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.

 

[framey]

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.

Check the rules on the lake you are fishing for line strengths or diameters 

no point getting kicked off before you start for being under gunned.

 

most of my type of fishing is done with 4000 size reels and have no problems.

Edited 3 hours ago by framey

[terrance smith]

25 minutes ago, framey said:

Check the rules on the lake you are fishing for line strengths or diameters 

no point getting kicked off before you start for being under gunned.

 

most of my type of fishing is done with 4000 size reels and have no problems.

Yeah I've read they quite extensively:

 

• Barbless hooks only
• Carp care kit
• No leadcore or leaders of any kind and no fixed rigs
• Minimum 10lb mainline - no braided mainline
• Minimum un-hooking mat of 24 inches by 44 inches
• Minimum 36 inch landing net - Strictly NO pan or match sized landing nets
• Each angler must be self sufficient - no equipment sharing
• Fishing from woodchipped swims only ( with sleepers )
• If fishing near lily pads you MUST place bivvy/tent in the swim
• No particles allowed except sweetcorn or hemp
• Banned Baits: Any kind of nuts, chick peas and bloodworm. Only hemp or sweetcorn is allowed

[terrance smith]

11 hours ago, salokcinnodrog said:

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.

 

Thank you so much for your advice. Have you tried the Hyper Sensor at all? As for the reel, my budget is super tight since I'm just a student starting out, so I'm looking for reels around £35 or under.

I've done some more reading and I'm now wondering: should I get a free spool reel or not?

As for casting distance, I think I'll only be casting around 30 meters maximum, since there is a huge island in the middle. This is why I'm looking at a 4000-sized reel.

[framey]

28 minutes ago, terrance smith said:

Yeah I've read they quite extensively:

 

• Barbless hooks only
• Carp care kit
• No leadcore or leaders of any kind and no fixed rigs
• Minimum 10lb mainline - no braided mainline
• Minimum un-hooking mat of 24 inches by 44 inches
• Minimum 36 inch landing net - Strictly NO pan or match sized landing nets
• Each angler must be self sufficient - no equipment sharing
• Fishing from woodchipped swims only ( with sleepers )
• If fishing near lily pads you MUST place bivvy/tent in the swim
• No particles allowed except sweetcorn or hemp
• Banned Baits: Any kind of nuts, chick peas and bloodworm. Only hemp or sweetcorn is allowed

I’d be looking at between 12 and 15lb 

if you get 2 spools on the reel then I would get both 

one for the open water fishing and the other for the “snaggier” areas.

If you can only afford the one line then get the 15lb

 

imo 

I would be looking at fishing the margins on a float and hopping between swims 

Float fishing with sweetcorn or luncheon meat on the hook.

bobs ya uncle…

Edited 2 hours ago by framey