When the new Trabucco line was recommended to me a couple of years ago, I was very skeptical about this recommendation. Too many different ones for match fishing had already been tried, and they all represented a kind of compromise between three mutually exclusive characteristics necessary for fishing with a match - soft line, high breaking load, including on the knots, and durability. Moreover, for fishing with (that is, for most types of match fishing), another parameter was added - good flotation of the line. This means that in no more than two or three turns of the reel, the line from the float to the rod must completely go under the water, otherwise it is carried along the surface and it is impossible to achieve good wiring. Poor floatability of the fishing line forces the rig to be thrown much further from the point of fishing, requires an increase in weight and weight, which ultimately negatively affects the bite. Therefore, this parameter is so important.
The previous ideal is line Trabucco Diamond Sinking- suited everyone except for the unstable breaking load on the nodes, and in order to achieve good result, the usual loop had to be tied several times. Then the knot withstood a number of fishing trips; even constantly passing through numerous rings of the match, he did not lose strength. The durability of the line was beyond praise: I managed to work with it for a couple of seasons, while I came across vaunted lines, which after several fishing trips turned into washcloths. Testing Trabucco XPS lines after the purchase, it revealed a very high breaking load, almost at the level of Hi-Tec lines, excellent elasticity, good knot strength and some excess of its diameter, which is generally characteristic of match lines.
The line is wound on the spool very evenly, turn to turn, this excludes damage during storage and confirms its Japanese origin. After the first fishing trips, I noticed that it was superbly flooded. Usually, in inexpensive lines, this characteristic gradually deteriorates, and even the constant use of the composition for casting the line does not help much. With XPS Match Sinking, the spray was only needed once per fishing trip, solely for the initial degreasing of the line and restoring it to working parameters. At the end of the season, when it was already possible to judge the durability of the line, the control check of the breaking load showed that its decrease was very insignificant; you can try to catch it one more season for a final check. As a rule, after the fishing season, I rewind the line on the spool of the reel in reverse, so that a new segment is the working one. Thus, the line serves at least a couple of seasons.
Trabucco XPS Line showed excellent performance, so I think that it may well serve two seasons in a row, and only after that it should be rewound. Taking into account the unwinding of the line at 150 m, even with periodic cutting of the working area, it will be enough for at least four seasons of active fishing. That was proved by the second season of my fishing with this line. Main parameters - breaking load, knot strength, floatability - remained at the proper level. I used a line with a diameter of 0.165 mm for fishing for carp in commercial waters and 0.148 mm for all other cases, including in competitions. I would recommend the latter as a universal one. In addition, the 150 m line unwinding on a reel eliminated the need to rewind the backing on standard Shi-man match spools. Previously, this problem had to be solved by buying fishing line on large reels - 500 m each. Due to frequent competitions, the line on the reel ran out in a couple of seasons, but an ordinary angler who does not catch too much with match tackle, such a line "hangs" for a lot years and gradually deteriorates. If you use regular deep spools with backing, then when unwinding at 150 m there is a certain amount of XPS line for breaks and cutting it when fishing. Given the excellent performance, it would be logical to expect an increase in the price of this line. But, oddly enough, Trabucco XPS Match Sinking line was cheaper than the previous Diamond Sinking, which does credit to the manufacturer for offering anglers a great product at an affordable price.
What does an ordinary angler usually look at when buying a line? The breaking load indicated on the label. The higher the load, the more attractive the line looks.
Not to mention the fact that not everything written can be believed, this is, in fact, the wrong approach. Breaking strength is far from the only factor to keep in mind. There are many factors, and in different fishing methods, even in different situations within the same fishing method, one or another of them can get the main role, while others fade into the background.
In fishing with a match rod, that is, a special lightweight float rod with a reel, rather thin monofilaments (no thicker than 0.20 mm) are used. The so-called linear breaking load of the main, reel, line (the load at which the line breaks without a knot) is not very important here. Fishing mainly occurs with a leash that is thinner and weaker than the main line, and in which case it is the leash that usually breaks anyway. At the same time, the elements of the equipment located on the main line are preserved: sinkers, a swivel, an expensive float, etc.
In addition, in modern match lines, except perhaps for cheap ones, the real breaking load for a line of the same actual diameter is approximately the same, and only the data on the labels differ: someone overestimates, someone writes the truth, someone modestly underestimates.
What is important? First of all, resistance to abrasion and other mechanical damage, and generally durability in a broader sense. A match fishing rod involves frequent re-throwing of the tackle, pulling out the prey, and the line is constantly moving back and forth along the rings, experiencing loads when the fish jerks. Accordingly, it must be tenacious. What is the use of the strongest line if during the first day of fishing it loses half of this strength and becomes weaker than the cheaper and initially weaker, but more stable line? Many people probably remember how popular it was in the 70s-80s. German fishing line "Platil Strong". For swing rods and for reel rod leads it was very good. But as soon as it was wound on a reel, troubles began. The slightest roughness of the reel roller or rod ring caused irreparable consequences. Sometimes the bully was so great that the line looked like a string of bananas, half peeled off.
Advertising of modern monofilaments often emphasizes the so-called "lack of memory". This refers to the ability of the line to straighten easily after deformation. For thin match lines, this is not so important as for thick ones, say carp, but still ... The line should not curl into rings, but, on the contrary, should straighten and lay flat on the water. "Lack of memory", however, should not be understood as a condition close to that of noodles. Excessively soft thin lines are very tangled, behave worse when casting from a reel.
After casting, the match line is either left to float on the surface or sunk. When fishing in the line, the line must float so that you can control the movement of the float, throw the line upstream and prevent the formation of an arc downstream.
When fishing in standing water with the use of a float with one lower attachment point (waggler), the line is usually submerged so that it is not blown away by the wind. But it is not the weight of the line that sinks equally well (or equally badly).
Why does an ordinary polyamide monofilament thread, after casting a float rig, not sink, but float on the surface? The specific gravity of the material is low, about 1.14, that is, the line, although heavier than water, is not much. And she still has to overcome surface tension. If there is grease on the line (for example, from your fingers), it is very difficult for her to do this.
To help the line, the angler will usually quickly spin the reel or pull the rod down and to the side. To facilitate the casting of the fishing line, it can be pre-treated with liquid soap or a special composition in the form of an aerosol.
Over time, many companies began to offer special "sinking" lines for match fishing rods. Their label contains the words "s inking line", that is, "sinking line", but this is very arbitrary. Theoretically, any polyamide line sinks in water, but in practice many "drowning" ones do not want to sink either.
At first glance, the manufacturer can facilitate the casting of the fishing line in two ways. First, by changing the surface properties of the fishing line (as anglers do, greasing the fishing line or, conversely, wiping it with soap). Secondly, by changing its specific gravity. Specific gravity different types polyamides usually ranges from 1.14 to 1.15, but today manufacturers have learned to make all sorts of combined lines, two- and three-layer, with different coatings ...
In practice, the first method is of primary importance. The fact is that an increase in specific gravity alone is of little use: the line will still not start to sink automatically after casting, unless it is a metal string. On the other hand, heavy, fast-sinking fishing line, such as pure fluorocarbon with a density of 1.78, is not a gift for a floater either. It can be suitable for high-speed fishing, when a sweep or a new cast follows soon after. With a long wait for a bite large fish it can sink to the bottom, and if the depth is great, a large arc forms. Hooking in the presence of such an arc, of course, is not very pleasant.
The "sinking lines" present on the market today are usually subdivided into sinking and conditionally sinking, that is, well-flooded and not so well-flooded. The former are usually more expensive. Most of the "sinking lines" are made in Japan by large firms ("Toray" and others), but are sold under the brands of large wholesalers specializing in float equipment. These are mainly Italian, English, French, German firms. In Russia, unfortunately, "sinking lines" are poorly represented and are quite rare on sale. Let us briefly consider those of them that are more often found in stores, and then separately dwell in more detail on especially interesting ones.
MAXIMA
The German “Maxima” (“Maxima Chameleon”) is considered to be the ancestor of the “sinking woods”. The popularity of this monofilament in both Europe and the United States is largely due to the colossal work done by the owner of the company to promote it on the market. Initially, this dark brown monofilament with a reddish tint was advertised as a versatile line that, thanks to a special coating, was able to adapt to various light conditions and be almost invisible to fish. In the 70s-80s, however, it became very popular in England as the main line for bottom and float rods.
"Maxima" has high elongation and medium breaking load. On spools, the diameter, as a rule, is underestimated by one notch: buying 0.16, you get 0.18, etc. But the breaking load is also underestimated. For example, you buy 0.16 with a breaking load of 1.6 kg, but you actually get 0.18 / 1.9 kg. The line is not very cheap and is, so to speak, old-fashioned, but it is still used as a match line. In Moscow, it can (with difficulty) be found both in a hundred-meter unwinding (about 100 rubles) and on large spools.
TRIANA
Under the brand of this Italian "sports" company, several good monofilaments, including two "sinking" ones, have gained fame in Russia.
1) "Triana Red Sinking" - bright red shiny line, inexpensive, pleasant to work with, although not very good at sinking. It is characteristic that the nominal diameter, as a rule, does not differ much from the actual one, and the breaking load is exactly the same. For example, 0.185 / 2.4 kg is actually 0.19 / 2.4 kg. Coils of 300 meters.
2) "Triana Balaton" - matte brown fishing line, quite tough, sinks better than "Red Sinking", but also significantly more expensive than that. The nominal diameter is usually noticeably smaller than the actual diameter. On spools of 150 meters.
MAVER
Under the name "Smart", both leader and reel lines are widely used in Russia. "Smart UK Sinking Line" is a matte red-brown monofilament thread. Not a bad match line, but it doesn't sink very well. The diameter in the output data is greatly underestimated, up to two steps (0.195 instead of the stated 0.16, etc.). Breaking load is average. The price is relatively low (about 100 rubles for a 150-meter reel).
MILO
For many years, the Milo Professional Royale - Special English Sinking Line, dark brown with a green tint, was quite popular among athletes. Its characteristic features: rigidity and significant discrepancy between the actual and nominal diameters. Unwinding: spools (typical for French lines) of 150 and 500 meters.
Now in Moscow you can find "Milo Classic Match Line Sinking" - a matte gray Japanese monofilament thread, usually characterized as "conditionally sinking". What's interesting: the actual diameter here sometimes coincides with the nominal, and sometimes even less: for example, on the label 0.175, and on the micrometer - 0.165. Apparently, this circumstance, along with sometimes underestimated data on breaking load (real 0.165 holds 2 kg, and not 1.8, as written) did not contribute to strengthening the reputation of this line (weak, etc.). In fact, it is quite good, it behaves well on the nodes and has a fairly high resistance to mechanical damage, although it does not sink very well and is not cheap (about 200 rubles for a 150-meter coil).
TRABUCCO
In addition to the popular but very expensive "Diamond Sinking", which we will talk about in more detail below, there is also the "Aqualine Match" (the actual diameter is 0.12-0.20 mm, the real one is much larger: 0.19 instead of 0.16, etc.). the breaking load on the labels is greatly overestimated), smoky, and in a practical unwinding of 500 meters (in Moscow less than 300 rubles per reel, that is, each meter is more than 5 times cheaper than Diamond). She can be classified as conditionally drowning. The actual breaking load is not bad (2.4 kg for 0.19).
BAYER
In addition to aspirin, the famous German concern also produces fishing line, often sold under other brands, and sometimes under its own - "Bayer Perlon". Some of the Bayer's forests are touted as sinking. There are especially many of them in England, but they can also be found in the countries of the former Warsaw Pact. They are generally of medium strength, brown in color and do not sink very well. Classification: conditionally sinking lines. The price is usually reasonable.
OTHER
Special "sinking" lines for "English"; Fishing (ie for a match fishing rod) is usually present in the assortment of such French companies as Water Queen, Sensas ... However, in Russia they appear only occasionally. Sinking lines under the Browning brand also did not become widespread in our country, although they can be found on sale.
TRABUCCO DIAMOND SINKING
In spite of high price, many match rod lovers have this Japanese monofilament in recent times in use. In the Trabucco assortment, it is part of the Diamond family, which also includes other lines.
The Diamond Sinking is offered as a “special English reel line” (ie match rod) that sinks quickly in any water, with no memory, outstanding breaking load and accurate calibration.
The fact that she has a minimal "memory" can be seen even in the store. You can also check the diameter there if you have a micrometer with you. The micrometer usually shows more than what is written on the Diamond label, for example 0.145 instead of 0.12. It is better to check the rest of the qualities in another place - in the laboratory and on a fishing trip.
The average breaking load, obtained when testing our sample (0.145 mm) on a tensile testing machine, coincided with the nominal: 1.45 kg. We did not reveal significant fluctuations in breaking load and diameter along the length of a hundred-meter spool.
Experience with the Diamond Sinking on match rods confirms that it is, indeed, easy to sink. After heating, however, it does not go like a stone to the bottom. True, with a "slow" fishing at great depths, it can go down and thus complicate fishing.
The line is durable, resistant to mechanical damage, with a hard surface.
Trabucco has reels of 100 meters (10 in a box) and 500 meters (each in an individual cardboard box). Of course, a 500-meter unwinding is more convenient (and more profitable), but in Russia it was not necessary to meet it. In a 100-meter unwinding, the line seems expensive.
Our opinion: Perfectly retractable match line, good for “tough” situations.
Facts
Firm: "Trabisso Fishing Diffusion S.r.l." (Italy)
Name: "Diamond Sinking"
Colour: black-brown
Nominal diameter: 0.12 mm
Actual diameter: 0.145 mm
: 1,450 kg
: 1.45 kg
Unwinding: spools 100 m each
Estimated price: 320 p.
COLMIC RACE SINKINCT
The dark green fishing line distributed by the Italian sports company Colmic under the name RACE Sinking Line became a real revelation for many Moscow floaters last season. The company, as usual, claims that it sinks quickly, has little stretch, has high abrasion resistance and minimal "memory". An experience practical application RACE Sinking basically confirms these claims. The line is really quite easy to sink, does not twist, in general it is very pleasant to use. The surface is smooth, even and hard, retains its original appearance for a long time, it is difficult to scratch. In general, the line is durable and reliable.
Four nominal diameters are offered: 0.14; 0.16; 0.18; 0.20. The diameter is not much overestimated: when checking various diameters, the deviation from the nominal was about 0.005-0.01 mm (0.15 instead of 0.14, 0.165 instead of 0.16 ...). We did not notice any significant fluctuations in the length of the 600-meter spool. As for the breaking load, the company for some reason overestimated it to completely unrealistic values, although in fact it is already high on the line (we went to 1.65 kg for 0.15; 2.0 kg for 0.165 ... ). Such "tricks" only in vain mislead the angler and create confusion when choosing a fishing line. Overall, RACE roughly matches Trabucco's Diamond Sinking in terms of strength.
On nodes "RACE" behaves well.
The line is unwound on spools of 150 and 600 m (in a cardboard box). In principle, it is better to buy it at 600 m. The price for a 600-meter unwinding is less than a ruble per meter, which is not a lot for a line of this class.
Our opinion: excellent match line, sinks well.
Facts
Firm: "Colmic" (Italy)
Name: "RACE Sinking Line"
Nominal diameter: 0.14mm
Actual diameter: 0.15mm
: 2.200 kg
: 1.65 kg
Colour: dark green
Unwinding: spools 600 m each
Estimated price: 570 RUB
Fishermen do not always use professional terminology. It so happens that someone has been fishing all his life and did not know that this type of fishing has its own, special, name. This applies to match fishing - fishing on a light plug rod with a reel, for long distances, which is also designed for playing large fish.
An important tooling component match tackle is a match line, which must be sinking. Such a line appeared recently about 20 years ago. Well, now it is used with might and main for match fishing and
According to my observations, many fishermen use a universal tackle, which can be caught near the coast and made "long casting". In this case, they use any line without thinking about any special equipment. Indeed, in practice, you can submerge any line.
For real match fishing, everything must correspond to just such fishing, including the line described in this article. I mean that whoever reads this article understands all the nuances of match fishing.
At first glance, it may seem that such a rough tackle will not bring results, it will frighten the fish, but in practice it is not. The fish is especially shy around coastline, at depth she feels much freer and pays less attention to gear.
Many manufacturers have a line for match fishing. There is a Match or Sinking signature on the reel. But, there are a lot of requirements for such a line, so not all companies produce it.
Peculiarities
Since match rod fishing takes place in stagnant water or very weak currents, the line will be submerged. This is a feature of such fishing.
The second difference of this type of fishing is the distance, casting can take place at a distance of 70-100 meters, which is quite far.
Since the line is in calm water, it does not sail or move under the influence of the current.
Browning Cenex Sinking Match Lin
Specifications
The match line is made of a dense material that is heavier than water in terms of specific gravity and therefore sinks faster. The monofilament from which the fishing line is made is thin. The diameter of the main line is 0.14-0.20 mm. A match line is less durable than a monofilament of the same diameter.
Together with the main line, a leader is used, which is even smaller in diameter - 0.1-0.12 mm. In match fishing, the breaking load of the line is not very important, it is mainly the leash that breaks.
Primary requirements
Line for match fishing must meet certain requirements:
The line should sink easily
Normal monofilament, after casting, lies on the water and does not sink. On the packaging of the match line there should be a designation - sinking line, which means sinking. In order to increase floodability, manufacturers cover monofilament with special coatings in two or three layers. Thus, its specific gravity in relation to water increases.
But the line should not be very heavy either. Otherwise, it will sink to the bottom and the jogging will become more difficult. And when long cast a sharp cut is very important.
How to make fishing line sink
You can make the fishing line sink yourself. To do this, wipe it with liquid soap or "Fairy". The line must be completely degreased. The fatty film helps to keep it on the water. Instead of liquid soap, a special match spray is used. The effectiveness of the spray is much higher than that of household products.
Degreasing spray Softness and elasticity
This provides a more free escape from the spool and also allows better winding around the spool.
Abrasion resistant
The technique of match catching consists of numerous casts. Consequently, the line will constantly experience friction against the spool and guide rings. Therefore, it is very important that the line does not wear off or wrinkle.
Low elongation
Low extensibility will provide a firm strike.
Lack of "memory"
She should not only be without memory, but after casting it should straighten into a straight line. Do not curl into rings, but lie flat on the water. In the event that it was twisted, straighten. For the same purpose, manufacturers have invented a special parallel, which does not allow curling.
Many people ask the question: how to straighten the line? It turns out you can do this at home. For example, hang a load and heat the line with a hairdryer, the rings will go away. Another way to straighten the line is to run it over the hot surface of an iron, kettle or saucepan. In any case, the heating process promotes straightening.
Dark coloration
The line should be dark.
Firstly, so that you can mark on it with a marker how far the cast was made. Usually black, dark blue or dark brown. Using markers is required condition for match fishing. The price of the marker is not important, they are all about the same. Both expensive and cheap markers draw well.
Secondly, the dark color is similar to the color of the bottom, which means that the line is hardly noticeable.
How to submerge
In order for the line to sink, it must be submerged. The line is melted with jerky movements. First you need to lower the rod tip into the water, pick up the slack and raise it sharply. Those lines that sink worse are melted in two approaches.
Not all lines sink equally. They are divided into two subgroups:
- Sinking fast.
- Conditionally sinking.
Of course, it is preferable to purchase lines that sink quickly with the Full Sinking Line marking, but the price is higher for them.
Top manufacturers
Japanese and German companies are the leaders in the production of such lines. On the basis of their raw materials, italians and Poles produce good fishing lines.
Trabucco line is specially designed for match fishing and feeder fishing. Black color. The Trabucco T-Force line is heavy, which helps it sink in a short amount of time. Ceramic has been added to the Trabucco T-Force structure to add strength to the monofilament. Trabucco line has parallel winding.
Trabucco T Force XPS Match Sinking Maver Smart Dual Band is a Japanese line that is made of two strands using the compression method. Quite soft, blue-gray in color. Maver Smart Dual Band is used for match fishing, as well as for feeder fishing, float rod and spinning. Treated with resins to prevent abrasion. Since the fishing line is made of two monofilaments of different colors, its diameter is not round, which alarms those who buy it for the first time. But this is not a fake. Works very well for carp fishing. It is unacceptable for small fish - it stretches.
Maver Smart Dual Band line is lighter to break than Trabucco line
Another line from Maver is Smart SLR, the reviews are very positive. Maver SLR is called a legend. Smart SLR is used not only for match fishing, but also for winter fishing... Maver SLR - soft and elastic with almost no memory, the diameter corresponds to the declared one. The major disadvantage of the Maver SLR is the price. But Maver SLRs are often faked. Of course, the counterfeit will not have the characteristics of the original.
The German firm Browning produces excellent match lines:
- Browning Cenex Sinking Match Line - fast sinking, low memory.
- Browning Cenex Sinking Line NEW - transparent, very easy to melt.
Colmic Arwen Inglese Super Competition Sinking Line - Replaced the popular RACE Sinking Line. RACE Sinking is currently discontinued. Colmic Arwen is marsh colored, has little extensibility and poor memory. Arwen Sinking has the following diameter: 0.148 mm; 0.168 mm; 0.185 mm; 0.205 mm; 0.230 mm. User reviews saying that the diameter is slightly underestimated than it actually is.
Popular omen: As soon as the biting has begun, in no case should you look back or look around, the biting will immediately stop!