The Types of Fishing Lines Essay Example for Free

The Types of Fishing Lines Essay The fishing line is considered as the most important tool of the fisherman. It is crucial in the presentation of the bait and the lure, in the hooking of the fish and in the landing of the hooked fish. However, most anglers are still confused over the current types of fishing lines and their respective uses. This is ironic, considering that thorough knowledge of the different kinds and functions of fishing lines can vastly improve one’s fishing skills (Sutton, 2008). Monofilament The monofilament fishing line is the most commonly-used type of fishing line. It is used on different fishing applications due to its strength, flexibility and adaptability. The monofilament fishing line is created through the heating of a mixture of polymers into fluid. This fluid is then made to pass through minute holes to form linear strands. The diameter of a strand, as well as its pound test, is determined by the size of the hole on which it was molded from (Garrison, 2008). Braided The braided fishing line is exceptionally strong and is very reliable in particular fishing conditions. It is produced through the braiding or weaving into a strand of line fibers of synthetic materials such as Spectra or Micro-Dyneema. The substances in which the braided fishing line was made of render it very durable and abrasion-resistant. Most fishermen, however, complain that it is very visible in the water – a fish will not bite a lure that it can see for a long period of time (Garrison, 2008). Fluorocarbon The fluorocarbon fishing line is well-known for its near-invisibility in water. This is because it is a polymer that has the same refractive index (the ability of a substance to bend light that passes through it) as water. The fluorocarbon is also very suitable for fishing in strong currents – it is heavier than the monofilament, making it sink faster. Because the fluorocarbon is less porous than the monofilament, it lasts longer than the latter. The only drawbacks of the fluorocarbon is that its ridged structure makes it unable to keep a knot longer than a monofilament does and that its stiff quality makes it prone to breakage (Zubia, 2006). Conclusion The three types of fishing lines – monofilament, braided and fluorocarbon – are all important tools in fishing. However, their indispensability can only be realized and appreciated through proper usage. A fisherman must know when, where and how to use them. Only then can the monofilament, braided and fluorocarbon can fully serve their respective purposes. References Garrison, R. About. com. (2008). What You Need to Know about Braided Fishing Line. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from http://fishing. about. com/library/weekly/aa110302a. htm Garrison, R. About. com. (2008). What You Need to Know about Monofilament Fishing Line. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from http://fishing.about. com/library/weekly/aa111702a. htm MSN Encarta. (2008). Fishing. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from http://encarta. msn. com/encyclopedia_761556314/Fishing. html Sutton, K. Bass Pro Shops. (2008). Choosing the Right Fishing Line. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from http://www. basspro. com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage? CMID=objectID=2943 Zubia, T. HookUpSportsfishing. (2006, May 13). Fluorocarbon Fishing Line. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from http://www. hookupsportfishing. com/forum/forum270/thread6433. html