..and then the Canal Gods laughed

[Diggin Jiggin]

I'm going to suggest using a lighter # test leader than your braid. You are going to get hung up jigging, and sometimes you have to break it off. You want it to break at the leader rather than breaking somewhere along that 30$ spool of braid. I use 50# braid and a 40Lb mono leader, and I've never had the leader break while fighting a fish.

Also, I don;t know anythng about the fenwick rod you were using, but if you got the fish stopped and could not haul it back, I think you gotta look at the rod too. It takes a lot of rod to bring a large fish back against the current.

[5 String Bass]

Leaders will be used next time, absolutely. Makes a lot of sense. I was thinking that by tying direct, I was getting the most strength out of the line. You guys are right about leaving braid down there and its not cheap. I remember seeing a guy who had a peculiar leader at the ditch last year. It looked like his line was wrapped in a kind of foil for maybe a foot or 2. Do you know what that was?
I dont think I snagged bottom, only because I have done that plenty, and this had more "fight" to it than when junk collects on the line- but you never know if you dont land anything
As far as rods, maybe I will get a better ditch rod eventually, but I dont think the salt stick is too bad of a choice. It is rated for 4 oz and is a sturdy graphite rod. Nice and lightweight for jigging, yet strong. I have a 10 ft Ugly Stick as well, but I only like that for throwing chunks. Its heavier and doesnt cast as well.
You guys like the 704z over the Okuma for this application. It's a great reel, but kinda slow to reel in. Do you think using it would have given me more torque? This would be a good reason to switch. I do have an extra spool for it too. Thanks for your replies- they are very helpful.

[bloocrab]

I'm far from a Ditch-Master but the one thing that I think could have saved your fish in your situation was like Mike said,..."climb and walk", (while keeping tension on the line of course )

Sometimes even with the best tackle,, you have to be quick on your feet when it's a big fish swimming with the current. I know it's easier said than done....tough spot to climb-up, other fishermen in the way, only having 1 leg etc....but you always have to be ready for that situation when fishing the ditch. If somebody hooks a 50 in the ditch, they better walk the fish no matter what they're using IMO.

[Jay Dog]

I'd go with the 80 lb leader for abrasion resistance, as far as the leader being stronger then the braid and fear of losing a bunch of braid in case of a hangup the 80 lb would be more abraision resistant, easier to change a couple times a night when it gets nicked up and the weakest part of the setup is going to be the knots between the braid, swivel and mono so that will break first.