Monofilament Or Braid, Which Is Better For Trolling?
BY MARK ROMANACK
One of the most common trolling questions I get from anglers focusing on trolling lines. It seems everyone is curious which line types are the best option for trolling. My answer often confuses folks for a few seconds. The truth is all the common line types on the market can be used effectively for trolling. Which choice an angler settles on largely boils down to personal preference, trolling strategy and situation as well as the products they are being used with.
Monofilament
Plain old garden variety nylon monofilament is not only the most affordable trolling line option, it works as good today as it did decades ago when this line type was first introduced after World War II. Nylon monofilaments can be broken down into two categories including hard surfaced lines that are stiffer and more abrasion resistant and soft surfaced or limp lines that are more user friendly for casting. Hard surfaced lines like Berkley XT provide excellent knot strength, manageable stretch, good abrasion resistance and value. Softer lines like Berkley XL can be used for trolling, but because of the softer nature of this line the chances of nicking the line and breaking off fish increases.

super braid lines have a time and place in the trolling scene.
Co-Polymer Lines
To the naked eye, co-polymer lines look just like nylon monofilament. The chemical makeup of these lines creates a line that is thinner, yet still provides the abrasion resistance required from a trolling line. A co-polymer line is like a nylon monofilament on steroids in that these lines perform exceptionally well in a host of fishing situations including trolling.
Berkley Big Game and P-Line CXX are two good examples of co-polymer lines that hold up great to the abuse of trolling. Co-polymer lines are a little more expensive than nylon monofilament, but the increased cost is modest.
Fluorocarbon Lines
While many anglers think of fluorocarbon line as only a leader material, the truth is fluorocarbon also can be used as an effective main line for trolling applications. Because fluorocarbon absorbs water, it sinks slowly, but not enough to impact the diving depth of popular lures. The advantage of fluorocarbon line is it is very tough, super abrasion resistant and it is nearly impossible for fish to see in the water. Anglers who are faced with trolling in gin clear waters will find that fluorocarbon is a good choice and they will also notice that fluorocarbon functions in most pinch pad style line releases about the same as monofilament and co-polymer lines.
Fused And Super Braid Lines
Fused and super braid lines are gaining in popularity among trollers every year. The near zero stretch, impressive abrasion resistance and longevity of these lines make them a bargain despite the fact a spool of super braid is likely to cost twice or three times as much as monofilament or co-polymer lines.
The down side to fused and super braids is they simply don’t function on the majority of line releases which of course were designed to function on nylon monofilament and co-polymer lines. Thankfully, Off Shore Tackle produces two-line clips that are designed to function with low stretch fused and super braids including the OR39 Sam’s Pro Release and the OR18 Snapper Release. The OR39 Sam’s Pro Release is produced by Silver Horde and privately labeled through Off Shore Tackle. This release works beautifully with fused and super braids of all diameters and mounts to the bracket of all Off Shore Tackle in-line boards.
The OR18 Snapper Release is a cam style line release that holds fused and super braids securely. Besides the cam mechanism that provides a firm grip on the line, the Snapper features a screw type adjustment that makes it possible to use this line clip with small, medium or large diameter lines. Like all Off Shore Tackle line releases and clips, the Snapper will fit the bracket of all three in-line planer boards produced by OST.
The Finer Points
While it’s true that any type of fishing line can be used for trolling, there are situations that clearly favor one line type over another. For example, for general purpose trolling applications both monofilament and co-polymer lines work very well at normal lead lengths. If it becomes necessary to use extra-long lead lengths (over 150 feet back) to maximize lure depth, a fused or super braid line is going to be a better choice.
Because fused and super braid lines are thinner in diameter, they all achieve greater depths while maintaining normal lead lengths. The down side of these low stretch lines is they put a lot of pressure on hooked fish. When using fused and super braid lines, it’s a good idea to select a softer than normal action trolling rod and also to make sure the reel drag is set light enough that line can easily slip from the spool when a fish makes a run. Fluorocarbon is a good choice for trolling when the water clarity is exceptionally clear. For those who like super braids and fused lines, adding a six-foot leader of fluorocarbon line is a good way to provide an invisible connection between line and lure.
Summing It Up
As trollers we all have to make a decision as to what line type best meets our style of trolling. Not long ago the majority of trollers were using monofilament or co-polymer lines. These days fused and super braids are just as common on the trolling scene. Times change and thanks to a wider assortment of line releases the modern angler has a lot more options when it comes to choosing trolling lines. Thankfully, the informed troller has never been better equipped to hook and land fish, day in and day out.
NOTE: Be sure to keep in mind that if you are using the standard OR16 (red) Pro Clip on your boards, always wrap the line to avoid cutting or damaging the pin that protrudes through the center of the pads on this clip.