Fluorocarbon fishing lines are a treasure that has the best of both monofilament and braided fishing lines with the additional advantage of invisibility.
However, not all lines would work in every situation, but some are definitely better than others. So, we’ve done our little research to help you find the best fluorocarbon line.
List of The Best Fluorocarbon Lines
- Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon – Best Overall
- Seaguar Blue Label – Runner-Up
- Sunline Super FC Sniper – Premium Quality
- Seaguar Invizx 100% – Best for Invisibility
- Berkley Vanish – Best Budget
- P-Line CFX – Best Leader
- Seaguar Abrazx 100% Fluorocarbon – Best Abrasion Resistance
The 7 Best Fluorocarbon Lines in 2021
1. Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon – Best Overall
The Berkley Trilene isn’t here to play with an amazing performance both as a mainline and leader material. It comes in 4 to 20-pound tests and 25 to 2000 yards. That’s a line that wants to cater to anglers’ needs.
Fishing lines are cool until they break at the weakest challenge they meet. Our product here is made with a 100% proprietary PVDF formula for the ultimate impact strength and highest abrasion resistance.
Despite being a fluorocarbon line, it comes in two colors: clear and green tint. The clear color is basically invisible to fish in clear water, while the green tint color works best in heavy cover waters. This is a line you can use everywhere.
Pros:
- Amazing as mainline and leader material
- Different size options
- Two low-viz color options
- High knot strength
- Low memory
- High sensitivity
- 100% proprietary PVDF formula for ultimate impact strength
- High abrasion resistance
- As manageable as monofilament
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a versatile and durable fluorocarbon line, it doesn’t get any better than this one.
2. Seaguar Blue Label – Runner-Up
This leader comes in line strengths from as little as 2 pounds up to 80 pounds. It also comes in sizes 25, 50, and 100 yards to meet all your length needs.
Our 100% fluorocarbon double-structure line has the abrasion resistance you expect and need from a quality leader. In addition, it holds its knots like no other. The high density helps it sink fast without being detected by fish.
As any good fluorocarbon, it is resistant to UV rays, chemicals, weather, and water. It is truly made to last.
The low-stretch aspect gives the line higher superiority as a leader since it increases its hook setting power and raises its sensitivity.
For maximum invisibility, this line comes in a clear color.
Pros:
- Different size options
- High sensitivity
- Double-structure fluorocarbon
- High abrasion resistance
- Great hook setting power
- High knot strength
- High density
- Durable
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Bottom Line
This line is invisible and strong, which is all you really need.
3. Sunline Super FC Sniper – Best for Bass
The Sunline comes in different strengths ranging from 5 to 20 pounds. Also, its impressive size selection ranges from 200 to 1200 yards.
This line is 100% fluorocarbon with a triple resin coating that gives it a softer feel and easier manageability.
The triple coating also gives the line extreme abrasion resistance, which makes it perfect for bass fishing, since it hides in heavy covers and structures. It is also high in sensitivity, so you’ll feel every bite and movement. The great knot strength makes it even more worth it.
In addition, its low memory makes casting smooth and easy.
Needless to say, the invisibility will make fish as oblivious as you need them to be.
Pros:
- Different size options
- Low memory
- Triple coating
- Extreme abrasion resistance
- Great castability
- High sensitivity
- Great knot strength
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Bottom Line
If you’re fishing in heavy cover or rocky areas, you need a line as powerful as this one to help you.
4. Seaguar Invizx 100% – Most Versatile
This bad boy has pound tests from 4 to 25 pounds and sizes in 200, 600, and 1000 yards.
These strengths and sizes all have superior abrasion resistance, thanks to being made of 100% Seaguar resins. In addition, this line has 42% more knot strength than leading fluorocarbon competitors and highly advanced hook setting powers.
Also, the line is resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and the cold. Our line is also waterproof, so its properties won’t change if stored wet.
Thanks to the line’s soft and supple nature, casting has never been easier. It can also be used in both spinning reels and baitcasting reels.
Of course, I have to mention that the Invizx is basically invisible underwater. In fact, it is one of the most invisible fluorocarbon lines on the market.
Pros:
- 42% more knot strength
- 100% Seaguar resins
- High density
- Great castability
- Low memory
- Great abrasion resistance
- Advanced hook setting power
- Durable
- Good for saltwater or freshwater
Cons:
- Could tangle easily
Bottom Line
If you want a line that is impossible to see for fish and has more versatility than most lines on the market, this is it.
5. Berkley Vanish – Best Budget
This line comes in mainline and leader material; however, due to its stiffness, it works way better as a leader. It offers an exceptional size range from 110 to 2000 yards and strength from 2 to 60-pound tests.
The abrasion resistance in the Berkley Vanish as a leader is insane. Shock absorbency is another advantage you never thought such an affordable line could have. In addition, it is waterproof, so it will keep its properties even when stored wet.
Its soft low memory makes casting easier with spinning and casting reels. If you want great sensitivity to keep you aware of every single bite, you’ve come to the right place.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great leader
- Different size options
- Extra sensitive
- Shock absorbent
- Low memory
- Waterproof
- Great castability
- Durable
Cons:
- Could tangle easily
Bottom Line
This line offers you unmatchable durability at an affordable price. As a leader, there is nothing better.
6. P-Line CFX – Best Leader
This bad boy has its fans in professionals and beginners alike. It will work in line-shy and leader-shy conditions.
It comes with a 27-yard and pound tests from 2 to 60 pounds.
The P-Line CFX is great for long casts, thanks to its construction.
This line isn’t pure fluorocarbon, but rather a fluorocarbon-coated monofilament line that has the visibility and sinking properties of fluorocarbon and the manageability of monofilament. We refer to this as Copolymer-based technology.
Regarding visibility, it looks as natural as possible to fish in order not to spook them, even in clear water, thanks to its clear color.
Pros:
- Best leader
- High abrasion resistance
- High sensitivity
- Has UV protectors
- Copolymer-based technology
- Great castability
- High density
Cons:
- Knot tying isn’t easy
Bottom Line
This leader has the best of both worlds of fluorocarbon and monofilament.
7. Seaguar Abrazx 100% Fluorocarbon – Best Abrasion Resistance
The Seaguar Abrazx is a bad boy that fish can’t see, and structures can’t break. It works great as a mainline and a leader with braided lines.
Our product comes in sizes of 200 and 1000 yards and pound tests from 4 to 25 pounds. These specs are more than enough to prepare you for heavy-duty fishing, which is what the Seaguar Abrazx is for.
Its biggest advantage, of course, is its abrasion resistance, which is double what the competitor lines have. You can use it in the rockiest and weediest areas confidently. Also, the knots are strong and easy to tie.
Pros:
- Best abrasion resistance
- Different size options
- Knots are easy to tie
- Works as a mainline and leader
Cons:
- Expensive
- A bit stiff
Bottom Line
If you’re planning on fishing in the worst areas possible to fish, you need a mainline as tough as this one.
Pros and Cons of Fluorocarbon Lines
Pros
- Low to Zero Visibility: if there is one thing you should get a fluorocarbon line for, it is its invisibility underwater. But how does it achieve that? Through having the same refractive index as water.
- Higher Sensitivity: monofilament lines’ stretch means less sensitivity, which is problematic and leads to losing more fish. With fluorocarbon, the sensitivity will make you feel every move and bite.
- Higher Abrasion Resistance: despite having almost the same diameter as a monofilament, fluorocarbon is much stronger and works better in heavy-cover waters.
- Durable: unlike monofilament that breaks down due to exposure to UV rays or being stored wet, fluorocarbon couldn’t care less about direct sunlight, and it prides itself on being waterproof.
- Density: fluorocarbon has a higher density than water, which means it sinks. A sinking line is perfect for deep fishing. Its tendency to sink also makes it perfect for crankbaits.
Cons
- Shock Absorption: the lack of stretch in fluorocarbon has its downsides too because it means that it has less shock absorption for sudden attacks.
- Density: fluorocarbon’s higher density can also be a disadvantage because it won’t work for topwater lures or any sort of fishing that requires floatation.
How to Pick a Fluorocarbon Line
1. Line Strength
Every good line comes in different line strengths, which are measured in pounds and called ‘pound tests.’
These numbers should match the weight of the fish you’re targeting because it equals the weight a line can carry before breaking. So, if you want to catch a 6-pound fish, you should get a line with a 6-pound line strength.
2. Abrasion Strength
If you’re planning on fishing through heavy cover waters, you need a line strong enough to withstand rubbing over weeds, rocks, or any rough surface without breaking.
Look for lines made with special fibers for strong resistance.
3. Durability
Usually, you get what you pay for in durability, which is why monofilament is the cheapest and least durable.
A durable line can maintain all of its properties regardless of the weather, direct sunlight, and wetness. Some lines can be chemical-resistant as well.
4. Stretch
Any level of stretch can be a pro and a con simultaneously.
Low stretch means high sensitivity, while high stretch means better shock absorption. Your choice, in this case, depends on your priority.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You use Fluorocarbon as a Mainline?
Yes. However, leader fluorocarbon isn’t the same as mainline fluorocarbon. Mainline fluorocarbon is more flexible than a leader to be easily spooled onto a reel. Leader fluorocarbon is more abrasion-resistant because it faces more rough surfaces than a mainline.
Make sure you use it as a mainline in clear waters, not murky ones, to get the stealth benefit.
Is Fluorocarbon Better Than Monofilament?
Fluorocarbon is superior to monofilament in many aspects. It is less visible, more sensitive, more durable, and more abrasion-resistant, all while having the same diameter.
Yet, if what you’re looking for is better shock absorption and higher buoyancy, then a monofilament fishing line is better for you.
When Should I Use a Fluorocarbon Line?
If you want something more abrasion-resistant than monofilament, but you can’t afford a braided line, you should get a fluorocarbon.
Fluorocarbon’s near-invisibility makes it perfect for fishing in clear waters.
In addition, its high sensitivity works best for jigging and worm fishing.
How Often Should You Change a Fluorocarbon Fishing Line?
Although fluorocarbon is made of one strand of material like monofilament, it is much more resistant to degrading. The general rule is to change it every 2 years or more, but how often exactly, depends on your technique and frequency of use.
If it looks worn out and faded, then it’s time to say goodbye.
Final Thoughts
Although it is hard to pick just one fluorocarbon line out of all the available options, your best option is among the products mentioned above.
The Sunline Super FC Sniper and the Seaguar Abrazx will not disappoint you if you’re fishing in heavy cover.
However, if you’re fishing in clearwater, the Berkley Trilene and the P-Line CFX would work best.