Choosing The Right Fishing Line: Carp Angling
Introduction to An Angler’s Mainline
Choosing the right mainline in carp fishing is like picking the perfect tool for a job. Imagine you’re building something and need a reliable foundation; that’s exactly what the mainline is for carp fishing.
It’s not just a piece of string; it’s your direct link between you and the Carp. So, when you’re on the water, you want a mainline that suits the environment—whether it’s weedy spots or open waters. Think of it like finding the right shoes for different terrains.
In this article, we will cover the most important factors so that you know which mainline is right for your Carp fishing needs.
The Different Types of Mainline
In this first section, we will look into three primary types of mainline: Monofilament, Fluorocarbon, and Braid. Each possesses distinct characteristics that impact casting, visibility, and strength.
MonoFilament
Choosing mono as your mainline for carp fishing is a wise decision, especially as a beginner,r provided you select the appropriate strength and diameter which we will look at in more detail later.
It has the strength and capability to withstand the fight from the largest carp out there. Below are some of the main factors that make monofilament great for beginner anglers.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cheap to buy
- Decent amount of stretch
- More forgiving to beginner anglers
Cons
- Limited Strength: In comparison to braided lines, monofilament may have lower tensile strength for a given diameter.
- Memory: Monofilament can retain a degree of memory, causing it to retain its coiled shape and sometimes resulting in more tangles.
- Stretch: The stretch in monofilament can reduce sensitivity, making it harder to feel subtle bites or changes in the underwater environment
Fluorocarbon
Composed of a dense and nearly invisible material, fluorocarbon line has a refractive index close to that of water. Now, this may seem like a massive advantage but for me and other anglers out there, I think it is safe to say that although this may be a fact about fluorocarbon, it won’t necessarily catch you more fish.
Although I do not consider the refractive index to be of much benefit, fluorocarbon does have its upsides including a low stretch factor, which can provide increased sensitivity and allow for better hook-setting.
Adding to this is its high abrasion resistance. Along with the lack of stretch, these two qualities make it ideal for fishing in snaggy and unpredictable scenarios with the right techniques.
Lastly, fluorocarbon sinks faster than monofilament lines as it’s a lot heavier. This is attributed to a more natural rig presentation. Overall, anglers appreciate fluorocarbon for its durability, knot strength, and overall reliability.
Pros
- Durability
- High strength capability
- Abrasion resistant
- Fast sink rate due to weight
Cons
- Less Stretch: While low stretch is an advantage for sensitivity, it can be a disadvantage when shock absorption is needed.
- Stiffness: Fluorocarbon can be stiffer than monofilament, affecting casting distance and manageability.
- Cost: Fluorocarbon lines are generally more expensive compared to monofilament.
Braid
Braided hook links and Mainline are highly regarded in Carp fishing due to their exceptional strength-to-diameter ratio, a key characteristic that sets braid apart from other materials.
They become a must-have in certain situations when faced with challenging fishing environments where long distance plays a factor and the possibility of abrasion underwater.
The strength-to-diameter ratio of the braid allows it to withstand abrasion from obstacles, providing you with increased control over Carp during the fight.
Another thing to note is that the braid will last a long time as well, so if looked after correctly, it should last you many sessions on the bank.
Pros
- Very High Strength
- No stretch (good for sensitivity)
- High abrasion resistance
- Great Diameter-to-strength ratio
Cons
- Expensive to buy: Braided lines are often more expensive than monofilament lines.
- Not ideal for beginners: Can be used incorrectly and cause issues on your sessions
- Potential for Backlashes: Due to their lack of stretch, braided lines may be more prone to backlashes when casting with certain types of reels.
Easiest Ways to Choose the Right Mainline as a Beginner
Now that you have a better understanding of the various material types, let’s look at the main aspects you would want to take into consideration.
Choose Monofilament to start with
Before we move on, I recommend opting for a Monofilament mainline as a starting point, given its user-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness. Once this choice is made, consider the following factors to set you up with the perfect mainline as a beginner.
Line Strength
Line strength is important, as you would want to be mindful of the size of the fish you are targeting and the specific venues you are fishing. To generalise the rule of thumb, choosing a mainline between 15 – 20lbs is a great place to be.
This will give you the line strength needed to cope with the majority of carp fishing scenarios you may find yourself in, especially as a beginner angler. What could be classed as more important, is the knot strength in conjunction with the rated pound strength you will find on the package labelling. This is where line diameter comes into the equation.
Line Diameter
Knot strength and line diameter go hand in hand. All things being equal, the thicker the line, the stronger the knot will be. This is why you should not only take into consideration the tested line strength but also take note of line diameter, as it is just as important.
Because you will have a knot in your mainline that attaches your mainline to your chosen rig, it’s worth knowing that your knot will hold when under pressure from a large carp.
Trust me I’ve had the unfortunate experience of losing fish in the past due to breakage at the knot even though I had a decent 12-15lb mainline attached to my rig, and have full confidence in my knot tieing ability.
Always remember your line is only as strong as the knot. Once you have tied a knot in your line you have decreased its strength considerably.
I believe these situations can be mitigated by opting for a thicker mainline. To avoid any confusion, once you have chosen the type of line you want and the pound test i.e. 15 or 20lbs, then look at the diameter and choose something in the middle to high range in terms of line diameter.
For example, if you choose a 15lb line then purchase one that has a diameter between 0.33 to 0.38 to ensure you have a solid hold at the knots to avoid unnecessary breakage.
Casting Distance
Now we have covered the importance of line strength and diameter, let’s talk about distance. Typically, fishing at distance, specifically when casting out long distances and not using a boat to set your rigs, it’s vital to know that a thicker line will ultimately affect how far you can cast.
This will also depend on the person you are in terms of your casting ability and the kit you are using, longer rods with higher test curve are generally the way to go when it comes to fishing at distance but for the sake of this article, we will stick to the effects of the mainline itself.
Although you can achieve further distances when using a 10-12lb line, it’s worth noting that in snaggy areas these would not be advised. These types of line strengths are great in open waters with the least amount of resistance, but when it comes to fishing areas which are classed as rugged environments, you would certainly want to opt for a stronger mainline.
Reduced Spool Resistance: Some anglers will use a 10-12lbs mainline when fishing at distance. having a thinner mainline in 10 or 12 lbs will create less friction off the spool when casting.
Reduced Air Resistance: Thinner lines encounter less air resistance during the cast, allowing them to slice through the air more efficiently. This can contribute to increased casting distance.
Lighter Weight: Thinner lines are often lighter than their thicker counterparts. Lighter lines are easier to cast, allowing you to achieve greater distances with less effort.
Line Colour
I use clear lines or green lines. Now, for me, there is no particular reason for me choosing a specific colour for the mainline. I strongly believe that the colour of my line has never affected my fishing sessions in any considerable way.
What I mean by this is that I do not think that the colour of the line will be the difference between blanking or catching a ton of fish.
With that said, it will not do any harm to try out different colour mainlines as some anglers will like to be very anal about their setup to add every possible advantage.
For me, it’s not a deal breaker and would just happily use clear lines most of the time. Plenty of other factors play a more pivotal role when carp fishing, one of them being rig presentation.
What brands to choose
For Carp fishing specifically, I would just stick to well-known brands like Fox, Nash, and Diawa, to give you a few examples.
I currently use Fox 18lbs – 0.35 Mono on my Fox EOS 10000 reels and Diawa Hyper Sensor 15lbs – 0.317 on my Sonik 5000 reels.
Because some articles may overcomplicate this process, I have listed, what I believe to be the most important for beginners. To keep it sweet and simple follow these simple guidelines for general carp fishing and you should be all set.
- Choose a reputable brand
- Monofilament line
- 15lbs strength will be more than enough
- No less than 0.30 diameter for 15lbs line
- Choose any colour you want, Clear, Brown, Green or Camo
Conclusion
Now that you’ve gained insights into the type of line that suits your needs, by exploring some of the most prominent features of the mainline, I hope I boosted your confidence when it comes to selecting the perfect line for your Carp fishing sessions. If you feel that something is missing from this post and would like more information, then please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading.
