Carp Fishing Top Tips For Braided Main Line
By Henry de Beer
As there is almost zero stretch in braid the fight from a carp on braid
(compared to monofilament) is unreal as the feelings transmitted
through the braid are magnified 50 times over those of mono.
Some anglers are terrified that the hook is going to pop out at any given second and it can be a bit heart-stopping at first as you will feel every head-shake the carp makes.
Some suggest the use of a leader to help soften this.
Others disagree as they say that they always feel in complete control throughout the fight.
The main tip here would be to play the carp a bit more gingerly until you’re used to what you can, or cannot, get away with and try to keep a tight line on the fish all the time; this prevents any movement of the hook.
One thing you do have to watch is when tightening up after casting out; you have to do it much more gently than you would with mono. Because you are in direct contact with the lead and sudden movement can dislodge the lead, especially if you are fishing on the slope of an island or the side of a bar, you could even pull the rig from a clear spot into the weed.
If you are going for a big chuck and you hook it over, it will take skin off; so always use a finger guard (finger stall) or a Gardner Casting Glove for casting.
Make sure your rod is firmly anchored as some of the takes can be frightening; with rods pulled into the water if the baitrunner is set too tightly.
There are several kinds of braid available, but for long distance fishing (300 meters plus) buy a sinking braid, rather than a floating braid.
With floating braids you can ‘anchor’ the line (with the help of line weights such as captive backleads) below your rod tips (watch out for crabs; suspend slightly off the bottom) and at the region of your hook length (with the help of flying backleads) but most of the middle of the line will float on top off (or just below) the water surface; easily picked-up by trolling motors etc. on boats and canoes.
Sinking braids are very thin (compared to mono), yet extremely strong for its diameter and ideal for long distance fishing (300 meters plus) with bait boats or canoe; and although they are quite expensive, and spooling-up three big pit reels with braid will initially be a costly exercise, they could easily last you two or three seasons; much longer than mono.
Some anglers are terrified that the hook is going to pop out at any given second and it can be a bit heart-stopping at first as you will feel every head-shake the carp makes.
Some suggest the use of a leader to help soften this.
Others disagree as they say that they always feel in complete control throughout the fight.
The main tip here would be to play the carp a bit more gingerly until you’re used to what you can, or cannot, get away with and try to keep a tight line on the fish all the time; this prevents any movement of the hook.
One thing you do have to watch is when tightening up after casting out; you have to do it much more gently than you would with mono. Because you are in direct contact with the lead and sudden movement can dislodge the lead, especially if you are fishing on the slope of an island or the side of a bar, you could even pull the rig from a clear spot into the weed.
If you are going for a big chuck and you hook it over, it will take skin off; so always use a finger guard (finger stall) or a Gardner Casting Glove for casting.
Make sure your rod is firmly anchored as some of the takes can be frightening; with rods pulled into the water if the baitrunner is set too tightly.
There are several kinds of braid available, but for long distance fishing (300 meters plus) buy a sinking braid, rather than a floating braid.
With floating braids you can ‘anchor’ the line (with the help of line weights such as captive backleads) below your rod tips (watch out for crabs; suspend slightly off the bottom) and at the region of your hook length (with the help of flying backleads) but most of the middle of the line will float on top off (or just below) the water surface; easily picked-up by trolling motors etc. on boats and canoes.
Sinking braids are very thin (compared to mono), yet extremely strong for its diameter and ideal for long distance fishing (300 meters plus) with bait boats or canoe; and although they are quite expensive, and spooling-up three big pit reels with braid will initially be a costly exercise, they could easily last you two or three seasons; much longer than mono.
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