What is monofilament?

Nylon monofilament fishing line is one piece of fishing tackle that practically every fisherman needs. It can be found in many colors such as white, pink, yellow, blue, green and clear, and is great for all-purpose fishing trips from lake fishing to saltwater sportfishing (although deepwater usually requires heavier line). Monofilament is relatively cheap when comparing to alternative lines like braided and multifilament fishing line, and can be changed whenever you need it without much worry. Monofilament comes in various pack sizes, from small bags to large rolls. Choose the size that fits both the reel and the trip.

Monofilament Memory

One of the drawbacks about using monofilament fishing line for fishing is the ability for it to retain a certain ‘memory’ of the reel shape, meaning it will corkscrew as it unwinds with deep curls instead of coming off straight. When a cast is being made on a reel with old monofilament, the extra line that spins off will be tightly curled leaving the chance for turns in the line when it is being reeled in.

While it may be a pain to unwind and spool up monofilament, it will be a very helpful chore to do. Check your old spools and those that have been given a rest for the season. Take the time to not only change the line for a spool of fresh monofilament, but adjust the test for the fishing trip as well.

Fishing Line Test

When a spool or a package of monofilament is picked up and read, one of the first things shown on the label is a test pound weight, usually like ‘10# test’, ‘Test Lbs 10’ or something similar. Some types may even list the test in Kilos. For a 10 pound test line, this means basically it will hold ten pounds at its weakest point when it (the line) finally breaks. When looking for new line, one way to narrow down the choices is to look at the test poundage and choose one appropriate for the fish being caught.

While this is a general rule, also think about where the fishing trip will take place. If it is in the middle of calm lake with no weeds or rocks to hook onto, then a lighter line may be perfectly fine for even larger fish. But if the fishing will take place amongst heavy weeds and a shallow stream with lots of bottom rocks to hook up on, a heavier line may be needed to compensate for all the tugging to remove the tangles.

Discarding Old Monofilament Properly

After unspooling old monofilament, no matter if at home or at a fishing locale, always take the time to dispose of it properly. Oftentimes the fishing line being used is clear monofilament making it very difficult to see for fish and marine life. It can entangle and strangle just about everything it comes into contact with, from birds, fish, turtles and crabs. Some fishing piers, such as the Santa Monica Pier in Southern California, have recycle bins for old fishing line. If those are not available, instead of just dropping it in the water hoping it will sink to the bottom, wrap it up and throw it away properly when the trip is over.