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Just a follow on to the thread doing the rounds atm about lines. As the thread says what line and why are you on said line. I’ve used sensor for years and it’s never let me down so I’m a ‘if it’s not broke why fix it’ type of bloke. My Fluoro is X-Line and as above used it for years and happy with it so never seen the need to change/try another. 😬

I am a fan of ESP Syncro XT, I found that to be supple and strong, I'd recommend that no doubt. Then in recent years syndicate rule changes forced me onto a thicker line, so went with Diawa Sensor in 20lb then the next year in 18lb and was fairly happy with it. Subsequent batches of the same stuff behaved differently some how, more twist in use and a pig to get on in the first place. My mate has only ever used Sensor as well but he was having the same problems. I cant explain it so I cannot say anything bad about the line itself, maybe we were contributing or causing the issue. Anyway for this year I've chosen Fox Exocet in 16lb because I've seen some good reviews and there is a chance I may need to fish further out than normal or at least have the opportunity to do that. Whilst I've not used it yet first impression is that it is the limpest line I have ever seen hanging off the spool, my friend and I were both shocked by how good it looks and feels, fingers crossed it's a good-un. Will give feedback when possible.

I spooled up somewhere back in time at the start of lockdown with Gardner Pro clear in 15lb again. While I like a tough line, Gardner Pro is it. Somewhere back in the dinosaur age on here I did a review on it, everything I said then still stands. It knots tidily, is strong and handles abrasion, and I need those on the reservoir.

I used to test my lines myself, almost as per Kevin Maddocks in Carp Fever, giving abrasion resistance, the point it stretched to before breaking etc, the Tackle Box tests are pretty spot on. There are lines that no matter how many tests they pass just don't work for the individual angler. There were some I used or tested that I would not use ever again; Berkley Big Game, Nash Bullet Mono, Ultima lines, even Daiwa Sensor in clear, yet the brown was spot on. I loved Shimano Catana, one of the best lines going, it was a shame it was withdrawn from sale. I could not get ESP line to knot tidily, the knot strength was awful, for me, yet a mate loved it and had no problems. If Daiwa Sensor has changed then that is sad, as it was it worked when I last used it around 2010, and I had used it from 1994! The things that cause lines to misbehave are line twist, playing fish on the clutch rather than backwind, 'over stretch' without to breaking point, obviously a snap-off, although at the knot, it may well have damaged the line from the knot to the reel. Something else that causes damage is the lead, and lead attachment, it may well crush or pinch the line, or in the case of running leads on run rings, rub and abrade it, and of course, playing fish over gravel, through weeds and lilies, yet how many check the line every time? But when it goes 'the line is rubbish'...

Chilly's a top bloke... brave, tough lad... caring husband and good angler, coming back from a major illness and getting back to his catching ways... shows class, loved Light My Fire good book...👍

I’m actually shocked by that! For me, Terry’s first is an absolute classic. Not a brilliant writer but the book was an eye opener and major catalyst for many anglers. The second is very good but not in the same class. Maylin’s first 2 were outstanding. Didn’t rate Bazil’s Bush as highly. The less said about his last effort, the better!

You have to be the first angler I've come across in nearly 25 years that doesn't rate Tel's books.

Having looked at the Line/Dia tests on here , it would seem Fox are very good lines to use .

I feel we've lost our way a little as if you read back he's read most of these. But I guess we can change this into a general book thread.

I bet wouldn't have minded being a punk, bit before my time though 😉 I do like some of the music though, still sounds good today

Currently, on my big water rods/spools I have: HydroTuff 20 lb - for weed. HydroTuff 12 lb (with leader) - for distance. HydroSink 22 lb - where braid is the one. On my small water rods/spools I have: HydroTuff 15 lb. I'm a massive fan of HydroTuff as you can probably tell. Its abrasion resistance is the best I've come across and that is the characteristic which I consider to be most important for the weedy waters I tend to fish. The other characteristics don't seem to be compromised too much by the abrasion resistance either. It sinks ok, it even casts ok, which for a snag line is quite unusual. The 12 lb with leader is perfect for getting the distance without sacrificing too much abrasion resistance. I also rate the Rig Marole SLS Specimon Tough (another snag line) but it's been discontinued. I still have some left that I use as a leader material.

Usually synchro or Xt in 12lb generally 15 lb if weedy X line in 19lb and I have just spooled up a spare set of spools with the Korda tapered line in 12lb I used to use big game or pro gold(harder and harder to get hold off) dabbled with the pro blend from. Gardner along with loads of different ones over the years like maxima sylcast gr60 etc

So.... not being contentious here... but he's sold a lot of books, a lot of folks love his books and writing style, and he's been a British Carp record holder... and your qualifications are.....? Fine to say you don't like his style, but to dismiss his work out of hand smacks of narrow mindedness...

I think his book sales would say otherwise... we'll agree to differ...

Don't suppose anyone happens to have some d rig kickers and a size 4 curve shank type hook do they? 😁 I wouldn't mind seeing how they look together if you have them in stock 😏 Thanks Elmo

Lots of good anglers about... they don't all make good writers though

John Wayne Harry 🤠🤠🤠🤠

He is Dirty Harry's younger brother 😉

Who's John Harry?????? 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

Have a look (if you haven't already) at "All Ways Carping" by Graham Kent ( father of Jed) its a compilation of chapters and quite good... If you can find a copy, "Favourite Swims" By Fred J Taylor And "The Lost Diary" by Chris Yates is nice... charting his last season on Redmire...

This is also my choice of line for my carp fishing in 15lb. I used diawa sensor brown 15lb for years and then I read about the pro on here some were and thought I'd give it a try and imo I think it's excellent line, it covers everything i need in my fishing.🙂👍

All round Mono, P-Line Extrusion, 21lb. Distance casting, Gardner pro 10lb, plus 50lb PowerPro braid leader All round Braid, Gardner Hydro Sink 22lb.

Agree. It was a huge source of inspiration to me. It was that book that taught me to feel the lead down🤣 I rate the 2nd just as highly tbh.

👌

Nah. Flick of the Tale is one of those few classics that can be read over and over again imo.

It all depends what your target is mate. I've had some nice size roach and rudd on smaller pieces of prawn and smaller hooks but if I'm trying to target the bigger perch then it is big baits and size 4s all the way.

I completely agree with that mate. I think the fact his Burghfield story was already quite well documented in his vlogs took away from the book. And I expect that will be a recurring theme going forward. Shame imo. If you read his book titled 'Carp' from 1968, there is a chapter by a Dave Goodrum covering his capture of a 26 lber from the Electricity Cut. Now Dave is still around and I chat to him on a water I fish. He's a lovely chap and hasn't half got some stories in him. It turns out Dave took some of those original Leney's from the Cut back in the day and seeded this water I'm fishing. Magic stuff.

I’ve read ‘Fine Lines’ and though I enjoyed it I thought it was the weakest of Laney’s 3 offerings. Was always a fan of Gibbinson; I’ve been scouring ebay for bargains👍🏻

That is correct my friend, I remember it well from my miss spent youth as a punk.😂😂 But they weren't half good times.😁👍

I put some hyper sensor on my baitrunner didn't really like it, I thought korda carp line was quite a good budget line, but I would rather spend a bit more on line and have found I get on really well with gardner hydrotuff

The only thing I soak my cork balls in is egg white. It will help the paste stick to the cork ball. Your paste will need to have the right level of egg albumin in to harden the bait up. Once dried for 4 or 5 days roughly after you've boiled them then you can add flavours, dips etc of your choice. That's what I do anyway when I've made them and it's always worked. I've got a pot in my garage that well over 10yrs old and still going strong.

I've used some DT products in the past when I've rolled my own bait. Milk B , green beast and sweet damson flavours was what I used in conjunction with a mates base mix. As for you combining baits, I've been going to the same bait company for 20yrs now and they sell bags of randoms. A mixture of all the over rolled baits that were rolled and mixed together with all different sizes and combinations of base mixes/ flavours etc. They are cheap as chips and work a dream, no doubt confusing the carp with the different tastes, scents, sizes and textures etc. Though i do primarily stick to one bait and have done for the past 10,12 or 14yrs now. Been that long I've forgotten. But it's what I'm confident in and due to the amounts I've been known to use im convinced the fish see it as part of their diet .

Agree totally. People that chop and change are in my opinion not confident in their approach and confidence is key. You turn up at your chosen lake already doomed and chances are you won't catch.

Agree. The No Trace beads are excellent imo.

if there was ever evidence the lock downs taking its toll on mental stability

Well the old Jrc has been modded, currently laying on it and not one cable tie has broken so far, it was old and saggy now its, tight and limber again, couple of things I discovered it does seem to leave loads of sharp bits once you trim them, and also it's worth fitting them all loose to start with then tightening them down all at once, good job well done I now have a quick, light overnight chair again