Monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid each fail differently — pick the failure you can live with.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
There is no best line. Mono stretches and floats, fluorocarbon sinks and is less visible, braid has near-zero stretch and the thinnest diameter for its strength. Most experienced anglers use braid as main line with a leader of mono or fluorocarbon.
Cheap, forgiving and floats. Its stretch (roughly 20–25%) cushions hooksets, which helps with treble-hooked lures and hard-fighting fish at close range. It absorbs water, weakens in UV light, and holds spool memory, so it needs replacing more often.
Its refractive index is close to water, so it is harder for fish to see — valuable in clear conditions. It sinks, is abrasion-resistant, and stretches less than mono. It is stiffer and more expensive, and knots need wetting before tightening or they burn and fail.
Woven fibres with almost no stretch: maximum sensitivity and hooksetting power at very small diameter, so you fit far more line on a spool and cast further. It is highly visible in clear water and cuts into itself under load, so it is usually fished with a leader and needs braid-specific knots.
A leader is a length of different line between main line and hook. Use fluorocarbon leaders for invisibility, heavy mono shock leaders for casting heavy weights, and wire traces for any fish with cutting teeth — pike and muskie above all.
| Property | Monofilament | Fluorocarbon | Braid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretch | High (~20–25%) | Low–moderate | Very low (~3%) |
| Visibility in water | Moderate | Low | High |
| Buoyancy | Floats | Sinks | Floats |
| Abrasion resistance | Moderate | High | Moderate (cuts on rock) |
| Diameter per strength | Thick | Thick | Very thin |
| Knot forgiveness | Excellent | Needs wetting | Needs braid knots |
| Cost | Low | High | High (lasts longer) |
| Best for | Topwater, crankbaits, beginners | Leaders, clear water, bottom baits | Braid main line, heavy cover, deep water |
