Flavour of the Week - Mainline

[crusian]

On 11/09/2018 at 14:04, yonny said:

I see a lot of confusion over mainlines. Guys seem to compare lines that are intended for completely different uses. There are numerous different types of lines and each have different advantages/disadvantages, and I'm only referring to mono here.... not fluoro, braid etc.....

Pre-stretched lines:

These are your casting lines like Fox Exocet. They obviously have very low stretch and fine diameter vs. BS and they have a super smooth finish. The result is a line that casts really well. Unfortunately the abrasion resistance is what suffers. Hence in a weedy lake you want to avoid pre-stretched lines.

Semi-stretched lines (I made that name up, not sure what they're actually called):

These are the latest in line tech and include Gardner GT-HD and Shimano Technium. They are pre-stretched but to a lesser extent than the casting lines. This means they cast very well but maintain other qualities (so they can sink well for example). They beat the pre-stretched lines for abrasion resistance yet still cast a long way.

All-rounders:

These are the more traditional mono's, the meat-and-two-veg carp lines. they include stuff like Gardner Pro and ESP Synchro. Just because they're not high tech lines doesn't mean they're not very good indeed. They'll not cast as well as the stretched lines but they are hands-down stronger, with better abrasion resistance. If weed is an issue I'd not look past this group of lines.

Snag lines:

Brute lines, thick with immense strength and serious abrasion resistance. You'll struggle to cast these past 100 yards without casting lessons but if there's snags about this is what you want. Stuff like Gardner HydroTuff and Rig Marole SLS Specimon Tough. 

*****

Now I see guys comparing lines from different categories all the time. Just the other day I saw a thread on another forum asking if GT-HD or HydrTuff was best. They cannot be compared imo - the GT-HD would be best in a lightly weeded lake requiring big chucks, but with snags or heavy weed in the water the HydroTuff wins hands down. Therefore you can only decide what is best for your angling situation. You need to look at how far you need to cast and what kind of challenges your water presents (weed, bars etc) and choose a line to suit.

I always err on the side of caution i.e. STRENGTH. What I mean by that is I would rather be a few yards short of the carp and be in with a chance of landing them, than being able to cast on their heads but lose them all to snags/weed. I have used pre-stretched lines on French trips to huge silty waters with no weed/snags, waters where you need to cast 150, and they've been great. But there is no way I'd choose to use them on the weed choked waters I fish in the UK.

I think a lot of guys pay to much attention to castability.

 If you need to cast 150 then fair play, go for pre-stretched lines, if you don't (and most don't), go for a proper carp line, an all-rounder or semi-stretched line at least, one that will land you everything you hook.

So next time you see a "what's the best line?" thread we need to stop and think before we go shouting out the name of what we're currently using. What is best depends entirely on the individual and his/her angling situation. If the angling situation varies, then it is logical that the all-rounders are best (the best of which imo is Gardner Pro).

I'm currently suing HydroTuff due to a minimum diameter rule on my syndi, which is normally very weedy. It's been great, never let me down.

Hello Yonny 

Are you still " Tuffing it out " ? .

It wasn't until I read one of Smufters' posts that I learnt about Berkley Connect CM90 and CM70 - how do you rate these lines as a snag line  please ? .

Ta .

😃

[yonny]

1 hour ago, crusian said:

Are you still " Tuffing it out " ? .

Yes mate. Great line.

1 hour ago, crusian said:

CM90 and CM70 - how do you rate these lines as a snag line  please ? .

They are not snag lines buddy. The CM90 is a great line apparently, very supple I'm told, does everything Pretty well. I believe it's semi stretched however which compromises abrasion resistance.

[crusian]

6 minutes ago, yonny said:

Yes mate. Great line.

They are not snag lines buddy. The CM90 is a great line apparently, very supple I'm told, does everything Pretty well. I believe it's semi stretched however which compromises abrasion resistance.

Cheers , Yonny .

👍