Monofilament fishing line or braid - how to make the right choice in pike hunting

- the most insidious and aggressive predator of our reservoirs. For the angler who hunts this predator, the correct choice of tackle and their layout is one of the main factors affecting the final fishing result. Very often the fate of a pike angler hangs on a thin hair that is present in every tackle - this is a line or braid. Today's variety of tackle, fishing methods and the range of fishing products poses a big question mark for the angler - how to choose a braid or monofilament line for a particular fishing method. Moreover, this choice should be such that the likelihood of biting and playing a toothy trophy is maximum.

Monofilament line is the traditional core of spinning tackle. In the XX century, all fishing was based on this synthetic material and its popularity is not in doubt today. Line advantages:

1. Smooth structure, therefore friction against rings and underwater obstacles is minimal when used with steel. This structure contributes to the longest possible casting of lures.
2. Minimal resistance to water flow, which contributes to the absence of windage in the water column. Thanks to this, it is easy to catch with monofilament fishing line with light lures that do not tend to immediately float to the surface.
3. Good extensibility. This characteristic of the line helps to absorb the sharp jerks of a strong and aggressive predator.

Many manufacturers provide special characteristics for pike fishing during the production of monofilament lines. This line is marked "PIKE" in its name. The color of the fishing line for catching a striped predator is better to choose a transparent color or with a greenish tint.

Photo 1. Nylon monofilament.

Braided line is a modern fishing thread that has a complex structure based on the interweaving of several very fine threads. Braiding advantages:

1. Zero extensibility. Due to this, rigs with braiding are distinguished by increased sensitivity. Despite the long distance, the bite will be efficiently transmitted to the rod tip.
2. High strength. Compared to monofilament lines, a line of the same diameter has a significantly higher breaking load. High strength characteristics with hooks allow you to unbend hooks or tees without losing the bait.
3. Durability. With a complex structure, the cord will last a much longer period of time than the line with the same intensity of use. If during highly dynamic fishing during the year the monofilament line becomes unusable in about a year, then for braiding this period will last for two or three seasons.

Photo 2. Braided cord.

The disadvantage of the braided line is the high requirements for the tackle - you need a high-quality reel with a metal spool and guides with silicon carbide inserts marked "SIC". The optimal color of the braid depends on the fishing method. When jigging, it is convenient for the angler to use bright colors of the cord, since in this case the bite will be more noticeable. When fishing with wobblers, it is better to use light colors, since when you see bait from the bottom, it is these colors that are less alarming for the predator.

It has its adherents and its opponents. Benefits of fluorocarbon:

• very high abrasion resistance, which makes it possible to use this option in difficult fishing spots;
• fluorocarbon is practically invisible in water;
• the extensibility of fluorocarbon is minimal;
• high resistance to low temperatures.

However, this material has a significant drawback - it is less durable than monofilament or braid.

Advice! Fluorocarbon filament can be easily distinguished from monofilament line if you light it and look at the result. If the material has melted and curled up into a colorless lump, then you are holding a monofilament fishing line, and if the black ball is charred, then this is fluorocarbon.

Photo 3. Fluorocarbon.

For what gear, which is preferable

Today's angler can fish for pike with the following gear:

• summer and winter spinning;
• mugs;
• and winter vents;

Spinning is the most modern tackle that can be used for pike fishing. The variety of spinning fishing methods is quite large. And each of them has its own specificity of the selection of components.

Twitching, jigging and trolling are spinning fishing methods that require great sensitivity and reliability of the rig. Therefore, if fishing is carried out in these ways, then the braid will be optimal in this case.

The use of spinners, however, requires the use of a monofilament line. It is less noticeable and less alarming for the pike in the upper layers of the reservoir. Fishing with a tackle with a dead fish is more effective when using a fishing line, since the springy line makes the casting of the bait softer, which injures the bait less and it is enough for more casts.

Ultralight spinning fishing requires minimal windage and invisibility of the rig in the water. Therefore, in this case, monofilament line or fluorocarbon will do.

Given the high abrasion resistance of fluorocarbon, it can be used as a leash when fishing for small grass pike. When fishing for larger pike, a steel leash is mandatory, because monofilament line, braid, and fluorocarbon will be easily rubbed with pike teeth.

Winter lure requires the use of delicate and inconspicuous lines. This is due to the winter passivity and caution of the fish in the winter. Typically more cold water resistant and labeled "ICE".

Can be accompanied by very high cutting pressure in the hand. Therefore, a thick nylon cord is used as a base, to which a monofilament undergrowth is attached, after which a steel leash is attached.

For summer and winter girders, it is advisable to use a fishing line. In winter, the temperature regime does not allow the use of the braid. A frozen braid will have a weaving break, and it can very quickly deteriorate. And in summer, the line is superior to the braid, because it is less noticeable. For the girder, this question is very relevant, because this is a passive way of fishing and the striped predator can easily consider the bait and all the equipment.

Live bait requires a soft, delicate and inconspicuous rig, therefore, in this case, a monofilament fishing line will be preferable.

Equipment of specific rods, type, diameter

The equipment of all possible methods of pike fishing depends on the place of fishing and the estimated size of the trophy. The line chosen for pike fishing should be between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm. Most often, line with the numbering of 0.3 mm is used in all tackle. Near the snag, where it will be necessary to use forcing when playing, a thicker line with a numbering of 0.4 mm is used. Ultralight fishing for pike involves using a thinner line, approximately 0.1 mm. In this case, the specificity of fishing is special and playing even a small pike can drag on for a long period of time.

The diameter of the braid, which is advisable to use, depends on the method of fishing. When fishing with wobblers, the numbering of the braid will be from 0.1 mm to 0.12 mm. pikes, thicker options from 0.12 mm to 0.16 mm should be used. When fishing for pike, the optimal numbering will be options from 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm.

Each angler has his own criteria for choosing rigs, so the question of how to choose a braid or fishing line is most often dictated by experience and inner instinct. The pike is a predator not so much fastidious and cautious as, for example, or, therefore, sometimes it can allow rough rigging, especially during a zhora. And, nevertheless, a well-chosen line or line for the pike makes the results of the predator fishing as effective as possible. Therefore, it is better to use the materials for fishing equipment as optimally as possible. Braided thread is the basis for jigging and high-quality playing with wobblers, and monofilament is more suitable for tackles and spinners. Fluorocarbon is a leash material and is of little use for targeted pike fishing.