How about a “Chunking 101” class?

[Al in Westport]

Thanks to all for some great info. Now for a visit to the tackle shop. I wish I could go the MSBA Expo but I can’t make it this year. It will be the first miss in several years.

Fishsmith…sorry I can’t take your lawn chair tip as I don’t have enough room in my tin boat.

Now, one final question…maybe. Lever drags. I see the Shimano TLD comes with a lever drag. Never had any experience with these. What do you think, any advantages or should this ol’ dog stay with the familiar?

Thanks again, Al

[NIB]

Not a fan of lever drags for the simple reason when the fish gets next to u an makes that last ditch effort dash U can't loosen the drag to give her line.U have to plung it into free spool which is OK but can be tricky..
In NJ from the surf Chunking is done with a fishfiner an a very short leader like 7-10 inches.Heads rule for better fish.The short leader keeps the bait on the bottom not fluttering around in the surf..
10 minutes out reel in stomp on it 10 more minutes,then reel it in a put on a fresh bait.Fresh bait is also very important...

[Tagger]

Bow to the Cow .... surprised no one mentioned that ..using a fish finder type rig .. When you get a hit throw the rod down (bow) to allow line to go slack .. wait ..watch the line .. When it starts straightening ,, set the hook before the fish pulls it tight ,,feeling the tension and dropping the bait ,, Got a lot of "Big Fish" to a chunk on the bottom .