So confused on what strength or diameter line to pick.

[terrance smith]

Hello,

I have decided to finally buy my own equipment for fishing and I have no idea what line lb to pick or what hooklink strength to pick, I decided on:

Shimano Sienna 4000
Daiwa black widow 12ft 2.75lb test
semi fixed lead clip rig + hair rig
size 8 barbless hooks
Some sort of daiwa sensor for the line.

The thing is that I have absolutely no idea on what lb mainline to get or hooklink, this is the place I will be fishing (mono mainline only):
"varying depths around the lake from 3ft to 7ft, Lily pads, overhanging trees and reed beds"  "This is a general course lake, it has carp to 29lb 14oz, pike to mid doubles, bream, tench, roach, rudd and a few crucians"

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

[emmcee]

How big is the lake, do you need to cast long distances?

If the answer is no to the above then I'd be on 15lb,  18lb or 20lb mainline (though you should still be able to cast a fair way with either breaking strain line). You should be looking at  a mainline that is known for being abrasion resistant  especially with the presence of lily's,  reed beds and tree over hangs etc as the carp will want to get into these if you hook them. 

Hooklinks are personal choices and should really be determined by what the lake bed is like, gravel, silt, clay etc, suit your hooklink to whichever you're fishing over. As for the breaking strain,  most are between 15lb to 25lb I'd say and once again with the lily's etc I'd go on the heavier side personally.  

[salokcinnodrog]

On 08/08/2025 at 23:21, terrance smith said:

Hello,

I have decided to finally buy my own equipment for fishing and I have no idea what line lb to pick or what hooklink strength to pick, I decided on:

Shimano Sienna 4000
Daiwa black widow 12ft 2.75lb test
semi fixed lead clip rig + hair rig
size 8 barbless hooks
Some sort of daiwa sensor for the line.

The thing is that I have absolutely no idea on what lb mainline to get or hooklink, this is the place I will be fishing (mono mainline only):
"varying depths around the lake from 3ft to 7ft, Lily pads, overhanging trees and reed beds"  "This is a general course lake, it has carp to 29lb 14oz, pike to mid doubles, bream, tench, roach, rudd and a few crucians"

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Welcome to Carp.com.

It's a real fun time picking your line and hooklink materials...

Just a suggestion, Shimano Sienna 4000 reels? You might want to change that for carp fishing, look at 6000 or 10000 size baitrunners, either the ST or DL range. (https://johnsonrosstackle.co.uk/shimano-baitrunner-reels/15312-shimano-baitrunner-st-6000rb-reel.html)

(https://johnsonrosstackle.co.uk/shimano-baitrunner-reels/16575-shimano-baitrunner-dl-10000-rb-reel.html)

 

For around 25years I have used 15lb line for carp fishing in almost every water I have fished from 2acre lakes up to 475acre reservoirs. It will cast up to 150metres on my rods, and is pretty good through weed. 

For years I used Daiwa Sensor in 15lb Brown. I found the brown version was slightly softer than the clear, cast a bit more smoothly and was easier to tie knots in. However, it did need replacing more often.

 

Hooklink again is a matter of choice. I've used Kryston hooklinks since the 1990's! There are many more available now than then, but I found Kryston Merlin, Jackal, Snakebite and Snakeskin work so I have no need to change.