As we continue to look at terminal tackle, and specifically fishing line, let’s look at 2 types of line that are a little more specialized. They are braid and fluorocarbon.
Braided line is known for 2 traits, its extreme strength, and sensitivity. Modern braid has improved much since it first came out. The early versions had issues of the line slipping on the spool, getting embedded in the spool and stopping a cast abruptly short. The newer versions of “fused” braided line have greatly improved its mannerisms with reels.
Braided line also had zero line memory, which means it will not coil up like most monofilament lines will. This helps in giving the line another advantage, and that’s casting distance. You will notice a considerable increase in casting distance with braided “super lines.”
The extreme sensitivity the line gives you is something you have to grow accustomed to. The faint bumps you feel from rocks or stumps on the bottom, now feel more like a hard thump. The zero stretch also greatly improves hook sets.
The line also has a low diameter to lb. test rating. Line can have a lb. test rating 8 times greater than the diameter
With all the advantages, there are some very weighty drawbacks. The least of these is cost. Braided line is a good bit more expensive than mono, but the line doesn’t need to be changed anywhere as often.
Another drawback is the zero stretch in the line can actually cause you to pull or rip the lure or away from a fish since there is no lag time from hook set to the actual hook penetration. Many anglers do not like braid for topwater fishing or crankbait fishing for this reason.
The biggest drawback to braid for me is line visibility. The line is very visible in clear waters where fish tend to be line shy. I tried braided line in my guide fishing a few years ago, and while it was better for clients to feel bites and to set the hook hard enough to hook a fish, the number of bites we got went way down. The tradeoff was just too great. While you need to feel ‘em and hook ‘em, it doesn’t matter if you can’t get ‘em to bite. The line performs best in dingier water, and for large fish such as Muskie and Catfish.
A more specialized line is fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon looks a lot like monofilament. The line has some advantages, while not as drastic as braid, the line has low stretch. Fluorocarbon is also strong when new, and it sinks so it is good for some applications where depth is important. The lines best trait, and what the line is known for, is low visibility. The line can be an advantage if you are fishing extremely clear water.
It has some significant drawbacks though. The line is a good bit more expensive than mono. It also is known for knots slipping, so you either have to leave a longer tag end or use super glue on the knot.
By far the biggest complaint that I’ve heard with the line is its short life. I’ve heard numerous complaints that the line greatly weakens after just one or two uses.
I think for most practical purposes, fluorocarbon works great for leaders. The short lengths can be good for spooky clear water fish, and its cost effective to replace after each trip.