Fine Fluorocarbons Advantages of fluorocarbon lines over monofilament include low visibility to fish; resistance to UV rays; high sensitivity and easy hooksets due to lower stretch; faster sink rates; and no reduction in strength when soaked. Disadvantages include reduced suppleness, which can lead to loose loops and snarls; higher cost; and higher maintenance, particularly careful knot tying (abundant lubrication) and more frequent retying in some line types. Fluoros can catch more panfish in specific situations: fishing dropper lines and other multiple-hook rigs; trolling tubes and cranks; vertical-jigging with spoons or jigs of at least 1/8-ounce; and dabbling with long poles. In addition, they make fine leaders when combined with braided line.

Fluorocarbon Applications

Fluorocarbon has made inroads in the bass market, as the advantages of reduced stretch compared to mono, low visibility to fish, and resistance to water absorption and UV rays have made it popular for both finesse and powerfishing presentations. Pitching jigs, casting cranks and spinners, casting soft plastics can all be enhanced with fluorocarbon lines. But—and this is a big but—they’re all done with baitcasting equipment, not spinning tackle that‘s favored nearly universally for catching panfish.

Straw notes that fluorocarbon makes an excellent leader material due to its low visibility, and he’s convinced it brings more bites from any kind of fish, if the waterway is clear. Guides on the Great Lakes often use spreader rigs and dropper lines with jigging spoons to catch jumbo perch. Here, too, flurorocarbon lines work.

Some fluorocarbon formulations are tough and resistant to scratching, even from zebra mussels that share perch habitat throughout the Great Lakes (and in some areas, with crappies and white bass, too). This makes them ideal for leaders and dropper lines. But problems arise when spooling spinning tackle with straight fluoro, due to its stiffness.

New formulations of fluorocarbon are more supple than earlier types that were designed for saltwater fishing. But even the more supple lines are considerably stiffer than monos favored for panfishing with light spinning tackle.

New brands such as P-Line Halo, Seaguar Invisx, and Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra-Soft, as well as formulations like Berkley Vanish Transition, Silver Thread Fluorocarbon, and P-Line Fluorocarbon can be used to cast small lures and jigs weighing just 1/8-ounce on spinning tackle. Anything lighter pretty much demands mono. And keep a watchful eye on the spool to prevent loose coils that can lead to major snarls.

Modern Monofilaments

Line companies large and small continue to develop new nylon formulations and copolymers suited to various types of fishing. Here’s a look at the latest.

Pure Fishing: The line kings at Pure Fishing continue to expand their territory, boasting a total of 27 line brands, 18 of them monofilaments. Along with old favorites in the Trilene, Stren, and Spiderwire lineups, there’s new tough and abrasion-resistant Spiderwire G-String, with 4- to 8-pound strengths ideal for dabbling brush and other challenging panfish applications. Trolling crankbaits for crappies in timber comes to mind as well. Stren Super Knot’s claim to fame is forming flawless knots. Its formula contains a self-lubricating material that eliminates any friction as the knot is tightened. It’s available in 4- to 30-pound test, clear and lo-vis green. Trilene Maxx is labeled the best Berkley Trilene ever, thanks to a combination of the castability of Trilene XL and the toughness of Trilene XT.

Eagle Claw: Classic Premium Monofilament features a supple texture for carefree casting with spinning tackle. Available in clear and fluorescent blue, an excellent color for dark days when the bite is light, since you’ll see every twitch.

Gamma: This fast-growing company has added a copolymer ice-fishing line called Gamma ESP Ice. It’s built for strength in minute diameters, available in 1-, 1.5-, 2-, and 3-pound spools, and up to 10-pound test. This clear line stays supple in cold conditions, so winter panfishing is its niche.

P-Line: P-Line Evolution is new to its line-up, this line a copolymer made of three types of complementary nylons, topped off with a special abrasion-resistant additive. This tough line also casts smoothly and handles well.

Shakespeare: This tackle giant has expanded its line offerings to six brands, including two new types of popular red Cajun line. Cajun Advantage is a copolymer line built to provide extended life and good abrasion-resistance without extra memory. A UV blocker helps extend its life. Cajun Red Lightning is built for shock- and abrasion-resistance. Try it for pole fishing and trolling applications.