Copolymer?

[firebass911]

What/when is copolymer the line of choice? Did a search and didn't really find any answer.

[procraftrob]

I believe the way to spell it is copolymer that might help your search results, but I use it in any condition when I would use mono, copolymers have higher stretch than flourocarbon, and are more abrasion resistant.

[Bill K]

I will stand corrected, but the difference is Mono is single thread and copolimer's are multi thread, weaved or twisted together. I do prefer the P-Line flouroclear, which is a copolymer with a Flouro coating. I believe they (copolymers) do stretch less and are stronger overall. I would settle on one or two lines you like and stay with them, rather than worry about which one here or there. Bill K

[BassManDan]

Bill, your brief description makes it sound like you're describing braided line. I would agree if you said that the multiple "filaments" were then fused together...but then lets not get that confused with "fused braided lines" such as spiderwire fusion

Copolymer lines are now very common now, where 10 years ago, they were few and far between, Yo-Zuri hybrid and the P-Line being some of the more common brands.
Copolymer lines are a monofilament line, they are composed of a single strand, but their chemical makeup includes many proprietary " ingredients", if you will. Usually a nylon element is added to give it characteristics similar to that of standard "mono" upon this, often abrasion resistant elements or fluorocarbon elements (usually a coating) are added. For example, P-Line CX is a nylon polymer with a coating of fluorocarbon surrounding the nylon polymer core, this gives the line a smaller profile in the water, since a good portion is fluoro, there for in theory, only the core of the line is visible.

Copolymer lines are exclusively what I use because they offer the elements of good old fashioned mono while also bringing to the table many modern elements of fishing line which offer greater sensitivity, decreased visibility and easy handling characteristics.

Hope this sheds some light on what copolymers are.

BassManDan

[fish_food]

Copolymer lines are a monofilament line, they are composed of a single strand, but their chemical makeup includes many proprietary " ingredients", if you will. Usually a nylon element is added to give it characteristics similar to that of standard "mono" upon this, often abrasion resistant elements or fluorocarbon elements (usually a coating) are added. For example, P-Line CX is a nylon polymer with a coating of fluoroc

And just to clarify/simplify a bit further: nylons are synthetic copolymers (aka polyamides). The term "copolymer," as used in fishing terminology, generally describes lines made from blends of various nylons for specific characteristics (less stretch, more abrasion resistance, etc). In the old days, most lines were made from a single type of nylon; nowadays pretty much all of your traditional "monofilaments" are blends of different nylon formulations.

To complicate things a bit further : In a materials science context, fluorocarbons are actually copolymers. This is an easy to read materials profile: Fluorcarbon.

"The original commercial fluorocarbon, Viton A, is the general-purpose type and is still the most widely used. It is a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VF2) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP). Generally composed of 66% fluorine, Viton A compounds offer excellent resistance against many automotive and aviation fuels, as well as both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon process fluids and chemicals. Viton A compounds are also resistant to engine lubricating oils, aqueous fluids, steam, and mineral acids."

[Gator]

Firebass - I only use copolymers on my spinning gear. And then mainly for Folsom - I love the 6 lb. YoZuri hybrid.

[ash]

Firebass - I only use copolymers on my spinning gear. And then mainly for Folsom -

I also use primarily Copolymers on my spinnning gear P-Line Fluroclear 8-10lb and Sufix DNA in 6lb. I have a bulk spool of the 15lb P-Lin CXX copolymer, makes a great topwater line.

[firebass911]

So does copolymer float like mono?

[Bill K]

Most do. The one's with the flouro coating will sink, slightly slower than full Flourocarbon. Bill K

[firebass911]

Thanx Bill. Oh, and I just drove through Lake Forest a little while ago.

[Bill K]

Well, if I am home, you will have to stop by and chat. I can always give directions to my place. Easy to find. In fact, take the middle entrance off Eagle lake road, first cross street is Las Plumas way, turn left on it and I am the third place on the right. Cajan bass boat under carport, double story garage. Name on mailbox. Anyone is welcome to stop and say howdy. Bill K

[firebass911]

Next time I will. I was in the ambulance headed to Spaulding so I couldn't this time.

[fishdist]

Most of the monofilament (non-fluorocarbon) line available today is a copolymer of one sort or another. The other posts are correct in describing it as an alloy of different ingredients blended to give the parent nylon additional properties. Advancing line technology has blurred some of the distinctions that used to be the deciding factors in choosing which type of line to use. Mono was always high stretch where Fluoro was low stretch, and low stretch equates with greater sensitivity, the ability to feel lighter bites, and "read" the bottom better. Everyone knows by now about fluoro sinking and being much less visible under water. These qualities make Fluoro the line of choice for deep, clear water finesse applications where it excels. For shallow water, murky water fisheries such as the Delta (where heavier tackle and heavier line are typically used), the features unique to fluorocarbon can be offset by some of its disadvantages (memory, stiffness, less abrasion tolerance). Most fluoro is very unforgiving in the heavier sizes. After a day of pitching fluoro into the Delta wind, a more supple, less stiff line will be welcomed by many anglers. The new low stretch coplymer line such as Vicious Ultimate (with only 18% stretch, vs. 30-45% industry average) is a welcome change for pitching into the wind. The small amount of stretch it retains is enough to still help in getting off snags. The real advantage of low stretch copolymer line for Delta anglers is the advangtage of simplicity. You can have fewer types of line to buy, buy larger spools of it, save money.


Fishdist

Vicious line is distributed in the West exclusively by Tom Coss Fishing

[firebass911]

Thanx for all of the replies. I guess my big question is, what application is copolymer a better choice for than mono or fluoro? Is it just a replacement for higher test fluoro? Does it float, and a good compromise between mono and braid?

[bassindon69]

I use Copolymer for all my needs. It does fine by me.
No need for me to change or use other lines when it is working the way things are. As long as there is P-line PF I am fine.

But that Vicous line does sound good.

Don.

[DAN]

I have been on the National Team for Vicious for about a Year, here are some of the Vicious Copolymer advantages...

1) Great quality
2) Low price
3) High tech, low stretch (18% stretch vs. industry average of 30-45%)
4) Retains low memory and good abrasion resistance
5) Available in three colors
6) Made in USA, Period !! (not made offshore and spooled in USA)

Vicious also has Fluorocarbon, Offshore, Pan Fish, All Purpose, and Braided line available.


Ask your favorite tackle shop to stock this quality line. Available in all popular colors, weights and spool sizes, including bulk.