About "Fishing line"
'Fishing Line' is the specialized cord, thread, or monofilament used to connect fishing rods to hooks, lures, or bait, serving as the critical link between angler and fish that must possess specific properties of strength, flexibility, visibility, and abrasion resistance to successfully catch fish while withstanding environmental conditions and fish behavior. According to the American Sportfishing Association's equipment standards and the International Game Fish Association's record-keeping requirements, fishing lines are manufactured from various materials including nylon monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided synthetics, and traditional materials, each offering distinct advantages for different fishing applications and species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's recreational fishing education materials emphasize that proper line selection based on target species, fishing environment, and technique significantly influences fishing success. Line technology has evolved dramatically since the introduction of synthetic nylon monofilament in the 1930s revolutionized fishing, replacing less reliable silk and linen lines. Modern fishing line manufacturers engineer products with precise specifications for breaking strength (pound test), diameter, stretch characteristics, visibility in water, UV resistance, and abrasion resistance against rocks, teeth, and underwater structures. Research in materials science and polymer chemistry continues advancing line technology, developing ultra-thin, super-strong lines using space-age materials like Spectra and Dyneema fibers that provide unprecedented strength-to-diameter ratios. Environmental concerns about discarded fishing line have led conservation organizations to establish line recycling programs and educate anglers about proper disposal, as monofilament can persist in environments for hundreds of years and entangle wildlife. The phrase represents both a concrete fishing tool and a metaphorical connection or link, with 'fishing line' sometimes used to describe the figurative line or story someone uses when trying to deceive or manipulate others. Sources: American Sportfishing Association - Equipment Standards, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Fishing Education.