Hi all

Thought id drop a quick post first.
Looking to respool and wondered what people were thinking.

Looking for a 15lb monno
Must be low strech
Must have good knot strength

Currently on Gardener HD
I think its been ok but seemed to take a fair while to bed propperly.

Theres a new fluro out (Thinking Anglers???) Yes its a bunch of cash
Ive never used Fluro on the spool what disadvantages does it have.

Thoughts ??

P

Korda Touchdown since 2022, and see no reason to go for another line, very abrasion-resistant and very strong at the knot and not too much stretch.

My 12 lb Korda line once got snagged in the metal fencing of a canel lock during a fight and ended up wrapped three times around a bolt. I walked over to the bridge, managed to free the line, and still landed a 36 lb carp. Paint from the metal fence and the bolt had rubbed onto the line due to the back-and-forth movement. Especially considering the line had been wrapped three times around a metal bolt, I was genuinely surprised it didn't break.

In reply to Post #1
I've been using the Kaizen line this season after using GTHD for years. It was a mistake and will be going back to GTHD this spring. The Kaizen is a good casting line, it sinks OK after taking on water but nothing special. It might just be me but it goes course to the touch too, something I've not experienced with any other line. The Kaizen is just mediocre in my opinion.

In this case, if it isn't broke applies

In reply to Post #3
Thats what the shop also told me, Dont go for the new Kaizen and stick with the Touchdown

In reply to Post #1
"Theres a new fluro out (Thinking Anglers???) Yes its a bunch of cash
Ive never used Fluro on the spool what disadvantages does it have."

Sinks very well - could be a disadvantage depending on what you want to do.
Picks up muck.
Generally doesn't cast as far.
Can be a bit "lively" at times.
Arguably requires more maintenance.

For me, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, & I've got on with it better than any mono I've used - so far.

Ha livleyness

That sounds like springyness

Cant be doing with coily lines
Get enough probs with line falling behind the spool as it is..!

Thanks for the heads up will skip

Interested in trying out
Prologic Mimicry in cammo green

Any one used it..
Seems to tick the boxes..
How does it spool
Hows knot strength
Is it reall low memory

In reply to Post #5
Xline 20lb is the best fluoro price vs quality. Its .40 still casts absolutely fine up to 25wraps sinks like a brick. The biggest thing I notice if I ever switch back to mono is undertow. I fish slack lines and Fluoro is brilliant for that. Fishing mono the undertow is a nightmare. With Fluorocarbon the line just sits still.
Fluorocarbon gives you great feedback when casting.
Its heavy, so the weight of the water aids hooking.
The abrasion resistance is much better, so less cut offs
Im convinced Fishing slack gives the fish more confidence to come into your swim.
Ive had no issue with 20lb xline fluoro since ive been using it for the past 4 years. I dont stretch it, It doesn't frap, especially when you get into grips with the best casting style for fluoro.
As long as you have a decent size spool, ive got 14000 shimanos it fishes lovely.
Proving im fishing under 25wraps, I wouldn't use anything else now.

Like others on the thread I used Touchdown for years and couldn't fault it - can't go far wrong with that if you're after a mono. I'm 12 months into using the TA fluorocarbon - it can be aggro to manage and is more prone to twist. It is an extremely tough, strong line. Give it a good stretch out at the start of each session and it'll sort out any coiling like any fluoro. Sinks like a brick, casts like an absolute bag of spanners but it being more subtle than a mono is the highest priority for me. It is pricy but with how tough it is, I'm fully expecting to get a number of seasons out of it.

Just found this page v usefull

https://tacklebox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/line_tests_issue_13h.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOopJslYvpfV5memRZIJeD96NiRihOU9NiD8q20asXpE1m5rbt6Fs

The stated strain of 12lb Touchdown was shown to break at i think it was 17.

Thats impressive...
Any one using Touch down actually measured its strain real world..

Ok
So if i go touchdown..
How well does it spool
Does it have low memory / limpness
Is it prone to twist

Ta muchly
P

Just spooled up with Xline. Not been able to test it yet tho.

Grrr
Been reading a bunch of posts on Facebook carp groups saying Touchdown is ***** and very prone to unexplained twist...

Good greif..
Perhaps i will stick to the Gardener HD

In reply to Post #12
It's not. I would say 9/10 times twist is due to the user. I use the 0.40 Touchdown if I have to use mono, it's a solid line. Korda Carp Line also very good.

In reply to Post #12
Line twist doesn't just happen. It's usually using baitrunner reels and fishing with overly loose clutches that does it.

In reply to Post #3
I went from shimano technium to kaizen last year and will be going back to the shimano line this year

Always got 20lb xline on my spare spools. Mega fluro once it beds in, and makes a great hooklink material as well

I used GTHD for a number of years. Last year after recommendations from a couple of mates I tried the OGX mono and it's been really good. Spools up lovely, casts and knots well. Haven't suffered any crack offs or unexpected cut offs etc. I can't see me changing back to the HD, although it never caused me any issues.

In reply to Post #1
PB Hybron . . .limp / low stretch / sinks very quickly / abrasion resistant. Setting up rods with very slack line (drops between each ring and directly down off the tip) is no longer an elongated and fiddly affair . . .

All the benefits of mainline fluro but without the agg - have been using the 0.40 since release and although expensive its worth it IMO . . .

In reply to Post #3
I'd heard really good things about the Kaizen so have a spool of 18lb ready to go to replace my ESP Synchro XT. But perhaps now I'll leave it.

Anyone had a positive experience with the Kaizen?

In reply to Post #1
PB Control is my go to after trying a lot down the years.. limp, strong, low dia, nice colour,sinks.

Would like to try new Hybron too..

In reply to Post #18
Braders rates it

In reply to Post #20
Probably crap then.

In reply to Post #18
I loaded kaizen 18lb line as a replacement for CM90, I've used it on the last four, two day sessions, landing fish to 41lb, to me it seems good ! It casts well and sinks well too, I don't really have anything negative to say about it yet ! It has only been four sessions! As fir its abrasive qualities the weed hasn't come up on my syndicate yet so can't speak about that , I also tried ESP Synchro prior to the Kaisen and didn't like that at all .

Any thoughts on Thinking Anglers OGX in 15lb...?

Leaning towards it.
But as ever of course there are some saying how they couldn't get on with it.
Spoke to a bloke over the weekend using it didn't have a bad word.

Spooled up nice.
Was limp with low memory.
Not a lot of strech.
Not wirey.
didn't "crinkle up"

I guess you've just gotta try...

In reply to Post #23
Ogx was on my reels for one trip,I had it birdsnest on a cast like braid does with wind knots.I have never ever had a mono do that in all the years ive been fishing.I was lucky it wasnt a big chuck,im now on the kaizen in 18lb and it is superb.It took a couple of trips to really bed in but now it does everything I want from my line.It casts well,sinks quickly,really abrasion resistant ive had fish go through lillies and weed beds and no issues at all plus no coiling up even after playing fish on the drag

I went from synchro to 15lb OGX a couple of seasons ago, I love the OGX and wouldn't go back!

Anyone tried the Prologic CM90?

In reply to Post #25
I use the 18lb ogx when im using mono and really rate it i switched to it from 15lb syncro

Gone with the OGX in 15.
Seems to have enough good reports.
Who knows ... ! will see if i can give it an actual breaking knot test at some point

In reply to Post #28
Apologies for hi-jacking your thread Paul.
Has anyone used the newer released Technium Black in 15lb b/s, if so, how do you find it?

Thanks all.

In reply to Post #30
It's not great, but the 15 never was. The 12 is the sweet spot

I have used most of the top lines on the last 30 years but the best I have found is probably one of the cheapest - Fox Carp mono. It's a lovely green colour, sinks well and in 20lb it is only 0.38 diameter which is amazing. I use it everywhere from open water pits with no weed to waters choked in weed and it has never let me down. And even better it's only £8.99 a spool - bargain!

In reply to Post #32
Im on 18lb gthd and so far so good!! I tried esp synchro (which gets a lot of love here) to be a bit wiry and didnt sink the best , it was however very difficult to see in the water !

Previous favoured lines were Catana and technium which were awesome but i dont think you can go wrong with any of the gardner offerings ! They have a very good line for all situations

In reply to Post #33
If you want a sinking version of the esp synchro you should buy the esp synchro loaded version. It sinks like a brick!

Not spooled it or tested yet but the OGX is very soft and supple comming off the 1000m spool. Dosnt seem wirery or coily (yet)...

P

In reply to Post #35
Mnnn OGX...

Top line In 15lb no fish on it yet mind..

Spools great
Not Coily
Not Wirey
Not twisty at all (yet)
Casts great
Lovley smooth silky feel
Seems to sink like a stone
Just the right ammount of strech for me
Like the colour Mabye a tad darker on the spool than Gardner HD

Recomended from me anyhows

In reply to Post #34
It's also one of the worst lines going

In reply to Post #37
Agreed.

It's the worst mono I've ever had the displeasure of using.

I used to be a Syncro user but only up to 15lb breaking strain. I moved onto 18lb as I got onto a syndicate that had a lot of zebras. I absolutely hated it. The memory was awful and I'm a big advocate that any mono needs a good soaking for best results. 12 hours plus as a minimum for me.

Since then I've used OGX, GT-HD and Kaizen. Nothing I've used in my angling life touches OGX so far. Granted it's a copolymer but I use it at 0.35 and 0.40 and the suppleness of it is hard to believe. Especially in the 0.40. It sinks well and I've guided multiple 30lb+ fish out of 10ft weed beds with it and never felt it wasn't up to the job. Unless they change it, I'll never use anything else again.

Fox Exocet pro in 18lb has impressed me, casts very well with decent abrasion resistance . .35mm - breaks at just over 18lb n The tackle box tests which is above average for a .35mm line.

Lines never seemed to change for the best, not to mention different perceptions of the properties.
Saw quite a few 'revolutionary' co-polymers, low diameter, low stretch, abrasion resistance etc but there are fewer manufacturers than brands

So this whole thread shows its a Horses for Courses thing, What one will love another will hate equally as much...!
Where one person will recommend 100% another will take the same line off the spools after one session.
Basically you pays yer money you takes yer chance

As I dont fish any deeply weedy waters or which have massive mussel beds or sharp rocky bottoms abrasion resistance never was high up there.

I had a 48lb Cat on the 15 OGX second outing, Personally i couldn't fault it had confidence till the fish was in the net and never felt out of contact even while the bugger was over the other side of the lake.

In reply to Post #42
I loaded 18lb kaizen as a replacement for my CM90, it casts well and sinks OK, and knots OK, But I've recently wondered about its abrasive qualities, to me CM90 was bomb proof in that area, however when straightening a fluro leader the line above the leader just snapped ! On closer inspection the line was damaged , I did a pull test on my other rod and again the line parted above the leader easily ? Now I had caught a couple of decent fish on those rods and other than some minimal weed they may have gone through, I can't think what caused the damage !

Now I'm going to have to test the line after every fish just in case , if it happens again it will have to come off ! And the search continues!

I discovered this the session after I had 41lb and a 39lb fish which I mentioned in the post below (post22) praising the Kaizen

In reply to Post #42
"What one will love another will hate equally as much...!
Where one person will recommend 100% another will take the same line off the spools after one session"

Name one thing to do with fishing that we can all agree on.

In reply to Post #44
Catching a Bream at 3 am really gives everyone of us the right hump..?

In reply to Post #45
"Catching a Bream at 3 am really gives everyone of us the right hump..?"

Name 2 things to do with fishing that we can all agree on..

In reply to Post #46
Catching his brother on the same rod 15 mins later, just after getting back in the bag?