Berkley X9 braid review
Over the closing weeks of the river season Angling Times News Reporter Chris Haydon was out on the banks in search of perch and pike on lures. Whilst catching a few fish, including a new personal best, he’s had the perfect chance to fully test Berkleys New X9 braid in a number of conditions, here are his thoughts…
I’ve had a brilliant experience whilst testing the X9 Lo Vis Green braid in both 10lb and 20lb breaking strains. These low diameter and low visibility braids are perfect for crystal clear water conditions which are common in the colder months. This attribute is particularly beneficial when fishing for species such as perch as the low visibility enables a shorter fluorocarbon trace to be used, which can greatly improve bite detection. The diameter also proves beneficial in other areas too as I only use a small 2000 size reel when perch fishing, which the braid sufficiently filled and sat neatly on.
Casting is where this product really comes into its own though. Great distances can be achieved effortlessly and accurately due to the zero stretch and low noise properties of the braid. Like all braids most anglers choose to spool up with, the Berkley X9 offers superior bite indication to a monofilament mainline, again, due to its zero stretch properties. This enables the angler to feel everything that the lure comes into contact with on the bottom. Whilst using the braid I found I connected with 90% of the bites I had from perch, which I caught up to 3lb 4oz.
An issue often encountered when using braid is tangles, but this wasn’t an issue with the X9, despite its extreme suppleness. In terms of strength the X9 also appeared reliable with all knots holding and pike up to around the 8lb mark landed with ease. I used a variety of lures including some big plugs and the braid cast them all without cracking off.
Despite several sessions the braid showed little signs of deterioration, even when often being left set up running through the rod rings for ease of use on my often short sessions. Overall this product is great for the mobile lure angler and will suit a variety of applications from roving with small lures on rivers to chucking plugs for big Stillwater pike.”
TECH SPEC
· Available in Fluoro Green, Lo Vis Green and Crystal Clear
· 150m spools
· Designed for optimum strength and casting distance
· Smooth for long and quiet casts
· High knot strength
· 9-carrier construction
· PE Core
Price: £42.99 (If you shop around you’ll find it cheaper)
Kodex terminal carp tackle
Top specimen carp brand Kodex has added several new items of terminal tackle to its range.
Everything from ready-rigs to surface controllers has been well thought out, with clever design tweaks that will stack the odds in your favour when targeting pressured and wary carp.
Multi-Rigs
The Multi is a rig like no other. Its anti-glare size 8 swivel fits all popular lead-clips, and can be switched to a size 11 Flexi/Heli swivel (included) for heli rigs. You get two hook sizes with every rig – choose from sizes
3 & 5, or 5 & 7.
Hooks are super strong GenomicMGP Chods with micro-ground sharp points and a matt anti-glare finish.
They’re tied to the latest Micro-Strip 15lb coated hooklink material, which automatically sinks and pins down the rig, leaving you only needing to apply a small amount of Graviton putty on the knot near the hook.
Also included with each rig is bait floss and a micro rig swivel.
Price: £3.49
Micro-Strip
This semi-stiff coated hooklink can be stripped to reveal a flexible dyno-core. The pliable outer coating doesn’t crack when knotted. It sinks quickly and pins itself to the lakebed, excellent for bottom or pop-up set-ups.
This is the same material as used for Kodex’s ready-tied skin-coated stiff rigs and multi-rigs. In 15lb and 25lb options, on 20m spools.
Price: £6.99
Air Zig-Toppers
These buoyant mini hair stops are shaped like a piece of corn and are designed to attract more takes. Available in fluorescent red and yellow colours, they provide added visual attraction to your hookbait, giving carp a target to home in on.
Each pack contains 20 pieces.
Price: £1.99
Meltz PVA Bags
Extensively tested by Kodex’s expert consultants, Meltz solid PVA bags are strong and securely sealed, but melt down at a quick rate for perfect presentation, leaving virtually zero residue.
They are available in three sizes, each in a plain or perforated version.
Each packet contains 20 bags.
Price: £2.49
DH Pro Float and Pro Rig line
ANGLING Times columnist and river ace Dave Harrell is justifiably proud of his new mono lines – Pro Float and Pro Rig.
As its name suggests, Pro Float is specifically for floatfishing, and comes in six breaking strains from 3lb to 8lb. The naturally floating line, which can be made to sink with the use of detergent, has good knot strength and abrasion-resistance, making it ideal for river work where underwater snags can pose problems.
Pro Rig is a clear, ultra-supple hooklength line available in sizes from ‘small fish’ (0.8mm) up to ‘heavy duty’ (0.26mm) for hard-fighting barbel and chub.
Excellent knot strength combines with suppleness and a smooth finish that makes it possible to move shot without kinking or damaging the line.
Price: Pro Float £7.99 (300m) | Pro Rig £5.99 (100m)
Avid Reflo Outline Mono Reel Line
This clever two-tone reel line incorporates an algae-coloured tint, said to offer a degree of invisibility to rival that cloak of Harry Potter’s. The line is also slightly absorbent, which helps it to sink faster, while its smooth texture promotes long, effortless casts. Add to that good knot strength and high abrasion-resistance and you have the perfect reel line for serious carpers. On 1000m spools in 12lb (0.32mm), 15lb (0.35mm) and 18lb (0.37mm) breaking strains.
Price: £18.29
Maxima reel line now in ultragreen
Said to be even more supple and soft than the popular Maxima Chameleon line, it’s ideal for rivers and lakes where its natural shade and ability to absorb light make it hard to detect. It’s super robust with good knot strength and abrasion resistance.
Price: £4.99
Fox exocet reel linen in khaki
If you're finding it hard to hit the horizon on the cast, even when using shockleaders, these 300m double tapered reel linen come in Trans Khaki camo colour, and because you are casting something that tapers down from 0.50mm (35lb) to 0.30mm (12lb) or 0.33m (15lb) increased casting distances are easily achieved.
Price: £10.99
Middy M-Tech Carp Commercial line
This ace new camo reel line for commercial fisheries matches muddy water, and its quick sinking properties far outperform those of standard mono.
Its polished hard outer shell improves casting distances and abrasion-resistance. On big 300m spools, in six breaking strains from 4lb (0.16mm) to 12lb (0.28mm)
Price: £7.50
