Using the right fishing line is essential. It’s what connects you to the fish! This is why it’s so vital for anglers to understand the different types of fishing lines available in the market. Monofilament fishing line is the most commonly used fishing line worldwide, but what is it?
Monofilament fishing line is made from a single strand of plastic, typically Nylon. This line is known to have a lot of stretch, be practically neutrally buoyant, have a large diameter, and have good abrasion-resistant. But, on the flip side, it does have line memory and can quickly degrade over time.
Monofilament fishing line has unique properties making it one of the popular fishing lines.
Let’s explore why this fishing line is loved by so many anglers!
A Brief History About Monofilament Fishing Lines
In 1938, DuPont invented the first synthetic plastic fiber made from air, water, and coal. This was known as Nylon which was the first of its kind.
Nylon was heavily marketed as a monofilament fishing line in 1939. The goal was to take market shares away from the popular Dacron braided fishing line at the time. But Dacron remained the preferred fishing line for at least the next 20 years.
The primary concern with anglers at the time was that mono was just too stiff and hard to handle. These were not an issue with Dacron braided lines.
But Monofilament had one thing going for it that Dacron could not compete with: its knot strength and low visibility.
In 1959, a small group of local anglers improved the monofilament fishing line concept. They developed and introduced Stren into the market.
Stren to the market by storm!
Stren monofilament lines were thinner, softer, able to be used on a wide range of reels.
But it did not stop there. Stren was very beginner-friendly, which brought many new people into the sport.
What Makes Monofilament Fishing Such A Great Fishing Line To Use?
Mono is probably the best-valued fishing line in the market today.
It has a great price/value relationship. Mono is so versatile that you could use it in almost any circumstance.
Mono is much easier and safer to handle than braided fishing lines.
Making knots with mono is a breeze even for beginners. Also, thanks to the larger line diameter, the chances of mono cutting your hands when holding the line as you land a fish is small.
Since mono can stretch up to 25% of its length, it acts as a shock absorber when you’re going after fish that tend to strike hard. This stretch can prevent the hook from ripping out of the fish’s mouth.
Advantages Of Monofilament.
- Easy to make fishing knots with excellent knot strength.
- Monofilament is practically neutrally buoyant. Monofilament’s density is slightly higher than water which makes it sink. But, the sinking rate is slow, making it great for topwater fishing.
- Mono’s thicker diameter makes it good to use around underwater structures because it will not easily break.
- The most economical fishing line available in the market.
Disadvantages Of Monofilament.
- Monofilament absorbs water, changing its properties like decreasing its knot strength and sensitivity.
- Mono is not UV resistant which makes it degrades quicker.
- Monofilament needs to be replaced often because the environment can quickly deteriorate and weaken the line.
- Mono has line memory causing loops or curls when the line comes off the reel.
- Mono’s stretch can be considered an advantage, but most anglers see it as a disadvantage. The line stretch makes it harder to set the hook or feel bites when there is lots of line out in the water.
- Mono allows light to pass through it very differently than water. This makes the mono more visible underwater. Colour selection will play a role in helping with this.
Different Sizes Of Monofilament.
Monofilament has plenty of different sizes available at affordable costs.
Here is a rough estimation to give you an idea of how much you will need to spend on an excellent monofilament line.
| Pound Test | Yards | Price | Price / Foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lb | 300 | $6.99 | $0.008 |
| 4 lb | 600 | $9.99 | $0.006 |
| 6 lb | 300 | $8.99 | $0.010 |
| 6 lb | 600 | $12.99 | $0.007 |
| 8 lb | 300 | $8.99 | $0.010 |
| 8 lb | 600 | $12.99 | $0.007 |
| 10 lb | 300 | $8.99 | $0.010 |
| 10 lb | 600 | $12.99 | $0.007 |
| 12 lb | 300 | $8.99 | $0.010 |
| 12 lb | 600 | $12.99 | $0.007 |
| 15 lb | 300 | $8.99 | $0.010 |
| 15 lb | 600 | $12.99 | $0.007 |
| 17 lb | 300 | $8.99 | $0.010 |
| 17 lb | 600 | $12.99 | $0.007 |
| 20 lb | 300 | $10.99 | $0.012 |
| 20 lb | 600 | $13.99 | $0.008 |
| 25 lb | 300 | $10.99 | $0.012 |
| 30 lb | 300 | $10.99 | $0.012 |
| 30 lb | 600 | $13.99 | $0.008 |
Different Colors Of Monofilament Fishing Lines.
Does fishing line colour really matter?
Scientific studies and firsthand accounts of divers prove that specific tints of colours are hard to detect underwater as they lose their colours at various depths.
This may seem weird as anglers usually see the colours aboveground. But the colours disappear underwater and become more of a silhouette underwater.
Monofilament fishing lines come in several colours like blue, yellow, red, green, and colourless. Different colours work better in certain situations than others.
Yellow lines have a time and place to be used. The benefit of seeing your line may outweigh any possible cons of weary fish spotting the line in clear water.
Red fishing lines are said to become invincible underwater quickly. This makes sense as a study proved that red objects lose their colour first underwater. Therefore, they generate many bites.
Green is a good colour for blending into the water. Like camouflage, a green fishing line blends into its surroundings and makes a good choice for anglers that want to keep their line invincible to fish. However, this colour may be visible in clear water.
Clear mono fishing lines are an excellent choice for suspicious fish as they work well in all situations.
When Should You Use Monofilament Fishing Line?
Mono is a great line to use when casting topwater baits or using crankbait.
Mono makes for an excellent line when trolling because of the line stretch, which acts as a shock absorber.
Although the monofilament fishing line is versatile, deepwater fishing is usually not advisable. The deeper you go down in the water, the more sensitivity you lose because of the line stretch.
Using mono in saltwater as it can weaken it and shorten its lifespan. But, there are mono products available that are intended for saltwater use.
Recognizing Good Quality Brands Of Monofilament.
Finding a good quality brand can take time and research, especially if you are new to fishing.
Have no fear, as here are some of the best brands to help narrow the search.
Premium brand: KastKing’s World Premium
This monofilament fishing line is exactly as the name states. It is a premium brand with soft and flexible lines, making it a crowd favourite for tying strong quality knots.
Because of the soft quality, the line is so sensitive that you will feel bites intensely.
Suppose you are looking for a carefree fishing experience, then this line is for you.
This line’s abrasion resistance will allow you to seamlessly use it in heavy cover. Not only does it have excellent mobility, the perfect curve of this line means that you will be able to cast long distances.
This line is well-rounded. It’s durable, has a thin diameter that is robust and allows for optimum use, and comes in various strengths and colours.
This brand is one of the best because the fishing lines can be used in freshwater and saltwater!
Excellent brand: Stren High Impact
This monofilament fishing line is highly recommended for many reasons.
This line has excellent shock absorption and resistance to impact. Not only does the line have ultra-low visibility, but its tensile strength is off the charts.
This line is impressive because it can be used for casting, angling, trolling, spinning, etc.
It’s available in varying colours and sizes of up to 1250 yards.
Budget brand: Berkley Trilene Big Game
This monofilament fishing line is one of the best in the game.
Not only does this line offer excellent casting capabilities for long-distance, but it also provides unparalleled durability and strength.
There is enhanced strength control and flexibility to help you catch almost any fish you have your eye on. The fishing line is highly sensitive and abrasion-resistant.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that comes in various sizes and colours, look no further.
Although the line has some line memory, the knot strength and fighting power far outweigh the cons.
Happy Fishing & Tight Lines