Fishing line conditioning is one of the most neglected aspects of fishing for many amateurs out there. We rarely hear people discussing fishing line conditioners anymore, and that’s a shame! We have made a quick guide on how to produce your own homemade fishing line conditioner in case you can’t get your hands on the real stuff.
Benefits of Homemade Fishing Line Conditioner
Not only is it essential for the proper care and longevity of your equipment, it also gives you several other benefits whilst fishing.
We absolutely swear by it and always make sure we have a conditioned line on our spool before fishing. We usually take some spray with us to keep it topped up throughout the day too.
Below we have listed some of the benefits you can enjoy after conditioning your line. Remember, some of these will depend on the type of line that you are using the line conditioner on.
Improved Line Management
Line management is one of the main reasons anglers are using fishing line conditioner. When applied correctly it can drastically reduce the memory that is in the line, making tangles far less likely.
This is helpful for all types of fishing line, but especially for fluorocarbon. This type of line is the most susceptible to tangles due to its high memory so be sure to use some conditioner to straighten it out.
One of the worst headaches known to a fisherman is backlash on a baitcaster reel.
This inconvenience can affect even the best anglers, so don’t worry. The best thing you can do is apply your homemade fishing line conditioner to make it more pliable and really soften the line.
Easier and More Accurate Casting
As mentioned, the correct homemade fishing line conditioner should give you a lot more give in your line and soften it up.
This will make your line a lot easier to cast and with the reduced memory you will be able to cast a lot more accurately. You will be able to cast further with a conditioned line too.
More consistent casts will equal more fish!
Helps in Extreme Weather Conditions
An often overlooked benefit of having a conditioned fishing line is the durability and resilience it can give it.
If you are like us and love doing some ice fishing in the winter, then this can really help you. The solution should help to stop the line freezing and sticking to the spool and rod. Some even claim that it will help protect from sun damage. It doesn’t hurt to try it!
Methods
Silicon Spray
If you can make a short trip top your nearest hardware store then get out there and buy yourself some 100% pure silicone spray. This stuff is the next best thing to the branded fishing line conditioners.
The majority of the branded versions contain high levels of silicon so you won’t be too far away from the real thing. We have used it plenty of times ourselves and it works great.
Silicon Conditioner (Hair Conditioner)
If you can’t make it out to a store in time then this may be a great option for you.
We have used hair conditioner before that contains a high silicon content. It may sound crazy but it works.
Just apply a good amount of the silicon based conditioner to the line the night before you go fishing and it will keep it protected and really help with line management.
Make sure to remove any excess with a rag before you head out.
NOTE: Some anglers recommend mixing both of these solutions with distilled water before applying to your line.
WD40
Now this is a controversial one. I know some anglers who swear by using WD40 as a homemade fishing line conditioner. They claim that it has many of the benefits that we listed as well as attracting way more fish than usual.
It is claimed by some that the oils present in the spray can attract fish and but according to the WD41 website this is just a myth.
Either way, we often see anglers spraying their lines with this stuff and they swear by it.
NOTE: It is claimed by some that WD40 can be poisonous to fish and can even kill them. We personally do not recommend this as we are advocates for clean and sustainable fishing. Leave no trace when you go fishing and that includes poisonous oils and chemicals. You will do just fine with the first two options so we advise sticking to them.
Branded Recommendations
Personally, there is nothing better than the branded version as they are specifically designed for your line. They will not damage it and you will get the maximum benefits from using one of these. We have listed the best ones below.
Pro anglers all around the world use these 3 so you can be sure to fall in love with them once you’ve tried them.
Our personal favourite is the KVD Line & Lure Conditioner
Tips:
- Apply night before so it can dry
- Dry with a rag before you leave for your day of fishing
- Mix the solution with distilled water
- Don’t be afraid to use it in saltwater. The silicon solutions will help to protect against saltwater contamination too.
- Depending on your line conditioner, you may want to take it out with you for the day. Apply regularly when you feel it is needed.
Wrap Up:
So there you are, these are some of the best ways to find yourself some homemade fishing line conditioner. We would recommend staying away from the WD40 and keep to the silicon-based options and mix it with some distilled water (the water is optional).
These solutions are a fantastic way to keep your line manageable and give you some extra distance and more accurate casts.
We would highly suggest paying a little extra to get yourself the real thing. The branded versions don’t cost much at all and will last a long time.
Some bottles can even last for a whole year if you get the right one (depending on how much you fish of course).
Thanks for reading and happy fishing!