Few fishing lures get the job done as efficiently as a jig, which is why anglers wholly favor jigging as a fishing technique. When jigging, you shouldn’t think only about the type of jig you select though. You also need a good fishing line. Which type is recommended?
A fluorocarbon fishing line is the best type of line for jigging, especially when used as a leader line. This style of fishing line is favored for its lack of water absorption, UV resistance, and low visibility. You can use fluorocarbon with a braided line as the main line.
This guide to using a fluorocarbon fishing line when jigging will explain what makes a fluoro line such an exceptional choice. We’ll even recommend some of our favorite fluorocarbon fishing line brands, so make sure you keep reading. There’s lots of great info to come!
Related Reading: What is Jigging Fishing?
Why Fluorocarbon Line Is the Best Fishing Line for Jigging
Many anglers will use a leader line when jigging, with a leader referring to the part of the fishing line that’s connected to the hook or lure. The leader line attaches to the main line.
For that all-important leader line, a fluorocarbon fishing line is an excellent pick. Here are some traits that make a fluoro line so adept for jigging.
Related Reading: The best situations to use fluorocarbon fishing line
Stellar Knot Strength
When setting up a jigging rig, you need to tie your leader line to your main line. If that leader line is prone to snapping when you make a knot, then you’re going to be in for a frustrating day. You’ll have to tie and retie the leader line until you maybe run out of the stuff.
You won’t have to worry about such stresses when you’re working with a fluorocarbon line. Fluorocarbon features a polyvinylidene difluoride or PVDF construction. This durable material has excellent knot strength.
You’ll be able to seamlessly tie your leader line to your main line using whichever fishing knots the situation entails. The fluorocarbon fishing line won’t weaken or snap when you need it most.
Non-Absorptive
It can be really frustrating when you get to know the properties of a type of fishing line when the line is dry, then it’s completely different in the water.
You don’t use a fishing line dry, after all, so when its properties shift like that, it’s like you’re brand-new to that type of fishing line.
A fluorocarbon fishing line does not absorb water. This means that its properties remain the same whether it’s dry or wet. You can rely on your fluorocarbon fishing line when jigging as well as doing other styles of fishing.
Less Risk of UV Deterioration
The sun provides warmth and gives us a mood boost, but it’s dangerous as well. That’s why you always wear sunblock and UV-resistant coating when you spend a day out on your boat.
Well, it’s not only you that you need to protect from UV rays, but your fishing line as well. If you keep reusing that same spool of line, UV deterioration can cause the line to weaken or break. This will happen at the most inopportune of times too, such as when a big, burly fish is pulling on your line.
Although a fluorocarbon fishing line can incur UV damage, compared to other types of fishing lines, fluoro is much more UV-resistant. That’s one of its best features by far!
Hardy and Abrasion-Resistant
Of course, sunlight is not the only hazard you have to worry about when jigging with a leader line and main line setup. From rough terrain to hard-shelled creatures, floating debris, coral, and the whole nine, these objects can scrape and damage your fishing line.
Other types of fishing lines may be prone to breaking after a bit of damage, but that’s not the case for a fluorocarbon fishing line. It can stand up to everyday wear and tear since it’s so abrasion-resistant.
Lack of Stretch
The less a fishing line stretches, the more sensitive it is. In other words, you can feel even more subtle bites than you could with a line that stretches further.
Although a fluorocarbon fishing line does have some degree of stretch to it, it’s only about 25 percent. A fluorocarbon fishing line should stretch less than a monofilament line would, which is yet another reason we recommend it for jigging.
Good Sinking
We mentioned before that a fluorocarbon fishing line doesn’t change properties between being wet and dry because it doesn’t absorb water. That said, it does sink in the water to a degree.
This has nothing to do with how absorptive the water is. Rather, it’s due to the density of the fishing line.
Low Visibility
We saved what is arguably the best feature of a fluorocarbon fishing line for last, and that’s how it’s nearly invisible in the water.
The reason? The fishing line is denser than even the water, which makes it very tough to see once your fishing line floats into the water’s depths.
What are the benefits of a low-visibility line? Well, line-shy fish that usually stay away from your jigging rig may be likelier to bite on your jig since they didn’t see the fishing line.
You can catch fish unawares so you can fill your cooler!
Should You Use Other Types of Fishing Line for Jigging?
As we’ve established, a leader line connects to a main line, and we don’t recommend fluorocarbon for the latter, only the former.
You will most often want to use a braided main line with a fluorocarbon leader line for jigging.
The leader line should be rated for six to eight pounds, especially if you want to catch fish species such as walleye. Then attach that to a braided main line tested for eight to 10 pounds.
Some anglers use a braided main line rated for 12 to 25 pounds to catch walleye, especially when jigging or spinning.
A braided fishing line, like fluorocarbon, has good UV resistance. The fishing line also lacks memory, which means it’s less likely to get tangled. Each time you unspool some of your braided fishing line, it should come out straight, not circular like a higher-memory fishing line would.
Further, a braided fishing line doesn’t change properties between being wet or dry, as is the case for a fluorocarbon fishing line. Its stretch is practically nonexistent, and it has a smaller diameter than your basic monofilament line.
Can you ever use a fluorocarbon fishing line as a main line over a braided line? Certainly, if you really wanted to. We would suggest a fluorocarbon line that’s tested for six to 14 pounds for these purposes.
Visit Our Fishing Pages for More Great Tips!
Our Top 6 Favorite Fluorocarbon Jigging Lines
Do you need some fluorocarbon fishing lines to use as the leader line in your jigging rig? No problem, as we’ve got you covered. Here are 6 of the most outstanding fluorocarbon fishing lines you can find.
ANGRYFISH 100-Percent Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Starting our list is the ANGRYFISH fluorocarbon line, which is made from pure Japanese fluorocarbon.
With its low memory, smoothness, and limber state, ANGRYFISH’s fluoro fishing line is not your average fluorocarbon leader line.
The good degree of stretch this fluoro fishing line has will help with your hooksets. When a fish strikes aggressively, the line never wavers. Even better, the sensitivity of this line allows you to detect bites when they happen.
ANGRYFISH promises excellent strength with its fluorocarbon fishing line. The line also turns invisible once it’s in the water, which all quality fluoro lines should. With a gravity of 80 percent more than water, the fluorocarbon fishing line sinks well.
Reach for this fishing line when kayak fishing, boat fishing, fishing over heavy cover, pier fishing, jetty fishing, surf fishing, and jigging.
ANGRYFISH says you can catch walleye, steelhead, salmon, trout, and bass with this fluorocarbon fishing line. Use it in saltwater and freshwater alike!
Abrasion-resistant, easy to cast, and tested for up to 30 pounds, ANGRYFISH fluorocarbon fishing line is a great pick for jigging. You can buy it in quantities of up to 165 yards.
KastKing FluoroKote Fishing Line
If you read this blog, then you should know by now that KastKing is synonymous with quality. The brand’s FluoroKote fishing line proves that further.
FluoroKote is a 100-percent fluorocarbon-coated fishing line. The interior of the line is a copolymer. It’s like getting twice the benefits in one fluorocarbon jigging line!
For instance, the FluoroKote fishing line sinks at a faster rate compared to the competitor’s fluorocarbon lines.
KastKing promises 10 percent less stretch out of the FluoroKote line. Its abrasion resistance is top-notch, not to mention this line goes invisible in the water.
The excellent density and strength of the FluoroKote fishing line make it a reliable choice for fishing deeper in the water or close to the surface alike.
You can buy this KastKing fishing line in quantities between 150 and 300 yards.
Seaguar Red Label
Few fluorocarbon fishing line brands come more recommended than Seaguar, especially their Red Label fishing line.
This clear, pure fluorocarbon line is produced in Japan and is rated for eight to 10 pounds. You can catch bass and other fish sized about the same as those species with this strong fishing line.
The Red Label line is especially beloved for its exceptional knot strength. Its tensile strength is another winning quality.
You can shop the Seaguar Red Label fluorocarbon fishing line in quantities of 200 to 1,000 yards.
Yo-Zuri HD Carbon Fluorocarbon Leader Line
Here’s yet another Japanese-produced fluorocarbon fishing line, the Yo-Zuri HD Carbon fluorocarbon line.
The manufacturer recommends this fluorocarbon fishing line for use as a leader line rather than as a main line, so keep that in mind.
Using an H.D. Carbon formula that Yo-Zuri keeps tightly under wraps, the formula delivers amazing invisibility once this fluorocarbon fishing line sinks into the sea.
The abrasion resistance is also excellent. That’s due to how Yo-Zuri designs its fishing lines, which is by taking raw materials and extruding them. The strength of this fluorocarbon fishing line is great for that same reason.
You can buy the Yo-Zuri HD Carbon fluorocarbon fishing line in sizes as small as 30 yards through 100 yards and up. The tested weight rating for this fishing line is exceptional, as it’s upwards of 20 pounds!
KastKing Kovert Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Do you want to jig covertly in the water with a fluorocarbon fishing line? Then you need KastKing Kovert.
With a diameter of .006 inches to .028 inches, the German-imported fluorocarbon is 100 percent authentic.
Kovert fishing line has a lighter refraction index than even water so it’s practically impossible to see it as the line floats through the water.
The sensitivity of this fluorocarbon fishing line is higher than most. You won’t miss any more of those very subtle bites when you have a product like KastKing Kovert as part of your jigging rig!
The line also weighs 80 percent more compared to water. The rate of sinking you’ll experience with the Kovert fluorocarbon line is sure to impress!
With moderate stretch and high shock resistance, KastKing designed the Kovert fishing line for calm to rough waters.
Shop KastKing Kovert fluorocarbon fishing line in lengths of 25, 50, or 200 yards. The fishing line is rated for four to 50 pounds depending on the quantity.
P-Line Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
We also quite like P-Line’s fluorocarbon fishing line, a copolymer fishing line designed for performance.
With a mix of fluorocarbon and copolymer, the P-Line fluoro fishing line might be comparable to KastKing. This line is designed for long casting distances, as it has a supple texture and a skinnier diameter.
P-Line says you can use its fluorocarbon fishing line in both saltwater and freshwater. The line is supposed to increase your lure action, which is ideal when jigging.
The low degree of stretch keeps sensitivity high so you’re always abreast of what’s biting. With less water absorption, your fluorocarbon fishing line will only sink as much as it should. All along, it remains nearly invisible underwater.
The breaking strength and knot strength of P-Line fluorocarbon make this a winner. The fishing line is rated for up to 25 pounds.
Final Thoughts
The best fishing line for jigging is undoubtedly fluorocarbon.
A fluorocarbon fishing line goes invisible in water yet doesn’t absorb water, so its properties are the same as when it’s dry. The line has low stretch, high sensitivity, great knot strength, amazing tensile strength, and abrasion resistance as well as UV resistance.
With some fluorocarbon fishing line as your leader line (or even your main line in some instances), your jigging rig is complete!