Carron Lines

[jaxck5]

OK you Carron experts out there, I've just invested in a Carron Jetstream Intermediate 11/12 and discovered when loading it on to my Lamson Litespeed LS4 that there is virtually no room for any backing . I know that it is a long line and Carron say that it avoids problems of knots when playing a fish but surely it needs some backing . How does everyone else use it ??
By the way the Carron service was excellent , I ordered it yesterday afternoon and it arrived at 7am this morning

[williegunn]

I use Hardy Perfects and Marquis 3s for most of my fishing both these reels have plenty of room for long bellied spey lines and plenty of backing. I have never been a fan of modern arbour reels.

[storlaks]

You could think of cutting off some of the running line and then add your gelspun backing.

[jaxck5]

I used a Loop Multi Tip with about 200 yards of micron backing previously., this new line takes up much more space than the Loop Multi Tip.
Thanks for the advice against cutting, perhaps I'll look at a new reel - -there is a Marquis 3 on ebay!

[jaxck5]

Hi Steve,
I have the 75 foot head but it is an 11/12 so you might have a bit more room with a 10/11 but it will be tight !!!!!!!!

[wilbert]

What kind of backing have you got on you reel ?? the LS4 is a pretty big reel and although the carron line is approx 10yds to 15yds longer than a standard line it shouldn't take up that much more room as the extra length is in the running line. I have a Danielsson HD11/14 and I have the opposite problem to you. 300yds of backing and a 10/11 IG floater and still loads of room so I had to put on 100 to 150 yds of cheap thick backing (50lb braid) first just to fill the spool when the 300yds of backing and line were on.

If you are really struggling for space use gelspun backing its not cheep but it takes up next to no room.

I wouldn't be scared of slightly overfilling the reel either as you will have at least 20' of line off the reel (length of rod + line out of tip to leader) when you are landing a fish and with the WF profiles on modern spey lines this can free up more space than you think.

[jaxck5]

I'm using Cortland Micron backing ( 30lb ) which is not as fine as gelspun but pretty good. The problem is that the Carron virtually fills the reel on its own , I could possibly squeeze 50 yards of backing on but any more would give problems. I take your point about landing a fish, the space does increase dramatically after the first 10 yards or so, but I like to be able to wind all of the line on to the reel and this would limit me to around 50 yards without going to a finer backing.
Given all of the problems I will buy a different reel ( we always need an excuse for this ) and use the Lamson for shorter lines

[jaxck5]

Steve,
I will use the line on a Bruce and Walker Powerlite Speycaster 10/11, I think that it should be OK

[wilbert]

I have just bought a Carron intermediate 10/11# and tried it out today for the first time and I am pretty impressed with how it performed considering the awkward down stream wind (left hand bank) that was always blowing onto my right shoulder. The line is smooth, supple and shoots well the only problem I have with it is that there are no colour changes or marks to show you the head length. Looks like I will be getting out the tape measure and the permanent marker pen. So on first impressions I will give it an 8/10 score which will probably improve one i can find the sweet spot every time.

[simmo]

Hi springer,

One wrap of white insulating tape is usefull as a marker. It won't stay on forever but it does the trick for a while. As long as its on really neatley it doesnt catch in the rings either.

Cheers
Graeme

[robson]

A small drop of Aquasure will last longer.

[elwyman]

springer said:

Dave,

Marking it at 75' is a good idea, I make a 6" black mark with permanent marker which is easy to see when brought back to somewhere near your fingers or anywhere inside the tip ring.

This solution doesn't work however with the Sinker as its dark blue and has me stumped

Could be worth a try for dark lines?

www.office365.co.uk/Writing-Supplies/016441-Pentel-Permanent-Marker.htm

[mjm]

You could also slide a short (say 1/4") piece of plastic sleeving (as used to secure braided loops) onto the line from the back end. It will slide along the running line and eventually lodge along the rear taper of the line head. You will be able to feel the little bump/click as the marker comes in through the tip ring and this will give you a good guage of when to recast, as the main belly/weight of the line will be just outside the tip of the rod at this stage. It doesn't affect shootability and can be easily removed if desired. It's also good in that it still works in dark/dusk conditions whereas you might have to do a lot of staring to spot a mark made with a permanent marker if you wer fishing in the first (or last) few minutes of daylight.

[munrokiller]

mjm,

Great advice. Jock Monteith has this idea on his multi-system, as did Airflo in previous years. You get a sleeve which you can cut to any length you like, which simply jams on the taper. Many anglers don't like the idea of the sleeve clicking through the rod rings; although it does absolutely no damage, it's all down to personal preference.

I have a red permanent 6" mark on my Carron 75' head which is at the end of the running line and for my casting style is best just outside the rod, and a black sleeve on my Monteith, jamming on the taper again which for me is best just outside the rod for any head combination.