Braided Fishing Line vs Monofilament Diameter

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Contents

Introduction

We’re sure you’ve heard this debate raging at one time or another. But is braided fishing line better than monofilament? In this article we’ll compare the two, look at a few qualities of each and give you some answers.

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Braided Fishing Line vs Monofilament diameter

10lb braid vs 10lb mono

Well, when it comes to talking diameter, braid wins hands down. In case you weren’t aware, diameter is the distance from one side of a circular cross section to the other. For a given poundage. Braid is thinner and takes up less room on your spool.

But what is the diameter of braided fishing line?

Well if you want to put a number on it, it’s 0.13mm thick. If that is meaningless to you, let’s put it this way. For a 10lb braided fishing line and a given distance of line, you will take up the same amount of space on your spool as if you were using 2lb mono. Not bad eh? You may be asking “well what’s the point of using mono at all”?

So, what’s the answer? Is mono better than braid?

The best monofilament fishing line may only be a fraction thicker. Mono may be better for several reasons. It is certainly a lot more supple and stretchy. Therefore, with the right rod you can afford to go a little lighter in breaking strain as you will get quite a lot of ‘suspension’.

Mono is also less visible in the water. Depending on what type you choose, and the clarity of the water you fish in, it can be practically invisible.

Does braided line scare fish?

The true answer is, it depends. If your normal venue faces a lot of angling pressure, then the carp may wise up to looking for a line when feeding, to avoid being hooked. All that said, some of the best braided fishing line is cleverly camouflaged, breaking up the ‘straight line’ effect that can make it easy to spot. If your venue has poor water visibility braid may be a great choice.

Is braided line worth it?

Yes, it is indeed. Because braid is thinner, it has less air resistance. You’ll be able to cast a lot further, possibly even reaching fish that are holding in harder to reach areas. As a result, they are bound to be less cautious.

It is stronger for a given diameter. And if you are fishing at distance you can still maintain almost perfect contact with your rig. Fly fisherman have been using thick lines for years and supplement this with a clear leader in the area nearer their hook, so it is well worth a try.

Conclusion

Both braid and mono have unique qualities and aside from being ‘line’ they are both rather different. When looking at Braided fishing line vs Monofilament diameter. Braid is thinner, but more visible in the water. Mono isn’t as strong for the same diameter, but it is less visible and easier to handle. Why not try both and see which works for you?