Not all lines are equal

One Liner's A Great Joke

Fishing line and golf clubs have a lot in common; they are both used for recreation and using these items means you usually have a good day. But there is another important similarity between golf clubs and fishing line, with golf clubs you use a different club according to the different shots you might choose; a driver for the long shot, a wood or iron, a wedge for the sand bunkers and a putter for the greens. Fishing line, like golf clubs, needs to suit the situation, no one fi shing line suits every purpose.

I wonder if you could imagine a golfer trying to play a game of golf with only a putter or driver. His performance would suffer and it’s the same with fi shing line. This article, I hope, will steer you in the right direction, spell out the advantages of the different lines and disadvantages so you can maximize your fishing time. I doubt there can be anything worse for an Angler than hooking and playing that monster fi sh only to lose it because you are using the wrong gear. It’s surprising how many anglers who spend outrageous money on the latest reels or trendy rods but buy either cheap line or line not designed for their choose methods of fi shing. Let’s face it, the line and hook is really the only thing between you and that ugly record fish.

If you rod breaks or reel jams you can always hand line the fi sh into the boat or shore. Fishing line and hooks are important, my advice to you is always buy the best line for the job and the best hooks for the job, you will never regret such wise spending. Even some of the best anglers are victims of slick advertisement which help create a range of myths. So I hope to give you the good oil on line.

The Pros And Cons Of Gell Spun Line

All the hype of the super braids have left us believing that Dyneema or Spectra are the super lines of the future and the only line to use. The wide range of different super braids all make outrageous claims; no stretch, stronger to very thin diameter, no water absorption etc etc. These lines often feel good to use, they cast well and you feel every vibration and hit of any fish, no matter the size.

It’s no wonder so many angers have been seduced by these lines. However, there is a down side and they are not good for every type of fi shing. The main weakness of all super braids is the abrasion resistance under tensile pressure. I remember one such experience fishing the Northern Territory on the east Alligator River. A mean Barra hit the lure as soon as it hit the water; it was like I threw the lure down his throat. It was a big fi sh, I could feel his weight, I played the fi sh almost to perfection. I was on my game, this fi sh was not going to get away, until the super braid I was using happen to brush past a small branch in the water, I was surprise at how easy it broke and I have since spoken to a range of other anglers who have had similar stories.

The other thing that happens if it does not break on the fi sh, it often weakens the line and out of the blue it just snaps with out any real reason, but when you test it after it breaks it feels good. Most angler shrug their shoulders perplexed at this strange phenomenon. Then there is the knot strength issue, the super braids do not tie as well as nylon lines, there have been many anglers complain about the knot slippage or the line breaking just above the knot. This can and will happen from time. I have found that the best knot I use is a double Uni knot, I know a lot of people use a single Uni knot but I have had the single slip but never the double. To tie a double is simple just double the line over and tie the Uni knot with double line, it takes longer but does not let you down. Now that I have identifi ed the kryptonite of super line, lets say that the strengths are perfect for some types of fishing, the super line cast like a dream, the low diameter to strength ratio means you are casting thinner line with less wind resistance, through the air and in the water your lures often dives deeper with less water resistance, being good for Barra or Bass.

These features make it perfect for casting lures or trolling lures (not for big pelagic), I don’t recommend it without top quality leader around logs, boulders or rocks. If the place you fi sh has lots of heavy structures, I suggest you change your gear to suit the situation. Apart from losing that trophy fi sh, it also is heavy on wear and tear of your line. Gel spun does not like being dragged around trees, logs and bounders and rocky surfaces under pressure, it may well reduce the structural integrity of the line and shorten the life of the line. I would also recommend the super braids in deep water offshore where there are strong currents or light currents. The line allows you to fi sh the bottom with less drag and the other major feature is the feel. If you have not fi shed the reef with super braids I suggest it will take a little to get used too. You will often strike too early until you get the feel of Gel spun line. However, I don’t recommend you fi sh it with rugged rock structure on mean drop offs. There is a good chance you will get blown away with a good fi sh, if you do use a quality fl uorocarbon leader, the world’s best is “Seaguar”.

It will help offset this problem if you just cannot part from the super stuff. I don’t recommend any super braids for fi shing off the rocks. I think you are playing with fi re; you will lose a lot of expensive line and often get cleaned up by average fi sh, let alone stud fi sh. The abrasion resistance under pressure will often let you down. There are lots of better options for off the rocks. If you have a side cast reel, I suggest you buy quality nylon, the GSL line will cut your hands and fi ngers to bits. It is possible to fi sh Gel Spun on a side cast reel but it is really dangerous. Say you have a big Jew fi sh strike, your bait and you get line over fl ow, it could easy get tangled around a fi nger and you might watch your fi nger disappear with your line, its not worth the risk.

On the beach, Gel spun is great for cutting through heavy waves and will slow down the effects of current, but this problem can also be solved with a bit more weight. Some people believe they can cast long using Gel spun. This might be or not be true. I really think it depends on the size of your surf rod more than the type of line. Another type of fi shing I do not recommend is for offshore trolling, the simple fact it does not give at all, meaning it will often pull the lure or bait out of the fi shes mouth on a hit. I often fi nd it better to fi sh with a good quality nylon line that has some Stretch. It acts like a shock absorber for bigger pelagic fish.

Gels Spun Are Not All Equal

Most Gel spun on the market are reasonably good as they are all made from the same or similar stuff Dyneema or Spectra etc. The similarities are very small but the methods of construction differ between brands; some fused, some braid, some braid and fused etc. etc. Each company has its own method of construction.

At Kokoda, we have been working with one of the world best line manufactures who have developed a new breed of super braid, it is called Livewire it is 100 XDP Fibre. It is braid in an ultra tight XDP round core weave and a resin is then infused to the core, giving structural rigidity, this enhances abrasion resistance under tensile pressure, allows for greater easy of casting, improves knot strength as well as the other feature of the other super braids on the market. Another major feature is fl uidness of the line, it fl ows and guides through guides. While we believe this line is a giant step forward, it still does not measure up in abrasion resistance to some nylons.

Nylon line is not just nylon line

I have heard people saying using monofi lament fi shing line referring to all nylon line. These people are mistaken, Monofi lament is a type of fi shing line but there are at least three types of Nylon line. The fi rst I will look at is Monofi lament. As the name suggests, “mono” meaning “one” it is an extrusion of one type of nylon. It is usually the cheapest line on the market, and often is sold on fi shing combos because of the price, it really is the entry level into fi shing, and it fi shes OK, but often tangles after moderate usage due to memory and stretch factor. Make sure to use a swivel and it’s not the best for trolling as line tangling can be the result of trolling the line. Mono can have a reasonably strong outer shell and a reasonable fishing life but handles like a dog, you will need to stretch it out on a regular basis.

Be prepared for the odd throw off and line twist while fishing. Compared to Gel spun it’s like night and day in usage but it does compare reasonable well with abrasion resistance to Gel spun under tensile strength. If money is your major consideration then I would avoid it. It can be fi shed in most situations with average results. Then there is copolymer line, it is a step up in Nylon. It is a mix of nylon polymers and different alloys. The result is a smooth supple nylon line, easy to use and feels good and has good knot strength. The outer core of the line is soft and can enhance the outer shell in some copolymers, in others it decreases according to the formula used. It may have increased stretch after playing a big fi sh and maybe some TLC to stretch the line out. But generally, it fi shes better than the mono’s but lacks the advantage of no stretch. Copolymers are reasonably good trolling lines off shore and handle well on side cast reels and spinning reels. It costs more than standard mono but the feature are worth the money.

differThe third type of line comes from Japan is called a DRV heavy cover nylon. It feels completely different to mono and co polymers. The main brand in Japan is GTR Ultra. It was developed and fi eld tested by legendary Japanese tournament Angler Hajime Murate. Its main feature is that it has 30 times the abrasion resistance of standard monofi lament line. GTR Ultra feels like no other Nylon line. It contains a unique propriety silicone resin formula, which makes it handle like a dream! This line is perfect for the rocks or heavy cover fi shing, let’s face it, most of the fi sh are around these structures. If you are fi shing for Barra or Bass in the sticks or heavy wood areas, then this line wins hands down. It fi shes beautifully but its abrasion resistance under tensile strength is up to 30 times your standard nylons and Gel spun. If you need a line that can handle the tough stuff, it’s a dirty fi ghting or street fi ghting line. If fi shing for mean fi ghting beasts, then the toughness of this line is unquestionable. It also allows for much longer line life than your gel spun and standard nylons around heavy structures.

Why should I use a leader?

It is important to use a good quality leader for a number of reasons, usually leaders perform a range of tasks; when casting lures with Gel Spun, it helps protect the Gel spun from snags, trees and other mean nasty structures that can destroy your Gel spun. In fact, it is really important we would caution against lure to Gel spun or hook, your asking to get blown away.

As leader material usually has a harder shell and often a larger size to your Gel spun aids protection. Some anglers like to add a little stretch with Gel spun as a little give often helps to not drag the lure or hook from the fi shes mouth. A more recent trend is towards Fluorocarbon leaders, the differ ence is chalk and cheese. The Fluorocarbon leaders are renowned for being called invisible leader as it has a very low refractive index which makes it appear in water as almost invisible. It allows the bait or lure to look like its out in the water, no strings attached, so to speak.

It enhances a strike and does not turn fussy fi sh off. The inventors of 100% Fluorocarbon line is Kureha of Japan. Its primary brand is called Seaguar and is a patented manufacturing process which means it stands out on its own. Seaguar is the preferred leader by professional anglers worldwide. With such features as; a hard ultra shell and superb knot strength with nil water absorption, ultra high tensile strength and fast sinking combined with the stealth factor of invisibility makes it smart choice.

What Types Of Line Do I Use For My Catch?

We recommend you use the heavy structure principle, ugly mean surrounds, use GTR Ultra.

What Line Best Suits My Reel

Anyhow enjoy your fi shing, I hope this information might help you with your fi shing, and with a little extra knowledge that Champion fish will not just be the story of the one that got away.

Fishin
Just Get Out There

Print posted @ Tuesday, July 10, 2007 4:43 PM