By Luigi De Rose

Staying on target

Deciphering what type of line to buy is the first step in staying connected. Monofilament Formed with a nylon base, these lines have a single (mono) strand. Mono is versatile, relatively inexpensive, and easy to fish. It has the most stretch of any fishing lines on the market. Copolymer Copolymer lines are a blend of several materials bonded together to form a single strand. Typically, these lines tend to have less stretch, better knot strength, and greater abrasion resistance than conventional mono. Braid Modern or “super” braids are made of strands of Dyneema or Spectra, creating a soft, limp, powerful line. Braid is strong, has near zero stretch, and has small diameter, compared with monofilament of equal pound test. Fused Fused line offers a compromise of braid and monofilament characteristics. It has near zero stretch and superior abrasion resistance/strength, yet has greater handling capabilities than braid. Fluorocarbon Fluorocarbon’s two best selling points are its near invisibility in water and its strength. Fluorocarbon lines come in two versions: soft and hard. Hard fluorocarbon is tremendously strong when compared with mono, yet its rigidity makes it difficult to spool onto reels. Soft fluorocarbon is limper and fishes more like monofilament, but isn’t as strong as 100% hard fluorocarbon line.

 

“Better, faster, stronger” continues to be the mantra for most players in the hunting- and fishing-equipment game in 2008, and line is no exception. Many innovations have occurred, but your old standbys are on store shelves, too, with a few refinements.

Strength Personified
Fluorocarbon garners the most attention this season, and for good reason. Anglers are spooling up with it in droves for its strength, versatility, and low visibility. “Fluorocarbon line is gaining market share every year,” said Bill Corrigal, product manager for Pure Fishing Canada.

Early casting versions of the line turned off some anglers due to high price, poor knot strength, brittleness, and a stiffness that led to one giant headache. But manufacturers listened to anglers’ woes and now offer 100% fluorocarbon products that are easier to handle.
“Rapala started producing fluorocarbon line to complement our Titanium braided line,” said Tom McMurray, advertising-creative manager for Normark Canada.

Fluorocarbon leaders are popular and there’s a push towards heavy pound tests. Sixty-pound test and up are ideal alternatives to stiff wire leaders for pike or muskie.

Highly Visible
Braided line remains a hot ticket. Built on a reputation for being thin, compared with monofilament, while sporting incredible strength, super-braids are good for battling fish in heavy cover. They also offer superb feel
when baits are retrieved.

There are also myths about braided lines. Two common misconceptions are they damage rod guides and warp reel spools.

For 2008, braid manufacturers have tried to rectify two main downfalls: line visibility and manageability. Most companies have switched to a rounder line to avoid reel tangles and offer improved castability. Spidewire’s Stealth and Ultracast brands are good options that have the manageability and body of monofilament.

Bold coloured lines are also new this year. Anglers have complained braid is difficult to see at the water’s surface when trying to detect light bites. Berkley, Cortland, Mustad, Power Pro, Spiderwire, Stren, and Suffix have braided lines in bright red or hi-vis yellow.

Stren capitalized on this element with its new Mircofuse braid (Blue Glacier Fluorescent). This thermally-fused line glows hi-vis fluorescent blue. When night fishing, it’s easy to see. It caught the eye of judges at the 2007 iCast tackle trade show in Las Vegas, where it won a “Best Of” show award.

A Bright Idea
Bright colours have made a splash on the monofilament side, as well. Mark Stiffel, vice-president of marketing for Brecks International Inc., importers of Maxima Lines, says red mono is smoking hot this season. “Maxima’s Chameleon line is now offered in red. This offers anglers the advantage of high visibility above water,” he said. “As the line slips beneath the surface, it slowly disappears. Anglers should know red is the first colour in the spectrum to disappear in the water column.”

Maxima is not the only company offering red lines. Berkley Trilene XT, Cajun Red, and Stren are also seeing red this season.