Mainline choices

[pablo7uk]

Hello 

I've just recently bought 3 new reels and it's been a long time since I've bought mainline.

They fit about 330 yards of 15lb on as a guide but I'm looking for recommendations.

They each already have a spool of 25lb braid so I'm looking for mono ideas. I'm thinking 18lb as there is a venue I want to fish that has catfish in it with a 18lb minimum rule but I'm also unsure I want to base my kit on fishing just one venue when there are many others I fish which are 15lb recommended.

 

Thanks Paul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2021 by pablo7uk
Missing info

[yonny]

Any of Gardner lines mate. Gardner Pro as an all-rounder, Hydro-Tuff as as a bullet proof snag line, or GT-HD for casting.

[pablo7uk]

1 hour ago, yonny said:

Any of Gardner lines mate. Gardner Pro as an all-rounder, Hydro-Tuff as as a bullet proof snag line, or GT-HD for casting.

Just found the GTHD on Angling Direct for £20 at 18lb. Should be enough to fill all 3 spools with 830m too or near enough anyway at 0.39 diameter. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

I think the fox stuff and korda stuff I was looking at had carp tax added as they were going to be £50+

Edited April 22, 2021 by pablo7uk
Missing info

[yonny]

11 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

GTHD

Just bear in mind that's the one for casting buddy. It's pre-stretched so has lower abrasion resistance than the other two. If you're not going for distance the other two might be better options (imo).

[pablo7uk]

45 minutes ago, yonny said:

Just bear in mind that's the one for casting buddy. It's pre-stretched so has lower abrasion resistance than the other two. If you're not going for distance the other two might be better options (imo).

Looks like the GTHD is the only one available above 15lb? It says high abrasion resistance in the description?

 

I've also found Fox eos which seems cheap for a mainstream brand. Also fox soft steel which I actually think it what I had on my previous reels for years - didn't realise they still made it.

[elmoputney]

15lb Gardner hydrotuff is about the equivalent of most 18lb lines, its bulletproof, I recently tried another line after 1 trip I missed it and it is back on my new reels, unless you are casting miles hydrotuff is a great line 

Any Gardner line is better than any fox line, and that is a true fact 😂, 👍

[yonny]

38 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

It says high abrasion resistance in the description?

All lines say that in the adverts lol.

You can get HydroTuff and Pro in 20 lb buddy (the 20 lb Pro is called the XM version).

[elmoputney]

5 minutes ago, yonny said:

All lines say that in the adverts lol.

You can get HydroTuff and Pro in 20 lb buddy (the 20 lb Pro is called the XM version).

The 20lb hydrotuff is called Chuck Norris 😁

Edited April 22, 2021 by elmoputney

[pablo7uk]

2 hours ago, elmoputney said:

The 20lb hydrotuff is called Chuck Norris 😁

Haha it's not like wire though is it? 

[elmoputney]

6 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

Haha it's not like wire though is it? 

I've only used 15lb and I've never managed to break it yet, it's a decent line tbh, tough, reliable, sinks well, doesn't stretch loads and will last a long time, I change mine yearly, occasionally strip a couple of rod lengths off, but unless you really need to cast to the moon its perfect 

[yonny]

I've used every breaking strain, it casts ok for its strength. The 12 lbs absolutely flies. It's a great, great line.

[pablo7uk]

Thanks I think I'll give it a go. Certainly good value and a reputable brand. 

[salokcinnodrog]

On 22/04/2021 at 11:41, pablo7uk said:

Hello 

I've just recently bought 3 new reels and it's been a long time since I've bought mainline.

They fit about 330 yards of 15lb on as a guide but I'm looking for recommendations.

They each already have a spool of 25lb braid so I'm looking for mono ideas. I'm thinking 18lb as there is a venue I want to fish that has catfish in it with a 18lb minimum rule but I'm also unsure I want to base my kit on fishing just one venue when there are many others I fish which are 15lb recommended.

 

Thanks Paul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From memory almost every spool to line ratio on the reel is usually well out, needing far more line than the amount printed. It may be because a breaking strain has so many different diameters. 

A 15lb line can be anything from 0.34 even 0.32, to 0.40mm, depending on brand! 

A properly rated 15lb line will be 0.34/ 0.35mm, anything above that will be 18 or even 20lb. (0.38/0.40mm)

Personally I have not found more expensive lines to massively outperform cheaper budget brown Daiwa Sensor or Gardner Pro, (one exception sadly no longer around, original Shimano Catana). 

Gardner Pro is my first choice line now. 

 

[pablo7uk]

I opted for Gardner hydrotuff in 20lb in the end. One spool filled all 3 reels with a little left over. It feels pretty soft and flexible for such a strong line. I'm looking forward to giving it a go this weekend.

[elmoputney]

9 hours ago, pablo7uk said:

I opted for Gardner hydrotuff in 20lb in the end. One spool filled all 3 reels with a little left over. It feels pretty soft and flexible for such a strong line. I'm looking forward to giving it a go this weekend.

You will never manage to snap that one 👍 

[pablo7uk]

Well I have it a go on Saturday and it does seem quite good and is nice and flexible for tying knots easily. 

If I'm fishing a bit of a distance out would I need a leader or will it be strong enough? I've never really fished at distance but a regular on the lake I was fishing said there was a good gravel spot at 23 wraps. I felt apprehensive trying to cast that far. I only managed 22 wraps with the market float set up.

[ouchthathurt]

You won’t need a leader with 20lb hydrotuff mate, it will be man enough for the job, just keep the cast smooth and unhurried and check the reel/eyes for tangles before you go for the big chuck. 

[pablo7uk]

Great thank you, I'll give it a try next time I'm on that venue. I was really wanting to give the spot a try on that day as I'd had nothing all day.

Once I can get the lead 23 wraps next job will be the spomb 😭 I have 30lb braid with a leader on a Grey's distance spod rod with a daiwa emblem spod reel so just gotta go for it!! 

[ouchthathurt]

Just remember to soak the braid and have a few casts to bed the line in before going for the animal chuck mate.