what sort of line to use

[mithrandir]

Hi

here to pick your brains again

I, as you probably know, am new to angling this year, now as I am getting into it I am becoming a tackle tart ( compulsary effect of fishing I think!).

The more I read about various types of line the more confused I become.

So I would like to ask the coarse fishermen out there what sort of line do you use and why you use it.

I have a mixture of lines currently and I am not sure I am doing the right thing.

I use a monofilament line and where possible a flurocarbon hookline. I have tried drenan double strength line but I am not sure it is the best, Trilene line is my current favourite but all comments will be gratefully received.

I have avoided Braided line as some commercial waters I have visited ban it and I have read that some ban double strength lines.

Thanks

Mike

[Lazarus]

Hi Mike,

I've been coarse fishing for a good few years now and despite trying many of the newer lines I've always ended up back with Maxima mono for most of my fishing.
I use 3lb main line with 2lb hooklinks or less if I'm scratching.
4lb with 3lb hooklink for Bream.
6lb with 4lb for Tench and smallish Carp.
I've got some Carp gear and use 12lb Berkley Big Game on my Baitrunners with various hooklinks about 8inches long.
I've also got a spool of 6lb Braid which I use for stillwater Bream at distance on the "tip".

I'm new to sea fishing again and am using 20lb Braid mainline.

Braid's not at all forgiving unlike Maxima which seems to me to have a lot of stretch. Make sure you set your clutch to give line if you use Braid.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses as I expect most of us have our favourites. Good luck.

Rich

[biggun]

Like Lazarus I use Maxima also. 2lb main with 1.5lb hook link for general float fishing, 4lb straight through for Perch/Tench. I use Fox soft steel 10/12lb for Carp but sometimes go up to 15lb braid depending on the conditions (heavy weed etc.)

[tat]

Me,I generally use a very long one.lol

[baitmaster]

good question i asked myself your question and its a difficult one to answer correctly as there are many different ones on the market which says there lines are a thinner diameters, abrasion resistant and non stretch oh and memory free .
now i,ve used many various lines over time but for my silver fish fishing i use daiwa sensor reason cause its not let me down quite honestly .

now in my predator fishing i use a mix of braid (whiplash pro ) for long range and mono (fox soft steel ) for close work as its got the bit of give you need under the tip
i used to use gr60 ( 12lb ) made by Gardner which offered me the abrasive resistance and reliability i needed and did not twist .
as its been up graded to a gr80 its not as good in my opinion as did tend to twist so i now have returned back to fox soft steel 12lb / 15lb which again is supple and although it does twist up a bit but it does seem to be bullet proof and i,ve not have any problem i can recall .
now in carping its easy to get confused with all the hype about line well this is true in all forms of fishing but the amount of different lines that are out is mind boggling and you are offered fluoro carbon lines ,non stretch, abrasive resistant , hybrid copolymer lines is it all necessary well i think not .
you should try lines out and when you feel confident with a line then you are there ..
i used x line 15lb and Berkley big game 12lb
how i try a line out is ask myself questions like how does it cast ? does it act like an elastic band when playing a fish ? does it twist ? whats the diameter ? ect ect ,
no one can really tell you one line is better than the other but they can recommend a line that they are happy with and its up to you whether you yourself are happy with it .
another important factor is when choosing a line is that i,ve found is a line maybe be fine in a certain breaking strain but if you decide to change to a lower or higher breaking strain they don,t seem as good as the one you have been using so be aware they might be a difference in the breaking strains .
only thing i recommend is to look after your line and change it frequently as you don,t want it to let you down at the wrong time .

tightlines
Kevin

[Greenheart]

I would agree with the others & say that Maxima is my long term favourite all round line. If you are float fishing, use a sinking line or put some washing up liquid on the spool to help the line sink. This stops the wind from dragging the line.

[fishypaul]

i believe its all about confidence,a lot of people swear by maxima,i was let down by it once and dont use it now,i have used sylcast for donkeys years and have had no reason to change,that is up until recently when i havn't been able to get any,( sylcast that is ! )
i am now using fox warrier,so far so good,