What Fishing Line Sinks: Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

Fishing, which is a relaxing and calm activity for many people, actually brings along a meticulous preparation and supply of equipment. Especially when you increase your experience in fishing, you want to use the necessary sports accessories and fishing equipment professionally. One of them, fluorocarbon line, is a fishing material specially designed to increase the pleasure of fishing.

Fishing lines that sink into the water and are not visible at a rate of 99% in the water are called fluorocarbon lines. The fluorocarbon fishing line, which has a low shade rate, disappears in the water due to its high light transmittance and provides a great advantage to its user. They sink due to their density. In recent years, due to excessive fishing, the shrinkage of the fish herds, the decrease in the population, the passing of the flocks away from the hunting areas, and the environmental pollution have required the use of more professional line types. For this reason, the preferred fluorocarbon line brings many advantages in terms of its types and features.

This type of line is divided into 100% pure fluorocarbon line and hybrid line. Although hybrid lines are relatively affordable, of course, 100% pure fluorocarbon lines offer much greater advantages. To summarize these advantages, the following can be said:

Fluorocarbon lines are almost invisible as they transmit light at the same level as water.
Fluorocarbon lines provide long-term protection against abrasion caused by external factors such as UV rays, moisture, and rain.
The structure of fluorocarbon lines is very hard. Therefore, a very quick reaction can be received. On the other hand, their stretching ability is much less than monofilament lines.
Fluorocarbon lines sink into water much faster than other lines. In this way, especially fluorocarbon line provides distance advantage in spin hunting.
Fluorocarbon lines do not absorb water. Thus, it has less damage in the long run.
The fluorocarbon line offers more practical use compared to other lines because the bending-curling formed during winding can be eliminated more easily.

Fluorocarbon lines are very hard. For this reason, tying the line can be relatively difficult as the pull values and knot strengths are low. When preparing a fishing tackle, you can use the FC line to tie it to the needle and make a shackle, or you can use it for a body fishing line that you can wrap the shackles. On the other hand, it should not be wrapped around the fishing machine and plastic pulley. Since its structure is hard, only suitable plastic pulley models should be preferred. Because FC line may discharge from other reel and pulley types. In addition, when used to prepare fishing gear with a convenient fishing line, you can achieve more efficient fishing times with fluorocarbons.

Fluorocarbon lines and monofilament lines look almost identical at first glance in terms of brightness, transparency, and slipperiness. Because it is not noticeable to the eye, you can use the fire method to test FC lines. When monofilament lines and nylon lines are burned, curling, shrinkage or flaming occurs, while FC lines do not have such an action. In addition, the burning part of the line turns black like coal and a tiny ball is formed at the tip.

Fluorocarbon line prices are higher than other line types. Because the rate of carbon used in it is very high. Accordingly, the invisibility quality increases at the same rate. Many manufacturers use the phrase “100% Fluorocarbon” on such lines. However, of course, line prices increase at that rate. In addition, the prices of plastic hoops that will be preferred with FC fishing line while preparing fishing gear may be higher. In addition, some monofilament lines are sold coated with fluorocarbon material. These types of lines aim at higher attractor value and less invisibility with their outer coating. You can also use this type of line according to your budget.

Features of Sinking Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

The first fluoro line was found in 1970 by the Japanese company Kureha, the manufacturer of the Segura brand, and entered the market. Vinyl is an organic compound bonded with a hydrogen atom (ethylene derivative). The structure used in fluorocarbon, vinylidene, is formed by combining with carbon atoms. Fluorocarbon fishing line is (vinylidene fluoride), that is, it is (fluoropolymer) consisting of carbon and fluorine (gas) atoms. Simply burning fluorocarbon lines can be tested according to the rate of blackening and the walking rate of the melting. It is a substance that can be fused due to its structure.

Fluorocarbon coated lines are produced by many companies. One of its most important features is its memory, which can be flat whenever you want. Fluorocarbon lines are resistant to UV light 10 times more than nylon lines. There are some statements on the market that a good fluorocarbon line is almost proof of UV light. However, some large companies made their fluorocarbon covered fishing line packages closed and wrote behind them that fluoro loses value by 20% in 1.5 years. Perhaps this may be because UV light first destroys the carbon structure of the material and there is excess carbon in fluoro. Or it may be that the UV light that penetrates inside more easily spoils the nylon core under the coating more quickly.

Refractive index: For example, the refractive index of water is 1.33. (This figure indicates that light travels 1.33 times faster in space than in water).
The light refractive index of water = 1.33
Fluorocarbon values closest to this = 1.39 to 1.42
Nylon monofilament = 1.54 – 1.62.

Its less visible feature is an advantage, but this visibility is like this for the human eye, it has not yet been proven to be so in the fisheye. As a result of academic researches done where more fish shots with fluorocarbon are required, it still gives equal values with nylon, this has not been proven yet. After all, everything has a shadow. However, usage experience keeps fluoro one step ahead. However, because the nylon line is stronger to knot, where the fluoro line should be used thicker than the nylon line, that is, where the pulling is important, the above visibility index values come to the same values with each other and visibility does not have any meaning.

That’s why fluoro should always be taken in good quality. Nowadays, good numbers have been reached in terms of weighing capacity values. If the background is dark, fluorocarbon can be much more visible, a nylon line suitable for the background can provide more advantages over the situation. The issue called glow in the light can be experienced from time to time on fluoro, especially when using it above the water.

Specific gravity of water = 1gr / cm3.
Dyneema = 0.97-0. Tends to float with 98 gr / cm3.
Fluorocarbon = 1. 78gr / cm3 with a fast sinking structure.
Nylon mono = 1. 14gr / cm3 is a lucky coincidence for fishermen and gives a perfect weight.

Fluorocarbon lines are fast sinking structures. In this way, for example, a fluoro that is heavy in spin hunting can provide a distance advantage with the leading whip effect. Fluorocarbon mono sinks faster than nylon mono. For this reason, it is also used as a leader in some wait hunting styles when it is desired to invest in the leader.

Nylon weighing capacity in water: It may decrease up to 30% (for long lengths). Dyneema’s weighing capacity does not change. Fluorocarbon’s weighing capacity does not change, the water cannot easily distribute to its molecular structure, the longer the pull value of the knot does not decrease.

Dynema flexibility = 4-10%
Fluorocarbon flexibility = 20-26%
Nylon flexibility = 20-45% can stretch in the range values.

Fluorocarbon allows you to feel the effect more easily thanks to its less flexible structure. The resistance of fluorocarbon lines against friction varies according to the quality. In fact, even Fluorocarbon coatings are made to increase the friction against external factors and UV resistance. However, from experience, it is possible to observe that most fluorocarbons are damaged even when tying tackles. Therefore, good companies produce 100% fluoro by separating it into more layers. The resistance to friction of fluorocarbon lines of every company is not the same.

Fluorocarbon drag is always lower than the nylon line. Hardness always means fewer knot pulls than softness. Fluorocarbon is also not affected by the hot and cold effects of water. Factors such as saltwater do less harm. In fact, in cases where Fluorocarbon is used more than 50 meters in length, although the knot draft falls, it does not get water on it and thus keeps the tensile strength at the moment of flexion higher, so they come to the same values as Nylon fishing lines. However, it is difficult to use it completely in the machine due to its structure, but in recent years, for example; Fluorosilicon blend fluoros developed by Daiwa are lines that can be wrapped on a machine with excellent friction values.

Why to Choose Sinking Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

Fluorocarbon lines are transparent lines that claim to be invisible and are harder and more expensive than monofilaments. Fluorocarbon lines are usually transparent. Fluorocarbon lines are often used not as the main body, but as leaders in spin hunts, as a shackle in parachute tackle or bait catches. Quality products of brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, Berkley, Okuma, Bluefish are available. Despite their price, fluorocarbon lines have many disadvantages. Being hard reduces their durability. Also, due to their hardness, they cannot carry your tackle far enough in the shooting. They are more sensitive to knots and are quite expensive. In other words, it would not be a logical decision to wrap fluorocarbon all over your machine.

Fluorocarbon lines are made from an invisible material underwater. Due to its structure, fluorocarbon lines with the highest light transmittance and the lowest shadow ratio enable them to be caught more quickly without scaring the fish by being lost in the water. Fluorocarbon Lines are divided into 100% pure fluorocarbon and fluorocarbon coating. The use of 100% pure fluorocarbon lines provides more efficiency. However, as the prices of real fluorocarbon lines are high, some companies have introduced more affordable lines called coating.

Since the material of these lines is passed through special chemicals, they are translucent lines that do not reflect in the water. For this reason, the invisibility rate underwater is very high compared to normal fishing lines. It is not fully invisible and there is no such fishing line that is completely invisible. All lines are visible to the fish. The transparency point of normal lines is higher than the breaking point of the water and creates an element that scares the fish. The transparency point of fluorocarbon lines makes it less visible because it is close to the transparency point of the water.

Recently, more hunting equipment is needed due to numerous factors such as the shrinkage of fish shoals, their passing over distance, the decrease of the population, and the marine pollution caused by humans. In the line category, the most efficient and effective way to increase hunting is to use fluorocarbon lines. Highlights of fluorocarbon lines include:

Fluorocarbon lines and water transmit light at the same level and therefore fluorocarbon lines do not appear in the water.
Fluorocarbon lines are many times more durable than monofilament lines, against the deterioration caused by rain, moisture, and ultraviolet rays.

The structure of fluorocarbon lines is very hard, so you can get the reaction quicker. The stretching feature is much less than the monofilament lines.
Fluorocarbon lines have a very strong structure against abrasion.
Fluorocarbon lines sink faster in the sea.
Fluorocarbon lines do not absorb water, so they are less damaged in the long run than monofilament.
You can eliminate the curling formed when the line is wound on a reel more quickly on fluorocarbon lines.

The disadvantages of fluorocarbon line are as follows:

Fluorocarbon lines do not have high traction.
Its price is quite expensive compared to monofilament line.
Fluorocarbon lines are stiff, making them difficult to tie knots.

Fluorocarbon lines and monofilament lines are almost identical to each other in terms of transparency, slipperiness, and shine. Since the differences cannot be distinguished by the eye, there are numerous fake lines sold under the name of fluorocarbon line in the market. There is a very easy method to distinguish fake from 100% real fluorocarbon lines. 100% pure fluorocarbon does not catch fire when you burn the line. When a monofilament line is burned, it catches fire and continues to burn.

All the Advantageous Properties of Fluorocarbon Material

Fluorocarbon is scientifically a material that has the material characteristics of PTFE or registered PTFE brands such as Xylan, Teflon, and Emralon. In other words, it is a coating material used to protect against factors such as corrosion and rust in order to increase the chemical reactivity of the substance. It is applied to an object by dipping, spraying, or any of the typical painting methods. Coatings are preferred even for space aviation applications, with their ability to be used at room temperatures up to 200 C and their lubrication ability. The coating can also repel fluid on a microscopic scale, making it functional for many automotive and marine applications.

It has been determined that PFOA and PFOS create extremely permanent chemical effects both in the environment and in human tissue. A recent study found that these chemicals cause serious damage to the immune system of children (Grandjean et al, 2012). However, PFOA and PFOS are just two of a group of fluorochemicals called PFCs that are part of the fluorocarbon family. Some manufacturers apply fluorocarbons locally as water repellents, so unknown risks remain.

Fluorocarbon is a well known high-performance rubber. It shows excellent resistance to especially high temperature, ozone, air, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, hydraulic fluids, aromatic liquids, and many organic solvents and chemicals. Fluorocarbon is known to be presented safely to approved test laboratories for use in products requiring UL-157 certification.

Fluorocarbon has excellent resistance to high temperature, oil solvents, flame, chemical, and weather conditions. Aging property is at the highest value. As a result of this type of superior properties, it is an expensive material. Fluorocarbon is suitable for use in the thermal temperature range from -40 c to +250 c. It is very durable as it shows excellent resistance to intense chemicals and solvents and is therefore highly preferred and recommended in the industry.

Among other rubber classes, fluoroelastomers (FKM or FPM and FFKM) are the category of synthetic rubbers with the best resistance to fire and chemicals, thanks to their high fluorine content and inherent stability of the carbon-fluorine bond. Commercial fluoroelastomers are obtained by radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. The most common are Vinylidene fluoride (VDF), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), perfluoromethylvinylether (PMVE), 2-methoxyethylvinylether (MOVE), ethylene, and propylene.

The selective application of special chain terminals combined with proper dosing of groups with various sizes and functions to the polymer chain allows changing the mechanical properties, low-temperature behavior, chemical resistance, reticulation type, and processability. Fluoroelastomer-based formulations are generally characterized by the use of non-or weakly reinforcing carbon blacks and white fillers, and small amounts of processing aids.

FKM may consist of Vinylidene fluoride and a combination of one or more hexafluoropropylene (HFP), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), 1-hydropentafluoropropylene (HFPE), and per fluorine methyl vinyl ether (FMVE) monomers. For example, VDF / HFP copolymer, or VDF / HFP / TPE terpolymer. Its trade name is known as Viton® or Flourel®. FKM is a material with high-temperature resistance and high chemical resistance. They have low gas permeability. They give very good results in vacuum systems. They have very good resistance to ozone, air, and light. It has good flame resistance. Amines, ether, ketone, strong alkalines, and freon have a destructive effect on FKM. It is highly resistant to all types of grease, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, aircraft engine oils, mineral oils, abrasive liquids, and fuels.

Why Fishing Line Sinks: Sinking Conditions of Materials

When you examine our environment, you have seen that some objects float on the water while others sink into the water. For example, monofilament lines float on water, while fluorocarbon lines are submerged. When a material made of wood and another one made of metal which are of the same size, the wooden object floats in the water while the metal object sinks into the water. You may have heard that many boats sink in our coastal areas with the strong wind. What do you think is the effect that would sink a wooden boat floating on the water surface in stormy weather? Are there certain rules for objects to float or sink?

While ducks can move very comfortably on the surface of the water, what do you think could be the reason why fish that are smaller than ducks sink into the water in the same aquatic environment? Why can’t a small nail stay on the surface of the water when huge ships can stand on the water surface despite the tons of cargo they carry? Why do some objects float while others sink in the water? Is this the cause of the sinking of heavier objects while lighter objects float? Do you think this answer is correct? Let’s look for answers to questions like these that we frequently encounter in daily life.

The reason for an object to float or sink in the liquid that is left in the liquid depends on the relationship between the density of the object and the density of the liquid in which it is released. The volume, depth, or weight, shape, and mass of the liquid have no effect on the floating or sinking of an object in the liquid. The reason why the object left in the liquid floats or sinks in the liquid depends on the density of the object and the liquid. Let’s remember the concept of density together. Density is the amount of substance that fills a unit volume. Recall that in order to calculate the density of any liquid or an irregularly shaped solid, we divide the mass of this material, which we measured with an equal arm balance, by the volume, we determined with a graduated cylinder.

Therefore, the unit of density is obtained in g / cm3, kg / m3, or g / mL depending on the units of mass and volume. Some objects float on the liquid surface when left in the liquid. The reason why objects left in a liquid float on the liquid surface is that the density of the object is smaller than the density of the liquid. Wherever the object is left in the liquid, the object moves towards the liquid surface with the effect of the buoyancy of the liquid and rises.

The ascending motion of the object in the liquid continues until the buoyant force acting on the object is equal to the weight of the object. Since the object will be in equilibrium when the rising motion of the object ends, the net force affecting the object is zero. Thus, when an object with a core mass smaller than that of the liquid is released into the liquid, it remains on the surface of the liquid. Since the object is in balance, the weight of the object and its buoyancy are equal.

Sinking, Floating, and Density

When some objects are left in the liquid, the object will completely sink into the liquid and remain where it is. The suspension is when the object is completely immersed in the liquid and remains between the liquid surface and the base of the container. Suspension of the body in the liquid occurs only when the density of the object and the density of the liquid are equal. The buoyant force acting on the suspended objects and the weight of the object are equal. So the object is in equilibrium. Since the object is in balance, the net force acting on the object is zero. If an object with a density equal to the density of the liquid is released into the liquid, it remains in equilibrium. Since the object is in balance, the weight of the object and its buoyancy are equal.

If an object with a substance mass greater than that of the liquid is dropped into the liquid, it will sit on the bottom of the container. This is because the density of the object is greater than the density of the liquid. Since the density of the object is greater than the density of the liquid, the weight of the object is greater than the buoyancy force applied to the object. Thus, with the effect of the weight of the object, it sinks to the bottom of the container and sits on the bottom.

When we throw an object into two non-mixing liquids, the object can remain in equilibrium between the two liquids. Accordingly, the core mass of the body is smaller than the density of the liquid below and greater than the density of the upper liquid. Each fluid exerts a throttling buoyancy force within the body itself. The weight of the body is balanced by the sum of the buoyancy forces exerted by the two liquids. The volume of the liquid or the depth of the liquid, the size, shape, mass, and weight of the object have no effect on whether an object floats or sinks in the liquid it was released into. Swimming or sinking depends on the relationship between the density of the object and the density of the liquid it is released into.

The reason why a ship is given a hollow structure like a bowl during construction is to increase the amount of water displaced by the volume of the ship. As a result, the density of the ship becomes smaller than the density of the water. Thus, the ship floats as the buoyant force acting on the ship will balance the weight of the ship. If this ship is melted and turned into a block, the value of the buoyant force will decrease and the block will sink into the water. Also, for the ship to be in balance, the center of gravity must be in the direction of the lifting force.

Ships were endured to withstand very high-pressure values while moving in line with these explanations on the water surface, and the movement of submarines made of heavy metals is slightly different from the movement of ships. In order for the submarines to move on the water surface, the metal compartments in the submarine’s hull called the water cistern are filled with air, increasing the value of the net force pushing the submarine towards the water surface. In other words, the submarine whose average density value is reduced according to the density of the water moves on the water surface.

When the submarine is desired to be moved underwater, this time the reverse of the above-described procedures is done, and the air in the water cisterns is evacuated and the empty compartments are filled with water. Thus, since the value of the gravitational force that pushes the submarine underwater will increase, the movement of the underwater vehicle is ensured by balancing the buoyancy force at the desired depth and the gravitational force. Apart from these, taking into account the basic rules of water buoyancy, the amount of water in the gasoline tanks of toilets, heating systems, or vehicles can be controlled, and substances with different densities that are insoluble in each other can be distinguished from each other. That is also helpful in fishing as you can see, sinking fluorocarbon fishing lines can be utilized to increase the efficiency of the hunt.