TUBERTINI - GORILLA UC4 FLUOROCARBON

Tubertini was established in 1978 by Gabriele Tubertini. Very quickly the company staked a claim in the prestige Coarse Match Fishing market with top quality products being demanded by Matchmen around the world.

Over the last 10 years Tubertini has expanded into many other specialist fishing markets that include Surf Casting, Shore and Boat Fishing. In a very short time the new range was being demanded by International Anglers from the Top UK and Italian Squads. We've taken a close look a some of the products on offer and here we review the Fluorocarbon Lines branded under Gorilla UC-4.

Reviewed: Gorilla UC4
Reviewed by Lloyd Rush/Ian Houlton
Selling Price £6.95 per spool
more info: www.tubertini.co.uk

Over time my Surf Rigs have become more tuned and as the seasons change from winter to summer I find myself making up the bulk (if not all) of my snoods and some rig bodies with fluorocarbon.

In my opinion the advantages far out way the limited disadvantages [knot strength - which can be overcome by using good 'perfect' knots such a Uni Knot, Palomar Knot or a Berkley Braid Knot - just don't put overlaps where there shouldn't be any and you'll all but over come the short fall - oh a make the knot slowly and with lots of lubrication.

There are many good articles that have been written about fluorocarbon lines and the advantages, so I'll not teach you all to such eggs. The one thing I will remind you all of is how to spot a good fluorocarbon - Simply put, Clarity!   The cheaper ones can have a slight milky like tint due to the poor quality of fluoro polymers - this has an impact that includes increased refraction [erh the fish can see it!] abrasion rates, knot strength, water absorbency. My old rule of thumb not to be caught out was not to buy Cheap Fluorocarbon! It has to have a cost saving somewhere? That was until I used Gorilla UC-4 by Tubertini. This stuff is very clear and comes in a range from 4kg 0.18mm Diameter to a whopping 21.50kg 0.50mm Diameter line, and the price is the same whatever size you choose.

For those who know their Copolymers from their Braids, Mono and Fluoro will spot that 45lb Felucca doesn't normally equate to 0.50mm, indeed you can expect the diameter to be on a par with Mono which would be something like 0.65; in some cases it could be greater, but rarely less. [40lb Dyneema Braid is 0.32 - that should give you an idea of what Tubertini have achieved here]

I've used Gorilla now for about 6 weeks and I've now chucked by old Fluorocarbon line into the spares bucket! I do carry one other brand for my Sea Fishing but I'd only use that for very, very light snoods. The Gorilla is perfect for rig bodies of all sizes and I still can't believe it's only £6.95 a spool [my mono costs more than that!] - I've been a big fan of Gabriele Tubertini's drive to produce the best for the demanding angler, I've no reason to continue to do otherwise - I'm just shocked at the price he been able to spool this line for.

Fluorocarbons are only produced at very limited number of factories around the World so I'd expect someone else to be doing much the same for about the same. You can forget that! Tubertini Fluorocarbon is produced excluisvely by Kyoritsu Shoji Co. Ltd. Japan They only work polymer for high tenacity monofilament, specificaly for sport fishing, this company doesn’t produce for other industrial sectors [like the two major producers of Fluorcarbon in the World] - The stuff they make for Tubertini is only for Tubertini - ie Exclusive! The raw material (nylon) arrives to Tubertini in hanks (3000 m, 5000 m) then these hanks are treated with protecting substances that save the product from light and other atmospheric agents like heat and salt. Moreover hanks, instead of spools, ensure the line is not crushed or damaged, so the quality is the same from first till the last meter.

Tubertini Fluorocarbon Challenge

I'm a big fan of Moonfleet Angling Adjustable Terminal Tackle, so I approached owner Ian Houlton and asked him to look at the Gorilla UC-4 along with a number of other lines.  Ian's business builds top quality rigs for a ragne of anglers fom top Competition Angers to Anglers like me and the Guys that set up next to you on those cold winter nights. All the rigs are constructed using the best components available, so Ian is the perfect authority to help me complete the line reviews. Here's what he written:

I have just built a whole selection of rigs using Tubertini (Gorilla) Fluorocarbon. First test for me with any line is always the shear strength compared to the manufacturers claims. I went for the usual test with 2 sections of each, one steady increase in weight for one and a fast hit up to the line strength claimed. In both cases the different strengths lasted up to and slightly beyond what was expected.

The very same test was done with Knots tied into each line and again, they snapped on the knot. basically that's all you need. Pulling knots with this line does not cause it to overheat either, that's a benefit. What does impress me about this line is the Diameter compared to other brands and just the naked eye will tell you it's thinner. One thing I hate about all lines, if you pull it off a spool Fluorocarbon will coil. It's a fact and while it may not seem that important, it is to me because people expect a decent product from me. Just the shear fact that line diameter is reduced makes for a better rig or snood and it will have a more natural action in the water even with the tiniest of baits.

Here's the challenging bit. I have just sent boat rigs for all species to a welsh guy spending 4 days in weymouth during a comp. every single section of line used, whether it be snoods for drifting or static, or rig body for drifting or wrecking. It is All made from Tubertini Gorilla Fluorocarbon and I have to say even I am nervous. I pulled a large conger from 94ft off Portland on a 20lb fluoro snood last year. The guy using the rigs this week is going to try the same. Bit of an unfair challenge I know but hey, if he nails it then it's all good.

More fluoro bass rigs and bream gear have been made for a coaching sessions, Bournemouth Pier saw numerous snags on the wooden piles, lots of spider crabs and a few fishy hits. The light fluoro worked better than expected and for me, strong Fluoro with a lower diameter is a god send. I'm Still waiting to hear from the boat crews.

[Catch the updates in the forum under Tackle Reviews] - You can Mail Order UC4 Gorilla from Weymouth Angling Centre online shop and other online tackle shops - better still ask for it in your local shop [they can get it by contacting Tubertini UK]

Tubertini UK
105 Killadeas Road,
Ballycassidy,
Enniskillen,
Co. Fermanagh.
BT94 2LY
Telephone - (02866) 347891
Fax - (02866) 347891