When spinning for salmon, anglers often face the dilemma of which line to use. Thankfully, there are fewer options when choosing a line for spinning compared to fly fishing. The two options to consider are either monofilament or braided line. Both lines are not only different in appearance but also in how they feel, cast and react. However, the differences go much deeper than just appearance and touch. Each type of line can be useful in different situations; both have pros and cons. So, which is the best line to use when spinning for salmon?
Nylon or monofilament is the more commonly used line among salmon anglers today. To touch, nylon feels much smoother. One advantage of nylon is that it can be easily used on a fixed spool and multiplier reel. Using braid with multipliers can prove to be tricky. When the braid is pulled very tightly on a multiplier reel, it can cut into the layers of the line underneath the reel's drum. This can lead to tangles, and there is also a greater propensity to have an overrun when the lure is cast. This is because of the lower diameter of the braided line compared to nylon. With nylon being thicker, it does not have the same cutting effect on the layers of line on the spool of the reel. The likelihood of having overruns is also reduced. Don't get me wrong, a multiplier reel coupled with braid can be used and I have used such a combination many times before. However, it must be used cautiously to avoid overruns and tangles.
Many of the advantages nylon has over braid are related to its thicker diameter. For example, it can be easier to get out of tangles with nylon. Firstly and most obviously this is because nylon is easier to see than braid when tangled. Also, when nylon or monofilament is pulled firmly it does not form as tight a knot as braid. Often, with braid, it can be almost impossible to a take a tight knot out from the line.
There is also less chance of your knot slipping when using nylon compared to braid. We have all lost a fish and after closer inspection of the terminal tackle, found the dreaded curly pig's tail on the line where the knot had slipped. This is more common when tying knots with braid and again, this is due to the thin diameter of the line. Because knots tied on braid tend to slip, anglers often use different types of knots to reduce the likelihood of this happening.
One of the most striking differences you notice, having played fish on both nylon and braid, is how different the fight feels on each type of line. Both lines react differently during a fight. Nylon has much more stretch and so the fight does not feel as direct compared to braid. With the braid being thinner and more sensitive, you can feel every heart stopping tail beat and head shake. The advantage of having more stretch in your line is if you get a savage take, the extra stretch can absorb sudden pressure, so it's less likely the line will snap. Savage takes are a regular occurrence especially when casting upstream with Flying C's or spoons in the summer.
The final and most obvious advantage of nylon is that it is much less visible in water. Nylon has a lower refractive index than braid, which appears almost invisible. This can be vital for success, especially in low water conditions on small rivers. So far, we have only looked at the advantages of using nylon, but what about braid?
Braid was one of the earliest types of fishing line used and was initially made from cotton and linen. The cotton and linen were braided together to produce a solid and robust line. This is where the name "braid" originated. Nowadays, braid is usually made from a mixture of synthetic materials like spectra and dacron. As the braid is so strong, its diameter can be a third less than that of a comparable breaking strain of nylon. Due to its strength, the braid has much better abrasion resistance than nylon and is more robust. This is important to remember when fishing a river that contains many sharp rocky ledges and snags.
Another advantage of braid is that it allows you to cast much further, especially when using a fixed spool reel. The thinner braid slips off the spool on the reel with minimal resistance, hence increasing casting distance. This can be particularly important when fishing larger rivers or using light lures, making it difficult to cast any great distance.
As braid is much more sensitive than nylon, it can often be the line of choice when fishing with specific lures like floating devons. When using a floating devon, it is imperative that the lure is close to the bottom. This is achieved by allowing the weight to bounce along the riverbed. With the greater sensitivity of the braid, it is easier to feel when your weight is on the bottom, and hence, your floating devon is fishing at the correct depth.
One thing to bear in mind is that braid has less stretch than nylon (as mentioned before), so it is always worth setting the drag on your spinning reel that little bit lighter. This guards against the line, breaking from any sudden savage takes.
As you can see, both braid and nylon have pros and cons in their use when it comes to salmon fishing. I like using both line types depending on where I am fishing and what kind of lure I use. I always use braid when fishing on a big river or casting light lures like Rapala's and Vision 110s. If, however, I am fishing a smaller river, and distance is less imperative, I often opt to use nylon. This way, I get the best of both worlds.
So braid or nylon, which is better? Well, only you can answer that question!