Korda Basix Main Line

Strength & Abrasion

I'd call the strength basic, and the reason is the diameter. Korda's 12lb is 0.35mm, the same thickness as the Fox Exocet Pro in 18lb, and the 15lb is 0.40mm, where Fox get 23lb from that diameter. In other words, you're carrying a thicker line for the breaking strain you get.

To be fair, it's very abrasion resistant and tough, and that extra thickness does give you more material to wear through over gravel. Good knot strength is a plus too, because the knot is usually where a line gives up first.

It only goes up to 15lb, though, so there's no heavier option for big snags or thick weedbeds, where the 20lb Korda Subline makes more sense. On balance, it's tough enough for general carp fishing on fairly clean waters, but it's a simple line rather than a high-strength one.

Casting & Handling

It casts well, and that relatively low stretch is a real help when you're feeling the lead down to find out what's on the bottom. Both count for a lot in everyday carp fishing.

The thicker diameter is what holds it back, though. More diameter means more friction through the rod rings and more air resistance, so on paper the Basix won't reach the same distances as finer monos like the Fox Exocet Pro or the Trakker Mono Reel Line at the same strain.

It's an all-round line for general carp fishing rather than a soft, slick distance mono, so I'd treat it as a straightforward everyday line.

So, is that a problem? For most fishing at short to medium range, I don't think so. Overall, it's a basic, easy line to fish with, but if you need to hit long chucks regularly, it's worth spending more.

Presentation

The camo green finish is the main thing the Basix has going for it on presentation. It blends in with the lake bed, and from the photos it's a muted olive shade on the spool, which should help it sit quietly on the bottom.

That's as far as it goes, though. It isn't a dedicated sinking line, which is the main reason it scores lower, so it may need back leads to keep it down, unlike a fast-sinking mono such as the Gardner GT-HD or the dense Korda Subline.

The thicker diameter also makes it a little more visible in the water than a finer line.

Overall, presentation is basic. It's fine for less pressured waters, and the colour is a good choice, but it isn't a line for pinning down tight to the bottom in front of wary fish.

Is it good value for money?

The Basix makes its case on price. It costs a lot less than Trakker's 1,000m mono and far less than the Shimano Technium, and the 1,000m spool should still fill three reels.

The 500m spool is a nice touch too, because it suits smaller reels or anglers who only need to fill two reels rather than three.

You're not getting fine diameters or a specialist sinking build, so it's simple value rather than hidden quality, but for a lot of anglers that's all they need.

Overall, I'd recommend the Basix Main Line to beginners, to anyone fishing on a tight budget, and to carp anglers who fish fairly clean, open waters at modest range.

If you fish snaggy swims or pressured lakes, the extra spend on a specialist mono like the Korda Subline or Gardner GT-HD is worth it.