Fully loaded - Are you after a super-tough monofiliment that sinks like fluorocarbon? Well ESP has it covered with its new Syncro XT Loaded.
The original Syncro XT monofiliment is a firm favourite with a number of the nation's best anglers, and who are we to argue? The superb extra-tough qualities gave it fantastic abrasion resistance and the smoke-green coloration is suited to numerous water clarities, reducing its visibility, thereby making it an ideal line when you are targeting wary carp.
Having gone back to the drawing board for 2015, the ESP team looked to further improve the Syncro XT, this time concentrating on the qualities that monofilament lines generally lack. On first inspection, the dark-olive pigment blends fantastically with the ambient water colour, making it ideal when you want a low-viz line.
On casting out, it is clear to see its key USP; you can watch as the line breaks the surface film and sinks of its own accord. Choosing the thicker-diameter versions, such as the 18lb breaking strain, will offer you fantastic abrasion resistance, giving you confidence when having to apply force to steer fish away from snags. This is great for slack-line angling and would lend itself perfectly to anglers who use the naked chod rig, when a fast sinking, durable line is key. Distance casters will also appreciate the slick finish on the line, which reduces friction and will add vital yards when fishing at extreme range.
Having only a had a couple of casts with the Syncro, it's clear to see its advantages over many monos. We are keen to discover how the different breaking strains would perform in a variety of situations and see how they fare after extensive use.
The Verdict
Sinks like a brick, great for the slack-line angler.