Does Fluorocarbon Have Memory? 4 Tips to Reduce Line Memory

Line memory is something that all anglers have to consider, even professionals. It’s one of the main factors that could make or break your fishing performance.

Since the memory varies from one line to another, many anglers who prefer using Fluorocarbon lines wonder whether they will have problems with line memory.

Does fluorocarbon have memory? Fluorocarbon has memory, and it’s the highest compared to other types of lines and that is because it’s stiff, so it tends to take the shape of the spool and becomes curlier over time. This makes the line more difficult to spool and manage properly, which hinders your fishing performance.

Keep reading to learn more about why Fluorocarbon has memory and how to reduce memory in Fluorocarbon lines.

Table of Contents

Does Fluorocarbon Have Memory?

a photo of fluorocarbon line spools to show that Fluorocarbon does have memory

Fluorocarbon has memory and it’s considered to be the highest memory compared to other types of fishing lines.

The term memory refers to the way the line tends to form curls from being tightly coiled or spooled for extended periods of time. The longer the line remains coiled, the more noticeable the curls will be, which indicates that it has a high memory.

Since Fluorocarbon lines have the highest memory, they’re the most prone to curling and tangling. This makes the line more difficult to spool and manage properly, which hinders your fishing performance, causing you to lose a lot of catches.

Why Does Fluorocarbon Have Memory?

Fluorocarbon has memory because of the material it’s made from. It’s made from a chemical known as polyvinylidene fluoride, which causes the line to be very stiff, and the stiffer the line is, the higher its memory will be.

There are certain factors that affect how much memory any type of fishing line has, such as the material, the covering coat, the thickness, and the age of the fishing line.

Over the past years, there have been significant efforts from fishing line manufacturers to enhance the material of Fluorocarbon lines and reduce their memory. However, despite the enhancements, the line memory remains a considerable disadvantage for the Fluorocarbon line.

How to Reduce Memory in Fluorocarbon Lines?

Line memory is considered a disadvantage in Fluorocarbon fishing lines as it hinders your fishing performance and prevents you from getting the many advantages this line can offer.

So, here are some tips you can follow to reduce line memory in fluorocarbon lines:

1. Invest In A High-Quality Line

Cheap or low-quality lines are more likely to be stiff and have higher memory. So, try investing in a high-quality line, especially if it’s said to have low memory on the packaging.

I recommend the Berkley Vanish line which you can find on Amazon here. You can hardly go wrong with this line; it is strong, flexible, smooth, durable, and almost entirely invisible underwater. It will undoubtedly maximize your gain without hitting your wallet too hard.

Check Latest Price

For more options, you can check my picks for the best Fluorocarbon fishing lines here to find high-quality lines that are surprisingly affordable.

2. Store the Line Properly

Make sure you’re storing your line properly. If you store the line in temperatures that are too hot or too cold, it will be more prone to coiling. So, it’s best to store the line in a dry place with a mild temperature.

3. Check the Line for Damage and Replace It Regularly

Check your fishing line for any signs of damage due to memory and make sure to replace it immediately if you do find any signs of damage.

In general, the frequency at which you should replace your fishing line depends on how much you use the line and how well you maintain it.

4. Soak and Stretch the Line

Soaking the line in warm water for a few minutes and then stretching it can help a lot in reducing line memory. However, make sure that the water temperature is not too high so it wouldn’t melt the line.

There are also certain sprays and conditioners that you can apply on your line to reduce line memory.

The Main Advantages of Fluorocarbon Lines

Even though Fluorocarbon lines have the disadvantage of high memory, they have many other advantages that make them the top choice for most anglers.

So, let’s take a quick look at the main advantages of Fluorocarbon lines:

Low visibility – It has the same refractive index as water, which makes it less visible to the fish and almost completely transparent.
High Durability – It’s resistant to UV light damage and abrasion damage which makes it last 4 times longer compared to other fishing lines.
High Sensitivity – Its stiffness makes it able to transmit even the slightest movement from one end of the line to the other which makes it easier to detect bites from small fish.
Nonabosrbent – It doesn’t absorb water so it’s more consistent in the way it behaves when it comes to casting distance and accuracy which improves your overall fishing performance, which is why Fluorocarbon lines have a reputation for catching more fish than other line types.

If you’re interested in using a Fluorocarbon line, check out these recommendations for the best Fluorocarbon Lines here.

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Does Fluorocarbon Have Memory? 4 Tips to Reduce Line Memory