It’s a struggle every fisherman has encountered at some point. Your bags are packed, and everything is just right for fishing, but you remember you need to pick up more fishing line before you head out for the day. You stop at your local tackle supply shop and standing there in the aisle you start to wonder
“What kind of fishing line do I buy?”
It comes down to
The price tag staring you in the face clearly shows fluorocarbon is more expensive but does that mean it is a superior line?
If you have ever found yourself in this scenario asking these same questions, then this article was written just for you. After all, the only connection you have between you and that fish is your fishing line. Let’s jump right into the key differences between these two fishing lines.
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What Are The Differences Between Monofilament and Fluorocarbon?
According to Deneki.com “…fluorocarbon is a much harder material than
Before we take a closer look at the similarities and differences between
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Monofilament
- ability to suspend in water
- more stretch compared to fluorocarbon
- can be susceptible to some degree of water absorption
- susceptible to damage from UV light
- More affordable compared to fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon
- more abrasion resistant than
monofilament - sinks through the water column
- very low visibility
- does not absorb water
- resistant to UV damage
- stretches less than
monofilament - more expensive than
monofilament
Now lets take a closer look at some of the differences in specific characteristics of these fishing lines. Below I’ll explain the differences between these two types of fishing lines regarding these specific characteristics. These characteristics are:
- Visibility
- Density
- Strength
- Ability to Tie Knots
- Stretch
- Overall Value
Visibility
Fluorocarbon line is practically invisible in and out of the water and definitely less visible than monofilament. This added transparency is excellent because you are less likely to spook the fish.
Density
Fluorocarbon line is denser than water meaning it is going to sink which is very important for trout and bottom feeder fisherman but a real drag when bobber fishing, drifting, or skating flies on the surface.
monofilament on the other hand is prone to larger diameters and has a near neutral buoyancy meaning it sinks slowly and makes it a limiting factor to how deep your lures can dive. However, this drawback makes it a strength when it comes to bobber fishing or setting topwater lures.
Strength
Is fluorocarbon stronger than
Fluorocarbon material is highly resistant to the elements, whereas
Ability to Tie Knots
An often overlooked facet of selecting fishing line is knotability. The weakest link in your setup is always your knot and making sure your fishing line is suitable for the job is very important. In this regard, the
With fluorocarbon being so stiff you have to really be careful and take your time when tying the knot to make sure the knot seats just right so you can avoid knot breakage or slippage. When going after larger fish that require larger diameter lines, you’ll want to go with
Stretch
monofilament is a rather “stretchy” fishing line material which can be advantageous because a degree of stretching in fishing line will aid in absorbing the shock of fighting the fish. While fluorocarbon line is considered stiffer and less stretchy, some fisherman find that is actually an advantage because that added line strength and stiffness adds sensitivity to the line making it easier to detect subtle fish takes such as trout or steelhead.
Overall Value
There isn’t a clear-cut winner in the case of
Critics of fluorocarbon say it is overpriced, too stiff, and prone to memory issues making it a less manageable fishing line. Proponents, however, say it is a cutting-edge fishing line that is stronger, denser, and practically invisible making it a superior line.
Critics of
Fluorocarbon fishing line has several advantages over traditional
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Mono vs Fluoro Diameter
Fluorocarbon fishing line has roughly the same diameter as
Is Fluorocarbon Better Than Monofilament ?
According to a large number of anglers, yes, fluorocarbon is better than
This, of course, is strictly based on opinion as well as specific circumstances surrounding fishing scenarios. But given the fact that fluorocarbon is known for being less visible, more abrasion resistant and overall just stronger compared to mono of the same diameter, fluorocarbon edges out
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