Choosing a fishing line type is one of the most important decision for an angler. This is the connection between you and the fish and it must be considered carefully.
Monofilament is the oldest and most widespread among fishing lines and is popular for the low price and versatility. Fluoro, on the other hand, is denser and more sensitive, and probably its best feature is that it’s almost invisible in the water.
In this article we’ll focus on the differences between monofilament and fluorocarbon line: we’ll see all lines features in detail, and what are the best uses for each one.
All the differences, advantages and disadvantages of the two lines types
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of all fishing lines types is the best way to understand which one is right for you. Let’s start with monofilament.
Mono fishing line is made of a single strand of material and it normally comes from nylon. Not all monofilament line brands are the same: in fact, they can blend together different varieties of nylon to obtain various properties in terms of abrasion resistance and stretch.
Take a look at monofilament pros:
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- Easy to use: monofilament is easier to spool and, therefore, it’s the best choice for novice anglers. Because of its manageability, monofilament has long been used for backing on fishing reels. It’s also easier to cast than stiffer lines.
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- Low price: Mono is known to be the cheaper fishing line. Fluoro and braid can be twice as expensive as monofilament, although they’re also way more durable.
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- Stretch: perhaps this is the most common feature of monofilament. This line is more stretchable than fluorocarbon (and braid) – and can reach up to 25% more of its length. How is this an advantage? By stretching, mono will prevent your hook from tearing a hole in your catch’s mouth and thus, it’ll do an excellent job when it comes to handling a tough fight with the fish.
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- Knot-friendly: thanks to its manageability, it’s easier to tie a knot with monofilament than with fluoro.
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- They come in colors: mono lines are easy to tint, and they are available in many different shades. They’re also the best fishing line in terms of color retention.
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- Abrasion resistance: mono offers great abrasion resistance at a good price.
In a few words, monofilament is cheap, stretchable and versatile. But what about its downsides? Here’s what you should know.
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- Lack of sensitivity: monofilament is not the best choice to detect light bites or to have the best feeling of your lure, due to its stretchiness. Fluoro and braid are better choices when it comes to sensitivity.
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- Bigger diameter: monofilament has a larger diameter than other lines, which is a limitation in terms of how deep your lures can dive.
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- Durability: mono weakens fast and it needs to be changed frequently. It is also not very resistant to sunrays, as UV light can spoil it easily.
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- Visibility: mono has a low visibility while in the water; however, if compared to fluoro, it performs slightly worse.
Like monofilament, fluorocarbon lines are also made by a single strand, but the material (fluoropolymer PVDF) is more durable and resistant. Let’s start by taking a look at fluoro line’s advantages.
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- Low visibility: fluoro is considered to be the most invisible line, making it suitable for fishing in crystal clear waters, or to be used as a leader. It’s very difficult for fish to notice fluorocarbon, as it is made of a material that doesn’t have any light distortion.
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- Sensitivity: fluorocarbon is very sensitive, meaning that you won’t miss a movement of your lure, even if you get distracted. This depends on the fact that, unlike mono, it has very little stretch.
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- Durability: fluorocarbon is more durable than mono and it can last for years. It is worth the extra cost if you appreciate an invisible line which allows you to feel every bite. Fluoro is UV resistant and abrasion resistant, making it very suitable for saltwater environments.
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- Excellent for bottom fishing: fluoro is the only fishing line that sinks, and it’s your best choice if you want your lure to reach the bottom of a body of water. The downside is that it won’t work well with topwater baits.
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- Waterproof: unlike mono, fluoro doesn’t absorb water, meaning that it won’t become more stretchable over time.
In a nutshell, fluoro has virtually zero stretch and can last for years, compared to mono. However, let’s consider the disadvantages too.
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- It’s less abrasion resistant: since it’s tougher than monofilament, it can offer less abrasion when fishing in heavy cover.
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- Price tag: fluorocarbon price tag is way higher (even 50% more) than monofilament. However, consider that it can be a solid investment, as it’s also more durable.
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- It’s hard to manage and tie knots: with fluoro, you need to be very careful and tie knots correctly, in order to prevent line breakage. If you have poor knot tying skills, opt for another line, or simply start practicing with a fluoro leader, that still offers low visibility to fish.
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- It’s not ideal for spinning reels: this is due to fluoro’s stiffness. This line is known for creating twists and loops, especially if you use small diameters.
In general, fluoro is made up of a harder material than monofilament’s nylon, resulting in a thinner diameter than mono of the same breaking strength. Fluorocarbon tends to be the preferred choice of anglers who are looking for low visibility and high resistance to natural and environmental elements.
However, with mono your fishing life will be easier, especially if you’re not an expert in tying knots. If you’re looking for a cheap line that sinks, mono is your best option.
Finally, remember that there are big differences among brands and the same line may have different properties and be slightly different depending to the manufacturer.
What’s better mono or fluorocarbon?
To answer this question, you need to have a clear picture of the type of fishing you do and the characteristics that you are looking for in a fishing line. When it comes to strength, fluoro is better than mono, especially because it does not absorb any water; thus, it won’t be weakened.
In terms of durability, fluoro wins again. However, remember that this line is not indestructible, and it also wears over time. With regard to stretch, no choice is better than the other: it mostly depends on what you need. You need to have more shock absorption? Go for monofilament. You want to feel the fish’s bite, even the light ones? Choose fluorocarbon.
If you have a very low budget or in case you’re not sure you can handle knots on fluoro, you should buy monofilament line. Even if you want to use fluoro as your main line, you can still benefit from a mono backing on your fishing reel to prevent backlashes.
Finally, any fishermen’s favorite line depends on their own preferences. The best way to understand whether you like monofilament or fluorocarbon is to spend some time on the water. Try to experiment with different line types, and even brands, to find out what works best for you.