what to do with really energentic big boys?

[t.orlando]

Sounds like your undergunned. What kind of gear?

[GonnaCatchABig1]

got a ten ft ugly stick and an okuma epixor with about 325yrds of 50lb power pro on 50 yrds of 30lb mono backing. its not the greatest set up.. but its gotten the job done all year. till now. i cant imagine having to upgrade to a big reel and line combo. since guys can get 50 #ers in on less. im not out gunned.. i'm out matched. never dealt with anything that powerfull before. wish i knew what it was. it has me toiling with the idea that the last one was a small football. they have been known to be in that area.

also.. the probelm isnt the fight.. the problem is they are ripping the hooks out on themselves.. if i upgrade.. wont that just put more pressure on the hooked area and have em rip it out anyway? maybe try trebles or something..

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by GonnaCatchABig1

also.. the probelm isnt the fight.. the problem is they are ripping the hooks out on themselves.. if i upgrade.. wont that just put more pressure on the hooked area and have em rip it out anyway? maybe try trebles or something..

AHA.. you are experiencing the #1 problem i have with braid- braid has zero flex, so if the fish is thrashing around, the hook will rip out- If i can, i LOOOSEN my drag when this is a problem- Also, i dont know how large your guides are, but use the longest leader you feel comfortable with- I like 15 feet of mono- obviously you cant use a swivel to connect the leader to the main line, so use an Alberto knot or a double albrite. If your guide rings are small, the knot will rattle out of the guides, so as you cast, try to keep an eye on the knot after a few casts and see if its holding up well- sometimes the knot will frey.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by Nebe

AHA.. you are experiencing the #1 problem i have with braid- braid has zero flex, so if the fish is thrashing around, the hook will rip out- If i can, i LOOOSEN my drag when this is a problem- Also, i dont know how large your guides are, but use the longest leader you feel comfortable with- I like 15 feet of mono- obviously you cant use a swivel to connect the leader to the main line, so use an Alberto knot or a double albrite. If your guide rings are small, the knot will rattle out of the guides, so as you cast, try to keep an eye on the knot after a few casts and see if its holding up well- sometimes the knot will frey.

yeah unfortunately mono is very risky here too.. lots of big blues.. had to put wire on. the only one i managed to land i hada 45lb mono leader on. but it got chewed up pretty bad. almost always have a mono leader on too. but these blues in that area are no joke. actually worth catching. so i'm damned if i do and damned if i dont.. i suppose i could attach a small wire leader to a mono leader.. but i still cant losen the drag to much or i guarantee i will end up getting spooled.. any ideas on what i should use for this mono to wire leader? im thinking 45 mono since the wire is typically 45.. i dunno if i trust much less than that with the current not exactly working for me depending on which way the fish goes.