Superline
Superline is a category given to tough, minimal stretch, thin diameter lines. Superlines are created by either braiding several strands of fibers or by fusing layers of microfilaments together. Braiding and fusing both result in a single strand with maximum strength, minimal stretch and subtleness for casting.
The minimal line-stretch of superline gives anglers an incredible feel, equating to increased sensitivity and the ability to detect hits. No-stretch line also means improved hook sets.
For the most part, superlines also offer good to excellent knot strength, but make sure you follow the knots recommended on the line packaging as braid can slip out of certain knots. When in doubt, use a Palomar knot. Minimal spool memory is another great feature of superlines, lasting several seasons.
Superlines are available in a few colors with green, white and fluorescent green being the most common. Some prime superline examples include:
* Bass Pro Shops Excel Braid
* Berkley Fireline
* PowerPro Micro Filament Line
* P-Line Spectrex
* SpiderWire Braid
* Stren Super Braid
* Tuf Line XP
Superlines excel in heavy cover situations. If you're tossing a topwater frog in lily pads or slop with a baitcaster, superline is an excellent choice. Superlines also shine when fishing around wood cover.
No-stretch means sensitivity, so when going for vertical jigging for walleye in deeper water I often use a 20-pound test superline and tie on a four foot fluorocarbon leader with a uni-knot. The superline gives a great feel for even the lightest hits. While the fluorocarbon leader won't spook line-shy fish like braid can; it will also break off easier than braid should it get snagged.(sangkut)
It's important to be careful when snagged with braid. Don't use your hands to pull the line or you'll likely slice them open. Also avoid leaning back on your rod to try and pull free a snag; you might break your pole. The best bets are tightening your drag or immobilize the spool. Next, point the rod directly at the snag and slowly pull. Either the line will break or the hook will straighten out. It is best doing this while holding the spool with your hands.
Superlines are a good choice for working baits that require twitching. It's my go-to line whenever I'm working jerkbaits, whether they're soft-plastic jerk shads for smallmouth bass or big, wooden stickbaits for muskies. In fact, the no-stretch feature of superline helps you get solid hooks sets into toothy fish with bony mouths such as pike and muskie.
You might encounter trouble when trolling with braid if you don't compensate your rod and reel set up appropriately. As braid won't stretch, trolling with too stiff of a rod or too tight a drag will likely pull baits away from fish. To compensate, loosen drags more than you would with conventional monofilament. It's also a good idea to use a rod with a light action tip that bends easily. This forgivingness will ensure fish get the bait when they hit it and the hooks will stick.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon is perhaps the line of choice these days for many anglers. This line is virtually invisible in water. If you don't believe it, buy a spool and give it an on-the-water test. I tried this recently in a gin-clear lake, comparing some fluorocarbon P-Line to some PowerPro. The results were impressive. The braid was quite visible while the fluorocarbon was extremely difficult to detect.
Minimal line stretch is another impressive fluorocarbon feature. Still not on par with most superlines, fluorocarbon beats monofilament when it comes to the stretch factor.
Yet there are other popular features for fluorocarbon. The line has a quick sink rate. It is also a lot tougher than monofilament, has minimal spool memory, and has great abrasion resistance.
Lastly, fluorocarbon will resist UV rays. This means it won't breakdown as quickly as monofilament, letting you store it for longer periods.
Fluorocarbon line is available in a variety of colors from clear, high-visibility fluorescents, green, blue and grey. Some examples include:
* Bass Pro Shops XPS Signature Series Fluorocarbon
* Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon
* Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon
* Seaguar CarbonPro Fluorocarbon
* P-Line Fluorocarbon
I have fished with some fluorocarbon fanatics who'll only use this line. The minimal stretch quality and the near invisibility trait of fluorocarbon is why many bass anglers opt for fluorocarbon when flipping and pitching. The fast sink rate teamed with excellent sensitivity makes it a good choice for finesse presentations using minimal weight, such as Senkos, soft-plastic jerkbaits or shaky-head jigging.
Fluorocarbon can also be used for trolling. Many anglers prefer fluorocarbon as it rests in between the no-stretch features of braid and the significant stretch of monofilament. Fluorocarbon provides good sensitivity to hits, but will also offer some give when a fish hits to make sure the hooks stick.
Monofilament
Monofilament is still a mainstay for many anglers. Individuals who have been using the line for years are simply in tune with its strengths and weaknesses and know how to fish it properly.
Two of my occasional boat partners still rely on Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough Line 17- or 20-pound test when flipping and pitching for largemouth bass. They're extremely confident in this line, and when it comes to fishing, having confidence in your gear and lures is a large part of catching fish.
Monofilament does have certain qualities that some anglers don't like. The line will stretch under strain more than braid or fluorocarbon. This stretch means the line will dampen or absorb light hits, and you might not always feel them.
A great feature of monofilament is it's easy to cut. This might not seem significant, but forget your scissors or a knife when fishing with a superline and retying can get tricky. Unfortunately, the downside to this trait is that monofilament is more abrasion prone than the other two lines, so you will need to be diligent to look for line wear and retie often when fishing around rocks and wood.
A fresh spool of monofilament casts extremely well. Although, mono has a tendency for spool memory over time, so refilling spools should be a regular occurrence.
Monofilament makers are still giving the other two line types a run for their money. Coatings and other adjustments to the manufacturing process are creating new lines that are more abrasion resistant, sensitive, thin and inexpensive.
Monofilament is also available in a variety of colors, which is where it has an advantage over braid. There seems to be an endless array of colors available in mono. Some examples of monofilament include:
* Bass Pro Shops Excel Monofilament
* Ande Premium Monofilament Line
* Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Line
* Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough Line
Monofilament is the line I'd recommend for anglers starting out. That's not to say superlines or fluorocarbon won't do, but these two types of lines require a certain amount of fishing line know-how.
Monofilament is a forgiving line. It's easy to learn to tie knots with and casts well. It also has some give to it that will dampen over-exuberant beginner hook sets.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with using 8-pound test mono for jigging for walleye, or a 17-pound line for flipping slop for largemouth. This line has severed thousands of anglers well over the last couple of decades.
Trolling Lines
When to Use Trolling Lines
As trolling is a preferred tactic for many walleye anglers, lead-core line is weighted and allows you to present baits at specific depths. The uniformity of the weight also gives a smooth presentation with baits. It also tracks the movements of the boat extremely well. Use large capacity reels with a line counter when using trolling lines for a precise presentation. Bass Pro Shops Magibraid Lead Core Trolling Line is one example of a trolling line.
Fishing lines connect you with fish. They are one piece in a fishing system that must balance factors like strength, sensitivity and functionality. With so many lines on the market today, picking the right line might seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of knowledge of what traits you're looking for in a line, you should have no trouble sifting through the shelf.
Lastly, once you find a line you like, stick with it. An in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of your line will likely be more valuable to you than the latest marketing buzzword to describe the newest line. That said, I do recommend experimenting and trying a new line every year on at least one spool. This way you can keep up with the latest tackle trends and innovations, and you may even find a new favorite fishing line.
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