Maxcatch Gold line v Scientific Anglers

[mebu]

Received my maxcatch Gold WF5 a while ago but haven't been able to go out and use it yet. Thought I'd take it to the park, casting on the grass, and compare with my existing line (Scientific Anglers GPX WF 5, apparently a half size heavy) This had a clean and line lubricant a few weeks ago. Rod is a Hardy Zephrus 9ft 5wt.
Alternated the lines (both on a Battenkill 5/6, so same spool size).
The Gold costs £11, the GPX, a half size heavy, cost I think £70 now replaced by MPX, £80.
Observations (I am not an expert caster, just average, and not an expert in comparing line performance):
At first the GPX showed some coiling when unspooled, although this gradually reduced. Got a reasonable distance and, for accuracy, was able to get fairly close to target (clump of grass). Unspooled the Gold. Slight curling, again soon disappeared after a few casts. Did feel a little thinner than the GPX. Got a very similar distance and similar accuracy. It did seem to be affected by cross-wind slightly more although hard to be definite with this. The GPX did feel a little bit more positive in loading the rod, probably because of the extra half size.
Re-set up the GPX and repeated, then again with the Gold. Similar results.

Final opinion? Very little to compare the two in terms of castability, accuracy or distance. Probably the GPX had a very slight edge, but not 7 times better.

Peter

 

[eddleston123]

It would be interesting to compare the Maxcatch with a Rio - Just to see if the Rio was
10 times better!!


Douglas

 

[mebu]

Good idea Douglas. Send me the Rio and I'll make the comparison.

Peter

 

[Gdog]

I've owned 3 GPX lines. The first lasted about 10 seasons, the longest I've ever got out of a floating line. I have its replacement about 5 years and still perfect. The other one got tangled around a propeller.

I have one Real Gold, it casts ok, but remains to be seen how long it lasts.

 

[scobo]

Had a wee go with a Maxcatch Gold today, have to say I'm seriously impressed !
Suits a 9' #5 Orvis Clearwater way better than the Snowbee line I normally use.
At that price, I'd be delighted with it even if I only got 1 season out of it.

 

[Hardrar]

Personally I wouldn’t knowingly buy anything from China, with their terrible Human rights record, even if it was 10 times better and only cost 30p.
Sorry if this seems controversial, but there is just far too much cheap junk coming from China, which encourages a throw away mentality.

 

[Scotty Mitchell]

Personally I wouldn’t knowingly buy anything from China, with their terrible Human rights record, even if it was 10 times better and only cost 30p.
Sorry if this seems controversial, but there is just far too much cheap junk coming from China, which encourages a throw away mentality.

Absolutely agree.
I’d love to see an outright ban on all goods imported from China.
I do my very best to avoid them, as difficult as it can be.
I can live with the extra expense it’s only money.

 

[Rhithrogena]

ETHICAL PURCHASING
This has come up on the forum before.
So where do you guys buy your gear? @Hardrar and @Scotty Mitchell
As far I can tell most brands source from China, if only fittings for rods, or carbon pre-preg, or reel parts. Waterproof membrane type fabric seems to ALL come from China. So pretty much ALL waders, jackets, vests etc. In fact almost all items containing any plastic are also likely to have raw materials sourced from China.
I would be interested to know, then, how you avoid Chinese products? If you just buy brands that aren't based in China, is this enough for you to be ethically OK? I'm not just having a go here, we each wave our own flags, don't we?
It is a subject that has caused much navel-gazing. The UK has an absolutely terrible record on human rights as well, and is still failing the international community. There is a wealth of material online on this subject and short of living off grid and becoming self-sufficient, and making hazel rods and horsehair lines, it is impossible to purchase completely ethically.
So are there are any ethically sourced fly fishing brands out there?

P.S. This probably deserves it's own thread - but the season starts tomorrow

 

[Paul_B]

Personally I wouldn’t knowingly buy anything from China, with their terrible Human rights record, even if it was 10 times better and only cost 30p.
Sorry if this seems controversial, but there is just far too much cheap junk coming from China, which encourages a throw away mentality.

If thats the case, consider for a moment living without your computer, phone, tv, radio or any electrical household gears not to mention your clothing.
Also buying from a middleman is no different to buying direct from China

 

[Scotty Mitchell]

I knew it was a matter of time FFS!
Ok first carefully read what I posted.
If you were to pick through my belongings you will inevitably find Stuff originating from China.
At the risk of repetition, I do my best to avoid it.
I can’t be arsed explaining myself fully but basically it’s down to trying to find stuff that isn’t Chinese, I didn’t think it was that difficult to comprehend.
Not for one second do I believe my insignificant little protest will bring the Chinese export market crashing down, and neither do I grudge anyone else buying Chinese gear, I’ve said it before, people I have great respect for are happy with their Maxcatch Golds, so they must be good.

Just to be clear, once more, I DO MY BEST to avoid Chinese gear.

 

[Rhithrogena]

I do my best to avoid it.

Sorrry Scotty,
I tried to say in my post that I wasn't having a go, or expecting you to defend your corner and I meant it. I just am interested in which companies might be better in the 'not sourcing from China' stakes, and what you might have found out, that's all. I totally respect that it is a very murky area trying to source non-Chinese goods.
Cheers,
Rich

 

[Rhithrogena]

@Tangled - do you fancy starting an 'Understanding Ethical Purchasing' thread?

 

[JoeOh]

Although I know much of the products are produced in China, I am happy buying through the 'middle men'. Maybe I favout UK employment, income tax, NI, after-sale sevice etc. but then I am biased as I work in a tackle shop. I enjoy the banter with the customers, but each to their own.

 

[JoeOh]

Maybe a thread listing all tackle items that have no Chinese input would be useful. I feel that it might be quite short. I am sad that the majority of stock in the tackle shop comes in boxes marked 'Felixstow' (China). Still keeps four employed, and drivers, bait suppliers etc.

 

[Scotty Mitchell]

Sorrry Scotty,
I tried to say in my post that I wasn't having a go, or expecting you to defend your corner and I meant it. I just am interested in which companies might be better in the 'not sourcing from China' stakes, and what you might have found out, that's all. I totally respect that it is a very murky area trying to source non-Chinese goods.
Cheers,
Rich

No worries Rich, I predicted as soon as I posted this would come around .
I find Rio, Sage and Patagonia to be my go to companies for critical tackle and clothing these days.
Apologies if I came back a tad harsh there.

 

[Rhithrogena]

No worries Rich, I predicted as soon as I posted this would come around .
I find Rio, Sage and Patagonia to be my go to companies for critical tackle and clothing these days.
Apologies if I came back a tad harsh there.

Thanks Scotty,
America still makes around 15% of all global manufactured goods, I believe, so a strong contender...

 

[Scotty Mitchell]

Thanks Scotty,
America still makes around 15% of all global manufactured goods, I believe, so a strong contender...

I’ve no doubt there are Chinese components somewhere along the line, minimal compared to others though.
I like my good stereo equipment, and bought most of it before I had my anti Chinese sentiments I have nowadays....it’s probably all made in or full of Chinese components.
If I need to replace any of that I think I’ll be struggling to avoid China.

 

[sean freeman]

I try to buy everything from companies that manufacture their goods in the states or less commonly Europe. In regards to components, Sage use American snake brand guides, Scott use REC components, Stickman use REC, Hopkins and Holloway and Joel Lemke products built on Spanish blanks. A lot of carbon tech in high end rods is Japanese or Korean. Even Maxcatch use Toray carbon as do the likes of Boeing and Airbus.

There are always going to be specialists in certain materials and tech but when you cut out the middle man you’re taking business away from your local tackle shop. If you snap a £50 Maxcatch you’re likely to just buy a new one, it’s definitely a throw away mindset.

People say the Westen companies need to lower their prices but if you adjust for inflation the prices haven’t drastically increased, it’s wages that haven’t kept up with inflation that make them seem so expensive. Obviously Chinese products are unavoidable in everyday life but you can avoid them in a lot of fly fishing products. I agree that Simms etc are taking the píss with £800 Chinese waders.

 

[Rhithrogena]

In regards to components, Sage use American snake brand guides, Scott use REC components, Stickman use REC, Hopkins and Holloway and Joel Lemke products built on Spanish blanks. A lot of carbon tech in high end rods is Japanese or Korean. Even Maxcatch use Toray carbon as do the likes of Boeing and Airbus.

Good info - thanks Sean.

 

[Paul_B]

Our local tackle company had hand tying so people could make a bob or two at home until they found they could get the same fly made for 4p in Korea, then they sourced most of the tackle from either there or China and it was sold here under the UK design banner.

They passed the savings on but got a reputation as cheap shi, so they upped the price until it was acceptable and called high end stuff

I buy rods from here as I can try before I buy, but I wont kid myself into thinking that its made here