There are endless fishing equipment out there to consider. However, every angler will agree that a fishing line is the most important piece. It is the link between the lures, baits, and us. When it comes to fishing lines, you probably know of the braided, monofilament, and fluorocarbon.
While the use of a braided fishing line is clear, monofilament and fluorocarbon are a bit different. If you’re using topwater lures, you want a fishing line that does sink. A monofilament is an ideal choice and one that has been in use for years.
So, does a monofilament fishing line float? Monofilament features a neutral buoyancy. In a way, monofilament fishing lines float. It is effective at fishing top lures where you don’t want a fishing line fully floating or sinking.
A good example is the hard jerkbait that remains on top of the water surface until you put a sinker on it.
Does Monofilament Fishing Line Float?
A monofilament fishing line floats on water as long there is no sinking action put on it. It is an effective fishing line for top lures that don’t require the fishing line to go to the bottom water.
The filament is neutrally buoyant and will neither sink nor float the lure. A suitable monofilament fishing line should be thin, lightweight, buoyant, strong, and easy to cast.
As the name suggests, mono stands for one strand. T means the fishing line comprises a single strand. Multi-filament lines comprise multiple strands braided together. This is why we call them braided fishing lines.
You can have a monofilament from almost all materials. However, nylon sticks out as the best option. Nylon is extremely lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and strong. All these are important attributes of a monofilament strand.
For a long time, a monofilament fishing line has been the dominant fishing line. It is what our forefathers used for fishing. It’s a perfect choice for beginner and average fishers. The fishing line is cheap, manageable, and versatile, working well in most situations.
You’ll also find most fishing reels using it as a backing due to its excellent sensitivity levels. In a way, anglers can use braided and fluorocarbon lines but still benefit from excellent monofilament sensitivity.
This is a cost-effective technique that avoids wastage on spools that you might not use. The monofilament line also ensures the thin braided line does not dig into the spool and cause backslashes.
To simply put it, you can use just any fishing line. However, when fishing in topwater lures, a monofilament is the best floating fishing line.
How Can I Make My Fishing Line Float?
In the summer, when temperatures rise, most fish usually rise to the top surface. And, if you’re fishing, you need a fishing line that floats.
In such conditions, having a fishing line that floats can give you an advantage. While a monofilament fishing line that floats is available, sometimes you might need a quick fix.
You can stop fishing after all the preparation just because your fishing line cannot float. Below, I discuss some simple solutions to make a fishing line float.
1. Homemade fishing line floatants
I used to see my father apply vaseline to a fishing line. Yes, vaseline is one of the best fishing line floatants readily available. Do the following to make a fishing line float using vaseline.
- First, cast your fishing line into the water to see if it floats
- Pick some vaseline into your pointer finger and thumb finger
- Reel the fishing line back while pinching it with the fingers having vaseline
- Ensure the entire fishing line has vaseline
- Cast your fishing line again and check if it floats
- For maximum effectiveness, re-apply the vaseline twice or thrice.
Vaseline is an excellent floatant that is readily available in most homes. Is vaseline the best fishing floatant? No, if you have the money and time, get manufactured floatants. A Mucilin pack sold in local stores is a great choice to have in your fishing pack.
The only problem with vaseline is that some of it might get into the rod rings. While it’s not a serious problem, make sure you apply it carefully and avoid it spreading to the rod rings.
There are several other household items that can work as excellent floatants. Such items include the furniture polish silicone spray, shoeshine, wax, and chapstick.
2. Commercial fishing line floatants
If you have time to get floatants, then go for commercial floatants, these are readily available in stores and cheap. These are products specifically designed to keep a fishing line afloat.
A good example is the Mucilin Red which is readily available and affordable. It is the best choice floatant with easy application in minutes. What’s more, the floatant makes lines work like magic.
However, the line needs cleaning and re-application once in a while for optimal performance.
What Kind of Fishing Line Floats On Water?
If you’re into fishing, you probably want to know which type of fishing line floats. There are three major kinds of fishing lines. These are the monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon fishing lines. Can you guess which of these floats?
Braided and monofilament lines float. However, a monofilament tends to sink slowly, making lures hang between floating and sinking. A braided line, on the other hand, will float on water.
However, you’ll be surprised to learn that the majority of lines out there don’t float.
So, let’s look at the two fishing lines that float on water.
1. Monofilament
The monofilament fishing line is our first choice and a widely used choice. It doesn’t float 100%, nor does it sink 100%. In a way, the fishing line keeps a lure in between the topwater surfaces.
It features a single strand and can be made of various materials. However, nylon is the obvious material for most monofilament fishing lines.
Monofilament is relatively easy to handle and a go-to choice for most anglers. It also boasts a great stretching ability making it a decent choice over the fluorocarbon lines.
When fishing, the ability to stretch is quite important. It ensures the fishing line remains attached instead of tearing and developing holes.
Monofilament lines are also quite strong and feature excellent shock absorption. They can withstand sudden jolts from large fish. In addition, the lines offer better abrasion resistance.
3. Braided lines
A braided line is an ideal choice when you want to enjoy casting. The Line floats 100%, and you can see it and know where your lure is from the boat or riverbank.
Despite lacking stretch and small diameter, braided lines are quite strong and can withstand any jolting. The line is one of the hardest to break.
Furthermore, braided lines can straighten hooks while fishing. The biggest loss for any angler out there is losing an expensive lure without a catch. A braided line can help retrieve any lure out there.
Braided lines have some of the longest lifespans and can help you fish in the most difficult places. It works best in areas with a lot of vegetation and cover.
It’s a reliable line that takes the strain off your rod extending its lifespan.
So, which of these two fishing lines is best for you? The answer depends on your personal choice and fishing conditions. Both of these lines will float in water.
However, monofilament is a popular choice since it has been around for years. It’s also more user-friendly than most lines. This is the line you probably used the first time you learned to fish.
Braided lines are a bit newer but becoming quite popular too. While they are difficult to use, most anglers swear to capture more fish using them. This can be attributed to their smaller diameters.
Conclusion
Knowing the right fishing line for specific fishing capturing is essential. For top lures, a monofilament fishing line is the best choice out there. Your lures sink or float, making them excellent bait for top surface fish.
However, if you don’t have a monofilament fishing line or your line can’t float, you can make it float. Get commercial floatants or apply vaseline on the line to make it float.
Most anglers tend to have fishing lines that sink and float to cope with any conditions while fishing.