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1/26/2001
- Articles
What’s
my line?
by Rick Olson
Line,
line, every where a new line. If you’ve stopped by a sporting
goods shop lately to try and buy some fishing line, you may have
come away feeling a little confused, especially as it relates to
walleye fishing.
 Picking
a line used to be easy, as there weren’t that many choices. That
was then and this is now. Now you have all of the old, plus all of
the new, including more monofilament choices, braided lines, and a
brand new entry: fluorocarbon. Believe it or not, they all have
their time and place. Knowing where and when is the key, and the
following should help you decide what is really needed to get the
job done.
Monofilament
continues to be the most useful line available to today’s angler,
and has a wide range of applications. From jigging and rigging, to
trolling and bouncing, monofilament is most often the answer.
Mono’s
attributes include good knot strength, line stretch, and the fact
that it’s down right easy to work with, especially when compared
to the other types.
After
spending a little time working with the new super braids, it quickly
becomes apparent why mono is considered so much easier to work with.
For example; A bird’s nest experienced with mono on a baitcasting
reel is a relatively easy task to undo. However, a braided backlash
will retire the reel for the rest of the day, or at least until you
have time to cut the whole mess out with a knife or scissors, that
can stand up to the braid.
Although
line stretch is often criticized, it is an inherent trait that
monofilament does possess, and can be definitely used to your
advantage. Line stretch has the ability to absorb the shock of a
fighting fish, and minimizes the risk of tearing the hooks loose.
Another advantage of at least a small amount of stretch, is
monofilaments ability to mask what waits for them at the other end
of the line. Low stretch lines increase the feel factor, which may
also allow the fish to feel you quicker, and can result in baits
that are rejected before you ever get a chance to set the hook.
Monofilament
is available in a variety of different types that range from lines
with lower stretch and good abrasion resistance properties, to more
stretch and better casting capabilities. Another mono option is
color, or the lack thereof. Ultra clear and green lines are
virtually invisible in water, and lend themselves well to live bait
rigging. Jigging on the other hand, (especially when casting),
requires watching the line for any sign of a bite. That’s when you
need as much visibility as you can get, and where a high vis line
can really come in handy. As gaudy as it might look, it can mean
more fish by the end of the day.
The
big breakthrough in new lines came in the form of high strength, low
stretch braids. These are the new super lines that have been found
to have specific applications, even with their limitations. While
some stretch has it’s advantages, so does little or no stretch. As
mentioned earlier, the absence of stretch can provide for superior
feel. It also allows for solid hook sets, although it does tend to
tear hooks lose when using standard walleye fishing gear. To cope
with the lack of stretch, longer and softer rods should be employed
as they can help to absorb the antics of a fighting fish.
The
braids have been proven to be extremely effective when trolling
crankbaits, especially when working deeper water. Because of their
thin diameters and lack of stretch, the braids can get baits to
reach depths that were previously unheard of. They also transmit
every wiggle and wobble of a true running bait back to the rod tip,
which allows you to visually see whether your bait is running free
and clear. Another downside, besides the backlash factor, is the
need to use special knots to keep the slippery stuff tied.
Following
the braids came the fused lines, which is a variation of the braids,
and promised to be more user friendly. While they inherit many of
the same properties, they require no special knots and are a bit
easier to use. The down side to the fusion lines is their lack of
abrasion resistance, as dragging the line across anything sharp will
cut through it like butter. Applications include open water trolling
and vertical jigging.
The
new kid on the block is the recently introduced fluorocarbon line.
It’s claim to fame is being nearly invisible underwater, and may
offer some help when dealing with pressured fish and ultra clear
water. The line possess little stretch and sinks, making it another
option for getting deep diving crankbaits to run even deeper. The
advantage that fluorocarbon has over the fusion line is it’s
excellent abrasion resistant properties. The down side is the fact
that it has terrible memory, and won’t stay on a spinning reel
without coiling off when you open the bail. While standard knots can
be used with fluorocarbon, you better be sure to wet the line
thoroughly before pulling them tight, as the new line is highly
susceptible to damage from heat. Applications include open water
trolling, contour trolling, and makes for excellent leader material.
Who
knows what will be next, as this surely isn’t the end of it. There
will be improvements and innovations, and some will have a profound
effect on how and where we fish. As it continues to happen we’ll
just have to keep trying and testing, and proving or disproving.
It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it.
Rick
Olson
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