What is Fluorcarbon fishing line?
When we talk about fishing line there are three main choices, fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided. In this post we will talk about fluorocarbon but what is Fluorocarbon fishing line?
Fluorocarbon fishing line or as its commonly called, fluoro, is a type of plastic called, polyvinylidene difluoride or PVDF. Essentially, the PVDF is melted down and then extruded through a tiny nozzle. The size depending on the gauge of line they are trying to make. It then gets cooled before further processing and turns into what we see on store shelves.
What is fluorocarbon fishing line good for?
Toughness. Fluorocarbon is more abrasion resistant than standard nylon monofilament of the same diameter. Fluorocarbon also is not affected by ultraviolet rays like that of nylon monofilament. It is also waterproof and will not absorb water which will cause the line to eventually break down.
Low Visibility. Maybe one of the biggest benefits to using fluorocarbon is it’s nearly invisible underwater. This is due to the constructions of the PVDF and its light distortion properties. This makes it a beneficial tool when chasing skittish fish in clear water ways.
Sensitivity. Fluoro’s construction consists of tightly packed molecules. This allows more energy transfer than mono which leads to higher sensitivity over other line types. Fluoro also sinks faster than other line types, resulting in less slack between the lure and the rod.
What are the downfalls of fluorocarbon fishing lines?
Manageability. Fluorocarbon is stiffer and has more memory than other line types. This makes it one of the least manageable fishing lines. Newer versions are coming out to the market which do seem to show some improvement. You can choose an appropriately sized reel and make sure to not over fill the spool to help mitigate the stiffness.
Sink Rate. Fluoro sinks, so it may not be the best choice for top water baits or lures that may suspend in the water column. With that said, this makes fluro particularly good at keeping baits close to the bottom and helping weightless presentation sink.
Knot Strength. You must cinch down a knot by wetting the line. If not, the knot will most likely fail.
It is important to know the pros and cons of each type of fishing line. Fluorocarbon is not always going to be the best choice. It is commonly used as a leader due to the specific properties it consists of. Particularly the low visibility under water that is achieves. Fluoro is a good choice for leader when using either mono or braid as a main line. But choosing a high-end fluoro line as a mainline offers many benefits as well including excellent casting distance. It is a great option when you need the benefits of braid and fluorocarbon together all in one line.
No matter which line type you choose, make sure to change it out regularly like every couple of seasons. All lines will break down over time and fluorocarbon is no different. Regular line and reel maintenance is required.
zu11n7
Your comment is awaiting moderation.