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‹SEA ANGLER ADVICE SECTION

MA

STERC

LASS

SPONSORED BY

SkillsBraided line has been like a breath of fresh air to sea angling. At a stroke it has improved presentation, bite indication and fishing fun...but you have to understand how braid works. Contributing editor Alan Yates explains...

{MASTERCLASS}

WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?

Read manufacturers’ claims about their modern braid line without under-standing the

science and you’ll be confused.Non-stretch braided line

(Dacron) has been around for years, then super-strong Kevlar was introduced in 1965. Now the man-made polyethylene braid fibres are blended and improved specifically for angling.

The basic difference between monofila-ment and braid is that braid has zero stretch and gives direct contact with the fish, which improves bite detection, presentation and general fishing feel. Braid is also far tougher and more wear-resistant than nylon, but it is not the total solution to all fishing situations, and mono can still hold sway in many branches of the sport.

Single strand mono is made by melting polyamide (nylon in pellet form) that is stretched to form a long continuous strand. Further stretching results in various diameters, and other

treatments add colour or abrasion-resistant coatings. Polyamides have undergone changes in recent times and modern mono is far superior to the lines we used several decades ago. It still stretches, but is generally tougher and lacks the coil

memory of original

nylon lines.

Braid is made by twisting polyethylene

fibres together, which produces a

line that is stronger, of lower diameter per breaking strain and has little stretch. A 0.06mm diameter mono has a breaking strain of about 1lb – braid of that diameter is upwards of 8lb. Far stronger line of lower diameter brings many advantages.

European and Japanese braids are mainly made from Dyneema, while American braids are often the latest Spectra fibres, which are more expensive. Spectra

claims to be 10 times stronger than steel, as opposed to Dyneema’s five times.

Early braid lines were flat, because they were made for the construction of things other than fishing line. This caused them to float, making them most suited to spinning. Now round-profiled

braids specifically for angling actually include some that sink.

Some of the latest braids, like Fireline, include a thin outer coating or are slightly heated to fuse the fibres together to give a softer feel and better line flow.

Top tipALWAYS USE A SHOCKLEADER BETWEEN YOUR

BRAID AND THE RIG

18 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 437

BRAID – MYTH OR MAGIC?

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‹SEA ANGLER EXPLORING THE IRISH ANGLE

26 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 437

Arrivals loungePaul Fenech didn’t have to wait long for his first bite at the airport.

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SeaNewsAn insight into what’s happening in sea angling

Please send in your news to mel.russ@bauermedia.co.uk

SEA ANGLER

30 SEA ANGLER ISSUE437

LATEST NEWS ‹

Anglers face big finesAnglers who try to fish illegally in Sunderland Port could face a hefty fine of £500 for each offence.

The city council and police are warning anglers they will be prosecuted if they are caught trespassing on the South Docks estate.

This follows a series of incidents where anglers have been caught flouting port rules and risking their lives by fishing out-of-bounds areas on the sea wall, New South Pier and old South Outlet.

Port manager and harbour master, Captain Ian Duncan, said: “Although angling is a popular pursuit, we cannot allow anglers into the port estate on health and safety and security grounds. Despite several accidents in the past, fishermen are still placing themselves at risk by illegally entering the port through damaged fencing.”

RADIO FEE SHOCK FOR LIFEBOAT SERVICEThe Lifeboat service could see the charge for using its VHF radios leap by a staggering £200,000 if Ofcom, the communications regulator, gets its way.

Currently the RNLI, which is a registered charity, pays an annual discounted rate of £48,000, but the authorities want to charge it the full commercial rate.

Peter Bradley, RNLI operations

staff officer, said: “That’s a lot of extra cash that’s got to be collected. In fact, we could buy a couple of inshore lifeboats for the money.

“The Government does not fund a seaborne lifeboat service, which is currently funded by the public to the tune of £124 million a year, and now it wants to charge us a huge amount of money for using our radios,” he added.

Radio contact is essential so that RNLI crews can liaise with other agencies like the Coastguard, RAF, police and ambulance services and other shipping.

Ofcom wants to bring ‘market forces’ into civil aviation and maritime communications.

Have you say by visiting http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/RNLI-RF-licences/

Reef finds favourThe RSPB, which represents Britain’s birdwatchers, claims a reef built across the Severn estuary would generate more electricity, cost less to build and protect wildlife, including fish, far better than the proposed plan to build a barrage from Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare.

RSPB engineers say a ‘greener’ 12-mile reef, which would be built between Aberthaw and Minehead, could cost £2bn less and produce more power than the proposed barrier scheme.

Power would be generated as water flowed through turbines, but unlike the barrage idea, the reef wouldn’t affect the tide height so much, therefore preserving fishing grounds and bird breeding areas.

New Romney, Kent anglers Dave Knight, pictured, and Steve Savage fished aboard the former’s Warrior 175 and enjoyed a fantastic day’s fishing anchored in Kerton Road, east of Dungeness Point.

The partnership had 36 cod to 10lb over a four-and-a-half-hour period. They fished lug and squid cocktails on Pennell rigs.

Superbcod session

The five women who will fish for the Welsh FSA team in this year’s Home Internationals and World Championships, sponsored by Tronix UK, have been named.

They are Helen Pearce , June Howell, Sally Owen, Karen Hancox and Pam Worrall.

Bumper whitingBig whiting are fairly rare, so this super 3lb 14oz specimen caused a bit of stir when Upper Dicker, East Sussex angler John Fradd swung it aboard.

He made the memorable catch on a big squid bait presented on a Pennell rig, while fishing aboard a private boat out of Eastbourne.

Welsh select women’s team

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Greys Platinum Bass rod test.indd 1 30/1/09 11:59:07

Greys Platinum Bass rod test.indd 2 30/1/09 11:59:24

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