Breaking Down Fishing Line Types:: Monofilament
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Vicious X-A.C.T. Monofilament is my monofilament of choice! I like 12lb test mono for my top water popping baits and up to 17lb test for my top water walking baits!
While fluorocarbon has honestly become my go to for most fishing techniques and situations, monofilament definitely still has a place on my fishing reels. The key to why I select any fishing line or product in general is based 100% of it's physical properties that make it the right choice for the job.
Monofilament Qualities:
There are two primary qualities that set monofilament apart from fluorocarbon as well as braid. They are the fact that it floats and it has a lot of stretch.
When I Use Monofilament:
So here is the key piece to the puzzle. Monofilament is my line of choice when I'm using a top water or surface bait that has treble hooks. When trying to work a top water bait with fluorocarbon the line can actually sink the bait while you are working it back to the boat. The fact that monofilament floats allows the bait to be worked perfectly on the surface giving the bait the proper action. So for me whether it's a top water walking bait, or a top water popping bait my first choice is monofilament. The second important aspect to monofilament for top water baits with treble hooks is the stretch factor. When a fish hit's a top water bait the extra stretch will add a slight delay to your hookset allowing the bait to hook the fish a little better. Also while fighting the fish the extra stretch and forgiveness from the monofilament will create a lower chance of the fish pulling off if it makes a hard run or jump.
There is one exception for me with using monofilament on top water baits with treble hooks and that is while throwing big top water baits with 3 treble hooks I sometimes like to use braided line so I can get a little better hook ups when a fish hits the bait way out on a long cast.
Monofilament Downfalls:
While monofilament is great for most top water situations it is definitely not the best option for fishing sup surface baits, and really doesn't work well at all while fishing around heavy grass. The floating property as well as the stretch makes it very hard to feel what your bait is doing sub surface. Whether you are fishing a worm or casting a deep diving crankbait fluorocarbon is definitely the better choice. While fishing around grass or heavy cover the stretch of monofilament is a recipe for disaster. Monofilament gives you very little strength and control over a fish that is buried up or attempting to burry you up in heavy cover. In that situation braided line is definitely the way to go.
I will break all of this down in next weeks blog.
I'll see you on the water!!!
