided fishing is thin hence more of it can be turned around the reel. Braided fishing lines have no stretch. Hence, they are very sensitive to fish bites and are commonly used for deep-sea fishing and for those fish that are relatively gentle on struggling with the bit.
ADVANTAGES OF BRAIDED LINES.
Braided fishing lines are currently made of synthetic materials that offer unique strength as well as maintaining a small diameter, allowing easy casting with much less stretch and greater sensitivity for the fisherman. Also, most of the braided fishing lines are difficult to break in case they are snagged and will straighten hooks facilitating retrieval of the lures.
Recent braid types work perfectly tough cover while flipping hence reducing chances of line breakage when retrieving the fish. Moreover, these lines make the best choice to be used for fishing in thick weed mats enabling anglers to pull the fish. When braided lines are properly maintained, they can have a considerably long reel life.
Disadvantages
The common disadvantage of the braided fishing line is that it is usually difficult to break it when snagged. Also, braided lines are considered to be more expensive compared to the monofilament lines. These lines can cause a lot of friction on reel parts, line guides, and rods causing them to wear prematurely and ultimately break. Due to their visibility, braided lines are never the best when fishing clear water.
The common disadvantage of the braided fishing line is that it is usually difficult to break it when snagged. Also, braided lines are considered to be more expensive compared to the monofilament lines. These lines can cause a lot of friction on reel parts, line guides, and rods causing them to wear prematurely and ultimately break. Due to their visibility, braided lines are never the best when fishing clear water.
MONOFILAMENT FISHING LINES.
As it is clearly stated by the word mono. These are one-stranded fishing lines. These fishing lines were first introduced in the market in 1939. They are commonly made of several varieties of nylon mixed to form a polymer with the desired characteristics. Monofilament fishing line has a unique feature of absorbing water, thus making it sink underwater. However, the absorption of water depends entirely on the kind of material in which the fishing line is made of.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MONOFILAMENT FISHING LINES.
The fact that monofilament lines absorb water makes them flexible and easier to handle as compared to other stiffer lines. Also, monofilament lines are known to stretch more than all other fishing lines. Its capacity to stretch aids in preventing the hook from tearing the mouth of the fish. These lines also have a higher shock resistance strength and overcome any force exerted in the hook set.
Monofilaments are known to have broader diameters. This has a significant effect on how deep the lures dive. They slowly sink making it be a preferred choice for lures that should remain on top of the water. When it comes to cost, monofilament lines are relatively cheap compared to other fishing lines.
Manufacturers find it easy to tint monofilament fishing lines. Thus, these lines have been made of a wide spectrum of colors such as blue and green.
GENERAL COMPARISON BETWEEN MONO AND BRAIDED.
Braided fishing lines are more prone to abrasion effects compared to the monofilament. Monofilament usually breaks when knotted, but the braided lines are known to make strong knots. Also, monofilament lines may permanently kink when knotted.
The braided fishing lines are thinner and almost equally strong as the monofilament fishing lines. The main problem with the braided lines is that they very visible on the clear water making the fish avoid the bait. Braided lines float making them easier to cast and due to their flexible nature and long length they can cover a longer distance than the monofilament.
Choosing the best fishing line depends on the species of fish, the aquatic area to be fished, the gears used, prevailing environmental conditions, and the preference of the angler himself.
The following are common situations:
FRESHWATER FISHING.
Freshwater fishing is commonly done in American. The monofilament fishing lines of weight roughly 6 pounds are the most preferred in these waters. These amounts of weight show that the fishing line is of the desired strength, though more weight implies increased visibility of the line.
FISHING OF BASS.
The fishermen targeting bass prefer an average weight. Their choices range from 6 pounds to 20 pounds depending on the waters intended to be fished. In fishing, this type of fish depends mostly on the style and preference of the fishermen since this fish is heavier and large.
FISHING OF CATFISH, PIKE, AND MUSKIES.
These fish types are bigger in size hence there is a need for a heavier and thicker fishing line and a heavy-duty reel. The braided fishing lines are the most preferred lines for fishing them. Also, monofilament lines of weight ranging from 15 to 20 pounds can also be used.
SALTWATER FISHING.
The salt in the water affects the fishing lines due to their corrosion nature. The monofilament fishing line wears very first when they are used in marine fishing. However, due to the size and weight of the fish in these aquatic environments call for braided lines and monofilaments for small-sized fish.
