Currently, the fishing accessories market has a wide range of braided cords of different sections and colors. When choosing a braid, you should pay attention to the diameter, manufacturer, color and other indicators.
Trusted manufacturers of braided lines are: Berkley, Salmo, Power Pro and Sunline;
When choosing a braided line for a feeder , you should not forget that regardless of the purpose of fishing and the desire to catch an impressively sized fish, the basis of the catch will be not too large specimens of bream, roach, rudd, and sometimes carp or crucian carp.
Therefore, the approximate diameter of the cord for such fish will be from 0.08 to 0.14 mm. Larger carp are more often found at special fish farms, and the fishing method for this large fish has its own differences and nuances.
The rod itself also plays a very important role. Therefore, if you want to choose and buy a feeder, then you should take a closer look at the following proven companies: Shimano, Salmo, Kaida, Banax, Balzer, Daiwa and Cormoran.
Braid color
The color of the cord does not play a particularly important role and, as practice shows, does not affect the effectiveness of fishing. Therefore, the choice of colors is an individual matter for each fisherman. In order not to lose sight and easily detect the braid, you should use bright colors, fluorescent braid models.
When purchasing a cord, careful inspection is important, since the same braid can differ significantly in quality due to belonging to different production batches.
It is better to purchase cords from trusted brands that have proven themselves in the market and guarantee reliability and high quality products.
Types and characteristics of fishing lines
There is a significant difference in the choice of fishing line for fishing in a current and a standing reservoir, when fishing for roach, bream or carp, and you should purchase one or another model of fishing line only taking into account all the relevant circumstances.
Modern milkers use three types of fishing line:
- monofilament;
- wicker;
- fluorocarbon.
Just a couple of decades ago, fishermen only dreamed of such a choice, because there was no alternative to monofilament fishing line in stores. Thanks to military developments and the introduction of new technologies, fluorocarbon was invented, which is gaining great popularity among feeders around the world.
Feeder braid has also taken its rightful place and is preferred to be used in different conditions both in competitions and during amateur fishing.
The line for the feeder is characterized by the following factors:
- diameter;
- rigidity;
- extensibility;
- strength;
- breaking load on the node;
- color;
- buoyancy;
- material of manufacture;
- cost.
Expert opinion
Evgeny Zhirkov
Feeder fishing expert
Inexperienced fans of English donkey, when choosing a monofilament line for a feeder, primarily focus on the breaking load, without paying attention to other characteristics, and as a result make a mistake.
Considering what kind of fish is caught on the feeder, other characteristics of the fishing line sometimes come to the fore. In particular, this concerns the rigidity, diameter and color of the monofilament, which affect the casting distance and camouflage qualities.
When catching trophy fish, the fishing line really should be high-strength, but the main catch is still small fish and therefore the strength of the knot is not a determining factor.
Bream or crucian carp, and even more so roach, are caught on a line with a diameter of 0.14-0.2 mm and there is no point in using a thick base that will only unmask the equipment.
When fishing in strong currents, select a fishing line of the smallest possible diameter that does not create additional resistance to the flow of water.
The sensitivity of the feeder equipment largely depends on the weight of the feeders and it is desirable that it be as small as possible.
But light feeders are more easily carried away by the current, and by choosing a thin line, the angler solves the problem. It is easier to cast equipment with a thin base over a long distance, so in this case the diameter is more important.
When fishing in spring, in clear water, when there is still little grass in the rivers, the color of the monofilament is very important, because fish are wary of unfamiliar and incomprehensible objects.
Transparent or light green monofilament line in such a situation turns out to be the most invisible, which also has to be taken into account. The monofilament sinks better and faster, delivering the feeder to a given point and providing additional camouflage.
Highlighting the advantages of monofilament fishing line for a feeder, we note that it:
- sinks faster;
- has a homogeneous structure;
- costs less than cord or fluorocarbon;
- invisible in the water column;
- has stretchability, which is important when catching trophy fish;
- smooth and does not interfere with slippage in the quivertype rings.
When fishing for trophies, the feeder rod absorbs the jerks of the fish, and the use of the reel clutch provides convenience in working with the equipment. But the stretchability of monofilament fishing line also plays an important role, and, for example, when fishing using the feeder method, braid is practically not used.
A strong fish, of course, will not break the wicker base, but because of its inextensibility, derailments happen quite often, and you want to avoid them. Relatively low cost and a large assortment are also among the advantages of monofilament feeder fishing line, and this is especially important for amateurs and novice feeders.
True, the stretchability of monofilament fishing line when fishing for small fish is rather a drawback that affects the sensitivity of the equipment, and the choice in favor of braided line in such cases is justified.
Among other disadvantages of monofilament, we highlight:
- low breaking load;
- fragility.
Since you have to fish both under the scorching sun and in heavy rain, the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation or moisture on monofilament fishing line is very significant. During the fishing season it has to be changed, which leads to additional costs, so you have to forget about saving.
Don’t forget about the rigidity of monofilament fishing line, because soft materials have a “memory” and very quickly become unusable, twist and curl. A high-quality monofilament base has a shiny surface, but if it is matte, it means it was not stored correctly, or due to long-term storage it has lost its best properties.
When purchasing, you should check the breaking load on the knot by first wetting it, because when the knot is tightened, the dry line gets very hot and will break faster. A good monofilament line has the same diameter along its entire length, which makes long-distance casting easier. This is not always noticeable to the eye, but you need to be careful, and all possible flaws will definitely be revealed.
You should not pay attention to those monofilament lines that have an increased breaking load. On average, for a fishing line with a diameter of 0.28 mm it is 5-7 kg.
Unscrupulous manufacturers indicate an overestimated breaking load, which misleads fishermen.
Winding braid onto a spool
After purchasing the cord, you will have to wind it onto the reel spool. The braid needs to be wound almost to the very edge, retreating only about 1.5-2 mm. Wrapping the cord all the way to the side of the spool will cause further tangling.
For precision when winding braid, you can use a spare spool, which should come with the reel. A spare spool is installed on the reel, which is mounted on the lower leg of the rod.
The purchased cord is threaded through a single ring and tied to the spool. The spool with cord is placed in water, which helps to wind the braid more tightly. Next, you need to rotate the reel with one hand and thereby wind the line, and with the other, press the line against the rod in order to create the necessary tension and ensure a tight winding. If, after winding, the distance to the sides of the spool is greater than necessary, any fishing line will be sharpened. As a result, the distance to the edges of the spool should be 1.5-2 mm.
After this, the spare spool is removed and lowered into the water. The main spool is installed, the fishing line from the first spool is attached to it, and then first the fishing line is rewound, and then the cord itself. It is important to create a constant tension when winding.
Which is better - monofilament or braided line?
Some modern monofilament lines are no worse than braided lines, which is why some anglers prefer monofilament lines. Although sometimes it is not suitable for feeder fishing.
The main difference between braid and monofilament is the difference in sensitivity.
Wicker is practically inextensible and is capable of transmitting the weakest bites. The monofilament has stretchability, and at a long distance (25-35 m) the angler may not feel the bite.
If the bite is weak, using polyfiber there is a chance to come home with good trophies. On a long cast, to hook, it is enough to remove the rod from the stand, but with monofilament you still have to step back.
The disadvantage of braid is its ability to collect debris. She collects all possible trash in the water in the form of grass and fluff. Passage rings often become clogged.
But the advantages of polyfiber still surpass monofilament. For example, braid of the same diameter with monofilament is 3-4 times stronger. In fast water this is very noticeable. With a small diameter, less windage is obtained, and the feeder will be less likely to float with the current. Therefore, many experienced fishermen prefer braided line for feeder fishing.
Read: Feeder equipment for fishing in currents
Weak sides
Braided cord is used for casting over long distances, more than 60 meters. Since the stretch of the cord is minimal, it is less suitable for landing large fish, for example, large carp. But the low stretch of braided fishing line will allow you to feel a weak bite at a distance of 70 meters.
The cord cannot withstand the sharp edges of shell rock, therefore, if fishing conditions occur in a reservoir with a rocky or shell bottom, then I highly recommend using mono-line leashes in the feeder rig, which are more resistant to such damage.
Lines freeze at sub-zero temperatures, so fishing on a feeder with a line in winter will be much worse. They cannot be installed in winter.
The braided line collects a large amount of bottom debris, which gets stuck in the rings of the feeder rod. Therefore, it is better to fish with a feeder in the spring, when there is a lot of garbage in reservoirs, both in still water and in rivers, with monofilament.
The topic that is often discussed is that the lines “rustle” and make noise when they come into contact with the guides of the feeder rod. This is not a defect in the fishing line and rustling does not affect the quality of fishing in any way.
A distinctive feature of braided fishing line for a feeder is its high price, which can reach several thousand rubles, which limits its use. But is there any point in buying such an expensive braid for a feeder? Feeder fishing involves a small number of casts in one fishing trip, which means it does not need super strength, unlike a spinning line. So I think it makes more sense to pay attention to budget options.
Sufix 832
Correct braided line for feeder
The braided line on the feeder has its own specific features that distinguish this line from other braided cords.
- It should be smooth, which has a good effect on casting distance and reduces water resistance if fishing is carried out in the current.
- The braid for the feeder should not fray or swell in water, be dense, not loose.
- The braided cord should absorb a minimum amount of water; in general, it will not be possible not to absorb it.
- The feeder braid is simply bound to sink quickly.
- Braided fishing line should have a large unwinding, it is better if the length is 150 meters.
Daiwa TD-Sensor Tournament
Feeder braid: selection parameters
The cord for the feeder is different from the braids for other types of fishing. First of all, the fisherman needs to decide on the working tasks of the braid: type of fish, type of reservoir, casting distance. It is necessary to take into account all the disadvantages of braided line, because the price is much higher than monofilament.
The higher the number of threads in the braid, the higher the price. The price range is also determined by the special impregnation for the sinking cord. The choice of length, whether it will be a reel or a reel, depends on the casting distance.
Impregnated cord
Basic data is indicated by the manufacturer on the label. The feeder also requires a visual inspection; marking data does not always provide the full amount of data. High-quality cord with a smooth surface, precise rounded cross-section, and uniform thickness along the entire length. A low-quality one “shags” faster and loses color, breaks occur more often on the abrasive bottom and not only leads are lost, but also meters of the braid itself.
Important! The flatness and uneven structure of the braid will cause a lot of trouble when casting, it will increase the friction force when passing through the rod’s rings, such a cord can damage them.
Feeder cord diameter
For braid, the concept of diameter is relative. For different manufacturers, the same Ø indicated on the packaging may differ significantly. Tensile strength and wear resistance are more important here. Feederists usually use a cord Ø 0.08 - 0.16 mm. With thinner ones, experienced fishermen use a shock leader.
This indicator depends on the type of reservoir and the load of the gear. For currents, choose a thinner cord, in still water - a more powerful one. On heavy river boats the maximum diameter will be 0.12 mm; with a diameter of 0.13 mm it is already difficult to make a long cast.
The structure of the bottom of the reservoir is taken into account. The presence of objects that can damage the fence requires increasing the diameter. The table shows the values for a 4-core cord, but they differ for some manufacturers.
Ratio of diameter, marking and breaking load in kilograms
Thus, a cord for a feeder Ø 0.14 mm can withstand a break of up to 6-7 kg, while a regular fishing line with the same characteristics does not exceed 3 kg.
Tensile load
The indicator does not indicate the weight of the fish that is capable of lifting the line, but the force at which it will break. After all, sometimes the fish will jerk so that it creates a force several times greater than its weight. When choosing a product, pay attention to the length of the rod, the weight of the feeder, the distance and the individual casting characteristics.
Important! When buying a cord for a feeder, keep in mind that in water the indicator indicated on the label of the spool with braid will drop by 20 - 25%.
International marking is indicated in librs and shows the maximum tensile strength. 1 lb = 1 pound = 0.45 kg.
International markings in libras
Choose the most suitable thin cord, its strength is greater than that of monofilament with a similar breaking load. The thinnest braids usually have a load of 2-3 kg. It is enough for feeders up to 30 grams for close-range fishing. The further the cast and the weight of the feeder, the higher the breaking load.
Advice! You can calculate the tensile strength by dividing the libra indicated on the label by 2. The value will be slightly higher, but water will normalize the indicator.
Which is better for a feeder: fishing line or braid:
The role of the cord in equipping the feeder
A distance of more than 40 meters deprives the fisherman of the opportunity to clearly control the supply of bait to the fishing point, bites, and landing fish.
Braided line for the feeder ensures full contact with the nozzle
Braid in feeder gear is used as an intermediate, but the main link between the bait and the rod, which takes on the main load. Problems that the cord solves:
- Increases the sensitivity of the equipment; the lack of stretching immediately transmits bite signals, especially from cautious fish.
- The low windage allows you to cast the rig far and accurately even in a side wind.
- The high resistance of the thread to water flows, due to its minimal diameter, reliably holds the bait in the fishing spot and makes it possible to use a light load.
- The significant strength of the wicker base minimizes the “shooting” of the feeders.
Long casts in fast currents with braid increase many times over. Ultra-long casts (80 - 100 meters) and casts for strong currents are impossible without a fast-sinking feeder cord.
Fast sinking line
The fence has no “memory”. The thin but rigid line comes off the reel easily and passes freely through the quiver tip rings without creating problems when casting.
