Does colour make a difference?
Any dying of monofilament is adding an impurity and will not assist its performance. It is better to have a pure monofilament unaltered by any addition which can interfere with its molecular construction. However in certain conditions when camouflage is required a coloured line can be preferable and also when it is important to see the line, bright and fluorescent colours can help, particularly at night.
How much do knots weaken the line?
With nylon, high-quality monofilament can these days be expected to achieve 80 - 90 per cent knot strength or better.
What makes Fluorocarbon hard to see?
Fluorocarbon's light refractive index is one of its main features and therefore, to maximise this, the line must remain clear.
How does the breaking strain of Fluorocarbon compare with normal mono?
Fluorocarbon cannot achieve such a high level and this should be borne in mind in your expectation of performance. Be aware that the best that can be expected is around 75 per cent knot strength, with cheaper Fluorocarbons achieving as low as 50 per cent knot strength.
What knots can I use with Fluorocarbon?
Any knot used with nylon can be used satisfactorily with Fluorocarbon. The grinner and Palomar knots stand out as the best performing knots in most situations. It will pay you to be extra careful when forming knots with Fluorocarbon take time to lubricate the knot and form it slowly. This will make for a far stronger knot that you can have confidence in.
What's the difference between fluorocarbon and fluorocarbon coated line?
Fluorocarbon-coated mono is a hybrid product. It is not a cheaper version of fluorocarbon but it is a special product with specific characteristics that make it ideal for certain conditions. The problem with nylon monofilament in some circumstances is that it absorbs water when submerged. It can increase in weight and volume by up to 10 per cent in as little as two hours for thinner diameters. This has the effect of reducing the linear and knot strength by anything up to 15 per cent. When you apply a fluorocarbon coating to a nylon monofilament it has two key effects. One is to waterproof the line, which eliminates the linear and knot strength deterioration that occurs with any mono after it has been in contact with water for a few hours. The other effect is to soften the line to deliver perfect presentation of your bait, while the inherent strength of the line provides the energy transmission needed to get your fly to its target. Fluorocarbon-coated monofilament is a new and unique product which advances the performance of leader material in all angling disciplines beyond what has been available before.