How to choose a mainline

[ZeppelinHendrix]

Hi thanks to the advice from the forum im buying a john wilson avon quiver for my first rod.
Now i need help with choosing a mainline. can i get away with just using one mainline for both my float and feeder needs?. Using the feeder i will be looking to catch chub,carp and tench from about 3lb-6lb with the occasional double figure fish no more than 12lb. with the float i will be after anything from silverfish to small carp and tench again up to about 6lb.
I've also read that the hooklength should have a lower breaking strain than the mainline, how many lbs less would you recommend? and is there any specific material i should buy for my mainline?
i wont be fishing more than say twice a month so im not after really expensive equipment.
thanks

[Banana Steve]

As a general rule you are correct with using a lower hooklegth in breaking strain. Most modern lines are pre-stretched and can have very low diameters.

As a main line i would recommend some thing like Maxima this line is not pre-stretched and will break at a higher rate marked down. For feeder fishing i would be looking for line between 4lb and 6lb, and for float 2.5lb and 4lb.

2.5lb is around .14mm in diameter, 4lb is around .18mm and 6lb is around .20mm.

Alot of the hooklength line you can buy, i.e Drennan hooklegth, Preston Reflo are all low diameter line but with high breaking stregths. something around the .13mm could be anything up 4lb breaking strain, so if you fishing 2.5lb your main line would be weaker, but because the .13mm is pre stretch the liklyhood that the hooklentgh will go first ans the main line will have plenty of stretch in it. the benifit of the the hooklegth is that the line is alot finer and will not be noticed as much as the normal line which improves your bites.

Its all about trying different ways no rule is hard and fast. the only advice i would give is do not fish to heavy, i.e 2.5lb mainline and a 9lb hooklegth try and keep things balanced.

Steve

[barbelblanker]

Maxima is a cracking main line though I did switch to Diawa Sensor at the start of the year as I buy it in bulk spools so I can change line if it looks like it needs it.

[BoldBear]

Although Diawa Sensor is inexpensive it has a good reputation as a very reliable mainline which is better than some more expensive lines.

My current favourites are:
'Terry Eustace Gold Label Pro-Gold', 'Insight GR60', Ultima, Maxima Chameleon and Diawa Sensor but there are lots of other well known reliable lines out there.

[Banana Steve]

i see i put do to fish to heavy, i have changed that to do not. bad typo error lol

[mithrandir]

Originally Posted by Banana Steve

..........., i.e 2.5lb mainline and a 9lb hooklegth try and keep things balanced.

Steve

Steve, is that what you meant??? seems a big difference to me.

I would personally be happier with something a bit heavier on a quiver rod, like a 6lb mainline, and then, because I am not so delicate, maybe a 5 or 6 lb hooklink ( I often use pre-tied hooks to nylon and these are not so strong).

ZepplinHendrix, I guess you are relatively new to the art of fishing, like myself, and therefore going too light to early will tend to cause you to lose a few fish from breakoffs.

I too would go with Diawa sensor, it is what I use, and I cheat with some hooks to nylon. Gets me fishing quickly and easily, and tying fiddly little 18 hooks with line like hair is no fun on a cold windy day!!

[Banana Steve]

Hi Mike, What i meant to say was "don't fish a high tech hooklength line that is 9lb on 2.5lb main line", i know my english is rubbish. the main key is to try and fish with balanced kit.

Steve