..and then the Canal Gods laughed

[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.