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Line is the most basic component of fishing tackle and serves to present a lure or bait at varying distances from the angler. Fishing lines play a prominent role in the three most important aspects of catching fish: presentation, hooking and landing. Lines are generally classified according to material, strength (pound test) and color.
Material – Fishing line is manufactured from a variety of materials, most commonly monofilament nylon and braided synthetics, as well as Dacron nylon, Kevlar and even metal wire. In general, the vast majority of fishing lines are made from monofilament nylon, which is relatively strong yet light, pliable and easily cast. Monofilament is used in most freshwater fishing situations. However, braided synthetic lines have gained in popularity due to their high strength-to-diameter properties compared to monofilaments, as well as their resistance to abrasion. Dacron, Kevlar and metal wire lines, though stronger than monofilament or braided nylon, are used almost exclusively in deepwater trolling for large, big-game fish.
Strength – A line’s strength is measured and rated by its “pound test.” This is the weight at which a given line will break when placed under tension in a test setting. For example, 10-pound test line will often snap when pulled at 10 pounds of tension, though most lines can sustain pressure heavier than their pound-test rating. In addition, a fish may weigh 10 pounds out of the water but will weigh less in the water, but it can exert more than 10 pounds of pressure when swimming.
General guidelines suggest that anglers after sunfish, crappie, perch and trout should use light line such as 4-, 6- or 8-pound test. For medium-size fish like bass, walleye, or small catfish use 8-, 10-, 12- or 14-pound test line. Large fish, including northern pike, musky, salmon, large catfish or even largemouth bass in heavy cover, require line strengths of 20-pound test or more. As a rule, the angler should choose line in a strength no heavier than what is needed. Lighter line is preferred because it is easier to cast, has less drag in the water, allows for more lure action and is less likely to be seen by fish.
Line test should not be regarded as an absolute by the angler. The give or stretch in the line, the kind of knot used, how many fish have been caught on the line, and other additional factors come into play, usually to the advantage of the fish.
Color – Today’s fishing lines come in a wide variety of colors. These range from clear (no color), blue, yellow, green, gray, black and multicolored. Line color is mostly a matter of angler preference, but there are many factors to consider. Water color and the fishing technique being used are the two most important.
Clear line, in most cases, will be the least visible to fish, but is also the least visible to fishermen. In certain situations where “line-watching” is critical to detecting strikes, the advantages of a colored line, such as blue, often outweigh the drawbacks of being more visible to fish. Green line may be a better choice when fishing in or around vegetation; black line may be less visible to fish when fishing at night; and lines of any color may not be seen at all by fish in murky water.
It’s best to select a line that offers a combination of visibility to the angler and invisibility in the water most often fished.
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