Is Fluorocarbon a SCAM? Here’s What My Tests Show
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Tackle & Gear, Mono, Fluoro
Is fluorocarbon fishing line really better than monofilament, or have anglers been paying MORE for LESS?
After years of fluorocarbon vs. mono testing, I’ve uncovered some pretty surprising results when it comes to abrasion resistance, knot strength, and even catching fish!
Check out the video below to see why.
Featured Gear
Abrasion Resistance: Mono Keeps Winning
One of fluorocarbon’s biggest selling points is its supposed superior abrasion resistance.
But my testing has consistently shown something different.
I’ve tested:
- 20 lb mono vs. 25 lb fluorocarbon: Mono won.
- 15 lb mono vs. 20 lb fluorocarbon: Mono won again.
Across the abrasion tests I’ve performed, monofilament has consistently come out ahead.
And even when testing knot strength, I’ve found that 15 lb mono can hold its own against 20 lb fluorocarbon.
Can Fish Really See the Difference?
Fluorocarbon is also marketed as being less visible underwater.
But does that actually translate into more strikes?
I haven’t noticed a meaningful difference when comparing lines of similar diameter.
I’ve successfully caught bonefish, permit, mutton snapper, and mangrove snapper using monofilament leaders in crystal-clear water.
These include species known for being particularly line-shy!
Fewer Breakoffs AND a Lower Price?
Here’s where things get really interesting.
When targeting larger fish like redfish, snook, cobia, and tripletail, I’ve experienced far fewer breakoffs with mono compared to fluorocarbon.
And the price difference is HUGE.
| Fishing Line | Cost Per Yard |
|---|---|
| Fluorocarbon | 79¢ |
| Mono Leader Spool | 9¢ |
| Bulk Monofilament | 3¢ |
That’s more than 26 TIMES the price when comparing fluorocarbon to the bulk mono I typically use!
These are the prices of the specific lines I compared, but they illustrate just how significant the difference can be.
Final Thoughts
After years of testing fluorocarbon against monofilament, I’m more convinced than ever that mono is the better choice for my fishing.
It’s performed better in my abrasion tests, I’ve experienced fewer breakoffs, and it costs significantly less.
And for full transparency, we sell both types of line at Fish Strong. Fluorocarbon actually has higher profit margins for us!
But I’d rather recommend what I’ve found works best.
Now I’m curious: Have YOU tested fluorocarbon against mono? What were your results?
Let me know in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fluorocarbon more abrasion-resistant than mono?
Not in my testing! I’ve consistently found that monofilament outperforms fluorocarbon in the abrasion comparisons I’ve conducted.
Can fish see monofilament leaders underwater?
Mono is generally more visible underwater than fluorocarbon, but I haven’t noticed a difference in strikes when comparing similar line diameters, even in clear water.
Is fluorocarbon worth the extra money?
Based on my testing and fishing experience, I don’t believe the added cost is justified for the applications I’ve tested.
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I never could justify paying the price for floro. When mono has been able to do the job
Makes a lot of sense Luke. Mono it is.
Hatch hmlm h50 30lb professional SS med hard mono leader. 50M 17.66 tackle direct
Thanks Luke. What about Buoyancy and Stretch, between the two?
Jon Fortune, I get to visit Japan several times a year with my work. In general they are ahead on several fronts.
Here’s an experiment on buoyancy between mono and fluoro: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/fluorocarbon-monofilament-sink-float-test/
And here’s a stretch/stress test I did on mono vs fluoro (while doing this test, I wasn’t able to notice much of a difference in fluoro being much less stretchy than mono given that the strands were so short… most likely does make a difference if using a full spool): https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/fluoro-vs-mono-line-stress-test-experiment/
How cool. I was watching a NLBN podcast where they were discussing the tackle stores. They say you get dizzy when you go inside! . Like 4 isles of a certain lure! I have always wanted to visit Japan!
Luke,
Do some test on line stretch and when and why to use each
Mono v. Fluro
Here’s a stretch/stress test I did on mono vs fluoro: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/fluoro-vs-mono-line-stress-test-experiment/
Note: While doing this test (as well as all other break tests), I haven’t noticed a huge difference in how far they stretch relative to one another, but that likely is due to the fact that I’m using short strands for the breaks. If using fluoro as the mainline (not just a short leader), it most likely would feel less stretchy than mono.
As for when to use fluoro, I can’t think of a situation where I’d consider it has an advantage. The most notable difference other than it being less abrasion resistent is the fact that it sinks 2x faster than mono. So if you want you line to get farther down in the water, fluoro can help do that… I prefer to keep my lines as vertical as possible above my lure so that it has less risk of rubbing up against sharp shells on the bottom and/or bumping the back of my target fish before the lure gets to it.
I’ve always used Flouro, hook line sinker. My only hesitation for making the switch is I like a harder leader material for both natural and artificial presentations. Pull it taught and it stays straight keeping it all in line with no curls. Also I’ve always had a hard time with the knots in mono when tightened, it always damaged the leader when pulling a fisherman’s knot down on a hook eye. It’s been many years maybe I try a better quality mono. I looked up hard mono and a couple brands pop up with the ai. Seems that might be the way to go.
In fishing the Northern Gulf Coast, I have also found that Fluro leaders tend to become stiff and less pliable than Mono over a short time of usage.
Have enough fluorocarbon now that I won’t need to buy anymore but since you first put results like these previously I haven’t!
Great video Luke. I switched after watching one of your videos a few years ago and have been using mono ever since.
Switched years ago right after your test report and have never looked back