In the world of fishing line, the choices can be overwhelming. High-end braid, fluorocarbon and other specialty hybrid lines can confuse people and make choosing the right line difficult.
Thereâs no question that braid and fluorocarbon lines have an important place in most anglersâ arsenals and are specifically required for certain applications. But good old-fashioned monofilament will always be just as important to putting fish in the boat.
While braid and fluorocarbon manufacturers tout the âlittle-to-no-stretchâ characteristics of their products (as well they should), we shouldnât overlook the importance of âstretchâ and other characteristics that mono possesses.
I recently spoke with Rick Snellgrove, owner of Howell Tackle in Panama City, Fla., about the role that mono continues to play in the fishing world. He helped me better understand its importance by pointing out some obvious facts about stretch, shock strength, buoyancy, and cost, just to name a few. He offered many reasons why mono is still so important.
When your line has to withstand the sudden impact of a bone-jarring strike or a fish thrashing next to the boat, mono is, without question, your best option because of the superior shock strength. As you fight a fish, the stretch characteristics reduce the possibility of the hook coming dislodged. A low-stretch line can cause the hook penetration point to widen or tear away. Monoâs stretch, or forgiveness, is a must if your reel has a sticky drag.
Monoâs buoyancy makes it a no-brainer when throwing topwater and near-surface lures in most conditions. Sinking lines like fluorocarbon will kill the action of a surface plug. If youâve ever had a big fish smash a chugging surface bait close to the boat, you might better appreciate all mono has to offer.
The cost-factor is also a big deal when you have to change the line on your reels. If youâre spooling large reels or smaller reels more frequently, itâs a huge cost difference. The thin diameter of braid means it requires more to fill a spool, and itâs considerably more expensive per yard. Here comes mono into play again; build a mono foundation under your braid to fill a portion of the spool on big reels. A line of any kind has to be changed regularly, and mono will save you big bucks!
Rick at Howell Tackle is an authority on all things fishing and offers a huge variety of mono brands including Ande, Suffix, Hi Seas and Berkley. If youâre in the Panama City area, bring your reels to Howell Tackle (3100 West Hwy 98 Panama City, FL; (850) 785-8548) and let them spool you up.