{"id":20161,"date":"2020-03-26T18:15:24","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T18:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oceanbluefishing.com\/magazine\/?p=20161"},"modified":"2025-02-13T14:52:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T03:52:55","slug":"fluoro-vs-mono-which-best-leader-material-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oceanbluefishing.com\/magazine\/fluoro-vs-mono-which-best-leader-material-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Fluoro VS Mono: Which is the best Sport Fishing Leader?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scratching your head figuring out which is the better leader material, fluorocarbon or mono? We\u2019ll discuss the pros and cons of each leader type to help you figure out if there is a one line fits all leader for all our fishing needs.<\/p>\n

Fluoro vs Mono: The Great Debate<\/h2>\n

Whether at tackle shops, fishing lodges, on boats or online, anglers from around the world have different opinions about fishing tackle. Rods, reels and lures are a popular topic amongst anglers of all levels due to the amount of options available and opinions on all sorts of tackle are based on personal experience, word of mouth or internet knowledge. One of the most heated debates are about which leader line is the best: monofilament of fluorocarbon?<\/p>\n

To begin, lets differentiate the competitors from each other and see what makes each material unique. Later on we\u2019ll list down the pros and cons of each leader material for a side-by-side review to find out who the clear winner is.<\/p>\n

Let us begin with old and reliable monofilament.<\/p>\n

Monofilament<\/h2>\n

Monofilament fishing line first came about in the 1950s. The main component of this type of fishing line is \u201cnylon\u201d. It was strong, flexible, translucent and cheap. Everything a fisherman could want in a fishing line. Monofilament \u2013 if broken down is \u201cmono\u201d or singular and filament, meaning that it is made from a single strand of melted nylon extruded into a long and cylindrical shape resulting in the fishing line we know and love.<\/p>\n

We won\u2019t go into much detail about how monofilament line is made and what its chemical components are but a key point to note is that Fluorocarbon is technically a monofilament line as well. Let\u2019s proceed to Fluorocarbon.<\/p>\n

Fluorocarbon<\/h2>\n

Fluorocarbon is a type of monofilament fishing line made out of PVDF (polyvinyldenefluoride). As a type of monofilament, it is also made the same way, with melted PVDF extruded into long cylinders. The discovery of this fishing line was in some ways an accident.<\/p>\n

Back in the 1960s, in a car paint factory in Japan, workers were attempting to use the fluorocarbon \u201cfilm\u201d to make auto paint more UV resistant. As we all should know by now, there will be an angler lurking around having fishing on his mind 24\/7. Lo and behold, Mr. Yoshi, an angler working in this factory saw the fluorocarbon film and saw a potential fishing line substitute. This factory was called the Kureha company and soon after released a new fluorocarbon fishing line under the name Seaguar.<\/p>\n

Enough of the history and facts about each line and let us proceed to their inherent strengths and weaknesses.\"\"<\/p>\n

STRENGTH TEST<\/h2>\n

Diameters and accurate laboratory strength tests aside, monofilament will have a higher overall breaking strain test result than fluorocarbon. Knot strength winner will also go to monofilament in this regard. But we have to discuss and consider other line characteristics first in order for everyone to understand which line is stronger in practical usage.<\/p>\n

STRETCH OR ELASTICITY<\/h2>\n

Mono has greater elasticity than fluorocarbon. When you pull monofilament and release it, the line will bounce back to its original form. This elasticity or stretchiness is one of the key selling points of monofilament leaders as it acts as a shock absorber to your already stiff and non-elastic braided main line. It acts as a buffer for when your drag settings are super tight and you get an extremely big hit. No excessive tension between fish and angler may result in a better hook up to land ratio.<\/p>\n

Now fluorocarbon also stretches but is not elastic. Meaning it doesn\u2019t bounce back to its original length or form once pulled. This lack of elasticity is both good and bad. Good because it gives us anglers a more \u201csolid\u201d or sensitive feel of the lure or hooked fish. Bad because there is no \u201cgive\u201d in both the main line and leader, and when stretched to its maximum capacity, the leader then becomes weaker.<\/p>\n

LINE DENSITY<\/h2>\n

Fluoro has greater density, making it harder, stiffer and more abrasion resistant. With these three characteristics, you\u2019d be sold on fluorocarbon any day of the week as they all contribute to the overall strength of the leader.<\/p>\n

Mono is less dense, absorbs water and is prone to abrasion damage. Scary stuff considering this will be part of your line that is connected to the fish. So while mono has greater strength when new, after factoring in UV damage plus wear and tear, fluorocarbon has an edge when it comes to durability.<\/p>\n

Since fluoro is more dense, even denser than water, it sinks. The opposite is now true for monofilament as it floats or suspends. Monofilament will eventually absorb water and after enough time, will eventually sink as well.<\/p>\n

If you are going for technique specific use like subsurface fishing and if you need to get your lures down deeper, fluorocarbon has the edge on this aspect.<\/p>\n

ABRASION RESISTANCE<\/h2>\n

Again, with a denser characteristic, fluorocarbon has a higher level of abrasion resistance. It can withstand more nicks, scratches from teeth, gills and fins while fishing and still maintain its strength. If you are fishing over coral and other sharp shallow structure, fluorocarbon will be the best choice. Although it won\u2019t matter too much when an angry GT takes you to the shallows and cuts you off. Fluoro or mono are no match for a bus GT and reef.\"\"<\/p>\n

KNOT-ABILITY AND STRENGTH<\/h2>\n

Monofilament catches up and is now neck and neck with fluorocarbon! Mono wins in knot-ability and knot strength by miles.<\/p>\n

Being stiffer than mono, tying knots with fluorocarbon needs some extra care and attention. Each turn of your PR or FG knot should be seated properly. Tightening every few turns is key, then gradually pulling the knot tightly after wetting with spit to set the knot.<\/p>\n

Mono also requires care and attention when knotting but is more forgiving. It is a softer line and is more forgiving that even 100lb test leaders and heavier can be knotted to terminals and lures easily and effectively.<\/p>\n

Big and aggressive saltwater fish don\u2019t really mind thick and visible leaders, you\u2019ll be more worried about the breaking strength than underwater visibility.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

VISIBILITY<\/h2>\n

Possibly the most common misconception in fishing line is that fluorocarbon is invisible to fish. It is true that the refractive light index of fluoro line is close to that of water, hence the apparent invisibility to fish, but my personal opinion is this may just be the work of marketing rather than real world experience, but I\u2019ve yet to interview a caught fish, so I can\u2019t really say what\u2019s visible or not in the fish\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

It does give us a slight confidence boost when the fish are finicky and spooky. Changing to a fluorocarbon leader that is \u201cinvisible\u201d may be the key to catching that overly spooky GT hanging around that 20ft tiger shark by the dropoff\u2026<\/p>\n

FLUORO LEADERS<\/h3>\n

Pros:<\/h3>\n