Mid season gear changes - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Rockfish9 · 07-18-2016, 06:32 AM

Hi Ross... I didn't think any one used ( or could find) those old floats... I've been using balloons for over a decade now... I found some at a party store that are base balls... what I mean is.. they were meant for a Childs party that imitates base balls when you blow them up. They have print on them that imitates the seams on a base ball.. I only mention this because they are the most durable ( reasonably priced) balloons I have ever used... their max size is perfect mac bobbers...( Ive also used them to float eels out over submerged rocks )

I fish mine on a slider rig using a thin rubber bands as a stop ( cinched around the main line then cut to make a stopper) ... that way I can reel right to the leader.. a small plastic bead on either side of the slider keeps the slider from jamming on the swivel or stop.. for a slider I use the sliding surf "fish finder" hard plastic slider... you can buy just the slide with no hardware... I attach a thick rubber band to that and then to my balloon... by using a thicker rubber band you break less bands and you can usually get the cinch on the rubber band/balloon free if you want to make a move ( I like to do that so the balloon does not twist up my line as it spins in the air)....live lining macs is fun for sure... especially around the rock piles... I just cant deal with people during the day... as soon as they see you with a bent rod... they all become your "friend"...

piemma · 07-18-2016, 07:01 AM

I just want to weigh in on the braid thing. I have had it with braid. I believe it has its place on a sandy beach but if you are around rocks it sucks. ZERO abrasion resistance. I fish conventional with 10 to 12 feet of 50# mono as a leader. Albright Knot to go braid to mono.

I have lost countless big fish to the braid getting cut on rocks. I'm now all mono on my boat.

Rockfish9 · 07-18-2016, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

I just want to weigh in on the braid thing. I have had it with braid. I believe it has its place on a sandy beach but if you are around rocks it sucks. ZERO abrasion resistance. I fish conventional with 10 to 12 feet of 50# mono as a leader. Albright Knot to go braid to mono.

I have lost countless big fish to the braid getting cut on rocks. I'm now all mono on my boat.

with ya on that... 50lb Ande will take a lot of abuse...might even serve as an anchor rode in a pinch!

Guppy · 07-18-2016, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

I just want to weigh in on the braid thing. I have had it with braid. I believe it has its place on a sandy beach but if you are around rocks it sucks. ZERO abrasion resistance. I fish conventional with 10 to 12 feet of 50# mono as a leader. Albright Knot to go braid to mono.

I have lost countless big fish to the braid getting cut on rocks. I'm now all mono on my boat.

Amen to that! Last night I spent more time messing with the braid than fishing,,, these old eyes just can't work with that stuff at night and not much better with the sun up...