I've used almost everything since I began pike fishing in the 50s.
Gimp, who remembers that? (still got some somewhere)
Alasticum, the ideal for FJTs sprat fishing method.
7strand in all its guises (most of the stuff sold here is just respooled US made trolling wire anyway)
49strand Aircraft Cables for the really big stuff (had a shark bite thro 600lb once
mg
Single strand carbon and stainless.
Never tried Ti but I will this winter.
For spinning the only two worth a mention are;
Prindle-Fabbri Corp Stainless Steel Wire Cable-Monel in 13.2kg (29lb) or
Sevenstrand Magnum single strand stainless wire in 45lb
To get the best out of single strand you must master the Haywire Twist, the only way to go and completely time proven. its not rocket science and once learnt is never forgotten.
Stranded wire can be knotted or twisted to form a secure joint.
For knotting refer to Lefty's book or any US fishing site.
For a secure twist twenty wraps at a fast spin and your done (it is essential to get the molecules in the wire moving and to do this you need to form the twist quickly, hence the fast spin).
If you worried a small dab of Araldite over the twist seals everything neatly.
Any of you crimping should refer to the US sites for the correct techniques, but the basic rules are;
For angling the crimp must be softer than the material being crimped, aluminium for fluorocarbon and nylon, copper for wire.
The crimping tool must be the all-round type (pressure exerted evenly all around the crimp as it is formed) not the anvil type where a pointed tooth is forced into the centre of the crimp.
If in any doubt its very easy and not expensive to make your own crimper to suit your chosen wire.
I'm willing to post instructions if asked.
I've crimped everything up to 600lb in mono, fluorocarbon and wire,.......professionally.