by Mike Banovetz
The optimist fisherman!
There is only one thing between you and the fish, line and knots tied. It can be confusing to determine what is the best line choice! Choices are monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer, braid, and lead core with variations of each type. I have an arsenal of rods and reels with every kind of fish line. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Pairing line with rod and reel type all factor into line choices and of course the targeted fish and techniques planned.
Why so many choices? Manufactures create new lines based on feedback from tournament fishermen, professional guides, and educators like InFishermen and Angling Buzz. Forty years ago, a handful of manufacturers produced mostly mono and some copolymer for everyday fishermen, but as professional tournaments became more popular, there was a need for technique-specific line.
Monofilament has been the go-to line for many years and still is today. There are more limp lines for casting with spinning reels and abrasion-resistant line is better in bait casting reels. Don’t buy cheap line, buy a quality branded line. When spooling mono there will be twists in the line that can be straightened out by letting half the line drag with nothing attached while motoring down the lake for about five minutes. Do this during the day if the line becomes uncooperative. Three go-to knots are Palomar, Trilene, and the improved chinch knot, which are all 99% rated.
Pro Tip: Wet the knot with saliva to prevent microabrasions when tightening.
I use a lot of braid because the diameter of the line is much less than mono and keeps line drag down for back trolling and casts a mile. Braid needs to have a lesser strength rod length of fluorocarbon line tied with a crazy Alberto, FG, or uni-knot. Fish can see braid while fluoro is considered invisible. Do not grab braid if you need to break off the line as it will slice through your skin. I use an inexpensive rubber-coated glove for this. I like braid because there is no stretch and the bottom feel is great, but because there is no stretch, lighten the reel drag and use a medium light rated rod to compensate. Another benefit is shaking off snags is much better than mono that is stretchy.
Get out and take a kid fishing!
