What is Monofilament Fishing Line?

Monofilament fishing line is a single thread of plastic material, usually nylon. It is soft, lightweight, and fairly inexpensive because the manufacturing process is relatively affordable. The production process depends on the types of polymers required, they can be melted and blended before being extruded into a single wire with flexibility, dimension variation, and control over tensile strength. 

Monofilament lines come in different colors such as clear, white, green, blue, red, and fluorescent. This helps fishermen match water conditions, making the line visible or discreet. Monofilament line offers a vast range of applications in fishing. It stretches more than super lines and more readily than fluorocarbon, providing a forgiving factor that other lines cannot equal.

What are the characteristics of a Monofilament Fishing Line?

Monofilament fishing line is characterized by six main features, namely, stretch, abrasion resistance, buoyancy, knot strength, visibility, and affordability. It is perfect for beginners because it's affordable, making it a cost-effective choice for anglers. 

Strength

The monofilament fishing line is measured in terms of the pound test or Ib test, indicating the amount of weight the line can bear before it breaks. For instance, in freshwater fishing, the test of 6-8 lbs is ideal for the mid-sized fish and the test of 4 lbs is ideal for sunfish or trout.  

In saltwater fishing, a 12-15 Ib test line is best for those who intend to catch smaller fish, but a 17-20 Ib test line is more suitable for shock strength to hold larger fish. 

Diameter

Monofilament consists of a larger diameter. The thickness of the monofilament line indicate diameter and is expressed in either inches or millimeters (mm).  It is largely accepted that the smaller diameter is less visible to fish and offers better sensitivity.

A 2 Ib test line of about 0.0005 inches is sufficient to take a small fish while the 20 Ib test line, 0.016 inches is adequate for larger stock. Selecting the right diameter is important for a successful fishing experience. 

Color

Monofilament fishing line is available in white, green, blue, red, and fluorescent shades, allowing anglers to choose depending on water clarity and conditions. Color is not a relative factor to fish bites but it greatly influences its visibility.

Use clear fluorocarbon for clear water. Yellow monofilament or braided line is the best for muddy water. Green monofilament is highly effective in green-colored water.

Stretch

Stretch is a parameter that is unique to a monofilament fishing line. This is flexible with escalated support, particularly, shock protection each time a fish attempts to scurry in a specific direction. 

A 50-foot light line measures 12 inches, while the same type of 100-foot light line measures up to 105 inches. Monofilament lines can be extended to 25% of the original length.

Abrasive resistance

Abrasion resistance evaluates the fishing line's capacity to sustain rubber friction against rocks or debris on the fishing ground, which is critical for fishing in difficult environment. For example, braided lines are likely to have stronger tensile strength, although monofilament and fluorocarbon lines are frequently more abrasion-resistant.

During testing, monofilament and fluorocarbon lines had the same test average, whereas braided lines broke the least due to the line's abrasion resistance coatings.

Knot Strength

Knot strength refers to, how much force or weight a knot tied in the fishing line can withstand before it breaks. While no knot is completely reliable, some knots have higher strength percentages than others. 

The trilene knot offers 100% of the original knot strength and the Palomar knot is relatively lower with 89% strength. The Clinch knot and Surgeon’s knot employed turns of 6 and 5 respectively, still showed excellent performances ranging between 90 – 96%.

What is monofilament fishing line good for?

Monofilament fishing line is adaptable, stretchy, and buoyant, making it ideal for fishing activities. Its flexibility allows it to handle quick movements, useful for targeting fast-moving fish.

Due to its buoyancy, monofilament is effective for top-water fishing, keeping the monofilament line on or near the surface. In addition, it is easy to hold knots properly, making it excellent for angulars to use.

Which is better, monofilament or fluorocarbon?

The choice between monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing lines is largely based on the particular fishing conditions and the type of fish you target. 

Monofilament is a classical option for having low costs and high flexibility. This one is ideal for novices and comes with excellent shock resistance, which makes it easily damaged while combating big fish. However, it is more visible in clear water, which can deter fish

Fluorocarbon is less visible underwater because it has high density and causes it to sink, making it ideal for deep sea fishing and angling fish at the bottom of the water region. It is also heavier and abrasion-resistant, although it is often stiff and difficult for beginners to work with. 

What is the difference between monofilament and a braided fishing line?

Monofilament fishing lines and braided fishing lines therefore have differences concerning structure, capability, and applicability.

Monofilament consists of a single-line thread of Nylon that is stretched and flexible, making it particularly useful for shock absorption,  it can be more noticeable in water. It is also cheaper and floats, which makes it perfect for top-water fishing. Monofilament is an ideal choice for beginners.

A braided line made from many strands that have been twisted together. It is slim, powerfully built, and mostly elastic, making it ideal for offering high sensitivity which enables it to detect even the lightest bites. It is also very resistant to scraping and is great for fishing in weeds or on rocks. Yet they are more conspicuous underwater than any other line and can be very challenging to handle given that they do not stretch.

Is monofilament invisible to fish?

Another form is monofilament, which is considerably finer and has a single transparent thread. It is available in a variety of colors that mix beautifully with the depth of the water. However, in clear water, the overall color stands out, indicating that monofilament may still be visible to fish. 

To avoid visibility, use a transparent monofilament and a fluorocarbon leader when fishing in low-light conditions. 

Explore our Max Catch Collection for more fishing line!