If you’re new into fishing, you’ll likely get confused when choosing between braided line vs mono line. Those who had used top-class braided lines all of their lives will tell you these are the best. While those that prefer the monofilament line believes it’s better. The truth is, both have their advantages and disadvantages. And you’ll choose your best fishing line on your preference.
This guide will cover the features of monofilament vs braided fishing lines. It will also outline the pros and cons. Thus, by understanding the differences between monofilament and braided line you’ll choose right.
Braided Fishing Line vs Monofilament
Here is a breakdown of monofilament vs braid fishing lines.
Monofilament Fishing Line
Monofilament fishing line is also called a single filament or mono fishing line. As the name implies, it is a single long line that is made from plastic materials. They’re among the most used fishing lines in the world.
Below are some of the basic features of monofilament fishing line.
1. Easier to Handle
Monofilament is easier to handle and feels soft in your hands. Also, it takes little effort when rigging and you’ll not need any specialized tool for its cutting.
2. Excellent Shock Absorber
Monofilaments do not create a big hole in the fish’s mouth during the drag. Its low memory and high stretch quality allow it to return to its original form upon release.
3. Thicker Diameter
About diameter in braided fishing line vs mono line, the latter comes handy. Monofilaments have a thicker diameter that offers it more strength. This is very important when you’re handling tough fighting fishes. Braided lines have an advantage here of being thinner yet stronger. That’s why braided lines do much better with bowfishing reels.
4. Ability to Float
The ability of a monofilament line to float on the water makes it the right choice for surface water lures. Besides, it’s good for lures of diverse sinking rates.
5. Affordability
In the comparison of braided fishing line vs monofilament line by cost, monofilament lines win. This is because monofilament lines are made from cheap but high-quality polymers.
6. Tying of Knot Is Easy
You can tie the knots easily with monofilament lines. Besides, the knots stay strong after a successful tie.
Why You Should Use Monofilament Fishing Line
One of the greatest reasons you should use monofilament line is that they are very easy to tie. As a beginner, it’s better to learn different techniques of knot tying with a mono line. You’ll notice that mono line knots do not break when it is stretched. It is a very good choice for kite, live-bait, and troll fishing.
Another reason you should use a topnotch mono fishing line is its invisibility in the water. This means that the line is hidden to fishes that attack it like snapper, permit, and bonefish.
Braided Fishing Line
Braided fishing line is made from threaded fibers that are specially engineered to increase its strength and reliability. It has a very small diameter yet with superior strength. Braided line is one of the newest lines in the fishing industry. In both lakes and ponds, it is gradually taking a major position among fishermen in the last two decades. It is ideal for making long casts and has a high sensitivity.
Below are some of the most interesting features of a braided fishing line.
1. Very Thin
Braided lines are very thin making it easy for you to target bigger fishes with a small reel. It is much thinner yet stronger than a monofilament fishing line. Because of its small diameter, braided lines can penetrate deeply into the water. Now, you can reach big fishes that are deep in the water using braided lines with small reels.
2. Little Stretch
Braid fishing lines have zero stretches. This means it is sensitive to the least bit from the fish. With this, you can feel the soft shakings from a snook or daytime swordfish.
3. High Durability
About durability in braid vs mono fishing line debate, braided line is better. This is because braid has little stretch and is less likely to tear.
Why You Should Use Braided Fishing Line
You should consider using a braided fishing line because of its thinner diameter, high sensitivity, and strength. It also means you can feed your reel with a stronger line without compromising distance of cast and sensitivity. Besides, braided lines last much longer and do not deteriorate like the mono line.
Braided Line vs Mono: Pros and Cons at a Glance
As we mentioned earlier, each of the fishing lines has its pros and cons which are as listed below.
Braided Line Pros
- It’s stronger yet thinner in diameter than a mono line.
- It lets you pull a heavy fish from the mud or weed with ease.
- It can make long distant casts.
- It has stronger hook sets.
- It’s very sensitive to bites.
- It does not stretch.
- It is very durable.
Braided Line Cons
- They are more expensive than mono lines.
- The fishing knots are not so strong and likely to fail if the drag is poorly set.
- It is very visible in the water.
Monofilament Line Pros
- It is still the most preferred line among anglers.
- It is cheaper than braids.
- It is best for beginner anglers.
- You can cut and also tie it with ease.
- The knot strength is high and does not break.
- It is invisible to the picky fishes in the clear water.
Monofilament Line Cons
- It thicker diameter reduces the number of turns of the line in the spool.
- It is not good for deep casts.
- It does not last long as a braided line.
- It deteriorates at a faster rate.
So, Who Is the Winner of the Battle – Monofilament vs Braid?
So, who is the winner in the contest between braided line vs mono? The truth is both are winners. It also depends on the types of fishing reel you are using. As you can see, each of the lines has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, braids are thinner, suitable for long distant casts yet visible in the clear waters. On the other hand, monofilament lines are invisible, cheap and stretchy but have little strength.
Which is better for you depends on your preference. It’s time you tried both of them to see the one that feels better in your hand.
Conclusion
If you’re a new angler, we recommend that you start with a monofilament fishing line. This is because of the ease of handling a mono line especially when cutting and tying the knots. Know that you’ll need some practice sessions to understand how to use braided lines. Experimenting with both mono and braid lines will help you to know the one which is your ideal fishing line.
