Berkley Connect CM70 & CM90 Carp Lines
Main line global superpower, Berkley, has designed two lines just for carp fishing.
Berkley has some serious heritage when it comes to producing mono main lines; think benchmark products like Big Game and Trilene. These were the lines that hardcore big carp hunters reached for when they needed a bulletproof mono in the 1990s and beyond. Now, from the same stable as their prestigious predecessors, come the CM70 and CM90 monofilaments. The US-based boffins threw the proverbial kitchen sink at their project to develop the next generation of super-monos, and this time they’ve developed these JUST for carp fishing, under the Connect banner. They looked at what we carpers need and turned their considerable product-development might into delivering two lines that cover all eventualities. Will you be using them though? Let’s find out…
The big questions
So… two lines… which one’s for me?
Okay, so here’s the breakdown. CM70 is a tough-as-old-boots workhorse of a line that retails for a paltry £12.99… for a whole 1000m! Luckily, you’re not sacrificing abrasion resistance or ‘feel’ for affordability – this line does it ALL. CM90 is a little more expensive, at £19.99 for 1200m, but the guys have spent their R&D budget on developing a line that’s super-dense, abrasion resistant and high-performance.
Denser? Come again?
Yep, CM90 is denser than most monos, thanks to its pro-grade alloy construction. That means that it sinks much faster, without being hugely thick, or absorbent. Being denser will help CM90 settle quickly across the contours of the lakebed, hiding your presence from wary carp. Before you ask, we don’t know how they did it either, but it sure is clever!
Okay, what else?
Well, CM90 is low stretch too, which is a fantastic attribute for a carp line. Spool up with it and you’ll be able to feel your lead impact the bottom with much more definition, allowing you to tell what you’re fishing over. A silky-smooth finish, zero line twist and low memory make CM90 the perfect casting line too. Take it from us: Berkley has ticked every box with this one!
Have they got the colours right for UK carping?
Of course! Decades of producing lines for the UK market means that Berkley knows exactly what we want. CM70 is a dark, muddy-brown colour, which blends in exceptionally well over many lakebed types, while CM90 is a classic weedy green colour which blends in over, well, weed… and loads of other stuff!
What’s in the range?
Luckily for us, CM70 and CM90 are available in a host of breaking strains. Long-range aficionados will love the 10 and 12lb lines, although the range actually runs from 8lb. If the going gets tough, you can reach for the 15, 18 and even 20lb versions for the same price.
Can I fill three big pit reels with one spool?
Usual rules apply here guys. The thicker lines like the 12, 15 and 20lb versions will easily fill three spools (with some spare too), but you’ll need to check the capacity of your spools when using the thinner stuff, just to be sure! Whichever way you look at it, both lines are very competitively priced!
Any tips for use?
Yep, it’d be our pleasure! First, make sure you’re spooling up right. Soak your line for a short time to make sure it’s nice and wet; then it’s ready to load. Keep the spool in its bucket of water, with the label facing upwards. Start to reel and check that the line isn’t twisting tightly as it comes off. It should come off the spool in long, loose coils, not short, twisty ones! If it’s twisting, turn the spool over, reel a bit more on and check again. Finally, make sure you reel your line through a wet cloth every now and again, to remove any scum that’s collected on it. That way, you should get at least a year out of a spool. berkley-fishing.com