The fish took it “hook, line and sinker” as the saying goes.

But, what kind of line was it?

There are several fishing lines on the market today made from a wide array of materials, and each fishing line type has advantages and disadvantages.

Let’s take a look at the common types of fishing lines on the market today and what fishing lines are best suited to specific fishing situations.

Fishing Line Type #1: Monofilament

To start off, we will take a look at the most commonly used fishing line out there, the monofilament fishing line.

Monofilament is the line most fishermen know quite well, even those who only fish periodically.

A monofilament line is a single strand line and is not constructed of multiple filaments like braided line.

Monofilament, like fluorocarbon, is made by extrusion. First, batches of polymers are melted, thoroughly mixed, and then extruded by pressure through small holes, forming the fishing line, and then the fishing line cools.

Extruded monofilament line is then spun into spools of various diameters. The diameter of the extrusion holes keeps the monofilament diameter consistent, and the diameter directly correlates to the line test or strength.

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Monofilament Advantages

Monofilament is easy to handle and work with and is much more flexible than other lines like fluorocarbon. Monofilament is an excellent all-around line that can work in most fishing situations.

Another advantage of the monofilament line type is the cost.

Monofilament line is the cheapest type out there. An angler can spool up several fishing reels with monofilament for a low price.

This makes it very popular for anglers who run several rods while trolling, as braid would cost hundreds of dollars to spool several trolling reels.

Monofilament fishing line can stretch up to 25% by length. So, this makes it an excellent fishing line choice for situations where shock absorption is crucial, like when big game fishing for certain species like catfish, or when used in trolling applications.

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Monofilament Disadvantages

The stretch of monofilament can also be a disadvantage in other fishing applications, and having knowledge of each type of fishing line is crucial for fishing success.

One other disadvantage of monofilament is the damage it can receive from UV light.

Now, this isn’t as big of a disadvantage as it may seem, as it takes a significant amount of time for it to occur, but leaving the fishing line in direct sunlight for long periods will damage the line on a molecular level. After a couple of seasons, the line will become brittle and need to be replaced.

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Fishing Line Type #2: Fluorocarbon

If the word fluorocarbon seems familiar to you, it’s because it’s used to make a wide variety of things like Teflon, Freon, and many other products and materials. Fluorocarbon also uses a wide range of compounds like carbon, fluorine, and chlorine.

Fluorocarbon is similar to monofilament in that it is extruded into a single strand.

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Fluorocarbon Advantages

Unlike monofilament lines, the molecules of fluorocarbon lines are more densely packed. This makes the line much stronger than monofilament without an increase in diameter, and it also makes it heavier and stiffer compared to monofilament.

Fluorocarbon features an increased level of abrasion resistance compared to monofilament lines. Unlike monofilament lines, fluorocarbon line is not sensitive to UV light and will last longer before needing to be discarded.

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One of the main advantages of the fluorocarbon line is its’ stealth factor. Fluorocarbon lines have nearly the exact same refractive index as water, which means that they becomes nearly invisible when the fluorocarbon line is submerged.

The stiffness of the fluorocarbon line gives the line increased sensitivity over monofilament with significantly less stretch, so an angler can feel even the lightest of strikes.

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Fluorocarbon Disadvantages

The only real major downside of fluorocarbon is that it retains memory, and will coil after being spooled for long periods of time, but overall this disadvantage is minor.

Fluorocarbon fishing line is moderately expensive and is in the middle of the road in terms of price between monofilament and braided lines.

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Fishing Line Type #3: Braided

Braided fishing lines can be made from several different materials like Dacron, Dyneema, or spectra fibers.

The construction of braided fishing lines consists of using multiple strands of this material and interweaving and braiding them together to create a fishing line with extreme strength compared to the other two lines previously mentioned.

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Braided Line Advantages

Braided lines have virtually no stretch, making them extremely sensitive to the lightest bite or when bumping your lures off cover or on the bottom, allowing anglers to “feel fish.”

Braided lines are much thinner than monofilament and fluorocarbon lines, meaning you can hold vastly more line on the same spool.

The thin diameter of braided line allows you to go much higher in tensile strength than is typically needed without having any adverse effects.

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Braided Line Disadvantages

For some fishing applications, the lack of stretch can actually be detrimental, and one area where braided lines suffer greatly is in the stealth department.

Braided lines are highly visible in the water, which can be a serious disadvantage on bodies of water with high clarity and heavy fishing pressure.

While Braided lines have high tensile strength and general abrasion resistance, they are still susceptible to getting cut by predatory fish with sharp teeth like muskies, pike, and various saltwater species. This means you will want to run a leader when fishing for these species.

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So, Which Fishing Line Type Should I Use?

Let’s look at what type of line you should use for different fishing situations, as well as what species each line works well with.

Monofilament

• Fishing applications where shock absorption is beneficial
• Fishing situations where moderate stealth is needed
• General purpose fishing situations using standard lures and tactics.
• Commonly Used for panfish, trout, walleye, and various saltwater species.

Fluorocarbon

• Fishing situations where stealth is crucial
• When fishing in heavy cover due to good abrasion resistance
• When you need a high level of line sensitivity
• Commonly used for walleye, bass, and trout

Authors note on fluorocarbon: Most anglers have switched from monofilament to fluorocarbon lines entirely, as there is not much in terms of downsides in fluorocarbon over monofilament line, except for cost.

Braided Line

• When maximum strength is needed
• When stealth isn’t a concern
• Fishing applications around heavy cover
• Exclusively used by musky anglers, common in pike fishing, saltwater fishing, big-game fishing, and specific bass and catfish fishing situations.

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Final Thoughts On Types Of Fishing Line

Not choosing the correct fishing line can cost you fish due to reasons such as lack of stealth, weakened line due to abrasion, or other factors.

Choosing the right fishing line is crucial, and we hope this article helped to inform you on which line to use. We hope you put a hook N1!

Fishing from a kayak has been taking the angling world by storm, with more anglers deciding to use a kayak as their main fishing platform.

The number of anglers who have started kayak fishing for bass, in particular, has skyrocketed.

So, let’s take a look at tips and tricks to help new kayak anglers adjust to fishing from a kayak and consistently catch bass.

Why You Should Consider Kayak Fishing for Bass

Using a kayak allows you to fish waterways that are inaccessible to bass boats, due to either shallow water or a lack of public boat launches, and these waters typically receive little to no fishing pressure, meaning the fishing action could be epic.

Another benefit of kayak fishing is the associated cost (or, should we say lack of cost!)

You don’t need to buy a boat that could run in the 5-figure range, and with a kayak, there is little to no maintenance, with no worries of breakdowns and expensive repair bills.

Kayaks are light and highly mobile, so you can get a small trailer and haul them with a small car or any vehicle. And, if there is no access point close to a road, you can drag or cart the kayak to the body of water you intend on fishing.

The versatility of a kayak for bass fishing is game-changing. Even if you have a bass boat or other fishing boat, it would still be a great idea to invest in a fishing kayak for situations where a regular fishing rig just won’t cut it.

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Selecting The Right Kayak

If you are considering fishing for bass from a kayak, and have not already purchased one, the most important thing to do is to ensure you select the right one for the task.

Kayak fishing for bass is best done using the “sit on top” style of fishing kayaks, as these get you higher above the water line compared to “sit-in” kayaks, and in most cases, a sit-on-top type of kayak has the stability to allow you to stand when fishing.

Being able to stand comfortably when fishing from a kayak is crucial for anglers who are inexperienced with kayaking in a broad sense. Standing is better for getting quality hooksets, sight fishing, and dock fishing in shallow water.

You also will want to get a kayak with a pedal setup for the reason of having free hands to cast and retrieve without relying on a paddle to move around or hold your position.

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Learn to Do More with Less When Bass Fishing From A Kayak

Fishing a kayak will change how you fish for bass in a few ways.

You will have to adapt a little to be as consistent in a kayak as you would be in a bass boat, and this is simply due to having less storage space and mobility.

You need to bring the bare necessities for tackle and gear, and while you need to have a diverse selection of lures to suit fishing conditions and situations, the amount will be far less than what you are used to having.

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A good selection of jigs and soft plastics is always a given for bass anywhere they swim. Still, you must have at least a few different crankbait selections for various depths, topwater presentations, and power fishing lures like spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

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You will find that you need to update your minimalist lure selection throughout the season to cater to different forage preferences and fish locations, with the removal of jerkbaits or other lures, to make room for beneficial lures during any given season.

The learning to “do more with less” rule also applies to your fishing rods and reels, and you should have at the most only 4 rods to fish with. These rods should all be pre-rigged with different lures to make your time on the water more efficient.

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Sonar Options

Many modern fishing kayaks allow for the installation of GPS/sonar units, and with sonar and GPS, you can find and fish mid-lake structures if the weather permits.

Fishing offshore structure is easier if you already know where these spots are and have fished them in the past, as finding new spots on medium-sized to large bodies of water can be difficult.

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On large bodies of water, fishing mid-lake structure can be inefficient to the point where it isn’t worth the travel time to reach them, and staying closer to shore might be the best bet.

If you don’t plan on running a sonar unit in your kayak, the best option is shoreline fishing. Search for areas with timber, stumps, or other structure, steep breaks close to the banks, or docks.

Dock fishing is always a great option in the spring and summer, and plenty of fish can be caught in shallow areas.

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Kayak Positioning and Control

One of the most critical aspects of fishing is boat control. Precision control of your boat or kayak equates to efficiency and putting your presentation in front of more bass.

Positioning and control can be difficult in a kayak due to factors like wind and wave action. As we mentioned earlier, a pedal setup is far more beneficial than simply using a paddle alone.

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Along with a pedal setup, some fishing kayaks allow for the easy installation of trolling motors. Still, if you don’t want to take up your precious and limited onboard space to store a battery, you still have a few other options.

The pole anchors used on many bass boats have become very popular for bass angling. Luckily, there are options on the market for kayak pole anchors, which effectively dig into the bottom in shallow water areas to allow you to fish structure and cover without drifting due to wind.

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Believe it or not, due to being very light and having minimal draught and water contact, you can use specific lures to help you move.

Lures like spinnerbaits and chatterbaits provide enough resistance moving through the water that they will pull your kayak, and you can use this subtle movement to move and position your kayak.

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Final Thoughts On Kayak Fishing For Bass

Bass fishing from a kayak has some serious advantages for the angler willing to think outside to box and those who are willing to find and explore hidden gem waterways.

Kayaks are light, highly mobile, and can give anglers an option other than buying and maintaining expensive fishing boats.

Good luck and we hope you put a hook N1!