The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I hope this doesn't offend but I'm guessing even the most staunch traditionalist angler uses mono? Plus I know you are quite a knowledgable lot!


One of my favourite forms of angling is on the top with floaters for carp, and this year I wanted to try a thinner line than my usual so after a little research I was led to believe that Drennan Double Strength line was the one to use for it's floating qualities, low diameter and strength.

Well, last weekend I took a youngster surface fishing and on two occasions the 10 lb line snapped on fish that were probably only between 8-12lb mark. Thinking it could just be his haste we carried on. The following bite I took and the line pinged with next to no tension?

Has anyone had good or bad experiences with this line and or recommend another brand to try out for surface fishing.

Tadpole

I've not used it Tadpole and taking into account what you have just said I won't be anytime soon either!

Tadpole wrote:Has anyone had god or bad experiences with this line and or recommend another brand to try out for surface fishing.

In my experience, Double Strength and all similar "high strength" monos tend to be unpredictable and can break without warning. I now no longer use anything but Daiwa Sensor or Maxima, with one exception: I use WB Clarke Match Team (formerly Silstar) as hooklengths for surface fishing. This is a bit thinner for its breaking strain than the other two, but still retains enough stretch to give a bit of leeway when playing a decent-sized fish.

Like any tackle though, it all boils down to using what you have confidence in.

davyr wrote:

Tadpole wrote:Has anyone had god or bad experiences with this line and or recommend another brand to try out for surface fishing.

In my experience, Double Strength and all similar "high strength" monos tend to be unpredictable and can break without warning. I now no longer use anything but Daiwa Sensor or Maxima, with one exception: I use WB Clarke Match Team (formerly Silstar) as hooklengths for surface fishing. This is a bit thinner for its breaking strain than the other two, but still retains enough stretch to give a bit of leeway when playing a decent-sized fish.

Like any tackle though, it all boils down to using what you have confidence in.

Davyr, I also use maxima up to 8lb and sensor for anything over 8lbs, never had any problems with either. But I would like to try something with a clear finish?

It depends how you were using it. Terry Hearn has landed several huge carp (40lb plus) on the following setup: tie up a six to eight foot hooklink of 10 or 12lb Double Strength with a small flexi-swivel at one end and a size 8 or 10 Drennan Super Specialist or Specialist Barbel hook at the other. The hook is tied on with a Palomar knot and the tag end is fed back through the eye to form the hair, which is just long enough to mount a single mixer so it touches the hook bend; don't use a knotless knot as is can expand and contract in mono, causing failure. You could mount a softened mixer straight on the hook if you prefer.

Thread a rubber float stop up the reel line, which is usually 12lb tough mono (GR60, Big Game, Pro Gold etc) followed by a bead, a small controller float and another bead. The line is then tied to the swivel at the end of the hooklink and the float, beads and stop pushed down next to it so the float is trapped, waggler style.

The important points are: don't use a hooklength shorter than six feet, as it won't have enough stretch to cushion the shock of a big carp pulling hard; don't use a knotless knot, and don't fish the controller 'running' on the line without a backstop immediately behind it, as otherwise the swivel will sink, pulling line through the controller and drawing the hookbait back towards the float until the hooklink ends up suspended vertically right next to it.

It's an open-water technique really; if there are lilies, snags or thick weeds close by you're better off freelining with stronger line straight through.

A soft-ish rod of about 1.75-2lb test is advisable, although Terry H often used his 'standard' carp rod (2lb 9oz test 12 foot carbon) without a problem.

Like Davyr I have used Daiwa Sensor and Maxima for years and would not use anything else as they both work fine for me.

Hi Tadpole,
I have not had a problem myself, unless I have had a kink or a knot in the line that I have been too lazy to re-tie. It happens!

I use a 4 to 5ft of 10lb double strength hooklink & floating braid on the reel, so little or no stretch. I use a 13/8 TC through action Avon rod which gives me the buffer. During the April hot spell, remember it, I had 2X16's, an 18 & a 23.01 without losing one. My PB of 31lb came by freelining with 8lb double strength, but again using a 'soft' rod.

I use a knotless knot at the hook end & a grinner to the swivel on the controller. Care with the knots and frequent examination of the hooklink & you should be fine.

Bob

GOS makes a good point about not using a hooklength of less than 6' (I should have mentioned that). I wouldn't like using a backstop immediately behind a free-running controller though, as this introduces the possibility (however slim) of a line break occurring behind the backstop, leading to a carp towing a controller around and possibly getting itself tethered.

I prefer to use a semi-fixed controller (ESP) with a piece of silicone tubing passing through the eye at the top. The hooklength swivel is pulled lightly into this and the hooklength is, of course, of a breaking strain at least 2lb less than that of the mainline.

Match Team line does have a clear finish, by the way.

davyr wrote:GOS makes a good point about not using a hooklength of less than 6' (I should have mentioned that). I wouldn't like using a backstop immediately behind a free-running controller though, as this introduces the possibility (however slim) of a line break occurring behind the backstop, leading to a carp towing a controller around and possibly getting itself tethered.

I prefer to use a semi-fixed controller (ESP) with a piece of silicone tubing passing through the eye at the top. The hooklength swivel is pulled lightly into this and the hooklength is, of course, of a breaking strain at least 2lb less than that of the mainline.

Match Team line does have a clear finish, by the way.

A rubber float stop won't hold a controller on firm enough for a carp to tether itself.

gloucesteroldspot wrote:A rubber float stop won't hold a controller on firm enough for a carp to tether itself.

Thanks for the clarification! I was thinking of something more like a Drennan plastic leger stop. :thumb: