Fluorocarbon is not a foreign word to bass anglers. In fact, many are quite familiar with its remarkable sensitivity, rapid sink rate that gets baits deeper, and near invisibility in the water. However, fluorocarbon is also great—ideal, in fact—for saltwater fishing, and today we’ll explore why that is.
It is fluorocarbon’s characteristics that make it so great in saltwater. Not only does fluorocarbon’s minimal stretch allow for quick hook sets, but it also grants you some power when you’re trying to muscle a fish to the boat. Furthermore, its low visibility can be a big plus when you’re chasing easily spooked species, such as bonefish and permit, in the clear flats.
Fluoro also tends to be harder than monofilament, which makes it an excellent leader material for toothy fish. I like to use a couple feet of 25-pound-test fluoro instead of wire, which I find gets me a lot more strikes, due to the low visibility. Yet, I also have fewer cutoffs, due to the durability of the line. Even if you prefer to fish braid, which many anglers do these days, it’s still a good idea to add a foot or two of fluoro leader to the end of your running line. The stiffer fluoro will prevent your line from tangling in the hooks of your lures as you work them and it’s also much less visible in the water than braid. Also, fluoro is easier on your hands than braid if you need to grab the line to pull a fish into the boat.
Tie the braid to the fluoro with a double surgeon’s knot or double Uniknot and you’ll rarely have trouble with it slipping under pressure. Learning how to tie knots such as the Uni knot is easier than you think.
Unlike mono, fluoro is also much more resistant to UV damage. In the bright sun of saltwater country, that trait can be a welcome bonus over a few months of fishing. This makes its price tag a little higher than mono, but also means you’ll need to change your fluoro less often, so in the long run, it’s more cost effective.
While fluorocarbon’s characteristics make it a great option for freshwater bass anglers, it is those same characteristics that seem to make it ideal for saltwater fishing. Whether as a main line or as leader material, consider fluorocarbon if you’re heading to warmer, saltier regions anytime soon.
