Fishing line can last for several years to a single season or less. How long the fishing line lasts depends on the type of fishing line you use. Braided line lasts the longest – up to several years. Monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing lines last the shortest amount of time and many need replacing after a single season or even sooner. How you store and care for your fishing gear, also makes a big difference in the durability of fishing line.
Fishing Line Basics
Fishing is one of the most important parts of fishing gear. There are three main types of fishing line which include:
- Monofilament line – mono fishing line is a single nylon fiber produced by extruding liquid nylon into a solid and strong fiber or line. It is produced similarly as is metal wires.
- Fluorocarbon fishing line – is made of fluoride resin which is extruded into a single fiber and line.
- Braided fishing line – A braid of fibers such as nylon or Dacron – tiny filaments of nylon or Dacron is braided together to make a finished fishing line.
“Which type of line is the best fishing line,” is a common question and the answer can start a heated debate. For big trophy fishing, such as marlin or sailfish fishing, monofilament is often used. Over the last decade, braided line has become the go-to fishing line for many anglers, simply because it lasts the longest and is highly advertised. Fluorocarbon is also a go-to type of line because it offers the highest invisibility in the water. Mono has been around forever, and it is often the cheapest choice, but it is hard to beat mono even though it has drawbacks. In fact, all three types of fishing lines have drawbacks, and many are chosen by top anglers based on the type of fishing those anglers are pursuing.
To make it more confusing, anglers can combine fishing line types, such as using a braided line with a mono or fluorocarbon leader.
Saltwater vs Freshwater Line
Many anglers believe that saltwater and freshwater fishing lines are the same. In fact, they are made of the same materials, but the saltwater fishing line is often thinner in diameter than freshwater fishing line. Is there such as thing as freshwater and saltwater fishing lines? No, not really. The difference is that anglers can choose the diameter of the lines based on the type of fishing they do.
Saltwater is denser than freshwater and that means that heavier objects have an easier time floating. That’s important if you are fishing topwater in a saltwater setting. A thinner diameter fishing line will float more easily in a saltwater setting than in freshwater.
Braided line has become very popular for both freshwater and saltwater fishing because it offers the same pound-test rating in a thinner diameter line.
The thinner diameter of the saltwater fishing line also means that it has less drag when it is windy, and it is often windy when you fish the briny deep. We mentioned the three types of fishing and still recommend mono as your first choice. Not only is mono less expensive than either fluorocarbon or braided line, but it is also remarkably durable in saltwater.
Mono line offers thinner diameters and strength. It also has remarkable knot strength and is mostly invisible in water. It is not as invisible as the fluorocarbon line, but it is more durable. It is not as strong as a braided line when compared to the same diameter, but it is remarkably strong when matched in a pound test to the fish you target.
Types of Saltwater Fishing Lines
- Monofilament – Fairly rugged. Mono fishing line is the go-to standard. It is affordable, holds up well, and works well for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
- Fluorocarbon – Stronger than mono but also more brittle. Fluorocarbon fishing line is prized because it is almost invisible in water. That means it works well on fish that are visual hunters and that might be put off if they see the line. One problem with the fluorocarbon fishing line is that it can nick and then becomes weak in that spot.
- Braided – is the gold standard of fishing lines because it is stronger than either mono or fluorocarbon fishing lines and in a thinner diameter per pound test. For example, a 20-pound-test fishing line in braid will be much thinner than either mono or fluorocarbon fishing line. One of the drawbacks of a braided line is that it is highly visible in the water and that means you have to pair it with a mono fishing line leader or one made from fluorocarbon line.
How Long Does It Take to Wear Out
Both mono fishing line and fluorocarbon fishing line should be replaced at least annually. When you replace the fishing line on your rods depends on how you care for the line. If you leave the reel with line spooled on them in the sun they deteriorate quickly. If you do not clean the line, and it has sand or dirt on it, it will degrade.
Some anglers change mono and fluorocarbon lines seasonally. It is always advisable to change the line on your reels before a special trip. The line is literally the difference between the one that got away and the trophy you take home.
The braided line is becoming very popular because it lasts for years without the need to replace it. So long as the braid is in good repair, it will retain its strength and durability. You replace braided line when it begins to fray or has visible damage. That process can take a year to three years to occur.
What are the top-trusted makers/brands of saltwater fishing lines?
There are many brands of fishing line and some of the best include Suffix, Trilene, and Seaguar. The prices range between brands, but the quality is consistent.
Does it Really Matter?
The quality and condition of your fishing line matter a lot. Not only will poor quality and fishing line in poor repair cost you, but it can also ruin your fishing adventure. At the least, you will lose lures, hooks, bait, and leader material. At the worst, you will hook a trophy fish and battle it only to be left with a floppy end of line thanks to a line breakage. It is bad enough when you have a “One That Got Away” scenario, but it is made worse when the reason the fish got away is that you did not care enough to maintain or replace the fishing line on your reel. Okay, now you know. 🙂