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No matter the style off fishing or where it takes place, line is the most important link between the angler and the fish and plays a crucial role in the presentation of lures and bait.
Construction
Like their freshwater counterparts, the vast majority of saltwater anglers use monofilament nylon (mono). This is due to its relatively low cost, widespread availability and versatility. Mono works well with every type of reel in virtually every saltwater situation. Of all the lines on the market, mono possesses the most stretch. This is an advantage to some anglers and certain styles of fishing and a drawback to others. Mono will stretch and give under tension, which often helps prevent breakage but can get in the way of a solid hookset. Mono is also more susceptible to abrasion than other lines.
Fluorocarbon line, once used only as leader material, is now used in many saltwater applications because of its exceptional low-visibility, knot strength and abrasion resistance. It is also among the most expensive lines on the market. Fluorocarbon lines look much like mono, but the manufacturing process produces a line that will not absorb water. This allows it to sink much faster and has much less stretch than mono, in addition to its superior strength and sensitivity.
In recent years, braided lines have increased in availability and use. Braided lines consist of multiple strands of material such as Dacron, gel-spun polyethylene, Kevlar and other fibers. Compared to monofilament, these lines possess greater strength relative to their diameter. The braiding process and the use of stronger fiber materials produce a line with much less stretch and greater strength and sensitivity. Although a typical braided line may have the break strength of 20-pound test, it may only have the same diameter as 8-pound mono. This enables more line to be stored on a reel and, with the smaller diameter, is less visible to fish. Some drawbacks to braided lines include a tendency for knots to slip and the fact that they can dig grooves into some rod guides under extreme pressure.
Much like braided lines, fused lines consist of multiple strands of gel-spun polyethylene. However, the manufacturing process involves fusing the fibers together rather than braiding. The result is a single-strand that handles more easily than a braid, yet retains a small diameter, excellent strength and sensitivity. Fused lines, in general, are also more affordable than braids.
Wire lines (thin strands of stainless steel wire) and lead-core lines (lead fiber encased in Dacron or nylon) were once standard equipment for deep trolling, but their use has tapered off due to the development alternative lines and advancements in controlled-depth trolling equipment. They are, however, still widely used in some saltwater applications, particularly for salmon fishing in the northern Pacific. Both are extremely heavy compared to other lines and used for trolling at substantial depths, often 100 feet or more. They have little or no stretch and sink at a rapid rate. Due to their high visibility and large diameter, a monofilament leader (up to 50 feet long) is almost always attached between a wire or lead-core line and the lure.
Strength
The strength of a fishing line is classified by how much pressure must be applied to a clean, unknotted section of line before it breaks. The amount of pressure is measured as a weight and expressed in pounds or kilograms. In most cases, line strength is classified as pound test, meaning that under test conditions, a line will break at that designated amount of pressure. However, if the label on the spool reads 10-pound test (or 4.5 kilograms), it doesnt necessarily mean the line will break under exactly 10 pounds of pressure. Some lines may break at slightly above or below what the pound test rating states, usually depending on quality.
This variance in actual break strength of test lines complicates the world record-qualifying procedure. Therefore, another category of line strength exists class lines. The International Game Fish Association, which is the ruling authority for all world record fish, mandates that fish be caught on class lines in order to qualify for world record status in a particular line class. Class lines are labeled by how many pounds (or kilograms) of strength are required and to break the line in a wet condition. For example, 10-pound class (or IFGA Class) line is guaranteed to break at or under 10 pounds of pressure. In general, class lines are used only by big game saltwater anglers pursuing line-class world records.
Common Use
When selecting line for any given situation, a number of factors are considered, including the size and weight of the chosen rod and reel, fishing method (casting, bait fishing, bottom fishing, trolling, etc.), bottom conditions, whether cover is present (and if so, what type) and, ultimately, the size of the fish most likely to be encountered. Obviously, these factors can dictate the use of a wide variety of lines of different materials and strengths for a particular situation. However, there is a common range based on the tackle requirements for general fishing locations and species:
Inshore Rods and reels used for inshore fishing will handle line weights from 6- to 30-pound test, with the most common range being 8- to 20-pound test. Typical species are speckled trout, permit, redfish, sheepshead, tarpon, salmon and snook. Mono is by far the most commonly used type of line, though fused and braided lines are also used frequently due to their lower stretch qualities and abrasion resistance.
Surf Casting Although many of the same species found inshore can also be caught from the surf, line weights are generally heavier. This is due primarily to the weights of lures and bait rigs, as well as rods and reels, used to produce long distance casts. Lines used for surf casting will generally range from 15- to 40-pound test for use on striped bass, bluefish, flounder, mackerel and others. Mono is the preferred material because its light, limp and casts easily at long distances.
Offshore, Bottom Fishing For bottom fish like grouper, cod, and snapper, and for small- and medium-sized offshore fish like cobia, barracuda, bonito and others, line weights will range from 12 to 20 pounds. For larger offshore fish, such as big tuna, kingfish and dolphinfish (dorado), line weights may reach 60 pounds. In most cases, line will be spooled onto a conventional reel or large spinning reel mounted to a boat rod. Again, monofilament is the most common choice, though braided and fused lines have proven effective, especially for setting the hook at great distances and resisting abrasions caused by rocks, coral and vegetation.
Offshore Trolling, Big Game Here, line weights may range from 12 pounds all the way up to 130, and may be either test or class lines. Unless an angler is pursuing a line class world record on light tackle, species such as black, blue and white marlin, sailfish, giant tuna and large sharks and other big game fish call for lines in the 30- to 130-pound range. They will be spooled on heavy big game reels and matched with stout big game trolling rods. The top line choice is monofilament, but some light tackle big game anglers use braided or fused line due to its strength-to-diameter ratio and low stretch. In heavier line classes and pound tests, monofilament remains the top choice because line stretch is lessened with the thicker diameters.
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