Can anyone recommend me a decent semi-stiff coated braid, preferably in a nice brown? I have used the Korda gear and it was great but always busted open on knotting, creating a soft spot right where I needed a semi-stiff spot (oh ahh!) Any ideas? I don't get through loads so a spool will last a while
In reply to Post #1
Esp tungsten semi stiff
Esp tungsten semi stiff
In reply to Post #1
Jelly wire from pbproducts!
Jelly wire from pbproducts!
In reply to Post #1
Another vote for the ESP semi stiff tungsten loaded.
Another vote for the ESP semi stiff tungsten loaded.
I don't like the ESP stuff , slide a sinker on and it breaks the coating. Much prefer the Gardner ultra sink and Nash Skin link. Neither of them break the coating on the sinkers or knots
In reply to Post #5
I have never had that issue and I use the German rig alot with a sinker slid near eye of the hook
I have never had that issue and I use the German rig alot with a sinker slid near eye of the hook
I use either Korda n trap semi stiff or thinking anglers tungskin (my favourite) bit pricey but worth it
In reply to Post #7
The bank tackle stuff is good, I use that or the esp /thinking anglers ones if I'm not steaming
The bank tackle stuff is good, I use that or the esp /thinking anglers ones if I'm not steaming
In reply to Post #6
Yeah I like the stuff bar this. Maybe it's a dud batch. It's thinner diameter than the Nash one also so I thought It would be less prone.
Yeah I like the stuff bar this. Maybe it's a dud batch. It's thinner diameter than the Nash one also so I thought It would be less prone.
In reply to Post #1
I use crimps on15lb pb jelly wire. Does anyone know if the 35lb is stiffer than the 15lb
I use crimps on15lb pb jelly wire. Does anyone know if the 35lb is stiffer than the 15lb
In reply to Post #10
Although it's barley noticeable due to the thicker braid that comes with a 35lb breaking strength, it's a bit stiffer.
Although it's barley noticeable due to the thicker braid that comes with a 35lb breaking strength, it's a bit stiffer.
In reply to Post #1
Esp semi stiff is good. Only problem I've had with sinkers is when I've forgotten to wet the coating first. The tungskin i find too supple, even in the higher breaking strains. The esp stuff also has darker marks added to help break it up when on the lake bed. Saves Messing around with marker pens.
Esp semi stiff is good. Only problem I've had with sinkers is when I've forgotten to wet the coating first. The tungskin i find too supple, even in the higher breaking strains. The esp stuff also has darker marks added to help break it up when on the lake bed. Saves Messing around with marker pens.
In reply to Post #1
ESP Tungsten Loaded, it's all I use for my edge fishing with bottom baits / wafters, I don't bother with sinkers just a blob of putty does what's required, 4 turn grinner to the swivel.
ESP Tungsten Loaded, it's all I use for my edge fishing with bottom baits / wafters, I don't bother with sinkers just a blob of putty does what's required, 4 turn grinner to the swivel.
In reply to Post #1
ESP tungsten semi stiff all day long mate. Nothing co.es close in my opinion for quality.
ESP tungsten semi stiff all day long mate. Nothing co.es close in my opinion for quality.
ESP tungsten semi stiff for me too.
In reply to Post #15
Looks like I'll be giving the ESP gear a go then! Thanks all
Looks like I'll be giving the ESP gear a go then! Thanks all
I use both esp semi stuff but also rate the Korda n trap semi stiff, it's a little stiffer than esp gear but very good
In reply to Post #1
I'm an Avid ESP lover. However I've found the TA tungskin to be the best stuff I've ever used.
I'm an Avid ESP lover. However I've found the TA tungskin to be the best stuff I've ever used.
I spent a while today in angling direct choosing a new semi stiff. Wanted something a little stiffer than ESP. Ended up with Ntrap and after stripping and tying a couple, I can honestly say I really don't like it at all!! The inner braid is nearly as stiff as the coating :( I tried rubbing it, steaming it and even submerging in boiling water for a while but nothing helped. Hoping to return It.
In reply to Post #19
never beat a combi rig using a mono/fluoro and supple braid. coated braids are pointless as proper combis, for that reason. Inner is always not supple enough.
never beat a combi rig using a mono/fluoro and supple braid. coated braids are pointless as proper combis, for that reason. Inner is always not supple enough.
Rigmarole do enough variety, will be something in their range that works for you.
In reply to Post #19
If the inner is to soft the hook ends up folding back and ends up sitting on top of the hooklink & reducing your chance of a bite. The inner core needs a slight element of ridgity to help it fall away from the stiffer boom section
If the inner is to soft the hook ends up folding back and ends up sitting on top of the hooklink & reducing your chance of a bite. The inner core needs a slight element of ridgity to help it fall away from the stiffer boom section
Ridge Monkey Rock Bottom soft?
In reply to Post #20
The inner of the esp is very impressive IMO, a little rub and twist and its very supple and strong. Only bothered about this as I like the hookpoint swinging.down on pickups however I'm going to play around with some claw rigs this summer, so may well go back to something like ntrap (as the hook point won't swing down anyway)
The inner of the esp is very impressive IMO, a little rub and twist and its very supple and strong. Only bothered about this as I like the hookpoint swinging.down on pickups however I'm going to play around with some claw rigs this summer, so may well go back to something like ntrap (as the hook point won't swing down anyway)
In reply to Post #24
Bloody hate paying for half spools but another vote for ESP Semi Stiff. The little “tungsten” flecks on one side of the coating are a load of ******** but it's a good link, nice supple braid and coating doesn't break
Bloody hate paying for half spools but another vote for ESP Semi Stiff. The little “tungsten” flecks on one side of the coating are a load of ******** but it's a good link, nice supple braid and coating doesn't break
In reply to Post #25
I thought the flecks are just to break up the outline of the hooklink,I thought the tungsten was throughout the coating not just the black flecks
I thought the flecks are just to break up the outline of the hooklink,I thought the tungsten was throughout the coating not just the black flecks
In reply to Post #14
I stopped using coated braids many years ago because I found they split and cracked when tying knots. For that reason, I've been tying combi rigs for donkeys years. I saw the Mike holly vid and that made me try the esp tungsten semi stiff. That stuff does all I ever wanted a coated braid to do. It's bloody great. Wish I'd discovered it when it first became available.
I stopped using coated braids many years ago because I found they split and cracked when tying knots. For that reason, I've been tying combi rigs for donkeys years. I saw the Mike holly vid and that made me try the esp tungsten semi stiff. That stuff does all I ever wanted a coated braid to do. It's bloody great. Wish I'd discovered it when it first became available.
In reply to Post #27
I've used the ESP gear, seems pretty reliable and good to work with.
I've used the ESP gear, seems pretty reliable and good to work with.
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