Does Mono Actually Float? (Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament Contest)

http://Fluoro%20Vs%20Mono%20Float%20Test

Does mono float or sink?

What about fluorocarbon line?

Does it sink or float?

There’s a lot of misunderstanding in the fishing industry regarding this question, so I decided to do a side-by-side comparison of how fast monofilament sinks (if it does at all) compared to fluorocarbon.

I compared how they do in saltwater and tried several different diameters of fishing line so that my results could be as accurate as possible.

Want to see the results?

Check our newest experiment below.

Fluoro vs. Mono Sink Test [VIDEO]

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Here are the results of the test:

30 lb Monofilament (Ande): Sink rate of 5.0 seconds

30 lb Fluorocarbon (Vanish): Sink rate of 2.1 seconds

20 lb Monofilament (Berkley): Sink rate of 5.5 seconds

60 lb Fluorocarbon (Seaguar): Sink rate of 1.3 seconds

Here’s what we learned from this experiment:

  1. Monofilament does not float
  2. The diameter of the material matters (thicker line sinks quicker)
  3. Fluorocarbon sinks ~2.5x faster than monofilament. This matters more if you’re using one of these as a main line, but probably not as much if you’re using one of them for just leader material with braided line for your main line.

Conclusion

luke simonds salt strong redfish

Contrary to popular belief, monofilament actually does sink, although it sinks a little slower than fluorocarbon.

Have you found anything different than the results I got?

Let me know in the comments below!

For more experiments like this, you can see all of our fishing line tests here.

And if you know someone who thinks mono floats, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

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Ike Johnson
3 months ago

What braided line sinks?

Joe Fishmaga
2 years ago

I fished side by side. Me using mono leader. My partner using floro. He consistently caught more snook. I caught trout. After a year I switched to floro. Immeditly I started catching snook. That’s topwater lures. Free lining shrimp swivels no swivels ect. Snook see mono better. Also I use 6′ leader . He used 4′.

Greg Burris
2 years ago

Flouro more abrasive resistant? Not in my experience. Great article

Lyle Crafton
8 months ago
Reply to  Luke Simonds

Ipso Facto.

Biggins
2 years ago

Thanks dood! Love these tests you do!

Jeffrey Dudenhefer
3 years ago

Thanks Luke, appreciate the efforts to save us money.

Gerald Dexter
3 years ago

Thanks Luke

Friend Friend
3 years ago

With all due respect, your test is a bit misleading. I’ve got over 20 years fly fishing, mostly freshwater, and believe your premise for the discussion is off. Yes, Mono sinks. Issue is Mono floats much better on the surface of water than does fluorocarbon. The composition allows it to float better. The relative diameter of mono is greater. Having spent 20 years regularly using both, the way to go is if you want your leader on the surface, use Mono. Ginking up mono helps with the floatation as well. Subsurface, use fluoro if you are concerned about abrasion. I nearly always use fluorocarbon at the end of my leader because the diameter is less and it is more abrasion resistant. Believe you did a test on abrasion resistance between the two and I’ll tell you there absolutely is a difference between the two.

Anonymous
3 years ago
Reply to  Luke Simonds

Luke, appreciate the response. Agree that float-ability is mainly important in the fly fishing world. Applies for dry flies as well as when indicators are used. Often times, you can use an indicator and suspend a fly below. Example in salt could be something like a shrimp pattern. Mono will absorb water, which is why most folks will gink up the leader to help it float after a bit of use. My conclusion on fluoro being more abrasion resistant is based on experience. Have fished many areas where mono would get chewed up by bottom structure such as rock, where the fluoro would show minimal wear. Nothing scientific to it, just what has worked. I’m all for using something that’s cheaper if it works, but where there’s a chance of abrasion, I’ll stick with the fluoro at the terminal end personally. I’ve seen the video you did. Just not sure the test is accurate for realistic conditions. Love all the work you all are doing, I’m just in a bit of disagreement when it comes to your presentation of mono vs fluoro.

Durvesh Chury
1 year ago
Reply to  Luke Simonds

Luke love the videos, could you also try the high floating mono such as the sunline FF2?
Designed to float better

David Bates
3 years ago

Why floro vs mono for leader?

Capt. Ray Markham
3 years ago

Did you take into consideration that the longer your mono is in water the more water it absorbs? IGFA tests both a wet and dry strength of lines they test for world records because of that factor. I’m sure it might also affect sink rates. Fluro is said not to absorb water and this shouldn’t be affecting sink rates when wet vs. dry.

William Brown
3 years ago

Did you test with line that has been in the water for a while or just with dry line off the spool?

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