Which fishing line to choose for spinning?

So, we come to a fishing store. Depending on its specialization, we can see on the shelves a very different assortment of accessories for different types of fishing. We can find fishing line or braided cord in any fishing store. Fishing line is one of the most important elements of fishing tackle, and a lot depends on the right choice.

Monofilament line: what’s important to know

For thousands of years, fishing lines have been handmade from horsehair, silk, and much less often from cotton or linen. Waterproofing impregnations were sometimes used in their manufacture. Since about the 1850s, machines for knitting fishing lines on an industrial scale have appeared.

Modern fishing lines are made of polyamide materials, the main ones being nylon and kapron.

What are the different types of fishing lines?

1. Nylon

Invented in 1937 by the laboratory of DuPont (USA).

It became the first and the most mass-produced artificial material for fishing lines.

Light refractive index of nylon. – 1.52 (water – 1.3)

2. Capron

Capron or Nylon-6 (Nylon 6) was developed in 1952 at IG Farben (Germany) to replicate the properties of Nylon-66 (Nylon-66) without infringing the DuPont patent. Capron fishing lines are subject to environmental aging. Their service life does not exceed two to three years.

3. Polyethylene

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes are used to produce multi-fiber fishing lines with high strength and low stretch.

The first man-made material for making braided fishing lines was Dacron. Subsequently, polyesters were replaced by the more advanced Kevlar. Since the early 90’s models made of the thinnest polyethylene fibers appeared. In Europe, the new material became known under the brand name DYNEEMA, and in America – SPECTRA. All so-called braids are made of the same fibers, the differences are in the way of their connection (weaving) and applied protective impregnations.

4. Fluorocarbon

Fluorocarbon was invented in Japan in 1971. Its creators are experts of Kureha (Seaguar) company. The English name of the polymer (fluoro – fluorine and carbon – plastic) corresponds to the Russian word “fluoroplastic”.

What are the features of fluorocarbon?

• First of all, it is resistant to any negative influences. Fishing lines made of this polymer are used all year round, as its operating temperature is from -40C to +160C. They can be stored for a long time without fear of sunlight. Their structure does not allow water molecules to pass through, so fishing lines do not swell.
• Secondly, fluorocarbon is characterized by resistance to damage and abrasion. For example, Avani Eging Tip Run braids are acceptable for feeders. That is why they are immediately completed with sections of fluorocarbon to make a shock leader out of it.
• Thirdly, if the ordinary monofilament does not belong to the sinking class, it can stay on top and take the float behind itself in windy weather. Fluoroplastic is 78% heavier than water. That is why it always sinks almost 2.5 times faster than nylon fishing line. This gives an advantage to spinning players when jigging, fishing in snags or on reservoirs where the bottom is covered with barnacles that can cut the braided line. Also helps to hold the working horizon of most wobblers.
• Fourth, fluorocarbon has a refractive index of light is close to the same characteristic of water (1.42 and 1.3 respectively). Therefore, the material is more imperceptible in the water body compared to nylon monofilament.
• The rigidity of fluorocarbon fishing lines will not let you miss even a timid bite. It will be on hand to make a hook-up and when fishing in the current. However, this polymer has a lower tensile strength than nylon at the same thickness.
• Since fluorocarbon is more difficult to produce, it is more expensive than nylon. Therefore, a compromise has emerged – nylon fishing lines coated with this polymer (“Fluorocarbon coated”).

Comparative characteristics of fishing line materials

And a quick note: DYNEEMA filaments are 20 times stronger than steel filaments of similar diameter. Impressive….

Where is mono line used?

Mono fishingline is used for feeder fishing, float fishing, spinning and other types of fishing. The main requirements are tensile strength, elasticity (the ability to tie knots), invisibility (small thickness or camouflage coloring), resistance to environmental influences, resistance to friction. International standards for fishing line are developed by the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA – International Game Fishing Association).

How to choose the right fishing line?

You can ask advice from a more experienced angler. And you can choose yourself, having previously studied the characteristics.

Fishing lines have a number of important parameters, but we will consider only those that we will need later.

• The most important characteristic is the diameter. In the modern fishing market, you can find almost any diameter. However, the bulk are models with a diameter of 0.1 – 0.4 mm. This indicator affects the range of throwing (the smaller the diameter, the better its flight characteristics), as well as the visibility in the water (the smaller the diameter, the more imperceptible the fishing line). The smaller the diameter, the less space the fishing line takes up on the spool.

• The next characteristic is breaking load. If you think that buying a fishing line with a breaking load of 4.5 kg, you will be able to “throw over the shoulder” on the shore fish weighing up to two kilograms, you are deeply mistaken. Yes, the fishing line may have shown a breaking load of 4.5 kilograms in tests. However, in the tests the line is at the right angle and the load increases smoothly. In life, however, everything is quite different: you will have the wrong angle and the sudden increase in load will make itself felt. You should also take into account that the fishing line will rub against something (for example, rocks or coquina). Moreover, the breaking load at the knot will be reduced. As a consequence, in fact we get the actual breaking load less than the declared one. This must be taken into account.
• Another important parameter is unwinding, i.e. length. The most common unwinding is 100, 150 and 300 meters. There are also unwinding of 50, 75, 110, 135, 200 and 250 meters. Which one to choose – everyone decides for himself, selecting the optimal one for his gear and conditions.

How to choose the diameter of fishing line?

When choosing the diameter should be based on the fishing conditions and the object of fishing. If we have to catch small non-predatory fish, then a thick fishing line will not be needed. And vice versa, when catching large and strong fish, such as carp, for example, you should use a line with a solid margin of safety. Also, if we are fishing in the open space of a clear lake, we can afford to use a thin model. But if we are fishing on a boggy river, then here we have to take a thicker fishing line. This also applies to fishing in coquina.

Basically, fishing lines with a diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 mm are used in fishing for feeder and float as leashes (the length of the leash can vary from 10 cm to 1 m).

Variants with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.4 mm are used as the main line for feeder fishing, float fishing and many other types of fishing.

Strong and sturdy fishing line

Sometimes it seems that you can not go overboard with thickness, but this is not the case. You don’t always need a very thick and strong fishing line – on the contrary, often too thick will scare the fish away. Consequently, it is always necessary to proceed directly from the conditions of fishing and the object of fishing.

How to choose the best fishing line?

As they say, the best fishing line is the one you need at this time in this place. Since the line is one of the key elements of the tackle, it is better to use quality models of well-known and well-proven brands such as Varivas, Balsax, Daiwa, Allvega and others.

8 best braided cords

1. Akkoi Mask Ultra X4
2. Varivas High Grade PEx4
3. YGK G-Soul PE EGI Metal
4. Ayashi Pro Braid-X4
5. Sunline Super Braid 5HG
6. Akkoi Mask Arcane X4
7. Daiwa J-Braid X8
8. YGK Super Jig Man X4