12/4/10 15:26:5512/4/10 15:26:55 so it’s lament, in a rig- lament, gths hooklengths for , vantages of an invisible vantages 3 Main line. This is great for Main line. This is great for short to medium-range work shing. and snag fi ferent. dif something a little raids, coated braids, in comparison to braid and fl uorocarbon fl ew anglers use mono, or straight anglers use mono, few in itself. Even more so given that more so given Even in itself. the carp might be checking for danger the carp might be checking for Theby sight. ad rig in this situation are pretty obvious. When used as a hook-link material similar you uorocarbon does give fl to monofi advantages The rigidity that it mechanics sense. and most braid, and above has over is oftene an advantag coated braids too, uorocarbon uorocarbon d e 2 Leaders. Strong fl makes ideal casting leaders or a leadcore replacement. fter ner and softer s s n been developed been developed , e . Th coarse angling. for for commercial long lining, commercial long lining, for rmen for its clarity. Coarse rmen its clarity. for

1 Fluorocarbon was originally Fluorocarbon was Its discreet, visual Its discreet, Hook-link material. In shallow, uorocarbon i clear water fl ideal for tying hook links. WHAT IS FLUOROCARBON GOOD FOR? TACTICS WHAT but was quickly adopted by big-game by quickly adopted but was she sportfi anglers then picked up on it and starte developed . primarily as hook-link material using it, fi improved, Since then, uorocarbons havfl where clear waters, visibility is good and fi cally specifi range of breaking strains, stiffness and spool sizes uorocarbo mean that fl used and is, can be, as leader material and main line too. nature comes into in shallow its own way n uorocarbon e e ves fl ves LEWIS READ AGE: 38 NICKNAME: Harry Potter UK PB: 47lb 12oz SPONSORS: Gardner Tackle and Carp Company ’s biggest advantage, biggest advantage, ’s . This. gi

well. Use a slack line and well. uorocarbon time to settle

uorocarbon is a line that’s made luorocarbon is a line that’s chemical up from an alternative base from the popular nylo

The two well-publicised facets are well-publicised The two OTAL CARP TOTAL ANGLER FILE

fl uorocarbon whil uorocarbon Employing fl shing a shallow plateau at range fi resulted in this 13lb mirror. F explains explains LEWIS READ how to incorporate into your uorocarbon fl that you approach so net under can slip the your next more carp on session. polymer materials that make up regular polymer materials that make lament monofi characteristicsdifferent from other can use these to our materials and we advantage. uorocarbon has a refractive that fl Put of water. close to that that’s index and it therefore, it into clear water, The second will be virtually invisible. denser than mono so sinks is that it’s extremely the fl give Thisush to the bottom. fl and it will lay uorocarbon is fl rm’s in that it will sink out of harm’s where the carp come won’t into contact with it. 80

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THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO FLUOROCARBON LEWIS READ 81 12/4/10 15:27:0912/4/10 15:27:09 OTAL CARP TOTAL applications for you. a fl uorocarbon hook link. It’s a a uorocarbon hook link. It’s a fl material that has a multitude of material that has a multitude of a double-fi gure mirror fooled on a double-fi Get in! Lewis lifts the net around Get in! Lewis lifts the net around 80-83_TC_05_Fluoro.indd 280-83_TC_05_Fluoro.indd 2

Fluorocarbon main line is great for some Fluorocarbon main line is great for some scenarios, so Lewis carries his on spare spools and uses it only when necessary. t t of 12/4/10 15:27:1912/4/10 15:27:19 hy s n ts of r has n is, will help you n is, will help you keep nger rm and when used correctly. To er, this er, , because it’s, ev uorocarbon ver A material that sinks and is A material that sinks and is to catch more carp like this to catch more carp like this virtually invisible in water, as as virtually invisible in water, fl uorocarbo fl fi lt it’ll be fi nger, you do this, look at the water do this, you rent material; the benefi rent material; . As. fl uorocarbo To get the best from fl On the subject of main line, On the subject of main line, it needs a little care and attention. It’s It’s it needs a little care and attention. a transpa get you many bites. How bites. many get you shing at range stiffness is a bonus if fi far less prone to tangles because it’s Athan suppler hook-link materials. uorocarbon hook link coupled with fl a helicopter rig can be cast at range fi bed’s the lake providing and, dent can be confi you clear, relatively a decent presentation. lose the minute the line gets which you The main line in particula dirty. the reel your line clean hold it above thumb and forefi your between a habit of picking up tiny particlesa habit of picking up tiny of across silt laying dirt from where it’s bed. and debris on the lake wind in to wipe the dir each time you away dripping from your fi dripping from your due to the sediment that’s clung to yourdue to the sediment that’s is particularly clay over Fishing line. this because it coats the line, bad for more important. so cleaning it is even fl Being a dense material, will sink into very soft, silty lake beds. beds. silty lake soft, will sink into very I’m talking about bottoms that are type of in a liquid-ooze almost covered leaders and hook but main lines, silt, not so it’s links will all sink out of sight, the best choice in this scenario. causing for is renowned uorocarbon fl problems on the cast because it wraps Thiaround the butt ring on the rod. is because it’s stiffer than standard than stiffer is because it’s Howe copolymer lines. itself off thea dense material it throws These cast. spool in wide coils as you into the butt to funnel down have that they are so large but they ring, past it and thenactually get thrown vel , it may not lie it may , ver 9 3 6 Lewis prefers to use this Lewis prefers to use this simple rig in conjunction with a helicopter setup. Thread your chosen hook bait Thread your chosen hook bait onto the link and secure it in place with a boilie stop. Attach the hook using a simple knotless knot (see page 194). over soft lake beds or weed. If beds or weed. soft lake over The stiffer materials are no good forThe stiffer along the lake bed if there are gra along the lake so bear rig, and your you bars between topography in mind if this is the lake’s your plan. shing fi emember, howe Remember, your lead sinks into the bottom it can the rig poking out at an angle leave – which isn’t a presentation that will t 5 8 2 Thread the hook onto the link Thread the hook onto the link and set the length of the hair, as shown here. Tie a loop in the end of the link. Attach it to a quick- change link. ie an overhand knot (see Tie an overhand knot (see page 194) in one end of the hook link. fi shing a fi Back you go. rful it sinks casts with big leads;

1 It’s very popular as a shockleader very It’s 7 4 Shrink a piece of tubing over Shrink a piece of tubing over the knot. Lewis removes the bait prior to doing this. ou will need a size 8 hook You will need a size 8 hook with a straight eye. Lewis uses a Gardner Incizor. ake a length of soft Take a length of soft uorocarbon; 10lb or 12lb fl breaking strain is ideal. OTAL CARP TOTAL STEP-BY-STEP LEWIS’ INVISIBLE RIG STEP-BY-STEP . Whenwell and is invisible. material, especially the 20lb and 25lb material, strong so copes with It’s versions. powe ange, even with a semi-tight line, the with a semi-tight line, even range, the or near, uorocarbon will sink to, fl can help this further You bed. lake small blobs of rig by dotting a few the lead. behind putty up to six feet 82

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THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO FLUOROCARBON LEWIS READ 83 , e 12/4/10 15:27:3612/4/10 15:27:36 ight er we t n d ev way to build way slight e OTAL CARP TOTAL xibility into an er, if you hav if you ever, uorocarbon rig to e e uorocarbon boom. ra per cent or two in your in your ra per cent or two rmth rmth create a little wa you cs or use a different material cs or use a different fl uorocarbo xibility into a fl The thing with knots is that a lot I’ll often attach a fl I’ve never been one for steaming been one for never I’ve Fluorocarbon is a brilliant material. ake extra care care Take extra rigs with when tying becaus uorocarbon fl not suited to use it’s knots. with certain depends on the products you’re using depends on the products you’re and the competence of the knot tyer. is the you the best knot for The fact is, simply because use most often, one you cien you will be practised and profi in tying that particular knot. How in tying that particular knot. learn to tie and use a blood or tucked uorocarbon. blood knot with fl must but you my lead setup via a loop, be careful to bed the loop knot down casting out. carefully and test it before the addition with First and foremost, this makes of a quick-change clip, but the loop changing rig a doddle, e helps to build a little fl otherwise Another stiff rig. fl e a little fl rig is to use a combi rig with a braided hook section and fl to remov uorocarbon my fl kinks or get it nice and straight. By kinks or get it nice and straight. uorocarbon t holding the length of fl and thumb and rubbing it between nger forefi ngers an fi with the friction of your that’s enough to straighten it. If you enough to straighten it. that’s the always rigs then there’s steam your possibility of catching it in the heat of or on the edge of the kettlethe stove How and damaging it. can alter If you work on percentages. your tacti to add an ext then it has to be worth a try! favour a severe kink in a hook link or leader a severe best to change it. it’s not going to be the solution to all of It’s but in certain your angling problems, putting situations it will lead to you Asmore carp on the bank. anglers r r , , n e t years e same time. your thumb your thumb and remove and remove you clean it you clean it nger . Until I . line through line through fi nge and forefi By reeling your By reeling your line twist at the fl uorocarbons fl ackle a few With a pure With yone to avoid these knots with a to avoid yone Using fl uorocarbon will add another Using fl Knots are another problem area, because of this. I know anglers that use I know because of this. hook patternswith slightly inturned and don’t hav uorocarbon with fl eyes is another method of ‘pushing’ twist ‘pushing’ is another method of out of the line and another reason for getting into the habit of doing this. but there angling bow, string to your common errors with its use to are a few uorocarbo Don’t use a fl watch out for. hook link with a hook that has an a knotless when tying inturned eye The acute angle created between knot. uorocarbon and the hook ey the fl which leads to creates a pressure point, the hook link breaking when put under sh los big fi seen a very I’ve pressure. err on the but I always problems, any side of caution and use a straight or being a favourite – my out-turned eye Gardner Incizor. especially with the stiffer help remove the twist from the line help remove in the line Winding after spooling up. thumb and forefi through your because knots are harder to tie and properly.bed down the most consistent knotuorocarbon fl strength is with a blood or tucked advise I would Bizarrely, blood knot. ever copolymer line, braid or coated braid copolymer line, when used are inferior because they the but produce with these products, uorocarbon best results with fl the results from tests that I helped saw carry out at Gardner T it. believed have never ago I’d , This e ever ’s more, more, ’s ll th ra millimetre uorocarbon , therefore, it’s it’s therefore, , ... because inturned inturned ... because a pressure eyes create point onthe hook link. range. , leave an ext leave , range. Enhancements range. . Use the fl . fi shing at short to medium fi n n If you have a severe kink in a hook link a hook link If you have a severe kink in best to change it. or leader it’s I’m fi shing at around 90 yards so I’m I’m fi If you’re carry spare spools, If possible, spooling up with a When you’re have to come back on themselves. have is what causes the problem and why than mono uorocarbon is far worse fl shing at for fi uorocarbon manufacture have in fl but there is its suppleness, improved it rivals before to go yet still a way casting ability. mono for Hydro brown, new, using Gardner’s So, uorocarbon leader. Tuff line with a fl and sinks well dense the fact that it’s but this limits it with is an advantage regard to casting. rth rth wo prone to line twist so it’s it’s using a Gardner Spin Doctor lead to . This. of the spool lip showing helps to stop the line from springing off the Whatspool and causing tangles. fl uorocarbon mainrange then a fl because of the largely line excels, How properties. aforementioned it has less stretch than mono and is so is less prone to a harder material, mussel beds being cut on sharp bars, demanding situations For and snags. shing such as snag fi excellent. one loaded with mono and one with uorocarbon fl main line don’t fi uorocarbon fl with would spool as much as you lament monofi where you can and where distance will where you if you while the mono will cover allow, sh at you need to fi

fl uorocarbo With fl with a use a hook straight eye... Fluorocarbon main line is great for some Fluorocarbon main line is great for some scenarios, so Lewis carries his on spare spools and uses it only when necessary. 80-83_TC_05_Fluoro.indd 480-83_TC_05_Fluoro.indd 4 , as , as when used correctly. A material that sinks and is A material that sinks and is to catch more carp like this to catch more carp like this virtually invisible in water fl uorocarbon is, will help you fl