Are you using the right main line?

How/where are you fishing?
At distance

Are you using a bait boat or rowing boat?
Yes…

In that case…
If you’re fishing at extreme-ranges (over 150yds), then a braided main line is your best option. Thanks to having zero stretch, you’ll get amazing bite indication – something you’ll lose by using a monofilament at that range. In fact, a fish will move a good 10ft before you get any indication when using the latter.

What’s a good example?
There are a couple of good ones. Nash Tackle’s Bullet Braid is 100% sinking (a serious advantage), as is Dynon 3000 Camouflage SK Braid.

But what if I’m casting?
In that case you’re casting so you’ll need a proper all-out distance casting mono. Generally they’ll not be as abrasion resistant and they might not sink as well, but thanks to being ultra slick and smooth, it’ll create less resistance so it’ll fly off the spool and help you achieve greater distances.

What’s a good distance line?
There are several specially designed casting lines on the market. Avid’s Trap Line and Gold Label’s Pro Distance being two great examples.

But what if I’m still falling short of my target area?
There are a couple of things you can do to the whole set-up, but in terms of your main line, try applying some Greased Lightning solution from Kryston. This not only prolongs the life of the mono and increases abrasion resistance, but instantly increases casting distance.

How/where are you fishing?
A crystal clear lake

Are you fishing at long distances?
Yes…

In that case…
Because of its very nature – being heavy – fluorocarbon doesn’t cast particularly well and does have a habit of whipping around the butt ring on the cast. In this case you want to opt for a fluorocarbon-coated line or one which has a two-tone outline.

What’s a good example?
Ultima’s Power Carp is good, but Avid’s new Outline Mono Reel Line is the kiddy – it not only sinks well but because of its make-up, it virtually disappears.

What if I’m fishing at medium-range?
If you’re fishing no more than 60/70yds out, then we’d suggest you go for something like X Line in 17lb. Because of its breaking strain, this is extremely heavy which means it’ll sink like a brick and hug the contours of the lakebed making it extremely unobtrusive to the carp which is a serious edge.

Doesn’t fluorocarbon get and look dirty over time?
It sure does. Sediment will grab to all main lines, however, because of the clear nature of fluoro it tends to show up 60% more, making your line look more like rope than ‘virtually invisible’ as all the manufacturers like to claim.

So how do I clean it?
Thinking Anglers produce specially made Line Wipes and Carp-Tart.com (available from The Tackle Box) produce the Butt Plugwhich does as equally as good a job of removing this sediment, making your line look like new.

How/where are you fishing?
To some snags

What type of snag is it?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re fishing to a weedbed or a visual snag – i.e. an overhanging tree/bush, you need a specially designed, super high abrasion resistant main line to fish in this manner.

What breaking strain then?
You want to be using a minimum of 15lb breaking strain, or, as stated breaking strains differ so much from one manufacturer to the next, you want to look for a main line with a diameter of 0.35 to 0.40mm.

But the snag I’m fishing to isn’t at long-range…
In that case, a line with a diameter of 0.35 to 0.40mm isn’t going to be suited to this situation. You’d be better off using a braided main line (Nash Bullet again) and then fish a 20ft fluorocarbon leader to help with the camouflage effect.

Does it make any difference that the water is coloured?
If you fish a ‘hungry’ lake where the water clarity is almost always cloudy, then from our findings in Below The Surface, a brown/black main line is best, something like Daiwa’s Sensor which is not only cheap but extremely reliable.
What about if it isn’t? If your lake ranges from clear to tap-water-crystal-clear, then we’d point you in the direction of Avid’s Outline Mono Reel Line – it’s an exceptional all-round main line – as proven when we tested Avid Brand Manager, Mat Woods, in our Below The Surface feature – have a look here: