Braided fishing line is a must-have in any bass fisherman’s tackle box.
But one commonly asked question that we get here on the blog is: Does Braid Sink Or Float?
Now you might be thinking, does it really matter? Can using a fishing line that sinks really make that much of a difference on the overall presentation?
The answer is yes, it does matter and yes, it can make a difference in your lure presentation.
With that being said, let’s answer this question as well as other questions related to fishing with braid.
Does Braided Fishing Line Float?
The Answer: Yes, most braids on the market today will float. This is due to the fact that they made with Dyneema and spectra fibers. These fibers are hydrophobic meaning that rather than absorbing water like other fishing lines, these fibers will repel water, making them float.
When selecting which fishing line to use, keep in mind that fluorocarbon absorbs water and will sink. On the other hand, monofilament which is made of nylon will slowly take on water and thus sink slowly. Lastly, you have braid which will not absorb water and thus it will float.
It is important to note that right out of the box braid will float, but over time it can start to break down and lose its protective coating. When this happens it will slowly begin to lose its buoyancy. If you see this happening, it might a clue that you may need to take that trip down to the local bait shop and pick up some new line.
Further Reading: The Ultimate Guide On Choosing The Best Braided Fishing Line
Is There A Type That Sinks?
Yes, there are some braids on the market that don’t float. In fact, they were specifically designed to sink.
Once such brand is Suffix 832. As the name suggests this option is made with 8 fibers. 7 of which are made of Dyneema and as we mentioned before Dyneema is hydrophobic material and will not absorb water. However, the remaining fiber is a Gore Performance Fiber. This fiber on its own will sink.
As you can see, 7 of the 8 fibers float while the remaining one is designed to sink. The question now is: Does this fishing line sink or float?
I wouldn’t per say that it sinks like fluorocarbon, but I can say for sure that it doesn’t float. I would more describe it more like a suspending fishing line.
Another quality braid designed to sink is the SpiderWire UltraCast Fluoro Braid.
This is a super line that is basically the perfect combination of a fluorocarbon line and braid. It has the sinkability of a fluorocarbon line with the abrasion resistance of a braid. A great option for drop shot fishing!
Which Braid Floats The Best?
If you are looking for an option that purely floats, I really like Power Pro’s Spectra Braid.
As we mentioned earlier, Spectra is hydrophobic and will float. This braid is made 100% out of this material, so needless to say it floats quite nicely.
Another fishing line specifically designed to float is the P-Line Hydrofloat. This line has a Spectra base with a coating that helps it to float better than others on the market. While it is made with salmon and steelhead fishermen in mind, you can also use it for bass fishing.
Enjoy Reading This Previous Post: What Is The Best Color For Braided Fishing Line?
When Does A Floating Line Work Best?
So the question now is, does it really matter whether or not braid floats?
While some anglers would say that it doesn’t matter at all, I say it does matter. This is especially true when fishing with topwater baits. Fishing these lures with a line that floats will help them to remain on the surface.
The biggest difference can be noted when you are trying to walk the dog with your favorite topwater bait.
If you were to use fluorocarbon the line is going to sink and create some drag every time you try to glide the lure across the water. On the other hand, monofilament sinks a little less than fluoro, but it will still have the same effect.
However, using a good braid is going to allow you to glide it across the water much easier because the line is still on the surface of the water.
On what occasions should you use a braid that floats?
Braided fishing line is my goto line when fishing topwater baits such as jerkbaits, spooks or even topwater frogs.
Yes, But When I Fish Topwater, Braid Always Gets Hung Up In The Treble Hooks – What Is The Solution?
One drawback to fishing topwater baits with braid is that because both the line and the lure float, the line sometimes gets behind the lure and can get caught up in the hooks. What is the solution?
An easy fix is to tie on a monofilament leader. I like to throw PowerPro braid with a 2-foot (minimum) monofilament leader.
Using a 2-foot monofilament leader isn’t too much that it will detract from the performance of the lure, but it doesn’t float like braid and you should see fewer tangles. I would stay away from a fluoro leader because it is going to sink faster than mono.
Final Thoughts…
Does braid float?
Yes, this fishing line is designed to float and for that reason, it works great when fishing topwater.
However, there are some good super lines on the market that are basically like throwing a braid that sinks. These work great when fishing deep such as with a drop shot or even crankbaits.
What are your thoughts about fishing with braid? Share your experience in the comments below.
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