Fishing line: types and characteristics. Fishing line: types and characteristics What are fishing lines for fishing

Hello dear readers of the blog "Fishing for beginners"
This publication will discuss the properties of fishing line, which have a serious impact on the behavior of tackle, and therefore on the quality and results of fishing.
Before you start reading this note, I recommend that you read the previously published article on the materials of fishing lines by clicking on.

fishing line is a thread made of artificial or natural fibers that connects all elements of fishing tackle and is a link between the angler and the object of fishing.

In sports and amateur fishing, two types of fishing lines are used:

monophilic- one-piece monolithic thread made of synthetic fibers (nylon, capron, fluorocarbon).

braided (braided cord)- stranded thread, consisting of many ultra-thin fibers woven together.

Line properties

The properties of the fishing line are its characteristic features that manifest themselves under various kinds of influences on it (mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet, etc.) or other circumstances. For example, to determine the tensile strength of the fishing line, it is necessary to stretch it, the possibility of long-term use of the fishing line in direct sunlight, without harm to it, indicates its resistance to ultraviolet radiation, and the increased chemical resistance allows the use of fishing thread in salt water, while maintaining its performance in chemically aggressive environment.

Important properties that have to be considered when purchasing and using monofilament and braided cords include:

• tensile strength;
• impact strength;
• knot strength;
• extensibility;
• residual deformation (memory);
• abrasion resistance - wear resistance;
• visibility;
• line age.

There are also other qualities of the fishing line: elasticity, calibration accuracy, coefficient of friction, and some others that indirectly affect its behavior during fishing, but not so significant as to dwell on them. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of the fishing line at competitions in sport fishing, where time is counted by minutes and even seconds, and any little thing can cost a lot.

Despite the fact that the fishing line produced in the fishing industry has only two types - monofilament and braided, it is designed for a wide range of applications, including different conditions and possibilities of its operation. Therefore, different types of fishing lines are endowed with properties that are aligned according to their direct and narrow purpose.

For example: a leader line has a relatively high breaking strength; marine - resistant to salt water and ultraviolet; match - has the ability to sink.

For this reason, when choosing a fishing thread, one has to ignore some of its qualities, giving preference to the properties necessary for a given fishing method and type of tackle, taking into account the conditions and specifics of fishing, as well as the weight and habits of the fish.

For example, when increased strength of the tackle is required, it is often necessary to neglect the elasticity of the fishing line, and to connect it with accessories, use special crimp tubes or other devices, since the thick thread is very stiff and does not fit into knots well.

In cases where it is not possible to combine the necessary qualities in one solid fishing line, a combined installation is used, in which for the section of the thread that is in constant contact with the throughput rings of the rod, a high-quality wear-resistant fishing line of increased strength, called a shock leader, is used, and for the rest - less demanding thread. You can also use an undemanding, but thicker fishing line for a shock leader.

If it is necessary to have inconspicuous high-strength tackle available, a braided cord is used as the main fishing line, and fluorocarbon or nylon monofilament for leashes.
Very often, when choosing a fishing line, the question arises: which one is better, braided or monofilament? To answer it, let's consider in order the most important properties of both, comparing them.

Breaking strength of the line

The ability of a fishing line of a certain diameter to withstand the maximum allowable tensile load is called its breaking strength. In other words, the breaking strength of a fishing line is determined by the threshold value of the tensile force, up to which a fishing line of a certain diameter retains its integrity. Tensile strength measured and marked in librach - lb or kilograms - kg. and corresponds to the fishing line of the established diameter.

One libra - "Lb" is equal to one pound = 0.4536 kg. Most manufacturers measure and indicate the diameter of the line in millimeters - "mm", and its length is marked in meters - "m" or yards - "yds", one yard - 1 yard = 91.4 cm = 0.914 m
For example, the inscription: "Diameter - 0.25 mm 11lb", indicates that a monofilament with a diameter of - 0.25 mm is able to withstand a maximum tensile load of 11 lb, corresponding to 4.99 kg.

It is not always possible to check in the store the compliance with the strength declared by the manufacturer; for this, it is necessary to have a special tool - a dynamometer, the analogue of which is spring hand scales (balances), with which it is possible to check the breaking strength of the fishing line with approximate accuracy.

If we compare high-quality monofilament and braided fishing lines of the same diameter, then it can be noted with confidence that braided fishing line, produced from polyethylene fiber, exceeds the strength of nylon monofilament, at least 2 times.

impact strength

impact strength– resistance to thread thinning under short-term shock breaking load.
An obvious example of such a phenomenon often occurs during power casting, when the fishing line loses the possibility of free descent from and sharply slows down the bait flying with high acceleration. At this moment, there is a short-term action of a force that can break the line and shoot the bait.

A similar example is a sweeping hook during a dead hook, falsely mistaken for a bite.
All braided cords have impact strength several times higher than any monofilament fishing line.

The strength of the fishing line at the knots

The property that determines the threshold strength of the fishing line at the nodes - in places of its deformation. The strength of the fishing line in the knots recommended for it by the manufacturer of the product, as a rule, is 20% -30% less than the strength of a solid - solid thread, this is provided that the knots are tied correctly.
The quality of the knot directly affects the strength of the thread and can significantly reduce it if the knot is tied illiterately.
It is necessary to purchase a fishing line taking into account this property, since not a single tackle is mounted without a knot. For example, if the breaking strength of the fishing line is 4.0 kg, then at the correct knot it will decrease by 30% - 1.2 kg and will be = 2.8 kg. As you can see the difference is significant. Some connections lose less strength, but these are mainly used for attaching hooks and other fishing equipment.
There is an opinion that braided lines they do not hold the knot well and if they do not tear in continuous sections, then they are untied precisely at the points of attachment. These rumors are fueled by the erroneous opinion of people applying knots for monofilament lines to "braids" that do not follow the recommendations of manufacturers for using special braids for them.

Line stretch

The ability of a fishing line to increase in length under the action of a tensile force and return to its original dimensions when it is removed.

The value of the extensibility of the fishing line is determined at a load close to the maximum allowable. The extensibility of the fishing line is calculated as a percentage of the difference in the lengths in the stretched and calm state to its original value.
For example, if a 50-meter thread during fishing, with a load close to the maximum, stretched up to 55 m, then the difference between the lengths is 5 m, it is 10% of its original length, therefore the extensibility of this fishing line is 10%.

Knowing the extensibility of a product made of synthetic fiber, it is easy to calculate how much it will stretch under maximum load.

Often, to determine the extensibility of a fishing line, a coefficient is used that characterizes a given value, obtained by dividing the difference in lengths by its original value.
In our case, the length difference of 5 m (55 - 50= 5) divided by the original value of 50 m is 0.1 (5 m: 50 m = 0.1). Therefore, the line stretch factor = 0.1.
An extensible monofilament line is not suitable for spinning fishing, as it does not transmit signals about the behavior of the bait and equipment in general, dulling them with its stretch, and also extinguishes the actions of the angler aimed at manipulating the tackle.

For these purposes, braided cords are widely used, produced from inextensible polyethylene fiber, which has increased sensitivity, which transmits to the fisherman any changes in the behavior of the equipment and does not prevent him from manipulating the bait.

Moderate extensibility of the fishing line - within 10 -15% for many types of fishing is an acceptable and even favorable quality, since it can soften shock loads on the fishing line, reel and rod, due to certain circumstances of the fishing process.

Permanent deformation (memory) of the fishing line

Permanent deformation in fishing slang is called the "memory" of the line.
Good memory - this is the case when "good" means "nowhere worse" - a fishing line with a large residual deformation "remembers" its original state and tends to return to it.
A large residual deformation is characteristic of a monofilament made of nylon - a material with a sufficiently high water permeability, which facilitates the penetration of water molecules into its structure and changes it. In the process of volatilization of moisture, the structure of the material retains ("remembers") the shape adopted during drying and subsequently tends to it.

For this reason, wet nylon line should not be transported on a spool, it must be straightened and dried before winding. If the wet nylon fishing line has time to dry on the reel, then when you try to straighten it, it will curl into rings, "remembered" by it when it dries.

Residual deformation from the nylon thread is removed by soaking, for this it is removed from the coil and placed in a vessel with water for a couple of hours.
Braided lines, like fluorocarbon monofilaments, have virtually no memory.

The memory of the fishing line can be checked by the “old-fashioned” method, by gently stretching a small piece between the nails of two fingers, slightly pressing the fiber with them. This must be done carefully so as not to injure yourself. If, after the manipulation, the section of the thread subjected to deformation is strongly twisted into a spiral, then this fishing line has an abundance of memory.
Timely measures to prevent the manifestation of residual deformation relieve the troubles associated with it during fishing.

Abrasion resistance - wear resistance of the line

There is something else like the ability of the fishing line to prevent abrasion of the surface layer, thereby maintaining the integrity of the entire thread for a long time. Any synthetic fiber has a relatively high wear resistance, depending on its material.

Of all the materials used in the production of fishing lines, fluorocarbon is the most abrasion resistant.
To increase the wear resistance of nylon fiber, its surface is strengthened by applying fluorocarbon as an additional layer or spraying it by diffusion.

Visibility and camouflage properties of fishing line

The visibility of the fishing line directly depends on such important operational properties of the material as light transmission and transparency.

The light transmission of a material is characterized by its ability to transmit direct and diffused light, not only the visible part of its spectrum, but also infrared and ultraviolet rays.

Fiber transparency is the ability to transmit light without changing its direction. Both properties depend on the optical density of the fishing line material and its refractive index (refractive index of light). If we compare a monofilament made of nylon and fluorocarbon, then the latter has greater invisibility, since it has high light transmission and light refractive index close in value to water, due to which it practically “dissolves” in water.

By dyeing the synthetic fiber in colors appropriate to the environment, the desired camouflage effect is achieved. This direction has two variants of execution - coloring of transparent and opaque raw materials. In the first case, a weak color serves as a shade of a transparent fishing line, enhancing its invisibility in the water. The second option is when the matte fiber is dyed with one or more colors.

It is worth noting that the nylon fiber undergoes a special treatment before painting, after which it becomes dull, due to which certain qualities are lost and its service life is reduced. Older anglers do not trust matte lines.

If you need visual control over the state of the bait or fishing line, then you have to neglect its masking, using bright fluorescent colors visible in the water.
To fish cautious fish, use a transparent fishing line or leashes made of fluorocarbon invisible in the water.
If necessary, to mask the tackle under the color of the bottom or the surrounding landscape, an opaque brown, black, green or multi-colored vein is used.
Due to the peculiarities of production, braided fishing lines have poor light transmission and transparency, so dyeing is the only way to hide them from the observant eyes of aquatic inhabitants.

Age - shelf life of monofilament fishing line

The age of the fishing line refers to consumer properties that have a significant impact on all its qualities. Any fishing line is a product of chemical production and has a certain period of operation and storage, after which it loses its properties and, above all, its strength characteristics.
As already mentioned, aging occurs due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and ambient temperature on the chemical fiber, causing the process of thermal-oxidative destruction (destruction) in the air - the fishing line dries. The dark packaging, which protects it from drying out under the influence of ultraviolet rays, and the low storage temperature extend the life of the synthetic fiber product.

Many anglers practice storing expensive lines in the refrigerator, where there is neither heat nor light. "Not fresh" - a dried monofilament line loses its transparency, as evidenced by matte spots on its surface.

All the pros and cons of braided line

Braided fishing line surpasses monofilament in all strength characteristics, has increased resistance to abrasion, has no stretching and permanent deformation. These qualities allow it to be effectively used in spinning fishing and trolling fishing, where the ratio of pros and cons, when choosing the required set of properties, tends to favor it.

Some properties, the origin of which braided fishing line owes to its special stranded structure, are not in its favor:

• high drag coefficient, which prevents long casting, does not allow it to be used effectively with light baits;
• the specificity of the interlacing of the fibers of the braided line contributes to the sticking of solid particles in them that fall on the line during the fishing process, thereby increasing the abrasiveness of the fishing line. This fact entails rapid abrasion and wear of the through-rings of the rod and the reel line roller;
• weak camouflage properties are reflected in the results of the catch of cautious fish;
• the high price of the product limits the possibility of its alternative use;
• an increased tendency to twist and entangle knots brings inconvenience.

Line marking

Despite the fact that different designations and units of measurement are used for marking fishing line, adopted in the country of the manufacturer of the goods; yards, pounds, inches, libra, special numbering and other symbols, along with them, for products oriented to the domestic market, information about its breaking strength in kilograms is always indicated.

To the parameters indicated on the package (reel) with fishing line, only its length, diameter and breaking load refer, the rest of the properties can be judged empirically or trust the description of price lists and catalogs of online stores, in which for the sake of good sales they will write anything.
Often found in Runet advertising phrases such as: "abrasion resistance 8" (8 times higher than usual), or "increased elasticity", "silicone coating", etc., they say absolutely nothing, since the existence of the claimed device in the conditions of the store it is not possible to install.

Those people who have been fond of fishing for a long time know that the numbers on the packaging and advertising propaganda are not always worth believing; when buying fishing accessories, they give preference to trusted companies, many years of work and quality that have proven themselves in the world market. Yes, a product with a global brand is more expensive, but believe it more than once: "The miser pays twice."
It's no secret that Japan produces the best fishing line, and the markings on it in most cases are true. This is due to the fact that Japan is trying to strictly adhere to the testing standards in force in the IGFA - International Sport Fishing Association.

That's all. All the best, until we meet again. Ask questions, leave comments.

Every year its range only increases, which, of course, plays into the hands of fishing enthusiasts.

There is only one caveat: choosing a line is becoming more and more difficult. In this regard, it would be more correct to at least consider and understand what types of fishing line exist and what characteristics they have.

purpose

Braided cord has the following advantages:

1. Doesn't stretch- and this is the most important advantage of the braid. Undoubtedly, every material is subject to deformation. Only for this species, the probability of stretching is so small that it is practically not noticeable. The braided line captivates the angler with its perfect sensitivity to the lure. When using it, you can also understand the nature of the bottom surface.
2. Heavy duty braid can handle the load, which exceeds the allowable weight by 2 times.

Braid is endowed with quite significant advantages over other types, but disadvantages are not excluded. The existing disadvantages of this fishing line do not allow beginners to fully taste all its positive qualities.

Disadvantages of braided cord:

Fluorocarbon

Fluorocarbon line is used as leads for feeder, spinning and other rigs.

The main advantage of this fishing line is its invisibility in the water.

Given that it is fixed on a fluorocarbon leash, a fish that has shown interest in it does not notice the line and does not feel any danger to itself. This is the main factor that encourages attacking the bait.

The disadvantages include the following points:

1. High price- the main disadvantage, but since it is used for leashes, it will be quite enough for 5 m, and for the price this option is within the acceptable range.
2. Doesn't hold up well enough. If we compare fluorocarbon and monofilament, then the former is inferior in strength by 2 times. Here you can solve the problem by acquiring a thicker (the same 2 times) fishing line than the main braid or monofilament.
3. Too hard material, which provokes the spread of nodes. In this case, this trouble can be minimized by knitting special knots for fluorocarbon fishing line.
4. Has a memory- poor elasticity of the material entails memorization of stretches, deformations and bends of the fishing line. This disease is almost incurable. All that remains is the frequent replacement of a fluorocarbon leash with a new one.

Of course, it is better to use a fluorocarbon line for a leash, but this is not essential.

Knowing the characteristics of various types of fishing lines, let's summarize.

What to use with what gear?

For spinning fishing, an ordinary monofilament is most often used, and for jig fishing, only a braided line is recommended.

Of particular importance when fishing with a braid is the presence of a fluorocarbon leash., a leash made of this transparent material also does not interfere with a monofilament.

The best option for the main line is to use a high-quality non-stretch monofilament. And, of course, the presence of florocarbon leashes.

It is believed that monofilament is suitable as a material for a leash. This condition is feasible, given that the bait is at the very bottom, and the fishing line is practically invisible on the surface. In this regard, it is most often used. However, if fluorocarbon is used, the result will obviously not be worse.

The ideal option is the use of monofilament, braid is excluded. The use of a fluorocarbon leash will also be appropriate here.

For ice fishing, only fluorocarbon line is used. To date, a large number of cords are presented, but often monofilament is also used for hole fishing.

When choosing a fishing line, it is necessary to take into account all its pros and cons, so as not to be disappointed in the acquisition made. It is the fishing thread that connects all the elements into one whole, discreetly delivers the bait to the right place and gives the angler a connection with what is happening under water.

Useful video

Video on how to choose the right fishing line:

Video about braided lines:

So, we come to the fishing store. Depending on his specialization, we can see on the shelves a very different range of accessories for different types of fishing. We can find fishing line or braided line in any fishing store. Fishing line is one of the most important elements of tackle, and a lot depends on the right choice.

Monofilament line: what is important to know

For thousands of years, fishing lines have been made by hand from horsehair, silk, and much less often from cotton or linen. In their manufacture, waterproofing impregnations were sometimes used. Since about the 1850s, machines for knitting lines on an industrial scale appeared.

Modern fishing lines are made from polyamide materials, the main ones being nylon and nylon.

What are fishing lines?

1. Nylon

Invented in 1937 by the laboratory of DuPont (USA).

Became the first and most massive artificial material for the manufacture of fishing lines.

Refractive index of nylon. - 1.52 (water - 1.3)

2. Kapron

Kapron or nylon-6 (Nylon 6) was developed in 1952 by IG Farben (Germany) to reproduce the properties of nylon-66 (Nylon-66) without violating the DuPont patent. Nylon fishing lines are subject to aging under the influence of the environment. Their service life does not exceed two or three years.

3. Polyethylene

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylenes are used to produce multifilament lines with high strength and low stretch.

Dacron was the first artificial material for making braided lines. Subsequently, polyesters were replaced by more advanced Kevlar. Since the beginning of the 90s, models made of the finest polyethylene fibers have appeared. In Europe, the new material became known under the brand name "Dyneema" (DYNEEMA), and in America - "Spectra" (SPECTRA). All the so-called wickerwork are made from the same fibers, the differences are in the way they are connected (weaving) and the protective impregnations used.

4. Fluorocarbon

Fluorocarbon invented in Japan in 1971. Its creators are experts from Kureha (Seaguar). The English name of the polymer (fluoro - fluorine and carbon - plastic) corresponds to the Russian word "fluoroplast".

What are the characteristics of fluorocarbon?

First, it is resistant to any negative influences. Fishing lines made of this polymer are used all year round, since its operating temperature is from -40C to +160C. They can be stored for a long time without fear of sunlight. Their structure does not allow water molecules to pass through, so the fishing lines do not swell.

Secondly, fluorocarbon is characterized by resistance to damage and abrasion. For example, Avani Eging Tip Run braids are acceptable for the feeder. Therefore, they are immediately completed with pieces of fluorocarbon to make a shock leader out of it.

Thirdly, if an ordinary monofilament does not belong to the sinking class, then it can stay at the top and take the float with it in windy weather. Fluoroplastic is 78% heavier than water. Because the fishing line from it always sinks almost 2.5 times faster than nylon. This gives an advantage to spinners when jigging, fishing in snags or in reservoirs where the bottom is covered with shells that can cut the braid. It also helps to keep the working horizon of most wobblers.

Fourth, the refractive index of fluorocarbon is close to that of water (1.42 and 1.3, respectively). Therefore, the material is more invisible in the pond compared to nylon monofilament.

The rigidity of fluorocarbon lines will not let you miss even a timid bite. It will be on hand to make hooking and when fishing in the course. However, this polymer has a lower tensile strength than nylon at the same thickness.

Since fluorocarbon is more difficult to produce, it is more expensive than nylon. Therefore, a compromise arose - nylon fishing lines coated with this polymer ("Fluorocarbon coated").

Comparative characteristics of wood materials

And a small note: the strength of DYNEEMA threads is 20 times higher than that of steel threads of the same diameter. Impressive…

Where is monofilament used?

Monofilament used for fishing on feeder, float, spinning and other types of fishing. The main requirements are tensile strength, elasticity (the ability to tie knots), invisibility (small thickness or camouflage coloring), resistance to environmental influences, friction resistance. International standards for fishing line are developed by the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA).

How to choose the right line for fishing?

You can ask for advice from a more experienced angler. And you can choose yourself, having previously studied the characteristics.

Fishing lines have a number of important parameters, but we will consider only those that we will need later.

The most important characteristic is diameter. In the modern fishing market, you can find almost any diameter. However, the bulk are models with a diameter of 0.1 - 0.4 mm. This indicator affects the casting distance (the smaller the diameter, the better its flight characteristics), as well as visibility in the water (the smaller the diameter, the more inconspicuous the fishing line). The smaller the diameter, the less line takes up space on the spool.

The next feature is . If you think that having bought a fishing line with a breaking load of 4.5 kg, you will be able to “throw over your shoulder” fish weighing up to two kilograms onto the shore, then you are deeply mistaken. Yes, it is possible that in test tests the fishing line showed a breaking load of 4.5 kg. However, in tests, the line is at the right angle and the load gradually increases. In life, everything is completely different: your angle will be wrong, and a sharp increase in the load will make itself felt. It should also be borne in mind that the fishing line will be erased about something (for example, about stones or shell rock). Moreover, at the node, the breaking load will decrease. As a consequence, in fact, we get the actual discontinuous less than the declared one. This must be taken into account.

Another important parameter is unwinding, which is the length. The most common unwinds are 100, 150 and 300 meters. There are also unwindings of 50, 75, 110, 135, 200 and 250 meters. Which one to choose - everyone decides for himself, choosing the best one for his gear and conditions.

How to choose the diameter of the fishing line?

When choosing a diameter, one should proceed from the conditions of fishing and the object of fishing. If we have to catch small non-predatory fish, then a thick fishing line will not be needed here. Conversely, when fishing for large and strong fish, such as carp, for example, you should use a line with a solid margin of safety. Also, if we are fishing in the open area of ​​a clear lake, then we can afford to use a thin model. But if we are fishing on a snarled river, then we will have to take a thicker line. This also applies to shellfish fishing.