Nothing is more frustrating than having your fishing line spill out of the reel. When that happens, you know it’s going to be a long day of careful winding and casting. This is not the case with all fishing lines, so which monofilament line has the most or lowest amount of memory?
Monofilament lines use various chemicals and additives to achieve the lowest line memory. This process is called copolymerization.
- Most memory: Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament
- Least memory: Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Buying the correct monofilament fishing line will significantly improve your fishing experience. So, when we speak of line memory, what exactly does that encompass? Does it mean the line remembers the best fishing spots? Not quite, but let’s explore further.
Line Memory – What Does It Mean?
Describing line memory can be different.
But it’s best described as a line wanting to curl as you pull it off a spool.
Monofilament line with a lot of memory will cause the following issues;
- It makes casting your lure or bait very difficult
- It will cause knotting and tangles
- It creates a messy presentation in the water
- Can make it harder to feel gentle bites
What Can You Do To Minimize Line Memory?
It’s virtually impossible to get rid of line memory completely, but you can do a few things to minimize it;
- You can stretch a new line before putting it on your reel
- Ensure the fishing line is not subjected to extreme temperatures
- You can put the new spool into some hot water for a few minutes to relax the line
- You can apply a line conditioner to relax the line
What Can Line Manufacturers Do To Minimize Line Memory?
Line manufacturers have significantly improved since DuPont started manufacturing monofilament lines in 1939.
Today, monofilament lines can be manufactured with specially formulated materials to significantly reduce memory without sacrificing abrasion-resistant.
Even though ePTFE wasn’t created to reduce line memory, it’s just one example of a specially formulated material accomplishing a particular goal.
Not all companies make public of their specially formulated materials due to competition.
Another method that is more common to reduce line memory is called copolymerization. This process involves mixing different polymers with different properties together.
By playing with the various ratios can yield different properties. Here are some of the benefits of copolymerization;
- Modifying temperature transition
- To lessen the absorption capabilities
- Improve the overall strength of the end product
- Adds extra stretch capabilities
- Increases its abrasion resistance
4 Monofilament Lines With The Most Memory
The following four monofilament lines are known to have a lot of memory;
#1 – Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament
- Clear monofilament line
- Copolymer line with superior strength
- Low stretch and stiff with lots of memory
Budget range – Middle of the road
#2 – Stren Original Monofilament Fishing Line
- Average quality
- Original monofilament
- Slight stretch and higher memory
Budget range – Budget-friendly to Premium
#3 – Berkley Trilene XT Monofilament Fishing Line
- Extra tough line
- Abrasive resistant
- Lots of memory due to its stiffness
Budget range – Middle of the road to premium
#4 – Trout Magnet SOS Fishing Line
- Designed for trout fishing
- Very basic nylon mono line
Budget range – Budget-friendly
PROS of Using Monofilament Lines With The Most Memory
- Typically budget-friendly
- Low-density lines
- Good stretchability
- Low visibility
- Abrasion-resistant
CONS of Using Monofilament Lines With The Most Memory
- Easy to snap
- Tangles, twists, and kinks
- Short lifespan
- Can overstretch
- It can be expensive to replace regularly
- Line memory can cause a lot of frustration
4 Monofilament Lines With The Lowest Memory
#1 – Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line
- Smooth line with more flexibility
- Higher percentage knot strength
- Resistant to line kinks and twists
Budget range – Budget-friendly to premium
#2 – Sufix Superior Monofilament Fishing Line
- Good quality, low-cost mono line
- Controlled stretch and shock-resistant
- Soft line with low memory
Budget range – Middle of the road to premium
#3 – Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line
- Sturdy, high impact nylon line
- Low memory lasting at least 12 months
- Ideal for hook setting
Budget range – Middle of the road
#4 – KastKing World’s Premium Mono Fishing Line
- Low line memory with its Paralleled Roll Track technology.
- Immune to snapping, bends, and tangles
- Exceptionally smooth line
- Abrasion-resistant
Budget range – Budget-friendly
PROS of Low Memory Monofilament Lines
- Ultra-low water absorption
- Little to no memory
- It can be used in both salt and fresh water
- Solid, strong line
- Great hook setting capacity
- High reel capacity
- Great visibility
- Great knotting ability
CONS of Low Memory Monofilament Lines
- Can be liable to overstretch with prolonged use
- Can sometimes twist
- Not always the best line for every fishing situation
- Can have uneven spots in some brands
Happy Fishing & Tight Lines
