how do I know if it's the same cast distance I did from the first one?

What do you mean not putting any hardware? like just tying the leader on your main line instead of a swivel?

experience.

But the easier way is to simply pay attention to the retrieve - you'll feel the plug/bait rig get closer to you, just slow down a bit and pay attention.

What you do is TRY to get off a SUPER cast the first time you use a particular plug, and count. After that, your nomal casts will be shorter, ON THE SAME PLUG.


When I cast eels, its the same thing. SOmetimes you "hear" and "feel" your line going out and you know when you have gotten off a good cast and again begin your count. It is not an exact science but you will get a better idea of where your plug is in relation to your retrieve.

at first i was having the same troubles. I find that at night I do count my revs, as well as the swag of the line. I watch the angle of the line as I retrieve. if you are watching your line you know when it is close. I raise my pole to 12 o'clock and watch the line as I retrieve it the rest of the way until I can see the swivel climbing up. If you do feel the swivel hit your tip, take the time to let out a little line and carefully guide it back thru the tip before casting...Also, if you are slingin eels you should feel the weight of the eel as it leaves the water. I have found that I can tune my senses pretty well at night, often I will close my eyes and see even better what is going on...That's right I "use the force"..:D

It's simple wake up.U should be able to at least feel the swivel come in throught the guide.donot cast it out thats when they break.Fish alittle more an u'll get use to when the lure gets close to u.I seen guys that couldn't feel put a split ring a little larger than the eye on the swivel.Counting revolutions?What I gotta take my socks off to fish. what do I do after 20.:rolleyes:

Here's what works for me:

(1) Use a standard length leader. Last night I used a longer than usual length leader and a few times I had a problem detemining when to stop reeling in my lure.

(2) Fish with a teaser. I look and listen for the teaser coming out of the water near the end of my retrieve. That's how I know the location of my barrel swivel. Always use a standard length line on your teaser.


(3) Finally, listen for the sound of the barrel swivel hitting the rod tip. You should never never cast without knowing the position of your barrel swivel. I've found that using a teaser is the best way to "see" my barrel swivel on a dark night.

Alberto's knot main line to 3ft leader. All you get is a slight bump on your rod tip.

Mike,

Now I understand. Thats a good point. Thanks.

if it is a spinning rod use a bead or hold your rod tip at an upward angle and reel slow . when the swivel reaches the tip it will stop , dont reel anymore . if its conventional dont use a swivel and use an albertos knot . it will slide right though your guides . a uni to uni knot is good too but you will have to retie it more frequently .

Thanks a lot guys...

:happy: :happy: :happy:

Wow...a serious reply from chris L !!!
happened to me twice this year...stoopid me....bein lazy...
good thread....maybe you should have used the search feature though:laughs: :laughs: sorry could not resist T:laughs:

Aside from being careful not to reeling the barrel swivel past the tip ring which could happen in the heat of the moment at night, I would talk to a reliable rod builder (see sponsors) to replace with a high quality tip which may withstand the force of the barrel swivel.

Wow all these complicated responses. At night in noisy surf it has to be simple.

i use a bright orange champagne bottle cork and i never have these problems.
only problem now is i only catch snappers

My buddy uses a green glow stick attached to the rod. Now he can see the swivel coming.

I do what Toby does.. I also make all my leaders the same size and in the night i religiously swing my plug up to check if there are any weeds on it. I've figured out the leader length so at an arms length, the plug is in my had comfortably and the swivel is just below the tip..that way if i'm holding the plug i know that th eswivel is o.k. I also use those microscopic Spro swivels... that way if they do go through the guides chances are nothing will break. the swivel you are using is a guide destroyer.

Spro swivels will help you out, but don't you feel your plug or eel getting closer to as you fish it? If you dont have a good feel for your plug you are doing something wrong. Do you fish with your rod low, sort of parallel with the water or do you keep the tip high, almost perpendicular to the water? The higher you keep your rod the more feel you will get to how close your plug is to you in my opinion.

Personally, I tie direct. But if you want to keep the same terminal setup just use a stainless tip top (without an insert). They're about $2 each, so you can keep a spare if you like.

I tried a bead last night which is bigger that my rod tip and it works caught my 29" on a still water with a storm popper. Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions.

You ROCK...... :happy: :happy: :happy:

Switch to conventional , tie a leader direct to the running line with an Albright or blood knot or interlocking uniknots , etc. No swivel , no problem.

Also in case you must have it , like for spinners , use a very small barrel swivel or use large guides so in either case , the swivel fits through the guides and tip. I almost always build spinners for surf rods with size 16 tip rings now.