To answer this question we need to know what is the difference between the trendy fluorocarbon and traditional capron (dederon, nylon) line.

Let’s have a look at every point:

• •The item weight of fluorocarbon lines is much bigger, that’s they can really be called sinking. The water density of a natural pond is approximately 1,05-1,09 g/cm3, the capron density is 1,13-1,14, fluorocarbon – 1,78. Judging by these figures, it is obvious that fluorocarbon sinks faster than classical line. In some resources we can come across the statement that the sinking speed of the fluorocarbon line is as 2,5 as high. These figures don’t correspond to reality.
• •In float fishing there’re some cases when it is useful that the speed of the lure fall increases. For instance, when you need to get through the level of small hungry fish and bring the lure to large fish feeding at the bottom. You can solve this problem by gathering of all weights toward the drop shot and increasing common weight to the acceptable limit of the rig sensitivity. It also makes sense to use fluorocarbon in very light rigs while fishing in contaminated ponds with big water surface tension.
• In some cases you may use this line as the main one while making long-range casts. •
• •Unlike nylon, fluorocarbon has a refraction index closer to the water refraction index, that’s why such a line is less noticeable. The water refraction index is 1,3, capron – 1,52, fluororcarbon – 1,42. However, besides refraction of light there’s also its reflection, it is this quality that can become a determinant. I need to add that the water refraction index depends on the presence of contamination. And now, let’s have a look at the photos of lines in tap water. The marking of all the models almost corresponds to the reality. It’s up to you to decide.

Colmic Xilo 0,25 мм

Pontoon21 Zarkazma 0,26 мм

Pontoon21 Marxman GFC 0,26 мм

In the float fishing the rigidity of the line is more important than its optical properties. The soft line makes the fish less cautious, and the rigid line transmits the bite to the float.

• • Fluorocarbon lines almost never absorb the water, that’s why they preserve their working characteristics for a longer period of time. Everything is clear here, fluorocarbon was originally created for petrochemical industry. This material is unique considering its abrasion and damage resistance. Besides that, this polymer is ultraviolet resistant. To put it bluntly, it gets older very slowly.

• • Fluorocarbon lines have a high (much higher than any other lines) abrasion resistance, that’s why it would be reasonable to use them as an addition to the main line in the form of the protective leaders, especially in difficult places, abundant in various bottom barriers.

To my mind, this statement needs explanation. If you don’t take into account the possibility of coming across some fractions of bottles or cans at the bottom, the main enemy of your line is the zebra mussel. The edges of its shell are so sharp, that sometimes one touch of this underwater scalpel is enough to create a significant damage. To make it even worse, the line may touch the shell when you are hooking off – then a fast cut and you can’t really get what happened.

It happens quite seldom when you use floats in rivers or lakes, but they happen quite often if go to the Moscow Canal. Such situations happen quite often when you hunt for bream making long-range casts. The bream likes zebra mussel colonies which it feeds on, at the same time eating fresh water shrimps. You have to put the lure on the bottom, namely on the shells. Fluorocarbon lines are very often indispensable here in spite of the fact that you need to increase the leader itself.

The durability is one more thing that anglers pay their attention to. Fluorocarbon as a polymer doesn’t have any intermolecular hydrogen binding thus being significantly inferior to the classical durable capron. I’ll take the liberty to make some visual comparisons. (the photo of reels with lines) Marxman Grand Fluorocarbon (GFC) you can see in the picture is of high quality, nowadays it the best we have. But it’s not a panacea.

It is recommended to professional anglers having enough experience of using such materials. Every time you need to choose what is more important: the speed of sinking, abrasion resistance, durability and rigidity. Even if you have to make a long leader, which drags along the bottom full of shells, I recommend you to make a shorter leader made of thin, soft and equally strong line at the end of the long line. This decision may have a significant impact on the effectiveness.

It’s impossible to predict whether you need to use fluorocarbon or not, that’s I always take it on me with the rest of the tackle. I should also point out that there were not so many situations when it was of vital importance to use it, to tell exactly, just a couple of them.

The first one was when I was fishing for bream which feed on zebra mussel making long-range cast. The second was when I was fishing with a whip with a strong side wind. To make the line between the rod and float sink, a small shot is usually used. I tried fluorocarbon and was satisfied.

Andrei Yanshevskij

Moscanella Web-site