The long-standing debate in fishing continues: which line is best? Should you choose the stretchy, forgiving nature of monofilament or the strength and slim profile of braided line? In this guide, we will break down the pros and cons of both options for boat and shore fishing.
While these fishing methods differ, the ultimate goal remains the same: to entice a fish to bite and bring it back without losing it to tackle failure or human error.
What’s your line of choice?
The Braid vs Mono Saltwater Battle
Boat Fishing
When fishing from a boat in Norway, you’re less likely to encounter snags since you’ll mostly be drifting with shads, lures, or dead baits for the many fish that inhabit these waters. In this scenario, we highly recommend using braided mainline. The lack of stretch in braid keeps you in constant contact with your bait or lure, ensuring precise movement. With monofilament, the line’s stretch absorbs rod-tip movements, reducing the shad’s effectiveness and requiring more effort to achieve the same action—a far less efficient way to fish.
That said, monofilament does offer a significant advantage. Its stretch provides a buffer when fighting a big fish, especially if your drag is set incorrectly. This flexibility gives you time to adjust the drag, increasing your chances of landing the fish without breaking the line.
Braid offers additional benefits. Its sensitivity allows you to feel every nibble or tug, giving clear feedback when a fish strikes your shad, pirk, or bait. Moreover, braid’s thinner diameter-to-breaking-strain ratio lets you spool much more line; for instance, 60lb braid (around 0.40mm) is comparable in thickness to just 25lb mono. Braid’s superior strength is also invaluable when dealing with snags. Many times, I’ve seen anglers retrieve their tackle intact after a snag, thanks to braid’s durability, whereas mono would have snapped immediately. With some careful maneuvering, you can often recover your gear, making braid an excellent choice for boat fishing in Norway.
Shore Fishing
When fishing from the shore, the debate between braid and monofilament becomes more nuanced. Shore fishing requires casting baits out, and anglers often discuss how these lines affect casting distance and abrasion resistance. The stretch in mono allows anglers to cast baits with a stiff rod without destroying fragile baits like worms or soft fish. Without this stretch, a powerful cast can ruin delicate bait on impact with the water. For this reason, many anglers pair a mono leader with braid to improve bait presentation and make casting easier.
Braid, on the other hand, shines in rocky or rough terrain. When using a rotten bottom rig, the weaker link in the setup—the rotten bottom—will break long before the braid does, allowing you to recover most of your tackle nearly every time. Braid also offers excellent sensitivity, making it easier to detect bites. However, mono has its own advantages in strong tidal currents. The stretch in mono absorbs the pressure created by the tide on the line, preventing excessive strain on the lead. Braid lacks this stretch and transfers all the force directly, often causing the lead to lose its grip. One significant downside to braid is its environmental impact if lost. A snapped braid line creates a persistent underwater snag, causing future anglers to lose gear and potentially rendering the spot unfishable. Mono, by contrast, degrades over time and is less likely to create long-lasting snags, reducing the risk of additional tackle loss in the area.
Each line has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice ultimately depends on the specific conditions and challenges of your fishing spot.
Who do you think wins the Braid vs Mono saltwater battle?
Overall, braid is the clear winner for boat fishing, offering constant contact with your bait or shad for better control and sensitivity. For shore fishing, however, the choice depends on personal preference and the specific conditions of your fishing spot. Personally, I carry spools loaded with both braid and mono to adapt to the demands of each location.
So, who do you think wins the Braid vs. Mono saltwater battle? Let us know your thoughts below!
Hopefully, this has been of some help to you and will help you to choose the best mainline for your holiday to Norway and will help you have the best fishing possible.
Contact us
If you would like to speak to our sea fishing team leader to discuss any potential upcoming sea fishing trips, you can contact him via 01603 407596 or by email at paul@sportquestholidays.com.
If you would like to see some action from any of our dedicated Norway shore or boat trips, take a closer look at our tailored Youtube channel playlists. Alternatively, you can take a closer look at all of our Norway sea fishing tours here.
