Korda Kaizen Mono

The new Kaizen Mono isn’t just another nylon monofilament main line, as it has been extensively tested for more than four years to get it just right and make it the best line that Korda has ever produced.

The aim was to produce the ultimate all-round mono main line, so whether you are fishing at close range amongst lots of weed and snags, or trying to hurl your rigs towards the horizon, it is perfect for the job and there is no need to keep switching your line choice depending on the angling situation.

Korda set about creating a line with exceptional versatility, superior abrasion resistance, and reliable performance across different fishing scenarios, and the end result was Kaizen Mono.

Extensively tested for more than four years

Korda’s Damian Clarke first got his hands on this line over four years ago and since then he, and other Team Korda anglers, have used it extensively in a wide variety of different angling situations, and made changes to it until it was just right and ready to be released to the public.

It comes in a range of different breaking strains, including some that are higher than you would usually find for a carp fishing line, and so far the 0.38mm/18lb version has been a firm favourite with the anglers who have had access to it, and as a general all-round main line.

Damian Clarke revealed: ‘Some years ago we were messing around with samples of different lines and one of them had lots of good properties but was also very stiff. We know how much effect pigments can have on the properties of line, so I got a sample made in green and 0.40mm diameter for my own fishing, and when it came back it was really nice, and I used it for several years.

‘Then during a conversation with Terry Edmonds he asked if we could get it in 0.38mm, which is a good diameter both for casting and having enough strength that you don’t need to use a leader, and when he tested that he couldn’t break it on the cast.’

Tom Dove, who has also been testing it and involved in product development revealed: ‘The characteristics of this line are what we were trying to get to when we were designing Touchdown, which is super low stretch and can cast a long way at the same time, and is tough.

‘At the time Touchdown was the best line that was available to us, but now this Kaizen line really is doing everything that we actually want it to.’

Kaizen Mono has ultra-low stretch for enhanced feel

The amount of stretch in your fishing line is incredibly important, as one of the major aspects in carp fishing is feeling your lead down to the bottom so that you know what it has landed on, and that it is on the spot where you intended it to be.

The less stretch there is in the line then the more feeling you will have and the better that will transmit back to the rod, especially when fishing at longer range. That will also change over time, as the line starts to absorb more water and stretches more, thus cushioning the feeling of your lead landing, whereas Kaizen Mono has been formulated to ensure that doesn’t happen and will consistently offer a high level of performance.

The stretch in your line will also have some impact on casting distance, as it takes energy to stretch monofilament line, and the more that is used by that, the less force is transferred to your lead when you cast - so minimal stretch improves distance casting capability, and helps with extreme long distance casting.

High breaking strain to diameter ratio for improved casting distance

One thing you will notice about Kaizen Mono is that it has a relatively low diameter for its stated breaking strain, with the 12lb version coming in at just 0.30mm, 0.43mm for the 24lb, and the most popular 0.38mm is 18lb, which is thinner than a lot of 15lb lines.

It also has the strength to back that up though, and can happily be used to cast a 4oz lead a very long way without the need for a leader – during testing Tom Dove has used this diameter line with his 12ft 3.5lb Kaizen rods and a 4.25oz lead to consistently cast his rigs over 30 wraps, and without crack-offs.

Distance casting expert Terry Edmonds has also been using this line and diameter to put leads incredible distances, thanks to the minimal drag caused by the lower diameter.

The thicker diameters are ideal in situations where you need a very strong line, but don’t want something that is too thick and wiry, and Damian Clarke has used the 0.40mm version when fishing in very heavily weeded venues, or you could even step up to the 0.43mm.

The two thinnest lines in the range, the 0.30mm/12lb and 0.35mm 15lb, can both be used either in situations where you don’t need a heavier line, or where you are using them in conjunction with a shockleader to achieve the maximum casting distance thanks to their low diameter.

Kaizen deliver exceptional strength, as well as an impressive breaking strain for its given diameter, and this minimises drag through the air and can make a big difference, especially when fishing at extreme range.

Highly abrasion resistant construction

One of the most important criteria with a main line, aside from how well it casts and how much feeling it gives you, is its ability to handle contact with underwater snags which could cause abrasions to it.

Kaizen Mono has been manufactured with premium Japanese polymers to create a line that is incredibly tough for its diameter and is better able to withstand contact with weed, snags, and other things found underwater, which can cause your line to become damaged or even cut.

During extensive testing it has stood up well to every situation it was put in, including on some very demanding venues to extract big carp from weed and snags.

Low memory and very user friendly

Tough and strong lines can sometimes be a nightmare to use from a practical point of view, and can be very wiry, but that isn’t the case with Kaizen Mono, which behaves very well.

It is supple enough that it goes through the rod rings and comes off of the reel spool easily, and this is part of why it is such a good casting line.

It also behaves well even when it is slack, thanks to its low memory, and unlike many monos won't try and twist up around everything, including your rod tip, and when you land a fish you don't get that curly section above your lead system, which is common with many nylon lines. With Kaizen Mono you can rely on the line's integrity and that it won't let you down, even after regular use over a period of time.

Line markers on spools

Kaizen Mono comes on 1,000m spools, meaning that you can spool up multiple reels from the same bulk spool of it.

To help work out how much line is on your reels, and also how much is left on the bulk spool, there are line markers every 250m to make this easy.  

This line is available in a choice of green or brown, and in diameter/breaking strains of: 0.30mm/12lb; 0.35mm/15lb; 0.38mm/18lb; 0.40mm/20lb; and 0.43mm/24lb.