What Is Fluorocarbon Fishing Line? Everything You Need To Know!

Today, there is a wide range of fishing lines on the market. We do not just mean because of the different diameters and weights either.

When we are referring to the various fishing line, we are talking about the different materials that they can be made out of. In this article, we will look at one of those materials and that is fluorocarbon fishing lines.

This material is a newer option, so you may not know much about it. That means you are in the right place though because in this article we will cover everything you need to know about fluorocarbon fishing line from what it is to who should use it. Read on to learn all the benefits and disadvantages of fluorocarbon line.

What Is Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

What Is Fluorocarbon Fishing Line?

Before getting into the fishing properties of fluorocarbon fishing line, we will get into what it is. Fluorocarbon line is made from a polymer called polyvinylidene fluoride. A polymer is a synthetic or natural compound that has smaller molecules bond to form larger ones through a chemical process. Over time the way fluorocarbon line has been made has changed. Since it is a chemical process that makes it, they can adjust the amount and degree of the different chemicals in the polyvinylidene fluoride to help give the line the beneficial properties while reducing the bad

Benefits of Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

Benefits of Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

There is a wide range of good properties that come with fluorocarbon line. The first that is most important for fishing is that the line is practically invisible in water. This is because the refractive index of the line is almost the same as that of water. The refractive index is how much light is bent when it passes thru an object. For fluorocarbon line, a similar enough light is bent that for fish and other animals in the water it appears to bend the same amount of light as the water does. This makes it so fish don’t see the fluorocarbon line and makes them easier to catch.

The next benefit that fluorocarbon lines have over other materials is their strength. When it comes to fishing strength of the line can mean a variety of things. The main one though that people will think of is the break strength. Fluorocarbon is strong, and it takes a lot of force to snap the line. Also, if you are fishing for bigger or strong fish, you can up the diameter of the line and gain strength without scaring away a potential catch.

This has to do with being invisible in the water which we have already covered. Other things that can be meant by strength though is the rubbing strength or ability to handle abrasiveness. Fluorocarbon lines can handle rubbing against things better than their nylon monofilament counterparts. Lastly, UV light does not weaken fluorocarbon lines. UV light has no effect on the polymer in the fluorocarbon, but UV light does weaken nylon, so the fluorocarbon will last longer and keep its strength.

Another benefit of fluorocarbon line is that it is more sensitive and has better hooking power. Since the molecules in the fluoro are tightly packed, it allows the line to transmit energy better. This means that you can feel small bites easier or your lure ticking the bottom. This intensified information can be felt from further away, so even if you cast long, you can feel it. The increased sensitivity also allows the fluoro line to sink faster allowing for less slack and bow. Tied into this and the fact that fluorocarbon lines don’t stretch as much you can get stronger hooks even at a distance. You can drive the hook home because it is easier to control the tighter line.

The last positive about fluorocarbon lines is that they are waterproof. This may seem odd to think about since you are throwing it into the water, but it is a really important thing. That is because as a normal fishing line gets wet, it will start acting differently. A fluorocarbon line, on the other hand, will behave the same on the last cast as it did on the first cast. This is good because you will know what to expect from the line when you go to real in your catch.

What about negatives of  Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

The biggest issue with fluorocarbon line is its manageability. Fluorocarbon is stiffer and has more memory than the other types of line. This means that it likes to stay the way that it already is and normally that is straight. Spooling fluorocarbon lines it can be a struggle. However, like has been mentioned, since they can change the number of chemicals in the line, they have been able to make some fluorocarbon line that is more easily spooled and manageable.

The next issue that comes up with fluorocarbon line is the shock strength. While it is stronger than a monoline, it is not as strong as a super line. This means that if it has a good shock to it, then the line can snap. However, since it is stealthy, you can up the diameter and get more strength without making the line more visible, so you can still use it. Also, loosening your drag can help compensate if you don’t want to get to too thick of a line. Tied into the strength is also knot strength. You need to make sure to wet down fluorocarbon before tying a knot or else it will come loose. As long as you wet the line first though, the knot will hold just fine.

The last thing that can be an issue with fluorocarbon line as to do with the sink rate. While it can be good that it sinks fast, it can also be bad. This is because if you want to fish the top layer of the water, it can be hard to do with fluorocarbon line since it sinks so well.

When to use?

So now that you know all the positives and negatives of fluorocarbon line the question becomes when you should use it. Well, the only times you shouldn’t consider the fluorocarbon line is when you want to fish the top layer of the water. Since it sinks so well, it is pretty hard to be able to fish the top. Any other time fluorocarbon line should be an option that you consider because of the benefits.

Fluorocarbon line should especially be used if you want to fish the bottom of the body of water. This is because it can pin bait near the bottom easily. Also, since it is strong and can handle abrasion, it is good for deep fishing because it won’t get caught up and break in the things at the bottom. Fluorocarbon is also great to use if you are fishing for things that get spooked easily by the line. Since fluorocarbon is hard to see it won’t scare fish away.

Other times to use fluorocarbon is if you are fishing for larger things and need extra strength from a thicker line, but still, be hidden. If you are fishing for fast fish, then fluorocarbon is good as well since you can feel the slightest of bites and set the hook fast, previously, and strongly.  Also, if you are going to be fishing for a long day fluorocarbon is good because you won’t have to worry about changing your line from it getting too wet.

Conclusion

Fluorocarbon line is a great all around line. It has a lot of positives such as not being visible in the water and the strength with not too many negatives. The only downside that can’t be countered somehow is the quick sinking of the line. The rest you can alter some things. It used to be fluorocarbon was too hard to manage, but since it is a polymer, they have been able to make it a lot more manageable. Now the fluorocarbon line is a great go-to line for many situations, and you should give it a try the next time you are out fishing.Source