Are you ready to leap on the surf to fish? Have you selected the right surf fishing rod, bait to call beach fish, or lure for saltwater? Once your gear is ready, then recheck the list of essentials once! I bet you have overlooked the fishing line. So here we are to cover everything related to braided vs monofilament fishing lines that will help you pick the best one according to their purpose.
Table of content
- What is a braided fishing line and what is it made up of?
- What is a monofilament fishing line and what is it made up of?
- Advantages and disadvantages of braided and monofilament fishing line.
- Where are both the fishing lines best to use and in what circumstances?
- Which of these lines are good for saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing?
Braided vs Monofilament Fishing Line – Learn the Differences
What is a braided fishing line and what is it made up of?
A braided fishing line as it reflects, is woven tightly with multiple fibers and forms a strong braid but a thin line. The most common fibers used in its construction are spectra, dacron, or dyneema. These synthetic fibers are exceptionally strong and sensitive enough to handle harsh fishing conditions.
What is a monofilament fishing line and what is it made up of?
Mono means “single”. A monofilament fishing line comprises a single strand of polymer or nylon to form a thick line but is not as strong as any braided line. It is easy to handle and is most commonly used by fishing beginners.
Advantages of a braided fishing line
- Strong and competent: When on the shore, dealing with big sea predators, a braided fishing line is considered an optimal choice because of its strong build. Pulling a large fish is very easy without fear of breaking it while reeling in the line.
- Diameter: Although it is woven with more than one strand, it is still a thin line compared to monofilament. Due to this, the diameter is thin, as a result, you have more lines on the reel. It helps the angler to cast the line in far distant areas and can easily approach fish-abundant areas of the sea.
- Highly sensitive: The thinner the line is, the more sensitivity it has. A braided fishing line is beneficial in this regard too. A subtle bite of a fish can easily detectable and the angler can respond quickly to pull the line at this best moment.
Disadvantages of braided fishing line
- Visible underwater: Fishes easily get afraid of the slightest movement. They are naturally highly alert species of the water. A braided fishing line meanwhile is quite visible under the water, it frightens these species and minimizes the chance of catching them.
- Hard to tie knot: This braided fishing line is made up of multiple strands, it is difficult to knot and attach hook, and bait. Very few fishing knots are applicable, which too sometimes loosen up if not taken care of properly.
- Wear out against rough surfaces: In many sea fishing events, braided fishing line fails to resist rocky areas. Since they are less abrasion-free, their wearing out on hard surfaces is visible, reducing the line’s lifespan.
Advantages of monofilament fishing line
- Less visible: Monofilament fishing line is made up of a single polymer strand that becomes transparent under the water. It is less alert to sea predators and also tangles passing by fish unexpectedly.
- Flexible: It is flexible and stretch more. Easy to tie a knot and set hook. Almost every fishing line knot technique is applicable.
- Budget-friendly: This fishing line is cheaper. It costs you half the price of a braided line. If you are struggling with budget and are a beginner too, the monofilament fishing line is a good kick to start with.
Disadvantages of monofilament fishing line
- Weaker: It hardly manages to pull a large fish out of the sea. Due to its poor strength, its durability is compromised if you come across a big predator. Relying on this weak fishing line while dealing with an aggressive large fish could be a big mistake.
- Diameter: These fishing lines are a bit thicker and come in less amount on the spool compared to braided fishing lines. Reaching distant areas of the sea may cause limited reach and you may have to use a big spool to manage.
- Tangling: Because of the flexibility and ease of tying knots, later these knots are unable to loosen up and free the hook. Ultimately, you have to cut the line from the knot and it also gets tangled under the water sometimes, making it difficult to manage the catch when reeling in the line.
Where both the fishing lines are best to use and in what circumstances?
Braided fishing line use:
This fishing line provides good results in sea fishing, offshore or inshore fishing, boat fishing or trolling. Perfectly manageable in deep waters, catching big fish species in the open sea. Mostly recommended to professional anglers or seasonal fishermen.
Monofilament fishing line use:
Good to catch medium to small fish in freshwater fishing. Commonly used in river or lake fishing in clear water. It is recommended for beginners and kids learning how to cast their line for the first time.
Which of these lines are good in saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing?
Saltwater fishing line:
Saltwater is rough by nature and certainly has ample big fish in it. It contains deeper drops and expected distant casting, requiring a huge amount of fishing line. In this case, a braided fishing line seems the most eligible option. However, in many cases, when the angler is newly experimenting, and when you don’t want to scare off the fish, a monofilament fishing line comes into role too.
Freshwater fishing line:
Usually monofilament fishing line is seen as best working under freshwater. With the requirements of being less visible and flexible, the mono line is adaptable. However, there is no hard rule not to opt for a braided line as well. It’s a matter of preference, and sometimes the large freshwater fish also demand braided lines to use.
Best fishing lines for saltwater and freshwater fishing – Top recommendations
- Reaction Tackle Braided Fishing Line 60LB to 100LB (options available)
- Kastking Super Power Braided Fishing Line 6LB to 80Lb (options available)
- Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line 110 yards to 3000 yards (options available)
- Zebco Cajun Monofilament Fishing Line 330 yards to 3000 yards (options available)
Verdict
Braided vs monofilament fishing line is just a debate with equal votes on each side. Both the lines have their unique performance under different fishing environments, justifying one being picked over the other. Considering all the factors and benefits make an informed decision and take the best fishing line along with you!