Fishing Line Material and Other Selection Factors

There are a few important gear considerations for the serious anglers among us, and at or near the top of any such list is the line used during various fishing settings. Quality line will ensure you're perfectly outfitted for the kinds of fish you're looking to catch and the environment you're in, from proper weight distribution to strength, "memory" and other factors that play a role here.

At Pybus Point Lodge, we supply a full selection of tackle and gear for all clients of our all-inclusive Alaska fishing packages. Many of our clients will pay particular attention to the fishing line they're using, including some who may even bring their own line from home because they're so comfortable with it. What are the most common materials used for fishing lines today, and what are the other factors to keep in mind while making your selection? Here's a primer.

Monofilament Fishing Line

Likely the most common form of fishing line used today, and absolutely the type typically recommended for beginners, is known as monofilament fishing line, or simply "mono" line. Monofilament fishing line is made up of a single, continuous, untwisted strand that's usually made from nylon. It's available in a variety of diameters and breaking strengths, the latter of which is how much weight the line can hold before snapping.

Monofilament fishing line has a few key benefits that make it so popular: it's relatively affordable, it floats (which can be important depending on your fishing environment), and it has good abrasion resistance - meaning it's less likely to wear down quickly when coming into contact with rocks, coral, and other underwater obstructions.

On the downside, monofilament fishing line is more susceptible to stretching and "memory" than some of the other types of line available - both of which can negatively impact your casting distance and accuracy. It's also not as strong as some other materials, so it's not ideal for use in deep water or when trying to land larger fish.

Braided Fishing Line

Braided fishing line, on the other hand, is a newer type of line that's favored by many professionals or serious anglers. It's made up of high-tech fibers like Spectra or others, ultra-thin materials that are woven together in configurations spanning from four all the way to 16-strand setups.

This leads to a solid line that's actually much thinner than monofilament or other line types, but also has a much higher breaking strength. That makes it perfect for use in deep water or when trying to land larger fish, as well as in other applications where more strength and durability is needed.

Braided fishing line also has a few key benefits over monofilament: it doesn't stretch, meaning your casting distance and accuracy won't be negatively affected; it doesn't have much "memory" and is therefore easier to work with; and it's virtually invisible in the water, making it a good choice for stealthy anglers.

On the downside, braided fishing line is more expensive than monofilament and can be harder to find. It also doesn't float like mono line does, so you'll need to take that into account when selecting your line material.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

The final type of fishing line we'll discuss here is fluorocarbon, which has been growing in popularity in recent years. Fluorocarbon fishing line is made from a special type of plastic that contains carbon and fluorine, and is nearly invisible while it sits in the water. That makes it a great choice for anglers who are looking to go undetected while fishing, as well as for applications where you don't want your bait or lure to be visible to the fish.

These lines are made from similar materials as monofilament lines, but with different chemical compounds that make it thinner -- without sacrificing strength or durability.

Fluorocarbon fishing line has a few key benefits over other types of line, including its invisibility and the fact that it doesn't absorb water (which can make your line heavy and impact your casting distance). It's also relatively strong and abrasion resistant, meaning it can hold up well in tough conditions.

Thermal Filament

Finally, an extremely new fishing line style that's becoming more well-known is high-performance nanotechnology, also known as thermal filament. These are high-performance lines that bond small graphite fibers together, making for far more durable lines that have many of the same properties as monofilament lines.

Line Strength

While material is a major factor in any fishing line you're considering, it's not the only one. You also need to take into account the line's strength, or how much weight it can hold before breaking. This is especially important if you're targeting larger fish or fishing in deep water, as you'll need a line that can handle the extra stress.

There are a variety of ways to measure line strength, but the most common is pound-test. This is simply the weight in pounds that a single strand of the line can hold before breaking. So, for example, if you have a line rated at 20-pound test, that means it can hold up to 20 pounds of weight without breaking.

It's important to remember that a line's pound-test doesn't necessarily reflect its breaking strength. A line that's rated at 20-pound test, for example, may actually be able to hold more weight before breaking. Conversely, a line that's rated at 10-pound test may not be able to hold as much weight before breaking as a line with a higher rating.

So, when selecting a line, it's important to consider the conditions you'll be fishing in and the size of the fish you're targeting. Heavier lines are usually better for larger fish or tougher conditions, while lighter lines are better for smaller fish or less strenuous applications.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our fishing gear or other services, speak to the team at Pybus Point Lodge today to schedule a wonderful, all-inclusive Alaskan fishing adventure.