DARKSIDE TACKLE is a fairly new company based in the North West. Owned and operated by a very experienced carp angler, the range is designed to give great tackle at affordable prices. By sourcing top quality materials and combining that with simple presentation, DARKSIDE will be a name to look for.
First impressions of this unusual black and white ‘BLACK MAMBA’ braid were that it was simply packaged, coming in a clear bag with a ‘DARKSIDE TACKLE’ card insert which may already be enough to put off seasoned ‘tackle tarts’! Don’t be put off by the simplicity, which is what makes it more affordable than other mainstream products.
Retailing at just £5.99 online, its far more friendly than the usual £8-14 you would expect to pay for a similar product.
Rated at 25lb breaking strain, it’s a bit heavier than I would normally use, but if fishing in snags or weed with a strong mainline then this will work well when used as a balanced rig. The colour of the braid struck me as a bit ‘off the wall’; black and white is not something I’d seen previously, and I did wonder if it was a gimmick to make it stand out amongst other items. It does have a woven feel to it, individual threads of the different colours being easily identifiable and it did feel quite stiff.
Tying a hair rig with ‘BLACK MAMBA’ resulted in an overhand knot that sat together neatly, and, when whipped on, the turns bedded nicely down the shank to leave the hair aligned perfectly on the back of the hook. As already mentioned, it is fairly stiff, so it gives excellent turning potential to aid hooking. On the other end, a size 8 rolling swivel is attached to give a hooklink about 8” long. I used ‘BLACK MAMBA’ as part of a running rig, with a 2 ½ oz coated bomb to give casting weight, moving freely over 16” of rig tubing pushed into a rubber bead to protect the swivel. Shrink tubing was used to give a short boom to prevent tangles.
I had a few casts to make sure that the rig did not tangle, then baited with a favourite boilie. (I would recommend that baits are drilled before mounting on the hair as the 25lb breaking strain means that there is some degree of thickness which may break a ‘needled’ boilie.) I put a pva mesh bag of crumbled boilies on the hook and cast out to my chosen spot. After tightening up, I sat down to think about the colour scheme; on a bright day, with a breeze, the water surface is broken up and reflects light and dark. Obviously, shades are different below the surface, but the light and dark shimmer still remains especially in shallow waters. It is also a recognised ‘disruptive camouflage’ pattern and if you are ultra cautious, mud from the lake bottom can be rubbed into the braid. The weave allows the mud to be absorbed and alter the texture and colour of the hooklink. Because the weave is rough to the touch, it also means that tungsten putty has easy purchase to ensure it remains pinned down on the lake bed.
In the few hours that I tested this product, I caught 3 carp to just over 14lbs. The braid did not slip or fray and the knots were exactly as I tied them. There was no sign of damage to the hooklink after repeatedly being dragged over gravel or stones on the retrieve and the hair remained in the same place to ensure good presentation.
I would like to see a lighter version, but the capture of 3 fish in a short time proved that the 25lb breaking strain was not too thick to be seen by the fish. Overall, a top quality hooklink material that performs on the bankside; easy to tie, strong and simple, I will certainly be using it for my carp fishing. You can buy yours from DARKSIDE TACKLE
Clint Walker
