Braid or Nylon: which line to choose for lure fishing?

Braid or Nylon? We often see this question come up on forums when it comes to lure fishing. Unfortunately, we realize that the answers offered are often contradictory. So we wanted to do the exercise so that you can guide your choice between a braid or a nylon.

Braid or Nylon? The truth lies elsewhere

As a preamble to any advice, know that the choice of your line will above all be determined by your type of fishing, the type of lure you use or the fish you are targeting. So there is no general truth. These are more fisherman preferences, even received ideas. This is why a person wishing to make the distinction between nylon or braid often leaves with more questions than when they arrived.

Our fishery diversity often means that we have to make compromises when it comes to choosing our line, and a good number of fishermen opt for a one-size-fits-all configuration. Consequently, this choice is very often unsuitable for all fishing techniques.

To help you find your way around, we wanted to enlighten you on the main principles to follow when using braid, nylon or fluorocarbon.

When to fish with nylon?

By virtue of its properties, nylon is above all a thread:

• Floating
• Very elastic and therefore with good tensile strength
• Visible above and below water
• Flexible
• Little resistant to abrasion and cutting.

If we have to use nylon, it would therefore be more to be preferred:

• On light surface fishing (Popper, stickbait, etc.).
• For fishing techniques where visibility is important and / or elasticity can be interesting
• For fishing with large flank lures (cranckbait, long bill minnow) to dampen vibrations

Conversely, nylon is to be avoided:

• For fishing in obstacles (dead trees, rocks, cover….) due to abrasion
• When fishing long distance. The elasticity makes it difficult to feel the bite and does not ensure a good shoeing
• For very tactile deep water fishing such as vertical fishing

When to fish with braid?

By virtue of its properties, the braid is above all a thread:

• With excellent mechanical resistance. At equal diameters, it is much stronger than fluorocarbon or nylon.
• Visible above and below water
• Which floats
• Has no elasticity
• With low resistance to abrasion and cutting
• With excellent transmission of the key in zero tension when relaxed.

The braid is therefore to be preferred:

• Main line for long distance fishing
• In vertical or deep fishing.
• With very large lures
• For strong surface fishing to be able to quickly extract a fish

Conversely, the braid is to be avoided:

• For relaxed fishing
• With long bib lures to avoid vibration problems
• Without leader for stealth, obstacle or pike fishing.

When to fish with fluorocarbon?

Due to its properties, fluorocarbon is above all a thread:

• Flowing
• "Invisible in water" thanks to its light reflection coefficient identical to that of water
• Abrasion resistant
• With low elasticity
• Stiffer than nylon

Fluorocarbon is therefore to be preferred:

• For stealth fishing
• In the obstacles
• For tactile fishing because it allows to transmit the touch even when fishing relaxed
• For large bib lures (Cranckbait, long bill minnow), WIREBAIT (Spinnerbait, Chatterbait) and other vibration lures
• Bottom of the line to ensure discretion, abrasion resistance and cut resistance

Conversely, the use of a fluorocarbon is to be avoided:

• Main line for surface fishing
• As a main line for vertical fishing, at great depth or at great distance because of its elasticity.

Want to know more about using braid or nylon?

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Which fishing rod to choose according to the lure used?

Learn to fish with a fishing guide

Start lure fishing