Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

There are three kinds of fishing lines you’ll find at your local tackle shop: braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing line. Knowing when to use each type is a guessing game as much as it is an artform.

Braids were the original line and are still around for good reason. They float, cut through the water column and are ideal for trolling and long-lining setups. However, they don’t have any stretch and they are not suitable for tying directly to jigs. Monofilament lines have a ton of stretch and a wider diameter, which makes them durable and easier to use. But there are some instances when the increased cost of fluorocarbon lines make all the difference between going home happy or empty handed.

The following is a comprehensive list of the characteristics of fluorocarbon and when it’s likely to be the most effective and worth the extra cost.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Gather Information

Everything from water temperature to cloud coverage determines which line you select. Some anglers depend on luck, persistence and instinct to be successful, but the more information you have the better. Before you pack up the tackle box and head out, find out as much as you can about where you’re going and what the weather will be like when you get there. Hit up online forums for local fishing tips and tricks because nothing beats experience. Even though most veteran fisherman won’t divulge the location of their honey pot, they might be willing to share advice on lines, lures and the best spot to grab a good lunch.

What You Need to Know About Fluorocarbon

Fluorocarbon is an abrasion-resistant, low-visibility, narrow-diameter, single-thread line with good sensitivity that sinks. It’s the same material used to make airtight seals for aircraft engines, so you know they’re durable.
You have to wet the knot before you tie the line or it will not hold. Don’t use it with your topwater lures but rather with a shallow diving crankbait. The line is ideal for one to five feet depths as well as deeper waters with heavy grass.
For the upcoming spring bass season, you may want to pair fluorocarbon lines with wacky weightless worms (also called trick or floating worms). Even beginner anglers can catch something with these in water temperatures that range from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Take It From a Pro

Veteran Texas bass pro Jay Yelas recommends using flashy colors to start casting directly into cover. If the worm doesn’t elicit an immediate strike, which often happens with colors like bubblegum, traffic sign yellow and white, let it sink to the bottom and twitch your rod up. Yelas warns against overfishing a wacky worm and suggests reeling in a failed attempt quickly and trying another cover. If you’re still not getting strikes, switch to more neutral-colored worms and try again.
Fluorocarbon is also especially difficult to see, even in the clearest water. It is more sensitive, so you can feel the lighter bites of easily spooked walleyes or bluegills with a nice thin rod. Fluorocarbon is significantly more expensive than monofilament, but in some cases, it’s the only way to go.