Evening,
I'm looking for any recommendations on a decent floating braid for surface fishing if anybody has any pointers it'd be most appreciated 👍
Cheers
Leigh
I'm looking for any recommendations on a decent floating braid for surface fishing if anybody has any pointers it'd be most appreciated 👍
Cheers
Leigh
In reply to Post #1
I use Guru pulse (I think it's called) awesome line and never let down on floaters up to 38lb in weedy waters
I use Guru pulse (I think it's called) awesome line and never let down on floaters up to 38lb in weedy waters
In reply to Post #2
What diameter are you using Levi ? Is it the pulse 8 ? Thanks for the recommendation I'll take a look 👍
What diameter are you using Levi ? Is it the pulse 8 ? Thanks for the recommendation I'll take a look 👍
In reply to Post #1
Fireline Crystal
Fireline Crystal
In reply to Post #1
I used 20lb whiplash for a while (made sense, diameter, and could cast it a fair way) and swear blind it effects the catch rates, stopped using it, Whether they can see it or it moves the bait unnatural I couldn't decide but I swear blind it costs you fish
Be interesting to hear other peoples thoughts on braid types and success, I.e plenty of fish not just the odd one
I used 20lb whiplash for a while (made sense, diameter, and could cast it a fair way) and swear blind it effects the catch rates, stopped using it, Whether they can see it or it moves the bait unnatural I couldn't decide but I swear blind it costs you fish
Be interesting to hear other peoples thoughts on braid types and success, I.e plenty of fish not just the odd one
In reply to Post #5
I've used braid for 'traditional' (freeline / controller float) floater fishing for years - depends on what and where you're fishing for but I think its definitely an advantage over mono no matter how spooky the fish. Used with a soft(ish) through action rod and a little care when playing the fish, its better because -
a) you don't need to strike / take up the slack and pull the fishes head off - a gentle half-sweep and your connected
b) casting is easier as you can use a lot thinner diameter for the relative line strength
c) lines like crystal are harder to see (although I'm not a carp so cannot guarantee this) as they are way thinner and maybe don't 'feel' as blatant when brushed up against
FYI still use a 4-6' mono hooklink smeared in mucilin to buffer the last few feet (forget fluro its pants) or multi strand for a shorter hooklink 'bolt' type effect when they're feeding with confidence - usually use a gardner flatliner and fish it helicopter style so I can swop out the float quickly if the fish push further out - have also been known to put a power gum section at the swivel end of the hooklink for aggressive fish/takes just to mitigate bumping fish off on the take . .
Clued up carp that have been hammered all need to be feeding confidently - irrespective of mainline type.
(On this basis / failing the above I'd always use the beachcaster method!)
I've used braid for 'traditional' (freeline / controller float) floater fishing for years - depends on what and where you're fishing for but I think its definitely an advantage over mono no matter how spooky the fish. Used with a soft(ish) through action rod and a little care when playing the fish, its better because -
a) you don't need to strike / take up the slack and pull the fishes head off - a gentle half-sweep and your connected
b) casting is easier as you can use a lot thinner diameter for the relative line strength
c) lines like crystal are harder to see (although I'm not a carp so cannot guarantee this) as they are way thinner and maybe don't 'feel' as blatant when brushed up against
FYI still use a 4-6' mono hooklink smeared in mucilin to buffer the last few feet (forget fluro its pants) or multi strand for a shorter hooklink 'bolt' type effect when they're feeding with confidence - usually use a gardner flatliner and fish it helicopter style so I can swop out the float quickly if the fish push further out - have also been known to put a power gum section at the swivel end of the hooklink for aggressive fish/takes just to mitigate bumping fish off on the take . .
Clued up carp that have been hammered all need to be feeding confidently - irrespective of mainline type.
(On this basis / failing the above I'd always use the beachcaster method!)
In reply to Post #4
Hi Belch,
Is that the fused stuff ?
Hi Belch,
Is that the fused stuff ?
In reply to Post #7
Yes 8 strand fused . .
Yes 8 strand fused . .
In reply to Post #8
Cheers bud appreciate the clarification 👍
Cheers bud appreciate the clarification 👍
In reply to Post #9
Also use it for trotting a float for barbel / chub on a centre pin - floats brilliantly and much easier to 'mend' than mono
Also use it for trotting a float for barbel / chub on a centre pin - floats brilliantly and much easier to 'mend' than mono
In reply to Post #6
Pretty much the reason and how I was using it, 5 foot mono hooklink and move on from there, several sessions I could not buy a bite and they were taking the odd freebies that were feed around the hookbait, I.e little amount of bait and that's with a size 10 buried inside the hookbait. Strange, maybe it's me but confidence is low, like when you mend the line with stick float fishing, it's direct, not like mono that creates a more natural bow in the line. Went back to 12lb mono mainline and started to catch again on said water
Might give it another go, can cast it miles compared to mono, to fish you cannot normally reach, just need to get them taking the bait that's all
Pretty much the reason and how I was using it, 5 foot mono hooklink and move on from there, several sessions I could not buy a bite and they were taking the odd freebies that were feed around the hookbait, I.e little amount of bait and that's with a size 10 buried inside the hookbait. Strange, maybe it's me but confidence is low, like when you mend the line with stick float fishing, it's direct, not like mono that creates a more natural bow in the line. Went back to 12lb mono mainline and started to catch again on said water
Might give it another go, can cast it miles compared to mono, to fish you cannot normally reach, just need to get them taking the bait that's all
In reply to Post #11
I've also gone from braid to 10lb mono and I am convinced for the lakes I fish it gives me better overall results. I put up with the reduced range in return for less fish seeing the line and leaving the area.
Try fly fishing tippet for your hook link, more expensive but better than mono if you get a good one.
I've found that the carp in some lakes can be quite careless so almost anything will do but in others something special is required for good results. When they start to spit out freebies you know they are being careful! Obviously depends on their experience and possibly age / sight.
I've just run out of my usual hook link material and tried a different (supposedly good) one from my local tackle shop. Unfortunately after using it yesterday that is destined for the bin.
I've also gone from braid to 10lb mono and I am convinced for the lakes I fish it gives me better overall results. I put up with the reduced range in return for less fish seeing the line and leaving the area.
Try fly fishing tippet for your hook link, more expensive but better than mono if you get a good one.
I've found that the carp in some lakes can be quite careless so almost anything will do but in others something special is required for good results. When they start to spit out freebies you know they are being careful! Obviously depends on their experience and possibly age / sight.
I've just run out of my usual hook link material and tried a different (supposedly good) one from my local tackle shop. Unfortunately after using it yesterday that is destined for the bin.
In reply to Post #11
I think it does / can depend on the lake your fishing and how they've been fished for surface wise - personally havent noticed a difference between spooking off braid or mono - cute fish will cut across it with their fins - some will spook; some simply dont care!
For me the most important thing is getting a competitive feeding situation going in the first place; then presentation becomes less relevant. Nash riser pellets with a smattering of large 'match the hook bait' pellets are ideal for this as they seem to feed with more confidence intially and can gobble the tiny floating and sinking risers easily.
The other thing is mixing it up - a bit like river fishing; sometimes a really long hooklink is needed - other times a short (12") attached to a heavy controller (MCF Eggs were the best for this - wish someone / Korda would re-release) seems to spook them less and hook them quicker!
Fireline Crystal is great stuff IMO - try pre-making a load of golf ball sized PVA mesh bags loaded with riser pellet and freeline!
I think it does / can depend on the lake your fishing and how they've been fished for surface wise - personally havent noticed a difference between spooking off braid or mono - cute fish will cut across it with their fins - some will spook; some simply dont care!
For me the most important thing is getting a competitive feeding situation going in the first place; then presentation becomes less relevant. Nash riser pellets with a smattering of large 'match the hook bait' pellets are ideal for this as they seem to feed with more confidence intially and can gobble the tiny floating and sinking risers easily.
The other thing is mixing it up - a bit like river fishing; sometimes a really long hooklink is needed - other times a short (12") attached to a heavy controller (MCF Eggs were the best for this - wish someone / Korda would re-release) seems to spook them less and hook them quicker!
Fireline Crystal is great stuff IMO - try pre-making a load of golf ball sized PVA mesh bags loaded with riser pellet and freeline!
In reply to Post #12
Nice one mate, similar experiences to me by the sounds of it
Agree with that too, some waters on some days you can catch them on virtually anything. This was a deep water that I was fishing at the time in summer and I find it a good tactic during the days, getting them to take an hookbait was something else
Is the fly line leader a fluorocarbon?
Nice one mate, similar experiences to me by the sounds of it
Agree with that too, some waters on some days you can catch them on virtually anything. This was a deep water that I was fishing at the time in summer and I find it a good tactic during the days, getting them to take an hookbait was something else
Is the fly line leader a fluorocarbon?
In reply to Post #13
For me the most important thing is getting a competitive feeding situation going in the first place
Strange one that, when boilie fishing I have always give them some bait but when surface fishing I much prefer an hookbait on fish or in the areas where they are patrolling, minimal freebies, eat it or starve
Filling it in makes total sense but can't say it's pulled any trees up for me in the past, plenty of birdlife though, now if we were fishing for ducks and gulls we would all be world champs lol, if only the fish were as obliging
For me the most important thing is getting a competitive feeding situation going in the first place
Strange one that, when boilie fishing I have always give them some bait but when surface fishing I much prefer an hookbait on fish or in the areas where they are patrolling, minimal freebies, eat it or starve
Filling it in makes total sense but can't say it's pulled any trees up for me in the past, plenty of birdlife though, now if we were fishing for ducks and gulls we would all be world champs lol, if only the fish were as obliging
In reply to Post #14
I've been using frog hair fluorocarbon fly tippet material (which is nothing like the usual Fluorocarbon line ) but also had fairly good results in the past with copolymer of the same brand, both are quite supple for their diameter. Thin as possible always helps of course.
I tried Drennan supplex recently but I wasn't impressed, it's all my tackle shop had at the time, cheap but much thicker and not as supple for the same breaking strain.
I've been using frog hair fluorocarbon fly tippet material (which is nothing like the usual Fluorocarbon line ) but also had fairly good results in the past with copolymer of the same brand, both are quite supple for their diameter. Thin as possible always helps of course.
I tried Drennan supplex recently but I wasn't impressed, it's all my tackle shop had at the time, cheap but much thicker and not as supple for the same breaking strain.
In reply to Post #16
Nice one mate, I will have a look at that stuff
Nice one mate, I will have a look at that stuff
In reply to Post #15
Flicking one in their path can get a quick bite; however I've found this to be hit and miss - one chance - they either gobble it or they dont and just p*ss off - yes wildlife can be a pain but they can be fed off elsewhere whilst the carp get competing. . . .
Flicking one in their path can get a quick bite; however I've found this to be hit and miss - one chance - they either gobble it or they dont and just p*ss off - yes wildlife can be a pain but they can be fed off elsewhere whilst the carp get competing. . . .
In reply to Post #10
@Belch I've bought a 270m spool of the fire line crystal in 0.20 on your recommendation, it seems quite wire like on first impressions, does it soften much with use out of interest?
@Belch I've bought a 270m spool of the fire line crystal in 0.20 on your recommendation, it seems quite wire like on first impressions, does it soften much with use out of interest?
In reply to Post #19
Thats cos its micro thin! Its not like a soft hooklink braid - its for mainline use. Yes it can feel a bit wiry at first but like all braid spool up with it wet and just use it - it'll soon soften up the fibres . . .
Thats cos its micro thin! Its not like a soft hooklink braid - its for mainline use. Yes it can feel a bit wiry at first but like all braid spool up with it wet and just use it - it'll soon soften up the fibres . . .
In reply to Post #20
Ok bud sound I'll give it a work out and see how I get on with it! Looking forward to catching a few off the top on braid I bet it's lovely to play fish on with a through action surface rod 😁
Ok bud sound I'll give it a work out and see how I get on with it! Looking forward to catching a few off the top on braid I bet it's lovely to play fish on with a through action surface rod 😁
In reply to Post #1
PowerPro in 20lb. Have used it for 25 years and am still using it for floater fishing. Many people don't get that a soft braid doesn't tend to spook the carp when they hit it, unlike a stiffer mono. I use braid straight through, as using a mono hook link is defeating the purpose of using braid and all that coating the line bollox is not needed. I often fish with a fixed MCF controller and a braided hook length of around four to six inches - fish hook themselves, no false strikes doing that. Just get 'em feeding and it's super easy, even where fish get hammered on top. I don't het why people try to complicate it and piss around with long hook links. Fish bolt rig on top and almost every take gets hooked. The carp don't give a monkeys about the controller either, especially when you get them scoffing and competing for baits. I spend a lot time getting them going before casting, most have no patience and ruin their chances by putting a hook bait out too soon...
PowerPro in 20lb. Have used it for 25 years and am still using it for floater fishing. Many people don't get that a soft braid doesn't tend to spook the carp when they hit it, unlike a stiffer mono. I use braid straight through, as using a mono hook link is defeating the purpose of using braid and all that coating the line bollox is not needed. I often fish with a fixed MCF controller and a braided hook length of around four to six inches - fish hook themselves, no false strikes doing that. Just get 'em feeding and it's super easy, even where fish get hammered on top. I don't het why people try to complicate it and piss around with long hook links. Fish bolt rig on top and almost every take gets hooked. The carp don't give a monkeys about the controller either, especially when you get them scoffing and competing for baits. I spend a lot time getting them going before casting, most have no patience and ruin their chances by putting a hook bait out too soon...
In reply to Post #13
Have you ever noticed any damaged to carp when freeling with braid? Caught one today doing it and it looks like its flicked a scale off, the last thing i want is to damage a fish.
Have you ever noticed any damaged to carp when freeling with braid? Caught one today doing it and it looks like its flicked a scale off, the last thing i want is to damage a fish.
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