Monofilament is a great all-rounder for a wide range of fishing types as it is economical to produce, provides good knot strength, is available in multi-colour options to blend in with different water conditions, and in most cases has a good level of abrasion resistance. However, this line does tend to stretch, absorb water, and deteriorate in exposure to UV light.
Fluorocarbon is similar to monofilament in many ways. It provides a good level of knot strength and low visibility, making it perfect for clear water and sub-surface lure applications. Fluorocarbon also has excellent abrasion resistance and does not absorb water. The downsides are that it is stiffer, more expensive, and denser than water, so it will sink faster which is not always desirable.
Braided fishing lines are available in a variety of types: 3-strand, 4-strand, 8-strand, and increasingly 12-strand. As the name suggests, braided line is made up of several differing strands of line. The more strands, the thinner these strands are, resulting in smoother, finer, and quieter braid lines. A short pitch construction aids in creating a round profile for optimum line performance.
Braid fishing line has no memory, doesn’t break down when exposed to UV light, and has no stretch, meaning you feel every bump and nudge from a fish. Daiwa J braid fishing line is a great line choice for spinning, baitcaster, and overhead reels, as its thin diameter allows for a longer casting distance that makes it ideal for offshore applications like jigging and popping. However, braid fishing lines can be very slippery, difficult to cut, and less abrasion-resistant than monofilament.
