On the Line
A look at the new trend of specialty fishing lines
(Editor's note: This article originally appeared in the 2015 October/November issue of FLW Bass Fishing magazine. To read more compelling articles from FLW Bass Fishing magazine each month, become an FLW subscriber member.)
For something so thin, fishing line has quite the wide spectrum, and it’s only getting wider.
Twenty years ago, anglers had monofilament and braid (and a thick braid at that). Now, monofilament is going the way of Dacron for bass anglers, and the options for fluorocarbon and braid seem to be multiplying monthly. Line manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of fishing line, making it thinner and stronger, with various properties that make each more versatile in its applications.
There are braids that sink, braids that stretch, metered braids and hollow braids. Fluorocarbon no longer only comes in clear and zero-stretch. Now you can find it in all the colors of the rainbow, with different degrees of stiffness and stretch. There are even fluoro-braids, whatever that means.
This specialization is similar to many other facets of our sport, what with specialty crankbaits and technique-specific rods. To give you a better idea of what kinds of specialty lines are out there on the market, we assembled this sampling.
Sunline Flipping FC Fluorocarbon Line
Technique: flipping, pitching
Description: This line has very low stretch and extremely high abrasion resistance. It also features an exclusive color-marking pattern, with 12 inches of yellow line for every 30 inches of clear line. The bright sections increase visibility above the water to detect line movement better.
Pound tests: 16, 18, 20, 22, 25
More details here.
Sunline Finesse FC Fluorocarbon
Technique: finesse (shaky heads, drop-shots, etc.)
Description: The line is manufactured with a new process called Super Dynamic Processing for increased “tenacity” – straight strength and knot strength – while still having low memory and reduced surface friction for longer casts.
Pound tests: 6, 7, 8
More details here.
Sunline Reaction FC Fluorocarbon
Technique: reaction baits (crankbaits, spinnerbaits, etc.)
Description: Made from a new, softer, high-strength fluorocarbon material and utilizing a unique manufacturing process, the line is formulated with more stretchability than other Sunline fluorocarbons to provide a little “give” when a bass slams a moving bait. It also has a high specific gravity of 1.78, which helps let crankbaits run at their maximum depths.
Pound tests: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20
More details here.
Sunline Structure FC Fluorocarbon
Technique: dragging jigs and Carolina rigs
Description: This line is constructed from Sunline’s high-density E2 raw material, which provides it incredible sensitivity and little to no stretch – perfect for feeling small nuances along the bottom. Additionally, the Sunline Structure FC Fluorocarbon is a product of Triple Resin Processing that gives it improved tensile strength and increased abrasion resistance when moving a bait over sharp rocks, shells or timber.
Pound tests: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25
More details here.
Spiderwire Ultracast Fluoro-Braid
Technique: flipping, pitching, shaky heads, jerkbaits (with a leader)
Description: The best of both worlds, Fluoro-Braid features a blend of Gore Performance Fluoropolymer Fibers that provide the density and “sinkability” of fluorocarbon so the line runs more directly to the bait. Yet, it has the sensitivity and low stretch of a typical braided line.
Pound tests: 15, 20, 30, 40, 50
More details here.
Sugoi Fluorocarbon Clear Drop Shot Line
Technique: finesse (shaky heads, drop-shots, etc.)
Description: Lines don’t get much clearer than this. Sugoi has the suppleness and handling qualities of monofilament, for easy casting and tight knots, but it’s as strong and sensitive as the best fluorocarbons. It’s also smaller in diameter than other lines of the same weight class.
Pound tests: 5, 6, 8
More details here.
Berkley NanoFil
Technique: anything with a spinning reel
Description: NanoFil has the characteristics of ordinary braid, but the fibers are linked together into a single filament strand that Berkley calls a Uni-Filament. There’s no stretch and little memory, and the slick line flows off a spinning reel like the smoothest monofilament, making it a great choice for finesse presentations.
Pound tests: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17
More details here.
Seaguar Flippin’ Fluorocarbon
Technique: flipping, pitching
Description: Impact resistance, abrasion resistance, sensitivity – you get it all in Seaguar’s new Flippin’ Fluorocarbon. It’s intended for clear-water scenarios, or in any heavy-cover situation where fluorocarbon is preferred over braid.
Pound tests: 20, 25, 30
More details here.
Seaguar Flippin’ Braid
Technique: flipping, pitching
Description: Here’s the braided version of Seaguar’s new Flippin’ line combo. It’s a very round weave, which makes for easier handling and a cleaner spool. Seaguar went ahead and made it black so that you don’t have to color the last foot or two of line to make it less visible. It has the same features of any top-grade heavy-duty braid: impact resistance, low stretch and abrasion resistance.
Pound tests: 50, 65
More details here.