Today we are going to talk about fishing lines, a topic that generates a lot of doubt and confusion among fishermen, specifically about fluorocarbon and fluorine, also known as invisible fishing lines. Invisible? 

Actually they are not invisible, the properties of these lines is that their index of refraction in light is similar to that of water and therefore in water they practically disappear from the sight of the fish. 

The light refraction of fluorocarbon is between 1.37 - 1.42 similar to water which is 1.33.

What is refraction? It is the change of direction that a wave (light) experiences when passing from one material medium to another. 

For instance, the light when passing from the air to the water or vice versa.

As it has already been clear to us what its main property is, we are going to see the differences between 100% fluorocarbon and fluorine.

100% Fluorocarbon or Fluorine?

100% fluorocarbon is the commercial name used in the world of fishing, although technically it has other names such as polyvinylidene fluoride or PVDF. 

This was invented by the Japanese in 1971 by the Kureha Chemicals company and marketed under the Seaguar brand. 

As we have said before, this fishing line is almost invisible in the water, but it also has many more properties:

• Very resistant and is NOT affected by UV rays, which is what nylon does.
• Almost zero water absorption 0.01% (Classic nylon absorbs 8% - 10%).
• It sinks more easily, it is a little heavier than fishing nylon.
• More sensitive to bites and better nailed due to its low elasticity, between 15% - 35% approx. less elastic than nylon. It is used in bass and fishing terminals.
• Good resistance to abrasion.
• It is rigid, less malleable and therefore more fragile to the knots, although in this field it has improved a lot in recent years and they resist without problems.

The fluorine is a mixture of fluorocarbon and nylon, such lines are manufactured in different ways depending markings can be mixed in a certain percentage, for example a fluorine may contain 50% - 60% - 80% fluorocarbon and rest of nylon. 

It may also be the case that the line has a nylon core and a fluorocarbon coating. Whatever its manufacturing process, several interesting things are achieved:

• Have the best of the 2 compounds fluorocarbon and nylon.
• Maintain a good refractive index and therefore very good invisibility.
• More ductile and manageable, being less rigid it is more resistant to knots.
• Although somewhat more elastic, it is still sensitive and has a good bite dive.
• Used in fishing terminals, tackle even for filling reels.
• And it is cheaper, which our pocket will appreciate.

Why use fluorocarbon? Characteristics and qualities

• Invisibility: The main quality of fluorocarbon and the reason why it is used to make bass lines is because of its high invisibility under water, which will facilitate the capture of the most suspicious fish.
• Resistance: Fluorocarbon stands out for its high resistance to abrasion, being one of the most resistant fishing lines currently on the market.
• Memory : Another good quality of this type of fishing line, its low or no memory, being able to be folded on the reel without taking shape or slack.

So, which one do I get?_Although fluorine maintains very good qualities, it will never equal 100% fluorocarbon in certain fields, especially in the purpose for which it was invented, which is nothing more than to achieve invisibility and not be detected by the most suspicious and distrustful fish. 

But it is your decision to assess which properties are the most important to you.

WARNING: There are many brands that try to confuse the fisherman, not making it clear and calling their fluorines with confusing names, making them think that they have bought 100% fluorocarbon at a very good price and in reality what they carry is a fluorine. It is only 100% fluorocarbon if it indicates so on the packaging.

Trick to know if it is 100% fluorocarbon

1. It is very simple, you just have to burn the tip of the line with a lighter, if it turns black and barely balls, it is 100% fluorocarbon.
2. Depending on the percentage of fluorocarbon it contains, the fluorine will make more or less ball and will be darker or lighter.

In the following photo, we have done the test with three lines, 2 very good 100% fluorocarbons, one from the Seaguar brand, inventor and pioneer of these threads and the other the Trilene from Berckley, the fluorine is the Asari FluoroCarbon Coating which by the way is excellent !

Best Fluorocarbon Line (Everything You Need To Know)

Best fluorocarbon for bass line

Fluorocarbon is the best type of thread that we can use to make the bottom line, due to its invisibility in water and its high density that allows the bait to reach the bottom quickly.

We recommend Berkley TRILINE fluorocarbon, with a very good value for money, this being one of the best fluorocarbons that we can find to make line basses due to its total invisibility, good resistance and low memory.

10 Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines In 2021

While fluorocarbon lines are some of the superior fishing lines you can get, they are not all made equal. 

Instead, you’ll want to focus on specific characteristics that will ensure that the line you choose is the best fluorocarbon line. 

Each company seems to have its own technology and design that gives its line additional features compared to its competition. 

Some use a pure fluorocarbon line while others use a copolymer backbone. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.

Fluorocarbon lines are generally used as a leading line. 

This means that the first part of the line leading directly to the lure will use this type of line. 

This is because fluorocarbon turns transparent when it comes in contact with water, making it almost invisible. 

Fish swimming alongside your lure will think about their food and have a much higher chance of attack than any other type of line.

Although there are many different lines on the market, we found a few that stand out from the rest. 

The best fluorocarbon casting line will vary depending on the type of fishing you plan to do, the type of fish you fish, and the waters you are in. 

Offering options that excel in almost all different types of fishing, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.

Ready to start? Let’s go from here.

1. SeaKnight T3 Fluorocarbon Fishing Line 100% Triple Fluorocarbon Structure 100m/110yds Monofilament Leader Sinking Line
2. Berkley Trilene Fluorocarbon Professional Grade Filler Spool Fishing Line, Clear, 15 lb./200 yd.
3. Seaguar Red Label 100% Fluorocarbon 200 Yard Fishing Line (15-Pound)
4. Seaguar Invizx 100% Fluorocarbon 200 Yard Fishing Line (15-Pound)
5. YOTO 100% Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, 10 Sizes 275M Transparent Fluorocarbon Line
6. Fluorocarbon fishing line, length 100 m, single wire rope, 0.25mm. 7.3Kg
7. YOTO Steel Hook Fishing Lines Stainless Steel Fishing Lines Fluorocarbon Lure Wire Black / Silver / Green Steel Fishing Lines (Black, 40 Pieces)
8. Zite Fishing Fluoro Carbon Pike Perch Fishing Line Set (0.26-0.7mm, 90m Total, for Perch, Pike and Pike Fishing)
9. Soytich Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, 100 m length, monofilament, load force: 0.12 mm, 3 kg
10. Soytich Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, 0.55mm, 100m, 20kg, Monofilament (0.55mm)

How To Choose The Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Line - Buying Guide

Choosing the best line for you will help you be a better angler by allowing you to fish more easily. 

The quality of the line you choose will have a direct effect on your success in the water. 

Before making your selection, be sure to consider the following characteristics of your fishing line: Tensile Strength

This is an area of ​​your fishing line that is important to determine and will vary depending on the type of model. 

This is important to watch as you will want to ensure that your line is strong enough to effectively wobble on your fish. 

A stronger line will last longer.

Tensile strength is determined by the nominal strength of the line. 

The grading force you choose will depend on three factors: the type of fishing you are doing, the fish you are looking to catch, and the water you are planning to enter. 

All of this will determine how much weight and pressure will be on your line and determine how much force it requires.

To make sure your line remains strong, you’ll want to make sure it’s weather resistant. 

High-quality fluorocarbon lines must be able to handle the elements regardless of rain, sun, or even snow.

Visibility

One of the greatest benefits of fluorocarbon lines is that they are highly invisible. 

This is a great benefit of a fishing line and will work to increase your fishing success. 

To ensure that your line blends in better with its surroundings, you will want to make sure that you choose the color of your line according to the color of the water it is in. 

Also, you will want it to match the time of day that you are fishing, since going with a lighter line when the sun goes down will not help with visibility.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity, with respect to your fishing line, is directly determined by the level of stretch of your line. 

A sensitive line will have little to no stretch, allowing you to easily feel any bite or nibble on your line. 

This will allow you to have a better understanding of what is happening under the surface of the water and allow you to adjust accordingly.

Being able to estimate the location of the fish will allow you to have a better chance of catching while improving your fishing skills. 

This is highly preferred by most anglers, making a very sensitive line a more attractive option. 

In general, fluorocarbon lines have a much higher sensitivity than other types of lines.

Abrasion resistance

For your fishing line, you will want to make sure that it is highly resistant to abrasion. 

This will not be difficult as all fluorocarbon lines have this feature. 

By being made from an old metal, you can count on it to perform more efficiently and benefit from a longer service life. 

You also won’t have to worry about the area you’re fishing in, be it uneven rocks or a tangle of plants.

Diameter

The diameter, or thickness, of your line will play a direct role in many aspects of how your line works. 

A line that offers a larger diameter size will have more stretch, allowing it to cover even more area. 

A thicker line will also be stiffer.

Lines with finer diameters will be much less visible underwater, making it a desirable option. 

This line style is also much easier to blend. 

If you are looking for a high quality fluorocarbon fishing line, you will want one with a thinner diameter.

Colour

Color goes hand in hand with the visibility of your line. 

Fluorocarbon lines come in a variety of different colors for you to choose from. 

When deciding on the color that is best for you, be sure to consider the type of water, or more importantly, the color of the water, in which you plan to fish. 

If you are fishing in wonderfully clear water, you will want to choose a line color in the blue / gray range to better blend in with the water.

Weight

Fishing lines tend to be quite light so this is a less important aspect to focus on. 

Your variance in weight will most often come from the length and weight of the reels.

Size

When looking at the size of your fishing line, you will typically see two different sizes that can make it confusing. 

The first is a length and the second a weight. 

Your line will come in several different lengths and it will depend on the depth of the water you are fishing in. 

The length of the lines typically starts around 25 yards and goes up to 600 yards, or even more. 

The second measurement you see will be a weight. 

Contrary to popular belief, this does not measure the weight of the fish for which it is suitable. 

Instead, this number is representative of the amount of pressure the line can withstand before breaking.

Frequently Asked Questions When Buying Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

Q: What is a fluorocarbon fishing line?

You may have heard that a fluorocarbon line is the best for you, but you may not know what it really is. 

Fishing line is made up of three main components: carbon, fluorine, and chlorine. 

The combination of these elements is called polyvinylidene difluoride. 

In the case of fishing lines, these molecules are closely intertwined to create a single strand. 

The result is a very dense, heavy and durable line. 

This quality makes it outshine all other types of fishing lines.

Q: When to use a Fluorocarbon line?

Although some lines may be marketed for use in all different angling situations, this is simply not the case. 

The type of line you choose will depend on many different factors, including the gear you are using, the type of fish you are catching, and the water you are in. 

When determining the type of line that is best for you, it is important to consider these factors.

Fluorocarbon lines, as already mentioned, are very resistant to abrasion. 

For this reason, the use of this type of fishing line will be most useful in areas with medium to high coverage levels. 

This works to ensure that even though your line rubs against debris, it will remain intact, allowing you to continue fishing.

Although we have also discussed that the fluorocarbon lines are very invisible, it is important to note that this is the case mainly in clear waters. 

If you travel to murkier water, the line will still be highly visible.

Due to the sensitivity of the line, it is highly desirable to use it in deeper water. 

Despite the added depth, the sensitive line will allow you to better understand what is happening below you. 

This is especially desirable for those bass anglers looking for a bigger catch. 

Due to the strength of these lines in deeper water, it is ideal for use with jerkbait and crankbait fishing reels. 

When specifically working with crankbaits, this line complements itself quite well allowing for faster sinking underwater.

It should be noted that most anglers use fluorocarbon lines on only one part of their reel. 

This works to make it more manageable. 

As the line is almost invisible in clear water, it is also ideal for the lead part of your line so that the fish will not see your line.

Q: The advantages and disadvantages of a Fluorocarbon line?

Fluorocarbon lines are ideal for the start of your line. 

As this type of line has been designed to disappear when it touches the water, it is ideal to be close to your lure, as the fish will not see the line. 

This will give the illusion that the lure is actually a bait fish. 

Just keep in mind that this is good for clear water. 

When in murky water, the line may not be completely invisible.

These lines are also very resistant to abrasion. 

This means that you can fish in areas with reeds and debris without worrying about line breakage. 

Also, fluorocarbon lines are one of the most sensitive options you have. 

This makes them great for big bass, as you will be able to feel every hit. 

If you like to use jerkbaits and crankbait reels you will love this type of line. 

It sinks incredibly fast and does not settle on the surface of the water.