View Full Version : What line?
JamesPeebles
18-07-2005, 15:31
Off to France in few weeks and need to respool before I go..been using Fox soft steel for past year or so but fancy a change...what you all reckon?
If you want to cast any sort of distance avoid X Line. I changed to it from braid and it took at least 30 yards off my cast. Went back to braid and my casting distance was back.
Mate of mine used Krystonite and said he was having the same problems.
For me if you want to use mono you can do a lot worse than the good old sensor which is also cheap as chips.
X line for me, Sinks like a brick, invisible to the fish, tough as old boots with phenomenal abrasion resistance, little stretch.
but yeah, it casts like [censored]
1st xcelon best line ive used lovely stuff
2nd pro gold if xcelon hadnt come out would still be using it
3rd sensor for the money you cant go wrong strong reliable and cheap!
i love xline been using it 3 yrs but suits my type of fishing, but if uve been using soft steel with no probs stick to it fella...........
QuietlyAvinEm
18-07-2005, 15:54
ProGold here too.
Gardner GT80 in 12lb is great. I prefer the dark blend, but the light blend is also good
Phil_Appleby
18-07-2005, 16:57
Don't mess about, GR60 in 12lb, 15lb if your venue is especially snaggy.
The other thing I didn't like about X Line is that it tended to coil off the spool very easily. Many times I would open the bail arm for 4 or 5 coils to spool off, leaving me having to wind the line back on and start again. Minor I know but still an irritation.
spools were not overfilled either...
Not had that problem personally, but I'm very careful about line twist. I never pull line off the baitrunner and I usually play fish with backwind.
GR60 is the greatest there has ever been its just awsome just so strong but the GT80 i dont no what happend there
obo, whats up with GT80????
professorpool
18-07-2005, 18:53
Just spooled up with Krystonite Super Mono, which has a flourocarbon coating - on recommendation..
Not fished with it yet but it sure sits well.
Pricey at £16.99 for 1000 mts but if its as good as its cracked up to be, surely worth it..
mark2002
18-07-2005, 18:56
what breaking strain you using? as i have tried 8lb and 10lb and found this went very brittle after 2 or 3 sessions so dumped it now, dont know about higher breaking strains maybe someone out there knows more??
Best line on the market is without doubt GR60. It`s the nuts.
Have to agree with Obo about GT80. Initial impressions were good then i started getting frap ups around the butt eye after a few weeks of use. Tryed the dark and light green but both were troublesome. I am also extremely careful about line twist.
Have recenty been trying Xcelon. 12lb seemed fragile but the 15lb seems excellent so far. This could well be the line i have been looking for. To early to tell though yet,
Pro Gold was ok but not brilliant for casting although the Pro Clear is superb for casting but appeared to have naff Knot strength.
Is there a perfect line?
50lb whiplash is by far the best alround mainline i have used. extremely robust and superb casting properties. But its a braid and is highly visible and floats. 50lb sinking whiplash would be the ultimate mainline
professorpool
19-07-2005, 08:50
[ QUOTE ]
what breaking strain you using? as i have tried 8lb and 10lb and found this went very brittle after 2 or 3 sessions so dumped it now, dont know about higher breaking strains maybe someone out there knows more??
[/ QUOTE ]
12lb 0.31mm
troughty
19-07-2005, 09:31
I use Berkley Ironsilk in 14lb and it is absolutely superb.
I've never seen anyone else using it and sometimes wonder why but i've had no problems at all. The dull green fits in well with the weedy green/algae coloured waters i'm fishing.
If i've missed a scathing review on this line please tell me as it never gets mentioned in the 'what line' threads http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Darthvader
19-07-2005, 12:50
What poundage pro clear was you using ?
DanCleary
19-07-2005, 13:01
I have been using GT80 for about 18 months with no problems.
Well that is until I re-spooled up this spring.
Now all I get is tangles, line frap, line just falling off the spool, even wind knots? oh and a few crack offs in the last couple of months, even though I had none last season, think it's time for me to try something else also.
I should mentioned, that i've respooled 2 reels, with 1 still with the old gear on, and that is still pukka. The other 2 have less line on now, due to crack offs, tangles, wind knots etc, lost well over 100 yards on each reel - so far! http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Can only guess something has changed with the line from last year to this year??? http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif
i was using 16lb pro clear. (Same diameter as standard 12lb- 0.35mm)
With a grinner i was barely getting 10lb.
With a palomar anywhere betwee 11-15lb.
Lost confidence in it otherwise i would of stuck with it , like i say a great casting line
lostcarper
19-07-2005, 17:39
pro gold or big game has never let me down
gt80 i found kinks very easy snaps very easy just didnt like it gr60 isjust so good if not that then the sensor brown.
mark2002
19-07-2005, 19:17
have used shimano catana and found to be good for casting, high knot strengh and tough
Markoncarp
20-07-2005, 12:10
X-line all the way. Can cast it as far as I need to (Im not fishing a big pit) and it sinks like a stone.
Very good. Wouldnt consider anything else.
JamesPeebles
21-07-2005, 01:07
From what youve all said im tempted at trying either the gt60 or x-line. .. although the new fox camo has interested me...only problem is that i have found soft steel to stretch, crease up and go all kinda limp and curly for about six inches from whre i pull a knot tight..has anyone else found this??
JamesPeebles
21-07-2005, 01:09
[ QUOTE ]
From what youve all said im tempted at trying either the gt60 or x-line
[/ QUOTE ]
sorry..gr60 http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Just take care with your knots on the x-line, Palamar is the best I can tie on it, but I've heard other people do better with other knots. See which knot is best for you.
Goose777
21-07-2005, 11:06
Used progold for a long time and liked it but switched to catana which I think is similar but even stronger, tried kristonite and hated it from the off so binned it after one session. Just spooled one reel with X line on the recomendation of a freind and used a simple double loop knot to leadcore and was impressed with it for slack line fishing and its lack of visability but have not used it anywhare near long enough to comment in detail but lets face it at £25 for 600 metres it should be superb, also I think line is a personel thing and what I like others may not and I know the local guy in the tackle shop tried catana on my recomendation and hated it as he thought it was to limp which is one of the thing I like about it. The ultimate for me would probably be berkely fireline in 14lb, very thin and extremely strong stuff, used it in 30lb wrecking for conga some years ago with no problems but the water I fish has a braid ban and I dont know what would cast like.
Fishyman48
21-07-2005, 14:10
Started with esp in 15. Might have done better using a rubber band. Switched to whiplash pro in 30 and had no probs until I uprated the rods and started getting windknots. Now use sensor in 12 with a mono leader for distance and in 15 for snag work. Getting slight twist with the 15 but spindoc sorts it. http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Took my Ironsilk back to Penge Angling after 1 week use in France, 14lb could be broken easy as 3lb line on the section that had been lying on the lake bed. No sign of abrasion damage but some form of chemical reation I guess. Shop owner took it all back saying he'd experienced similar probs. Shame as Ironsilk otherwise has excelent abrasion resistance and lovely line lay. I would never go near it again though - back to Pro Gold for me - reliable....
In next months Carpology there is a complete test on lines - due to a claim from X-Line that it's strength is far greater under water than out of water - and it beats mono pound for pound / diameter for diameter.
BTW just for the record I re-spooled with GT80 in February after using it for the previous year and have experienced no problems what so ever. I've never had a problem with it, if I had I would've changed by now.
Always remember though to buy your line per diameter rather than per pound. Check out the Tackle Box catalogue also for recent tests.
Cash
jonmiller
22-07-2005, 09:12
pro gold or excelon http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif
MarkIVinhand
22-07-2005, 09:31
[ QUOTE ]
Always remember though to buy your line per diameter rather than per pound.
Cash
[/ QUOTE ]
I think i know what you was implying old boy, but not technically correct, IMHO.
I was once using ProGold in a very 'paddy' swim and found I needed to go to a higher breaking strain.
Switched from 15lb ProGold to 17lb Proclear, bearing in mind diameter.
Oh dear, what a rick, it was useless in the snaggy environment (I put it down to being prestretched), so methinks you need to check out the qualities you need from your line for each situation not just breaking strains.
Sorry mate, but I am technically correct, you should buy line by it's diameter, not per LB test.
Cash
Or the fact thet 15lb Pro gold is very underated in terms of line strength stated and pro clear is bang on the nose pretty much. 15lb pro gold will go at around 18. 17lb proclear will go at about 15lb max if the knot isn't 100%
MarkIVinhand
22-07-2005, 10:00
Probably a valid point singy.
Cash, I'm still not sure?
Yonks back I tried ESP in 15lb, it was like a rubber band and as thick as you like, I couldn't begin to compare it with ProGold.
Taking things to an extreme, if faced with the choice of two lines of equal diameter, which would you choose....
cotton or wire?
I know thats ridiculous but I hope you can see what I think I'm trying to say.
http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Lets get next months results and be even more confused.
troughty
22-07-2005, 10:21
[ QUOTE ]
Took my Ironsilk back to Penge Angling after 1 week use in France, 14lb could be broken easy as 3lb line on the section that had been lying on the lake bed. No sign of abrasion damage but some form of chemical reation I guess. Shop owner took it all back saying he'd experienced similar probs. Shame as Ironsilk otherwise has excelent abrasion resistance and lovely line lay. I would never go near it again though - back to Pro Gold for me - reliable....
[/ QUOTE ]
Strange,must have been a dodgy batch Treeman. I've used three seperate batches now (9 x 330 yrd spools) over three seasons and have never had a problem. Most of my fishing is locked up either to snags or near weed and i've never lost tackle on a fish. I've straightened quite a few hooks though on snags.
Mk 4IV I think what Cash is trying to say is that breaking strains are widely mistated - BG is renowed for breaking well above it's test, as is Pro Gold. If you pick two lines of the same stated diameter, then you can compare them MUCH more accurately - and decide which one has the qualities (including BS) that you prefer.
For example - you pick two !%Ib rated lines - and one appears softer. It may only be that it appears softer because the other line is underated and actually breaks at 22IB - in the same diameter they may both be very soft lines.
Make sense??? I'm not sure it's written too clearly.
Spot on Hipster - that's exactly what I'm saying - just haven't had time to type it!!
Cash
MarkIVinhand
22-07-2005, 16:03
No worries guys
Troughty - point taken, probably a bad batch - but you know what it's like after a bad experience, you tend to not want to have it again, so Pro Gold on all spools for me. Also dealer did mention he has more returns from Berkely lines than all others, so another reason to stay away.
Cash, whats your honest opinion on x-line? Been using it recently and only problem ive found is that it takes a while to settle after casting but im wondering if that is because im using sliding back leads. Off to France next week to test it on some lumps.
troughty
22-07-2005, 23:25
[ QUOTE ]
Troughty - point taken, probably a bad batch - but you know what it's like after a bad experience, you tend to not want to have it again
[/ QUOTE ]
Know what you mean mate, i stupidly spooled up with Infinity Duo once....it lasted one session after snapping on a fish in midwater! http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/ooo.gif http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Reason Xline takes a long time to settle is because it is sinking - with all lines I peel off a good few yards of line, and leave it totally slack for five or ten minutes to settle before attaching bobbins, indeed - Xline actually lifts mine up if not allowed to fully sink!!
Short answer on Xline for me - it is a little springy when first spooled, but is very abraision resistant, and sinks well. I'm convinced it has caught me fish I'd not have had otherwise. However, the 20Ib version is an awful caster. The 17Ib casts OK, and is usable for up to 100yards. Above that I'd go back to pro gold, which is a lovely line for casting. But for anything under that, or boating baits, Xline ALL the time for me.
Fivenil,
I can't really comment to be honest as I've not used it.
I know that it is pure fluorocarbon so it's properties are superb. Fluoro sinks well, and it is - like Hippy said, a case of keep peeling off the line until it settles - it will bed down. Sliding back leads will help, but it all depends on wahts between you and the rig.
In MY opinion fluorocarbon is a waste of time as a mainline, yes it's properties are superb. But fluoro doesn't take on water, thus after use dries out, which can then be problematic when you come to use it again - until it's wet. Plus fluoro retains a lot of memory, thus it's 'springy' like appearance. Also it takes on colour - basically it stains - afetr a while it can stand out like a sore thumb.
Hence why fluorocarbon is fantastic as a hooklink and as a leader - but not a winner as a mainlin - in MY opinion.
Give it a go though, see how you get on with it - you won't question it's knot strength or abrasion resistance!
Cash
MattPilky
25-07-2005, 11:42
I like my lines to be indestructable..
Used to use GR60 now GT80 which is slightly better for chucking IMO.
bit more supple.. only slightly though!!
plus i like the colour..
pro gold is good stuff..
stevebrock
25-07-2005, 14:11
15lb Sensor in brown...cheap as chips so you can change it frequently.
Cash - your findings are pretty much the same as mine. I used it for a limited time as a mainline and just really did not get on with it. Now, as a 20 ft leader with braided main line - perfect IMO.
Question - I know I have asked this before but opinions diifer. With say 17lb X line leader, from a fish care perspective does it require tubing or is it thick enough on it's own to not cause a problem?
mark2002
25-07-2005, 15:07
matt, 17lb should sink like a brick dont know about anti tangle though, i use riverge flourocarbon for leaders and esp leadcore 3 inch longer than hooklink
Matt,
No problems to use without any tubing. I use 22lb stiif subterfuge with no worries.
Cash
Just come back from france and have just put 15lb Excelon through it paces in green.
It has been fantastic and has given me no problems. Landed 7 fish to over 46lb. Cast into far margin trees on a few occasions due to [censored] casting and got everything back on every occasion with no damage to the line. Casts superbly with no frap ups etc.
10 out of 10.
Easily better than GT80 and Pro Gold
Hopefully it will stand the test of time.
ther must of been a dodgy batch of the stuff when it came out caus when i first tried it it snapped like cotton and a friend of mine bought some recently i couldnt believe it was the same line by the way both spools were the 15lb green.
mark100 what colour line are you using?
wrongrod
02-08-2005, 18:18
Diawa Sensor, been using 12 and 15lb for years no problems.
JamesPeebles
02-08-2005, 20:20
ive spooled up one reel with the gr60 in 15lb clear...seems quite nice but wont really know until ive put it to the test.... anyone using it currently?
x line for me , have used it on numerous different reels in 17lb break - Tuff as old boots and minimum stretch brilliant sinker but agreed you do have to peel a fair bit off for it to pin to the deck flying back leads are also helpfull i find
firm second for me is Fox Soft Steel which is a quality line, higher in diameter than x line but still tuff as ..
My pal also sweares by GR60, He spooled up 15lb break specifically for rainbow and said it performed very well ..
robsmith
03-08-2005, 21:50
I don't use anything other than braid anymore. Since which time i haven't been broke. Just learn to set your clutch a little slacker and remember not to strike on the bite. You feel a lot more down through the rod.
I either go for fox gravitron or berkley whiplash, When you consider how much longer it lasts than mono and how much more fish you catch it really is cheap at half the price. Don't listen to people that have not used braid but just quote other peoples rhetoric, try it for yourself, its great stuff.
fruitx23
07-08-2005, 17:09
hi m8
if your happy with your line why change.i use soft steel and would put this up against any for toughness-this came out top in a jim gibbinson line test a few years ago-ive used this line in spain france and the uk and have total confidence in it
troughty
07-08-2005, 17:49
"cheap at half the price"
That phrase has never made sense to me?? http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Things a bit slow in The Cure Robert? Sorry, i'm sure you get that all the time! http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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