What is Korda Basix and which items are part of this range?

Korda Basix is all about providing essential items of tackle at an even more affordable price, whilst still of a quality that will catch carp and won’t let you down.

We designed the Basix range so that those on a tighter budget, or just getting into the sport and not wanting to spend larger amounts of money initially, could still kit themselves out with many of the essentials that they need to go out and catch a carp.

Basix tackle includes everything from terminal tackle items, such as hooks, hook link material and line, right through to the kit you need to safely weigh and protect your catch once it is on the bank.

Danny Fairbrass is passionate about getting more anglers into carp fishing, as well as making it as accessible as possible, and providing tackle that will help you to put more fish on the bank.

Not only is it beginners that are using these products to catch carp, but also some of the Team Korda anglers – there are several items in the range that are favoured by anglers such as Korda Koach, Rob Burgess, for his own fishing, plus as part of his role of showing anglers how to catch more fish whilst he is at venues such as Embryo Angling Norton Disney. For instance the Basix Spod/Marker Braid, which is of a sufficient breaking strain that it can be used without a leader and is aimed at more short to medium range fishing where you aren’t trying to hit the horizon.

Neil Spooner is a big fan of Basix

Monster Carp star, Neil Spooner, has also put Basix to good use during filming, and you can regularly see some of our top anglers using items such as Basix Carp Cradle.

Neil explained: ‘I’ve been lucky enough to work for Korda for over 15 years and during all that time our mission statement has been very clear, we want to share all the information that we can to help you catch more carp. We show you exactly what we are doing, so hopefully you can use that in your own angling to get a few more bites.

‘As part of that, a couple of years ago we launched the Basix range of tackle. It was something that Danny came up with as he wanted to put a small, concise range into the shops, so that if you’re new to the sport, or don’t have lots of spare disposable income to put into your hobby, then it will offer you exactly what you need to get out on the bank and enjoy your fishing.

‘If you’ve not had a look at it yet, then I suggest that you do, as it has been used to catch countless carp, literally from all around the world.’

Basix – high performance at an affordable price

There isn’t much point in producing fishing tackle that is cheap, but isn’t up to the job and will cost you fish, or that doesn’t perform as it is supposed to and ends up actually  costing you more money when you have to go out and buy a replacement that is suitable.

So, whilst cost is a major consideration for us with this range, performance is even more important, and we will only bring out items that will actually help you to catch fish – not hinder your chances!

To keep Basix at an affordable price, we have either used materials which are slightly cheaper than those that you will find in the items within the main Korda range, or in the case of lines and hook links, they come on smaller spools which will still provide you with plenty to keep you going fishing for a long time – if you’re not fishing at long range and going fishing on a weekly basis, then you don’t really need 400 metres of line on your reels, or enough hook link material to enable you to tie 60 or more rigs!

This also means that if you want to try out a particular pattern of hook or type of hook link material, then you can do so without having to spend loads of money – if you like it and plan to use it on a more regular basis, then of course you can go out and buy the versions offered in the main Korda range.

Whilst the products in the Basix range are never going to perform quite as well as the equivalents in the main Korda range, they are totally suitable for their intended use – the hooks are sharp; the lines are strong and user-friendly; and everything is well made and built to last.

Fully compatible with the rest of the Korda range

Basix has been designed so that any of the items can be used with anything from the main range, so you can mix and match as you wish.

The rest of the Korda range is extensive, whilst Basix focuses on the essentials that you need, and also the disposable items that you tend to use more of – such as hooks and hook link material – and which you will be saving money on each time you buy them.

There is no reason why you can’t use a hook, such as one of the Kamakura models, with the Basix braid; and the Basix Boom, which is a stiff fluorocarbon material, has been designed so that it is compatible with the Korda Krimps and Krimp Tool; just as two examples.

Basix rig tying and rigs

The terminal tackle offered has been chosen to enable you to construct rigs – or even use a ready-tied version – as well as providing you with a lead system, and the other bits and pieces that you need to get a baited rig out into the lake and fishing.

There are two different patterns of hooks, the Basix Wide Gape and the recently introduced Basix Kurv, both of which come in size 2, 4, 6, or 8, in barbed or barbless, and so will cover pretty much any fishing you’re doing either in the UK or abroad, and with all the popular types of rig.

Both these hooks are based on the original and highly popular Korda patterns with the same names, but have a more aggressively in-turned eye to negate the need for a kicker or shrink tubing, and are on an ‘X’ gauge wire so are very strong and robust. They have a black nickel finish and very robust points, so can be used to catch more than one carp before they need changing – obviously you need to check the point and change it if necessary.

There are three different types of hook link material – Basix Braid (10m); Basix Coated Braid (10m); plus the new Basix Boom (15m).

All three perform to a high level and the main difference from the more well known Korda hook link materials is the amount that you get on the spool. The braid and coated braid are available in 18lb or 25lb breaking strains, and can be used with all sorts of rigs, such as combi rigs, multi rigs, KD rigs, or even just a standard knotless knot.

If you want to try a Ronnie rig, or anything which requires a stiff boom, then the Basix Boom is ideal, in a choice of 25lb or 35lb, and can be crimped using the Korda Krimps. To finish your rigs off and prevent tangles, as well as helping ensure they kick away from the lead when they land on the lake bed, we suggest the Basix Anti Tangle Sleeves.

For those who don’t want to tie their own rigs, there are Basix Hair Rigs, designed for either bottom baits or wafters, and constructed using the Basix Coated Braid and Basix Wide Gape hooks. These are a standard knotless knot rig, with the addition of a piece of silicone so that the hair exits in the optimal position, and come in barbed or barbless in a range of sizes.

Basix Rig Scissors make rig tying easy and ensure a nice clean cut to your hook link material, whilst the Basix Baiting Needle allows you to thread pretty much any bait of your choice onto the hair, via a crook on the end of it, and is sharp and strong enough to go through harder baits, whilst at the same time being a fine enough diameter that it won’t split them.

Basix Lead Systems

When it comes top lead systems, the Basix range offers two choices, with the most versatile being the Basix Lead Clip Action Pack.

This Lead Clip Action Pack includes all the components that you need to construct five lead clip set-ups, complete with rig tubing, and including QC swivels, so that you can quickly and easily change your hook link. This set-up is very tangle-proof, and you can even turn it into a running version simply by gently squeezing the eye of the swivel, so it doesn’t fully lock into the nose of the lead clip. All you need to do is add a lead of your choice, plus a hook link!

If you prefer, and where the rules allow, there is also a Basix Lead Clip Leader, which is made from 50cm of woven, lead-free material, with a tail rubber, lead clip and QC swivel already fitted at one end, and a spliced loop at the other.

Simply attach the loop to your main line (loop-to-loop works well), clip on your hook link (you’ll need an anti-tangle sleeve to ensure it can’t detach itself), add a lead, and you’re ready to cast out. You get two leaders in a pack.

Basix terminal tackle storage

You’re going to need somewhere to store all your terminal tackle, and the Basix Tackle Box offers brilliant value-for-money.

It is built to last and made from shockproof high impact plastic, with two latch closures to ensure the contents can’t accidentally spill out. Inside there are plenty of different compartments, with flip top clear lids – 21 in total – as well as two larger compartments for all rig tools, hook link spool, packets of hooks and the like.

The Basix Tackle Box even has a removable rig tray, complete with a foam board and pins, plus a hook retaining bar to protect your points during transit, and there is enough space on it for eight rigs. It will easily fit inside the front pocket of the Korda rucksacks, or the larger size Compac EVA pouches.

Basix lines

You are of course going to need some sort of main line to load your reels with, and the Basix Main Line is a good choice, offering a very high performance for the price.

Not only is it tough, abrasion resistant, and knots well, but it is also relatively low stretch, which helps when trying to feel your lead down to the bottom, especially if this is something that you’re new to.

It behaves very well on the spool and isn’t prone to issues such as twist, and you have a choice of 500m or 1,000m spools – so if you only have two smaller spools to fill you don’t need to buy a bulk spool with far more line than you need.

You are also going to need some braided line to use on your marker rod and spod rod, and the Basix Spod/Marker Braid is a great choice which won’t break the bank.

This floating braid has all of the properties that you’d expect to find on braided line intended for use with a marker set-up or spod – such as allowing you to feel every stone on the lakebed, and making it easier to compress the rod when casting, plus of course being of a diameter that makes casting effortless, even at longer range.

But whilst it is a low diameter relative to mono lines, it is still 30lb breaking strain, and unlike many braids of this type, it is strong enough that you won’t need to use a leader with it. Not only do many anglers struggle with tying leader knots, but if anything goes wrong at all with the very fine diameter spod braids, you will end up losing your expensive spod via a crack-off. So, if this is an issue you suffer from, give this braid a go.

To enable you to clip your line up at the right distance – either on your fishing rods, marker rod, or spod rod – there are the Basix Distance Sticks.

These have stainless steel points, plus a removeable T-bar, which is stored inside the sticks, and makes it easier to push them into any ground. They are an unobtrusive anodised grey colour, but with bright green tops so you don’t trip over them, and to make it easier to see when wrapping your line around them.

Fish care - Korda Basix Carp Cradle and Weigh Sling

When we are lucky enough to catch a carp, we all want to see it swim off in the same condition as before we caught it, so the Basix range includes a couple of essential carp care products.

You are going to need some sort of unhooking mat, and the Basix Cradle is a great choice as it offer plenty of protection via a well padded base, along with raised sides so the fish can’t accidentally flap off of the mat and damage itself on the ground.

The Basix Carp Cradle comes in an XL size as well as the standard one, so wherever you are fishing, you can choose one which is large enough for any fish that you are going to catch. The Basix Carp Cradle folds up very neatly, with a zip to secure them, which makes it easy to transport, and there is space inside as well, such as to store carp care kits – they're a popular choice for stalking and floater fishing as you can put all your tackle bits in it and carry the mat over your shoulder.

Another item which will easily fit inside it and is the perfect choice to use with the Basix Cradle, is the Basix Weigh Sling, which will allow you to accurately and safely weigh your catch, and has arms that fold in half and which make it very compact.

This weigh sling is also perfect for safely transporting fish from the water, whilst still in your landing net, onto your unhooking mat – you should never lift a fish out in just the net as it can often cause damage. It isn’t designed to be a retainer and shouldn’t be used for that – there are proper retainers in the Korda Compac range. The Basix Weigh Sling makes the whole process of getting fish out of the water, weighing them, and then returning them safely, very quick and easy.

Basix bite indication

Good bite indication is an important part of fishing, and many anglers favour a Stow Bobbin, but if you don’t want to shell out for the original version, especially if you’re using three rods, then the Basix Mini Stow is a good alternative.

They work in exactly the same way as the original Stows, and can be used with tight or slack lines, with a clip that releases itself when you get a bite. They just use slightly cheaper materials, such as the ball chain, and the bobbin itself is shorter.