The carp fishing line you choose for your reels can be the difference between success and failure, not just on your session but for your season. It can get you those performance gains either in distance or presentation to help you put extra fish on the bank and extract your chosen quarry from even the toughest environments.
It is, without doubt, the most abused end of your terminal kit, as unlike rigs, or hooks, you are not spooling fresh each session, meaning your line takes far more abuse than your leaders or hook links combined. As a direct result choosing the right line is vital, as the last thing you want is the line to give out when you are attached to the fish of your dreams.
What Is a Monofilament Line?
Monofilament lines are synthetic and tick multiple boxes in terms of performance. Monofilament is used in around 80% of angling situations, unlike a braid or a fluorocarbon, where the limitations can be more noticeable.
Monofilament lines possess a wide array of features or benefits, and are also user-friendly. You can be selective for specific traits to suit the chosen situation. That could mean low stretch, sinking, suppleness for casting, or low visual traits. Selecting the right monofilament line for you is vitally important.
Here are TFT’s Top 10 picks for the best carp fishing lines and the benefits of each.
1. Gardner GT HD
Anglers who use the Gardner GT HD line sing its praises highly.
Whether you are fishing close-range hit-and-hold or thumping leads long, this line is a proven winner. The low stretch transmits the drop lead clearly, and flys through the rod rings with ease.
Its high abrasion resistance, low visual greyish-green colour, and low diameter and fast sinking properties make it a great all-around line for all but the most extreme ranges or specialist situations such as floater fishing.
Available in 12, 15, and 18lb breaking strains.
2. ESP Syncro XT
The XT literally means extra tough! This line offers high abrasion resistance and extreme durability and is designed for the most demanding conditions. Still, it retains a soft suppleness to ensure smooth casting and not be wiry in nature.
The line rating is gauged on knot strength. However, this can be increased with the correct knots, meaning you can pull that bit harder when the time comes.
Available in 12 and 15lb breaking strains.
3. Korda Touchdown
A massive favourite among many carp anglers and one of the most popular lines on the market, Korda Touchdown is a superb line designed to excel in almost all environments.
Available in two colours: green (ideal) for clear waters or brown (for water with a tinge of colour), Touchdown offers a low pre-stretch line to aid in feeling the lead down whilst remaining heavy enough to sink.
In addition, its slightly thicker diameter offers abrasion resistance without heavily impacting your casting due to its smooth, supple nature. It’s easy to see why the Korda Team widely uses Touchdown when on tour for some of the country's biggest carp.
Available in 10, 12, 15 and 20lb breaking strains.
4. Daiwa Hyper Sensor
An old classic that’s been given a new lease of life, the new Hyper Sensor offers a reduced diameter, and higher levels of abrasion resistance than its predecessor.
Whilst it might not offer the casting prowess or fast sinking abilities of some of its competitors, the Hyper Sensor is better placed to tackle the modern rigours of every day fishing than ever before.
Available in a range of bulk spools and breaking strains to suit almost any situation.
5. Thinking Angler’s OGX
The OGX is Thinking Angler’s first foray into the mainline market, and they have come straight in at the top end!
Utilising the latest manufacturing processes and cutting-edge materials, OGX provides it all. Super high knot strength and abrasion resistance, coupled with low stretch and a specialised treatment to the line's surface ensure that it easily cuts through the surface to aid its sinking abilities.
Finished in a subtle grey, this massively reduces its visibility, making this a superb line for just about any type of venue!
Available in 12, 15, 18 and 20lb breaking strains.
6. Fox Exocet
Exocet has become a hugely popular line with anglers who want a long-range casting mono but wish to maintain the strength, abrasion resistance and durability usually found amongst heavier lines. Factoring in low stretch for excellent transmission, low memory and superb knot strength, along with being very supple, Exocet flys through the rings. It can withstand powerful casts, even without a shock leader, making this a very user-friendly line.
Available in 10, 13, 18, 20, and 23lb strains to suit a whole range of scenarios from long range to hit-hold snag fishing.
7. Fox Exocet Pro
The adage, if you stay still, you will inevitably get left behind, still rings true today. And this is why Fox has wasted no time using the latest technology to advance the Exocet even further, creating the ultimate in distance casting mono.
Softer and more supple than ever, the Exocet Pro reduces the friction on the rod rings. Coupled with increased abrasion resistance and sinking properties, rounded off with a low green finish, make this perfect for long-range angling!
Available in 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, and 23lb spools.
8. Gardner GR60
The legend remains. GR60 is the oldest of lines on this list but has, without a doubt, stood the test of time. This stuff is so tough and robust you could probably use it to raise the Titanic. That’s why it's long been such a favourite of big fish anglers everywhere, including Terry Hearn and Nigel Sharp.
Developed to offer high knot strength and incredible abrasion resistance whilst retaining a smooth low memory line, GR60 will continue to be a huge fan favourite.
Available in green or clear, in 10, 12, 15 and 18lb breaking strains.
9. Korda Carp Line
Carp Line is Korda’s all-rounder in their repertoire, offering a great range of features at a lower cost to prove popular with specimen anglers all around.
Supplied in 1000m spools, this line casts well, sinks well, whilst offering good levels of abrasion resistance and knot strength. Korda’s carp line ticks all the boxes for what you need from a good quality mono.
Available in 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20lb breaking strains.
10. Korda Longchuck
Korda’s newest addition to their mainline range sees the addition of Longchuck, which does exactly as it says on the tin.
Longchuck has been specially designed for long-range casting and adds extra yards to any cast compared to standard monofilament lines.
Ultra-low in stretch, Longchuck enables better transmission when feeling the lead down and faster loading of the rod blank. You waste less energy and compress the rod more efficiently.
In addition, Longchuck’s clear nature (meaning its not dyed), and its low water absorption design keeps the line lightweight to help it reduce drag. This further aids transmission, whilst keeping a reduced diameter, and high breaking strain. All of these features make this a formidable long range casting line, without compromise on durability or abrasion resistance.
Available in 10, 12, 15, and 20lb breaking strains.
Conclusion
So there we have it, a breakdown of our top ten best monofilament lines. Of course, if you would like more information, please visit our website and check out our full range of carp fishing lines.