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Fishing line - what do you prefer?

Aaron Littlefield

Aaron Littlefield

Senior Member
Hello everyone,

I hear lots of talk about rigs, rods, and reel choice but I hardly see anybody including the angling press talking much about reel lines. Does anybody have a preferred line manufacturer for barbel fishing/fishing in general?

I've often just gone with whatever I can find in the tackle shops at the time, which seems to be Maxima in most shops these days, I used to get Bayer Perlon back in the day but I haven't seen it for a while.

I'd be interested to hear your recommendations, particularly about line colour too...

Regards

Aaron
 
berkley vision fluro, daiwa sensor and drennan floatfish but also have 11lb whiplash braid on one reel and 15lb on another just in case needed;)
 
Ive been using Big Game in 12lb both green and clear. But i might go back to using maxima chameleon i am sure it gets less coiling and its a dark colour and the new theory if the fish can see the line they dont spook on it when they touch it.
Anybodys thoughts on this?

cheers jamie
 
Jamie Armitage said:
Ive been using Big Game in 12lb both green and clear. But i might go back to using maxima chameleon i am sure it gets less coiling and its a dark colour and the new theory if the fish can see the line they dont spook on it when they touch it.Anybodys thoughts on this?

cheers jamie
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Another new 'theory' dreamt up by some marketing type ...that's all I reckon.

Nowt wrong with Big Game, very strong honest line, cheap too so re-spooling wont break the bank.
 
Line is even worse than rods and reels when it comes to personal preference. I've rarely picked up a rod or reel that a good majority rave about and thought it rubbish. I can't say the same about line. Daiwa Sensor is often touted as a brilliant and relatively inexpensive option, I hate the stuff. I rarely see Fox Soft Steel/Soft Steel Camo recommended, I've got enough of that stashed away (in dark places) to last me for several seasons. I think that you've just got to make a choice and see how it works for you.
 
Maxima for me, never let me down! Think the dark colour is good for evening/night and murky conditions when i nomally fish anyway
 
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Neil Smart said:
Another new 'theory' dreamt up by some marketing type ...that's all I reckon.

Nowt wrong with Big Game, very strong honest line, cheap too so re-spooling wont break the bank.
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This theory was actually dealt with in some depth in CAT a few months ago by no less an angler than Jim Gibbinson. I certainly wouldn't dismiss it as mere hype by the salesmen.

As for preferences, mostly down to what you have confidence in. I like Drennan super specialist, very reliable line, as is Fox soft steel.
 
Alex/Jamie, Regarding the theory, rubbished by an individual on here. It's one I covered in my article / story of five or so more years ago on this site and in Barbel Fisher magazine. You are right to have an open mind, it's not always Smart to jump to conclusions.

"I Saw her again today"

search here

https://barbel.co.uk/articlefr.htm

And in my first book "memories and milestones"

It was followed up with some experiments with fluro as main line that led to a real increase in the number of violent line bites. Note that line was not pinned down in these experiments though. One advantage of the river Loddon is that fish are often easy to observe.

My line of preference is gardener GT80 especially when rough ground like the Teme, middle and Upper Severn or Wye is being fished.



Graham
 
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Gardner GR60 has done me proud the last 2 seasons, both in clear and green. It's strong and so far reliable - pretty much all I want in a mainline.
 
Daiwa Sensor clear for me, great line absolutely bullet proof and cheap. The clear Big game also looks good but seems very stretchy compared to the sensor.
 
Been using the dark SENSOR for the last 5 years or so, its never let me down. I try not to take much notice of others opinions if i can help it, as some people slate the stuff ( i think cos its probably cheaper than most ) and i don,t want to be put off it. It works for me, and as they say, " if its not broke, don,t fix it " :) But each to their own. :)
 
Hi, been a Diawa sensor fan for a few years now. I like the dark colour on some bottom substrates, it is cheap and reliable. Today however, i have just bought some Riverge Reel Soft in 10lb and nearly fell flat on my back when i paid at the till - £22.99 for 250m! Is this stuff any good? I hope so or i shall be returning it for some more Diawa.

Cheers,
Jules
 
Depends on what type of river your fishing..If its a small clear river i would opt for braid main line ultima power pro in 15lb is just the job..Daiwa sensor is absulute pants!..Gardner hydro flo or gt80 if you want mono..From my own personal experience i have found braid mainline to be the better option on small clear rivers especially when its very weedy,mono tends to stretch too much and then weakens especially daiwa sensor..But if fishing big rivers like the severn,trent wye etc then heavy duty mono such as by gardner would be a good option..
 
A big vote for Daiwa Sensor for me - not in all situations, but it's my mainstay for river piking, in the brown 15lb variety. The same has done me fine for barbelling with big leads on the Trent. I've not been snapped up on it, ever. Putting it on correctly, with no line twist, is important though. Once coiled, it's horrible stuff to use. Most lines are, I suppose. In lower strains, Maxima every time. It hasn't let me down yet, so I haven't changed brands.

Once upon a time, i'd have said 11lb sylcast for just about everything, but it seemed to drop out of the universe a few years ago. A shame.

Jon
 
I have been using fox soft steel in 12 lb this season and I can't really fault it. It's very strong and very abrasion resistant, only fault I can find with it is very slight line memory.
I am thinking of trying the Korda adrena line next season as a friend uses it and highly rates it
 
David Pearce said:
. I am thinking of trying the Korda adrena line next season as a friend uses it and highly rates it
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Its aimed at distance carp fishing and I have doubts on its relaibility in river fishing. I use Xline most of the time with braid on some pins.

I have used Kyryston Snyde (nice pale green and quite robust) on Tidal Trent with no problems. When that bulk spool has all gone its GR60 or its replacement.

When the Xline is due for replacement (I have yet to reverse it so can nearly double its lifespan) I will be looking at Tiger Line for flouro mainline; unless I haer of nasties about it. I found BIg Game too stretchy.
 
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