Fluorocarbon

Fluorocarbon is a type of fishing line made from a dense polymer that light passes through easily, so it is much harder for bass to see underwater than nylon monofilament. It also sinks instead of floating, which helps it stay in contact with lures that need to reach the bottom or hold a steady depth.

Anglers use fluorocarbon for finesse presentations, jerkbait fishing, and any technique where line shyness in clear water can cost bites. It has very little stretch compared to mono, so hooksets feel direct and anglers can detect light bites more easily. This makes it a common choice for soft plastics fished on spinning gear, as well as for suspending baits worked on a pause.

One practical tip: check your line often for nicks or abrasion, since fluorocarbon can develop weak spots after contact with rocks, dock pilings, or zebra mussels. Re-tie every hour or two of hard fishing to avoid losing a fish to a line failure you could not see.

• Sinks, unlike standard monofilament
• Low visibility underwater
• Low stretch for solid hooksets
• More abrasion resistant than mono, but can be brittle if nicked