i'm looking to get a set up to start jigging the canal next year. I've got a lami 1363M that I'm building spinning, would this work with a Nautil 7500? This would be for my dad.
for myself, i was thinking of building a SU1209 and mating it with a Saltiga 4500. i would probably spool both with 65 lb. braid. any help would be great!

ALLSTAR 1209 :humpty:

1209 :humpty:

I recommend conventional for canal jigging. It's tough on the finger to hurl those heavy jigs out there. I recommend the ABU 7000 series.

http://www.striped-bass.com/StriperTalk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20146

the 10' 1209 factory spinner is the perfect jigging rod if you want a spinner, this price is a bargain..

Yea, that 1209 is a score.

If you do go conventional, a rod like a 1213m is a very easy rod to cast...

-spence

The 136 3M is a lot of rod for Jigging. something shortre. people like the 1209 but remember its useless at less than 4 OZ. Its really a 4 to 6 or 4 to 8 rod. Its also a pool cue for action. You won't even feel smaller fish.

Obviously i make enough rods so that i can use anything i want myself. i have stayed away from the 1209. I like the arra 1205. Another great one for the canal would be the arra 126 1MH. for considerably less money , you can get an Allstar 1266 which is great for the Canal. Another rod that will work well if you prefer tossing mostly 3 and 4 OZ jigs is the allstar 1208. there are techniques where you can get down even in the strongest currents with 4 OZ.

lots of choices. to me , if you are just beginning , you will find too heavy a rod like the 136 3m and even the 1209 a problem. once you are expert , you'll know enough to choose your own rod based on how you do it and what you like. Many of the more expert ditch jiggers like 1209.

Anywwya , as a point of reference . i use an arra 1205 with a BG7000CL and 50 LB spectron. My fishing buddy Smokey uses the same reel and line but do to a need to get it into his pickup truck , he uses the two piece allstar 1266. It also works great at the canal.

Not to ruffle anybodies feathers but using a 1209 with a spinner just seems crazy to me. If you are that serious about jigging , you should get good with a conventional . Spinners do allow casting a great distance for some but once you hook up i honestly feel you give up a lot using a spinner.

I never thought that usin a spinner for jiggin was very smart.Till I started to see the results Slip an JP had with it.the angler formally known as Newell Guy Is a convert also.tough to argue with the succes these guys have had.So I tried it an it worked great for me also.reelin back the jig faster.gets me fishing more.i always liked the Idea of the rod bein in my power hand.if a fish swims towards u u can take up line faster an control him better with the spinning.this yr i'm gonna try the cannon casting aid as I think i hurt some tendons in my arm castin for ten days in a row at the canal plus a few 3 day weekends after that.I also wanna try the conventional up there to mix it up a bit.like Karl does.But at this point i think it would be a disadvantage.To each there own.I use the factory 1209 from breakawy i think its a LDFS 100.Matched up wit a yellow 7500 wit 30 lb fireline.I got one 36#'s that turned the reel to mush.but i had no problems landin another over 30 a a few close to the 3rd base mark after that.I have a friend who throws the 12' tica conv.2 pc.an loves it.

I just built a 1208 and would recommend it highly for jigging the canal. As mine is a spinning setup, I would recommend you go conventional if this is going to be a rod strictly used for jigging in the canal. If it is going to be a multi purpose rod, the spinning setup with a VS 200 or something heavy duty is preferable, in my opinion, and can cover many bases.

i was thinking the 1363 would be a bit long. I'll probably cut it to 10'6". es, those all stars mike has look pretty good. pick one up after the holidays. thanks for the help. searching is always good, but current stuff hels more.

1209 ---- nautil 7500


50# powerpro


spro swivel

40# fluoro

breakaway clips

palomar knots all around

IMHO more often than not you will need 4-5 oz. to effectively jig...sometimes you will even want more than that and the 1209 can handle it.

The price is an absolute steal. Buy it now and don't worry!!!

As I said , real experts like Slip and JP choose what they like and no arguement there. . I'm just thinking the 1209 is a lot for a beginner to deal with.

As far as the spinner goes , I can't help but wonder if the guys who go every day and are good at it wouldn't be landing some 50's instead of 30's oif they had the conventional reel. I'd be willing to bet they are occasionally hooking huge fish like 50's but just not getting them in on spinners.

saltheart, whats the big differance??? is it casting distance or is it the battle with the fish that has you so sold on conventionals???

Originally posted by Saltheart
As I said , real experts like Slip and JP choose what they like and no arguement there. . I'm just thinking the 1209 is a lot for a beginner to deal with.

As far as the spinner goes , I can't help but wonder if the guys who go every day and are good at it wouldn't be landing some 50's instead of 30's oif they had the conventional reel. I'd be willing to bet they are occasionally hooking huge fish like 50's but just not getting them in on spinners.

How many Fifties do U know of landed on a jig in the canal during a good pace say 4.4 kts of current.the place is brutal an chances are thin in the current of landing a big fish evrythings gotta go right...The main reason I use a convetional is it handles thicker line better.but in the canal with depths of 35-50 ft an 4-5 kt currents thick line don't get down.Tell me how Newel guy had any chance with the same line of landin the fish he lost last yr in the canal with the conventional.i wasn't there but from what he told me he did all he could.the reel just holds the line U whip a fish with the rod.the 1209 because it is so dstiff may be tough to cast with with a conventional U don't load it u kinda whip the jig out there.Saltheart U been fishin there alot longer than i have I'm sure u know more than me I could be wrong.I just think when it comes to 50's in the canal,jiggin u gotta have some good karma conventional or spinning an thats what i'll make alll the difference.

I mean after the hook up , not the casting. Hell , these guys cast a mile with the spinners. !!! I've told them all this before face to face so its not news to anyone.

Just my opinion.....maybe I'm all wet. :confused: No spinners for me though.

Mike Ur not all wet by no means, I been at this a long time an u probably forgot more than i know.Sometimes u gotta cast far.:cool: I really think its as easy or easier to fight a fish on the spinner.as long as the spool don't rocket thru the guides.the spinners do take a poundin from the tension.maybe JP will have better luck with the Saltiga he's lookin into.The nautil's are throwaways imho.I think I asked JP last yr if he knew of any fifties taken on a full current with a jig.all he could tell me was the horror stories.One of his protege's got one 2 yrs ago I think it was 46 lbs when he was done he carried the fish up to the service road an layed down next to it. I think thats the biggest he knew of.The list is long of things that can happen with a big fish.in the current.even if everthing from the reel to ur knots hold up u gotta hope the jig don't pull or worse open the hook.things U really have no control over i lost a good one at the cribbin last yr was a good fish taken some line an the hook pulled. U just don't get em all.In the canal u get less.....

You're not wet Mike :) BTW Mike, I am NOT an expert by any means.
You use what works for you, it's as simple as that.

I think the main difference in fighting a big fish in fast current between the 2 reels is that obviously the conventional - the line comes straight off the spool, and the spinner - the line has to angle off of a line roller. I have never had any problem with my line coming off on that angle even with 10-12 lbs of drag. I do have a hrad time with the drag on the conventional letting line out smoothly though and it's hard to lock the drag on hte Abu, and easier to lock the drag on the spinner.

I haven't had the experience to hook a fifty yet let alone land one. I hope to someday. I don't know anyone that has caught a 50 from the bottom on a bucktail or skin jig, and if anyone has then I bet it was on a conventional. JP will eventually get one if Blong or I don't beat him to it :)

Next yr I plan on makin a few more trips with the hopes of gettin one of those canal monsters to the shore.Lets hope I have some good karma that night.:rolleyes: I truely believe there is a fifty in there for the better part of the season.just gotta fool em an hold on.i got a few new things up my sleave for her if she takes.:cool:

Good thread and great posts.

Over the past seven years I have struggled with all of these themes. I learned conventional to fish the ditch because that is what I thought you needed. I bought abus I changed them to smoothies...etc, etc.

Over the past season after fishing with powers and others I made the switch to spinning and I will not go to the ditch without it.

The braid levels the playing field in terms of casting so distance is no longer a factor.

As for drag I am almost convinced that the drag on some of the high end spinning reels is better than some of the conventionals.

For me it comes down to reliability and ease of use. I do not care how good you are with a conventional eventually you WILL have a backlash and then you'll spend some valuable fishing time fixing it.

This is even more true if you are fishing when you should be....at night. I can't tell you what a difference it makes to be able to make cast after cast in the pitch black without worrying.

Then again you can fish next to Carl and he'll throw a squidder on a yellow lami and he'll outcast and outfish you.

It is all about practice practice practice and finding what works for you.

Best of luck!!!!!

Originally posted by NIB


.I think I asked JP last yr if he knew of any fifties taken on a full current with a jig.all he could tell me was the horror stories.One of his protege's got one 2 yrs ago I think it was 46 lbs when he was done he carried the fish up to the service road an layed down next to it. I think thats the biggest he knew of..

That was at slack tide and that fish just about wrecked him (BCY)

I landed my only 40 (42 lbs) in fast current(not as fast as it gets but still fast) and I had no problem landing in, it took some line a few times but I winched it in and whipped it good. I think with some luck, someone will land a 50 someday soon :)

Originally posted by Slipknot
You're not wet Mike :) BTW Mike, I am NOT an expert by any means.
You use what works for you, it's as simple as that.

I think the main difference in fighting a big fish in fast current between the 2 reels is that obviously the conventional - the line comes straight off the spool, and the spinner - the line has to angle off of a line roller. I have never had any problem with my line coming off on that angle even with 10-12 lbs of drag. I do have a hrad time with the drag on the conventional letting line out smoothly though and it's hard to lock the drag on hte Abu, and easier to lock the drag on the spinner.

I haven't had the experience to hook a fifty yet let alone land one. I hope to someday. I don't know anyone that has caught a 50 from the bottom on a bucktail or skin jig, and if anyone has then I bet it was on a conventional. JP will eventually get one if Blong or I don't beat him to it :)

There is no doubt that a conventional is a better reel as far as drag goes just by the difference in design.Drag is a after thought in the canal. 12 lbs is alot Slip showed me that.If it starts peelin I grab the spool/(don't try this at home)......... ifa fifty was caught on a conventional its because the JP method if i can call it that is realatively new.With the braids a newer tackle to come out in the last few yrs it is a new option as with in the past usin mono upwards of 20 lbs on a spinner was not a good idea.but very doable on a convetional. I think the jig drops faster if it aint pullin the spool to let out line.u get more time on the bottom more bang for ur buck.I cut the bail off the nautil as thats the way I'm used to fish.It takes some gettin used to.to each their own.

go back to the Stella thread :p :p :p

Originally posted by Slipknot
That was at slack tide and that fish just about wrecked him (BCY)

I landed my only 40 (42 lbs) in fast current(not as fast as it gets but still fast) and I had no problem landing in, it took some line a few times but I winched it in and whipped it good. I think with some luck, someone will land a 50 someday soon :)

Well if i don't get it i hope u do.Hows that for a Christmas present.U can give that same present to JP also.why not its cheap.:D

heh,heh,heh......

Blong's buying a Saltiga!! Blong knows!!!!!

To my knowledge ( I've asked/researched everywhere) NOBODY has ever landed a 50#er at the canal on conventional or spinning while jigging. Many came close - Stan Kuzia, Blong and his crew, a couple of other guys, but it's still a benchmark to shoot for.

I love the blong stories!!

I love any an all of the JP stories could listen to the guy for hrs.If The Saltiga is good enough for JP an His buddies where do i sign up.

I would say the conventional setup makes it easier to pay line out and still keep contact with your jig if you need to employ the dropback method like you do in a few places. Stroth, you are correct in saying the line quality has somewhat equalized spinning versus conventional . Given identical blanks, though, the other advantage in my mind with conventional is that a conventional rod typically employs a collector guide that is closer to the reel, and thus closer to the strongest part of the rod. IMHO, this would give you a rod of greater strength versus a spinning setup that typically features a collector guide placed further up the blank.

Originally posted by JPowers
heh,heh,heh......

Blong's buying a Saltiga!! Blong knows!!!!!

To my knowledge ( I've asked/researched everywhere) NOBODY has ever landed a 50#er at the canal on conventional or spinning while jigging. Many came close - Stan Kuzia, Blong and his crew, a couple of other guys, but it's still a benchmark to shoot for.

Well then I would consider It a Honor to be the first.:D

My buddy took a 54# jigging(not a bucktail) last year. Conventional. Had to jam both thumbs on the spool to stop it.

Originally posted by Back Beach
I would say the conventional setup makes it easier to pay line out and still keep contact with your jig if you need to employ the dropback method like you do in a few places. Stroth, you are correct in saying the line quality has somewhat equalized spinning versus conventional . Given identical blanks, though, the other advantage in my mind with conventional is that a conventional rod typically employs a collector guide that is closer to the reel, and thus closer to the strongest part of the rod. IMHO, this would give you a rod of greater strength versus a spinning setup that typically features a collector guide placed further up the blank.

I do nothing but employ the dropback method if someone is fishin on the down side of me I move. I agree In most normal circumstance's where one does this on a convetional it is a better way but in the canal there's alot of tension on the line from the amount of it in the current.AS i let the line come off the spool i count the times it ticks my finger.to give me a idea of how to work it the next cast.often i will get hits with the line on my finger as sometimes its let line out bounce once an let more line out spot in the drift an i get too lazy to put it back up on the roller.The fish seem to get hooked from the tension on the line.i have had hits there that wanna pull me from my perch but I've never been cut by the line.i think I have as much control with no surprises from fish taken the jig while the reel is freespool.(pooof)

Originally posted by t.orlando
My buddy took a 54# jigging(not a bucktail) last year. Conventional. Had to jam both thumbs on the spool to stop it.

That can hurt.Both thumbs ?How did he hold the rod.was that the fish taken on the big storm shad.?????

Originally posted by t.orlando
My buddy took a 54# jigging(not a bucktail) last year.


From the ditch?

WHOAH..........................

There has to be more of a story here.

Got any pics?


I say spinning you say conventional. I say couch you say sofa.

In the long run it doesn't really matter what the heck you are throwing as long as you feel comfortable with it and it can do the job.

The 1209 spinning or conventional can throw from four to seven oz. maybe even more. It is a proven rod. It can also make 30# fish look silly.

Just to throw some fire on this debate a little more. You can dropback the jig with a spinning set up. Takes some getting used to, but it is possible.

Addendum:

I should've stated that nobody has landed a 50#er on a BUCKTAIL jig.

A consensus of guys determined that the Storm Wildeye is not actually a jig. It's a swimming lure.

Originally posted by JPowers
Addendum:

I should've stated that nobody has landed a 50#er on a BUCKTAIL jig.

A consensus of guys determined that the Storm Wildeye is not actually a jig. It's a swimming lure.

PFF told me that you were buying stock in the big storm shads. He said you were converted...:D

:D

MAC,

Yep. I'm now a believer (have to be with T Orlando's guy landin' the 54#er on one, and watching PFF own success).

However, I'm not considering the Storm a jig. It's a lure, or a soft plug, or some damn thing. It's just NOT a JIG.

So how many are in ur bag an have u thrown it if it is in ur bag.

He has been carrying 1 or 2 around for close to a year:D Always refused to throw it. Personally I think Jim was using it when nobody was looking.:laughs:

:D

Oh, I've been carryin' them around, but not in the bag - they never made it out of the van. I really hate those damn things. Don't know what it is about them ( and most plastics for that matter). kinda like findin' out the girlfriend's got silicone.

Slip got right to the heart of my complaint about spinners. the line has to take a 90 degree turn. I can't help but think that I don't want a 90 degree turn in my line when Moby #^&#^&#^&#^& grabs the jig in 4 knots of current. That's the meat of the discussion.

Slip is no expert and JP never had a fifty on the end of his line?....and pigs fly when nobody is looking. :)

Salty I have to agree with yah, once you stick a big fish you need all the help you can get. Many prayers and you hope the fish comes up. Bottom huggers always break your line and yor hear too. I have had on a few fish that could do NOTHING with. Its mostly a run to the service road and try to get an angle on it to lift. I saw one fifty caught quite a few years ago on a live pogie (rember them?) By the time the guy landed it he was over two lights down. He came back with the fish and just collopsed.

JP- I know your feelings on the shad, thats why I specified no bucktail. Personally, between shads and sluggos, I have not thrown a bucktail in 2 years. Sometimes you just gotta give them what they want. And yes I have a great pic, just too much off a moron to know how to post.

shhh!!!!! the storm shads are a secret!!!!! :smash: :smash:

Me being a boat guy and with the little surf fishing I have done,
How is jigging from shore done in the canal ?

t.o

I've got pic posting issues myself.

Powers' maxim #1:

If the fish don't want an eelskin jig....., then they can go _ _ _ _
themselves. Fish over 50#s are are getting too damn finicky.

JP, you funny. Personally, gave up on skins. Been doing better with heavy sluggos.

Originally posted by JPowers
t.o

I've got pic posting issues myself.

Powers' maxim #1:

If the fish don't want an eelskin jig....., then they can go _ _ _ _
themselves. Fish over 50#s are are getting too damn finicky.


it's the chunkers that are spoiling the bass :( the pluggers have suffered from it also.
Inshore fishing has been going downhill, getting very challenging lately.

Raider Ron, cast 4 oz canal special jig with pork rind out about 100 yards about 15 degrees towards the direction the current is coming from, then let enough line go to allow jig to go to the bottom, then pop jig up off bottom and repeat bouncing along the bottom where the bass lay in wait of an easy meal passing by. When they hit, set hook and reel in. EAsy to do from shore. If one spot is void of fish, move. But we have to walk, can't fish the canal from a boat, that would be cheating and definately does NOT count.

:wave: Hi Jim

Saltheart, may be JP has had a 50 on his line before no doubt, but I really am not an expert, I just have more experience then I used to , and I've learned alot from guys like JP, you , Carl, BigDave etc. :)

thanks for all these responses. it's really great to get some real advice from a site where i know all the people fish. i'm def. going to buy a disc. rod from mike as soon as i get some christmas money. it's tough being a kid. next Q. what do you guys jig with? A 9" sluggo on a 5 oz. jig sounds good, as does a similar sized bucktail with a long rind. also, how do you guys work these lures in the canal? rhody beaches are one thing, but the canal seems alien:confused:

t.o.

I've got enough plastic in the tackle room to build me a Cher. Got hooked on the red/black sluggos for a while.
Went back to skins when mr.pogie and Saltheart started making skin jigs like I'd dreamed about - invested heavily. Went back to the dark side.

No qestion....., Sluggos and shads are the cat's ass. I just got this thing stuck in my head that if/when the mount fish comes......
.
.
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.
.
.
I want it on a bucktail or a skin. I'm basically nuts!


Hi, Bruce :laughs:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Slipknot
[B]it's the chunkers that are spoiling the bass :( the pluggers have suffered from it also.
Inshore fishing has been going downhill, getting very challenging lately.

Raider Ron, cast 4 oz canal special jig with pork rind out about 100 yards about 15 degrees towards the direction the current is coming from, then let enough line go to allow jig to go to the bottom, then pop jig up off bottom and repeat bouncing along the bottom where the bass lay in wait of an easy meal passing by. When they hit, set hook and reel in. EAsy to do from shore. If one spot is void of fish, move. But we have to walk, can't fish the canal from a boat, that would be cheating and definately does NOT count.


Thanks for the info, sounds like I will have to try it next season! ;)
Ronnie

ps. next summer, come on my boat wire line jigging , set a hook in a cow and then tell me "Boat fish don't count"!!!
What a rush !!!:D

Sorry for the hijack, JP thats what makes the canal so great. Everyone has their own method to their madness. When not jigging, I've been known to chuck a few eels around too.

J Powers is in rare form tonight!! :) I agree , F the big lazy fish who won't swim to my jigs!! :)

I think most would agree skin jigs are the cats meow. I especially like curltails grubs cause they catch , they have very little windage when casts compared to say a shad body and you can fit 20 Grubs in one baggie in a jig bag. Sometimes though , especially late season , them shad bodies get big fish when nothing else works.

Slip , you've gotten good at at. You're probably the only guy around who doesn't consider you an expert!! :)

Originally posted by JPowers
t.o.

I've got enough plastic in the tackle room to build me a Cher.

JP if you have enough plastic for two could you build me one also???:D Would make a great Christmas present!:laughs:

He an expert in my book. ;) He catch BIG fish.
.
.
.
.
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and.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
. he laughs at everthing I say.

:p

Mike,

I totally agree about the curl tails. I went out and bought a round head jigmold for 4, 5, 6 oz heads just for that reason!

Take those jigheads and attach one of GS's 8" grubs and hang on!!!

Smaller scale curl tail grubs used to be my ace in the hole back when I was tournament fishing for FW bass!!

I hear there is some guy they call "the phantom of the ditch".... i bet he knows something about jigging :hihi:

That guy's so dumb...... he still smokin'.

Still smoking!! You would think he would have learned his lesson ! Dumb as a tack!

Originally posted by t.orlando
Sorry for the hijack, JP thats what makes the canal so great. Everyone has their own method to their madness. When not jigging, I've been known to chuck a few eels around too.
A FEW?!?!

T. Yur killin me:smash:
Here's the pic you've been talkin about, I had another shot but just can't seem to find it.
JP i think you'd like the background on the other PIC;)

Happy Holidays guys.

O & Ahhhh for the record................Live eels all the way:laughs:

5/0

[i]Originally posted by Saltheart

Slip , you've gotten good at at. You're probably the only guy around who doesn't consider you an expert!! :) [/B]

:(

ok

the storm shad fish...now i know what you guys are talking about...man i gotta read these threads closer

i got stranded in two airports yesterday for over 12 hours so i got alot of time to think these things over when i remembered something that i learned awhile back, just never thought of it until they told me my luggage was lost....

take your coventional rod spined so you can cast well, where the relaxed curve moves backward easier as you cast...take that rod, tie it a paint pail or some other sort of resistance and pull upward with force. as you pull no matter how well the rod is spined it will still twist

i've seen rods used for comm. cod jigging that actually twisted apart when the epoxy from the wraps wore down. as this twisting happens the guides are literally trying to get to the other side of the rod......which is where they are in the first place on a spinning rod!

Whaddyathink....does this theory hold water or am I jet lagged and a little nuts.


ronnie...sorry for the hijack.....here's a tip
----take the sluggos---or----even better some ledgerunner's...cut the head at a 90 degree angle...thread them up to the jig head and then glue them with either zap a gap or super glue..

cary some cheap super glue with you and you can fix the rubber as you are fishing

i have a whole bucket full of plastic, but i mostly carry the old school stuff......

Powers---I got some special stuff brewing in my basement for you!!!!!!!shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

more jig talk please!:D !

Stroth, that's why you gotta acid wrap:D i've yet to see guides be twisted off a rod. closest thing is offset on the rod. thanks for all the replies, keep 'em coming:)

Canal + Conventional + Sprial Wrap (acid) = :D

Have a 1209 I'm spiral wrapping now thats 75% finished.
It's a telephone pole for sure... but sometimes you need it out there. Have been using the 1208 for the past two years and it's a great rod, but can't argue that sometimes you just need more rod.
Everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to rods at the canal. Just have to find what feels good for you.

Theres a canal????

Yes , that tunnel is there so you can drive under the canal.

so a spiral wrap is an acid wrap huh?

i have never fished one, but I saw a couple last week--they are pretty cool

Just make sure whatever rod you choose you put on high quality guides.

I have built with sic and it is great, but I am not sure it is worth all of that dough. but, if you have the money to burn......get them.

IMHO---the key to jigging the canal effectively is your line and your terminal connections...you will find out soon enough if the rod is not beefy enough to handle what is on the end....

One tuesday morning at around 3:15 a.m. I had a fish put a substantial bend in the 1209. I held on as long as I could (about 40 seconds---but man it felt like 10 minutes!!!) and then my knot gave way.

What I learned from that exp is that you to have the absolute faith in all of your connections. I now tie all of my leaders ahead of time and as a wise ol' snickers eatin' cigarrette smokin' canal rat told me--"check them constantly". If I feel the slightest knick I will re tie a fresh one. Palomar knots all the way.

Stroth,

Yep. The best gear money can buy is a slave to your ability to tie a knot.

And......, just when you think to yourself " that nick isn't TOO bad", WHAM !!!! A LARGE will prove you wrong.

I'm a stickler when it comes to tien my rigs.A palomar with floro in 50lbs an up can be tuff to tie.U gotta help it.I got a little set of tools to make life easier.My problem is I get lazy on the water an probably fish with a nicked leader too often.I actually loosen my drag.At the ditch u seem to get frays about 6" up the line so i cut out the bad section.I can't remember it coming into play yet.Fishing time seems to go so quick.start out at 10pm next thing u know the suns comin up.Takin time to retie could cost me three casts.Anyone one else fish with this kinda urgency.I gotta learn to slow down a little when fishing................I do everything else slow.I take forever to prepare for the nights fishin.dillie dallieng.New rigs, new baits, coffe, smokes.its always right after this smoke.but once out there i can't stop.

For me that kind of urgency happens at certain times. Like the hour or two before the sun comes up. Man you can't get enough casts in.

NIB--you are right about the line fraying six inches above. I'm guessing that the line is actually skating along the bottom with your jig and that is why it frays like that.

The best combo I've found is a Hand Grenade and a Cast Net.

Tie on a long leader to start. Like about 10 to 12 feet. Then check that foot just above the jig all the time. You almost always have to pick off a weed so run your fingers over the leader above the jig. Retie if there is anything not smooth. It takes 1 minute to retie the jig if you have cutting pliers in your pocket.

Tying the leader to the running line takes some time. Take the time to do a good job there. Use a tough running line. I like Cortland spectron. It must be used on a conventional , it won't work on a spinner. Toughest stuff around from a wear standpoint.

Never cast into the water unless everything about your gear is just right. Nothing worse than losing a big fish because you were not prpared. Bad luck you can deal with but losing a big one cause you were lazy or stupid and unprepared will haunt you for years.

And......,

Always check your guide rings for cracks ( usually they're very small).

You'll never know most of them are there until a big fish puts the strain on the braid running out of the first three guides. Taut braid hits the nick/crack and SNAP!!!!! Fish gone.

What about spraying some sort of lubricant into the guide rings once.

I was fishing for blues a couple of mays ago and I met this guy who sprayed wd-40 all over his guides. I didn't say anything to him, but in my head I am thinking.....jesus wd-40 is a solvent and that is really going to foul things up...

Anyone ever spray stuff on the guides?

used it in a reel. can't figure out why he would do that. it wouldn't increase distance any, if at all. i've heard of doing it in the winter to prevent icing on the guides, and also on rollers offshore.