Fishing Line Facts and More - by Brad Wiegmann

Popular fishing lines used by crappie anglers are made from nylon, fluorocarbon, and braided/PE lines. Every angler has their favorite and may change according to the technique they are using to catch crappie. Prices also vary according the manufacturer and type of fishing line.


Where is your fishing line being produced? It could be from anywhere in the world from Korea to Japan. It’s a fact that there are more than 70 fishing line manufactures in Japan. The numbers of fishing line manufactures increase when you count other countries.


Currently there are 27 companies in Japan members of Japan Fishing Tackle Manufactures Association (JAFTMA). Members of JAFTMA these companies follow strict guidelines and specifications when making their products. These high quality Japanese Fishing Line Size (JAFS) standards result in reliable and exceptional products for retailers to sell. Monofilament fishing lines area single yarn (filament) material produced by stretching a single fiber material like nylon or fluorocarbon while multiple yarns (filaments) woven together with other materials.


Nylon, fluorocarbon and polyester/braid (PE) fishing lines don’t exceed the designated diameters of the designated diameter. Braided fishing line is measured in den (denier) which is a unit of textile measurement, per linear density. However, due to the uneven nature of braided/PE/stranded fishing line actual diameter could vary according to where the measurement is taken by the manufacturer.


VARIVAS one of the fishing line manufactures that is a member of JAFTMA and one of their biggest patron in the United States is Ed Moes owner of Crappie.com website. “There is no other fishing line like my favorite is VARIVAS Super Trout Advance Sight Edition,” Moes continued, “It’s so smooth, limp and quiet going though the line guides. Plus it doesn’t coil up like other fishing lines I have tried before.”


Normally, Moes will cast out to the crappie that are roaming or around cover using a 10- or 12-foot B’n’M Poles Brush Cutter. “I’m kind of rough on fishing tackle so I need a strong, but sensitive rod,” Moes went on, “So when I’m casting the B’n’M Poles Brush Cutter combined with 8-pound VARIVAS Super Trout Advance Sight Edition allows me to fish in some gnarly trees, pad stems or other places and still get my lure back or haul a crappie out of cover and into the boat.”



Moes also uses VARIVAS braided PE fishing line when long-lining and VARIVAS 10-pound fluorocarbon for the double rig line. “There’s just a lot of gar down here that are really active when I start long-lining for crappie and using a braided line makes it easy to know if it’s a crappie or gar,” said Moes.


VARIVAS Super Trout Advance Sight Edition is IGFA class rated in 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-pound line size. It features SP-T super tough and SP-F fluororesin coating that will increase casting distance, durability and flexibility. The Florescent Lightning Green line coloring makes it easy to track the line or see a crappie bite.

TENSILE STRENGTH: Tensile strength refers to the value when a constant load by a measuring instrument is applied and the line breaks.


KNOT STRENGTH: Knot strength refers to the value by weight at the time fishing line breaks. Knot strength will vary according to the type of line being used.


WATER ABSORPTION: All fishing lines absorb water and can result in weakening performance. Of all the fishing lines nylon has the highest water absorption rate. Anglers should select a high quality fishing line with a line coating that doesn’t allow the line to absorb water.


STRETCH/ELONGATIONED: Every fishing line stretches, but some more than others. PE/Braid on an average stretches only 5% or less. On the other hand, nylon on an average stretches 25- to 35-percent and fluorocarbon 23- to 30-percent. The reason why fluorocarbon is more sensitive is it has a low initial elongation right after a fish or load is applied.


REFRACTIVE INDEX: Refractive index refers to the amount of light transmitted through the fishing line and other light is reflected. The rate of how a transmitted light changing direction is called the refractive index. Refractive index rating of water is 1.33 while fluorocarbon is 1.42, PE/braid 1.54 and nylon is 1.58. The lower rating of fluorocarbon line makes it the most inconspicuous fishing line available.


SPECIFIC GRAVITY: All fishing line either sink or floats. PE/ Braid has a .97 rating meaning it floats above the water. Nylon has a 1.14 rating which means it will slowly drift while fluorocarbon with a 1.76 rating will sink.



Mitch Glenn the owner of PICO Lures noted they have both monofilament/nylon and braided/ PE fishing line for crappie anglers. “Our PICO Lures line of Vanguard Tackle fishing line has everything a crappie angler needs to get out on the water and fishing,” Glenn continued, “Plus the Vanguard Tackle Forceflex Mono and Vanguard Forcefiber Braid is affordable fishing line for every crappie angler.”


PICO Lures Vanguard Forceflex Mono is a clear, low visibility monofilament/nylon fishing line that’s abrasion resistant with superior knot strength. PICO Lures Vanguard Forcefiber braid/PE comes in moss green color pattern, zero stretch, maximum fade resistance and has superior knot strength. “Most anglers are using the Vanguard Forceflex Mono for casting or making leaders,” Glenn continued, “Vanguard Forcefiber Braid is a favorite of anglers when trolling PICO Lures crankbaits, but is also used for casting.”