Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity

Комплектующие и монтаж спиннинговой снасти

Choosing the right line can be critical to the quality of your rig, its reliability, and the size and quality of your future catch. One of the most common types of fishing line that is gaining popularity is fluorocarbon fishing line (or fluorocarbon, fluor). One of its important advantages is a high level of transparency, which makes it invisible to fish underwater. When choosing such a fishing line, you need to know about its features, pros and cons and how to work with it and how to distinguish the authenticity of the fluor.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityFluorocarbon is often used by spinning rods for leashes and as the main line [/ caption]

What kind of fishing line is this, what types exist

There are three main types of fishing line materials used for fishing: fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided. The first one is especially often used for making leashes. Fluorocarbon fishing line is a fluorocarbon material that includes additives that give it increased rigidity. This material resembles Teflon, but, in contrast, is highly transparent. It is hardly noticeable in the water, which makes it suitable even for catching cautious fish.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity

According to the international classification, fluor has the designation PVDF – an abbreviation for “polyvinylidene fluoride”. Fishing line can be of different types. It can be summer, winter, spinning, leash. Differences are expressed in the diameter of the thread or the presence of a protective coating.

How to distinguish fluorocarbon from regular fishing line and what to choose depending on the circumstances

When choosing between monofilament and fluorocarbon lines, consider the following:

  1. Monofilament line is more suitable for playing large fish. She is able to withstand jerks better than fluor. With equal thickness, it loses to nylon line.
  2. When fishing with fluorocarbon line, beards are almost never tangled. However, with a mono line, this problem can occur frequently.
  3. Fluorocarbon line sinks easily into water. This makes it suitable for use in bottom gear .
  4. It is more difficult to knot knots on it than on a mono line.

When comparing fluor with braid, one should pay attention to the following:

  1. Both materials are resistant to tensile stress.
  2. The cord is clearly visible in the water and is able to scare away fish. Fluorocarbon has this effect. Due to its high transparency, it is almost invisible in water.
  3. Fluor does not lend itself to moisture even after prolonged exposure to water, however, the braid in such a situation can break down into individual fibers.


Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityFluorocarbon transparent and non-extensible material [/ caption]

In braids, several cords are used, connected in a special way. Sometimes an additional outer shell is used. Such a device provides high strength, which is especially important when making long casts.

How to test fluorocarbon for quality and resistance to external influences

This material has a significant price, but it is still widely popular among spinning and feederists. This is one of the reasons that counterfeits regularly appear on the market. When buying, you need to be able to determine the authenticity of the material. To do this, you can use the following criteria:

  1. You need to check for a gap. The original line will have a high resistance close to that indicated on the spool.
  2. You can determine the authenticity using a file. The fact is that it is much more difficult to cut fluorocarbon than monofilament line.

For another test method, you can use a lighter or a lighted match. If you burn the tip of the line, you can observe the following:

  1. When the thread quickly ignites, burns out easily, and a drop forms at the tip, then we are talking about a monofilament fishing line.
  2. Fluorocarbon behaves differently. Under the influence of fire, only the part of the line that is inside the flame burns with difficulty. When the burning stops and the thread has cooled down, only the burnt tip will remain. It will crumble if rubbed between your fingers. No drop will be formed on it. This situation is typical for fluorocarbon fishing line.


Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityChecking what you have in your hands, the fluor only burns at the point of fire, the monofil melts and drips, the braid burns [/ caption] If the thread is immersed in water , then the fluor will sink much faster than the nylon from which the mono line is made.

Pros and cons of the material

Using fluorocarbon line allows you to take advantage of the following benefits:

  1. Even with a long stay in water, this line does not deform.
  2. It is highly transparent.
  3. Fluorocarbon is characterized by strength and rigidity. These qualities allow it to be successfully used for catching predatory fish . Leashes made of this material are resistant to attempts to gnaw through them.
  4. Resistant to direct sunlight. Even with a long stay under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the line does not collapse.
  5. Under the influence of low temperatures, the material does not lose its flexibility.
  6. There is no shape memory effect.
  7. High resistance to friction. This property allows you to effectively use the line without fear of friction against the rings or against the hard bottom.
  8. This material is resistant to mechanical stress.


Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityThese qualities are especially important in spinning fishing [/ caption] However, the use of fluorocarbon is associated with certain disadvantages:

  1. It is in some cases vulnerable to breaking loads.
  2. The material has a relatively high rigidity.

Fluorocarbon is a relatively more expensive material than line and even braid per meter. Fluorocarbon line – myths and reality: https://youtu.be/6m-mrAM2-Yg

Scope in different ways of fishing

Its high transparency and durability have made fluorocarbon a popular lead material for rod fishing or
bottom tackle . Its popularity is growing despite the high cost of the material. For ultralight spinning gear, a fluorocabon line of small and medium thickness is well suited. The lack of extensibility in the cases under consideration is an advantage.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityThe use of fluor will be useful in such cases:

  1. The shell rock bottom will create significant friction . Which will destroy many types of woods. The use of fluorocarbon is advantageous in that this material has a high resistance to friction.
  2. As a diverting leash , which is used for spinning fishing.
  3. When spinning fishing with light lures, there is a problem associated with their immersion on the bottom. Due to the fact that fluorocarbon sinks easily, it provides quick burial of the tackle.
  4. The low temperature resistance has made the main line made from the material in question popular. It is used for winter fishing with the use of balancers , girders and lures. Special winter types of fluor are used.
  5. Fluor is used along with braid for fishing on UL spinning at a distance of up to 40 meters.
  6. For feeder fishing , the main line or leash is made from it.

The use of fluorocarbon line in most cases can be considered a versatile material. What is the difference between monofilament line and fluorocarbon line – a visual video under water: https://youtu.be/4VzYP6mIUaM

How to choose fluorocarbon fishing line – what to look for, the best manufacturers

When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the material from which the product is made. You need to make sure that the label is marked “Fluorocarbon 100%”, which means that the buyer will receive exactly the line they need. If, for example, “Fluorocarbon coated” is indicated, then it is a nylon thread with a fluorocarbon sheath, not pure fluor. Another sign of a good line is the “sinking” mark. This means that the thread is sinking.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityThis is not a real flux, but only a coating [/ caption] When choosing, you need to take into account the requirements determined by the characteristics of the extraction and the equipment used. They usually take into account the diameter of the line. The most popular is fluorocarbon with a thickness of 0.1-0.3 mm. Thicker fluorocarbon line for pike is used in the manufacture of leads, its diameter can reach 0.5-0.6 mm and more.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityPike leads made of fluorocarbon fishing line [/ caption] It matters what brand the fishing line is produced under. It is preferable to buy fluor from well-known Japanese or American companies. It must be remembered that quality material cannot be too cheap. You can choose the right line by looking at the following rating:

  1. Company Sunline known for reliable and proven reputation. The Japanese manufacturer has international certificates confirming the high level of quality. The company’s products belong to the high price range.Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity
  2. Japanese brand Toray produces high quality fluorocarbon line. According to consumer reviews, it is softer than most varieties. The rest of the quality level is high, confirmed by appropriate certificates.Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity
  3. Firm Owner provides a large range of products. It combines high quality and affordable price. Offers both pure fluorocarbon line and one with only an outer layer of this material.Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity
  4. Daiwa is renowned for its tradition of quality fishing accessories. This Japanese line manufacturer has a higher stretch ratio, which slightly reduces sensitivity when biting, but helps when playing fish.Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity
  5. The Finnish brand Sufix is known for its Fluoro Tippet line. The quality of the products of this company competes with the products of well-known Japanese companies. There is a large selection of sizes, lengths, tensile strengths. The disadvantage is the relatively high cost.Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticity

Focusing on well-known manufacturers, you can purchase quality fishing line.

What knots are used to tie fluorocarbon to a fishing line, hook, swivel

This material is less flexible and less flexible than other types of fishing lines. Such properties impose additional requirements for knitting fluor. Incorrectly made knots can cause a significant decrease in strength. The types of knots used should not cause the line to break. The most popular for tying fluorocarbon fishing line to a hook, swivel and other accessories is the Palomar knot. It is done as follows:

  1. Fold the end of the line in half.
  2. Pass into the eye of a hook or bait.
  3. A simple loop is made from the folded part, inside which a metal loop remains.
  4. The hook is threaded through the inside of the double tip.
  5. The knot is moistened and tightened.

Details of creating a node can be found in the diagram.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityAlso, when working with fluorocarbon, the following nodes are often used: Clinch, Rapala, Carrot, Albright.
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityMarking knot allows you to attach fluorocarbon to the braid – popular with spinning players [/ caption] The
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityclinch is used to tie the hook, fastener, swivel to the fluorocarbon line [/ caption]
Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityAlbright leash knot allows you to splicate two different materials – fishing line and fluor , cord and line, braid and fluorocarbon [/ caption] Fluorocarbon line: what it is, how to choose it and how to distinguish authenticityThe Rapala knot is used to directly attach the fluor to the bait so that it has freedom of action. [/ Caption]

Interesting about fluor

The degree of transparency of a material in water is determined by its refractive index. The less it differs from the one near the water, the less noticeable the material. For water, this characteristic is 1.33. For fluor, this value is 1.41. For comparison, the refractive index of braid and monofilament line is 2.1 and 1.6, respectively. The fluorocarbon thread can be wound on a spool wet. When dry, it will not shrink. This feature is due to the fact that such a line is practically not exposed to moisture.

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  1. Борис

    Спасибо за отличную статью доходчиво, грамотно и по существу.

    Reply