Is a freshwater line suitable for saltwater?

The characteristics of fishing lines

There are 3 essential features that are decisive for choosing the right line:

• Cords differ in diameter. The thinner it is, the more inconspicuous and therefore less noticeable for the fish.
• The carrying force should be based on the size of the fish. You should only try to bait large fish with a fishing line that has the appropriate load-bearing capacity, otherwise it will simply snap.
• The color is also very important and depends on the type of fishing. For bottom fishing, you should use dark lines that match the color of the dark subsoil and are therefore difficult to see for the fish. However, if you fish on the surface with light and colorful baits, your line should be as light as possible, as it corresponds to the surroundings and is also less easy to see for the fish.

General information about choosing the right fishing line

First of all, you should tune the fishing line to the fish you want to fish, not the type of water. There are basically 3 different types of cord:

• The so-called monofilament cords only consist of one "ribbon" and are accordingly cheap to get. In order to have sufficient load-bearing capacity, they must be larger in diameter. However, they are sensitive to heat and UV light and should be appropriately protected from them. In addition, a monofilament cord quickly roughened the surface through contact with the guide rings and the water. You can feel these areas with your finger. You have to check these cords accordingly and cut away the ailing end pieces. Salt water also attacks the surface, which is why you should rinse the line thoroughly with fresh water after use.
• Braided lines have an enormous load capacity, but are rather expensive to purchase due to their complex production. However, it retains this load-bearing capacity even after long and frequent use and is still quite thin in diameter. With this line, anglers particularly appreciate the closer contact with the fish, as it does not stretch. However, they soak up with water, which is why they can freeze at temperatures below zero. This braided variant is not recommended for beginners because it requires special handling and knotting techniques.
• Lines specially developed for fly fishing are very light, their weight is measured in such a way that the line can be easily unrolled from the reel and cast far. They also differ in their sinking behavior, some sink faster, some almost not at all.

Freshwater or saltwater cord

• In principle, you can fish in salt water with any freshwater line. However, it is important that you rinse the line thoroughly with fresh water after the fishing fun and remove all salt water residues.
• However, if you regularly go fishing in salt water, it makes sense to buy special lines, as this will keep wear and tear to a minimum.
• These lines, specially designed for the salty water, are easier and better to cast, even strong winds hardly affect the casting behavior.

In general, you should always clean and maintain any type of fishing line thoroughly in order to maintain its service life.