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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.

Red Pine Resort
Ice Fishing on Kabetogama.