THE BEST OVERALL POUND TEST FOR STRIPERS/BLUES?? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

StarsnStripers · 10-22-2002, 07:01 PM

When I am surfcasting from a beach, what pound test should I be using about?? I know my Ugly Stik Tiger rod takes 12-30 lbs. test and is ML action (7 ft.)
Should I be using 17 pound test?
Also : I am currently using 20 pound line, and it always curls and tangles when I release the bail, even though I only put it on a week ago. This has happened several times, what can I do to solve it??, It's embarrasing when I try to cast and the line loops itself around my handle!!!!!

Marcus · 10-22-2002, 08:17 PM

I guess that would be dependant upon the type of line I am a BRAID man myself I would reccommend either Power Pro or the new Spiderwire Stealth try the 30lb with a 8lb diameter

Be sure to back this stuff with mono to prevent slippage

TheSpecialist · 10-22-2002, 09:00 PM

S&S if you are using a spinning reel, the line problem is a result of how the line went onto the reel from the filler spool.

That being said are you fishing rocky areas, or beach?

mrmacey · 10-22-2002, 09:09 PM

can you talk alittle more about how line gets on spool from filler roll i have experienced this birds nest more than once when putting new line on never knew there was away it went on thanks

Striper SniperX · 10-23-2002, 01:10 AM

Hey,

*Specialist,
SnS & I both fish together an would be fishing The South End Of Conimicut Near Longmedow Fishing Area to 'around Sam Gorton rd' There is some rocks ,,, but mostly just Beach... He uses a 7' Uglystick Tiger,,w/ Fin-nor Lite spinning reel,,, I use a 8' Shakespeare Alpha Custom w/ Shakespeare 'Long-Cast' Spinnng Reel,,,,, Currenty we both have 20LB Trilene BigGame from the same 300yrd Spool bought about 2 weeks ago now... The Line Memory is Pretty Bad--Weird , Because it's a good name in lines....

**Marcus,
We have used Braided Line 'Fire-line' for freshwater fishin.....We didn't like it all that much... case it was a pain to tie knots cause the Fabric like stuff and all ,,,, is the Spider line better ??

***What do You all think of 'Ande' Monofiliment for Line? I have seen it in alot of saltwater Magazines .....But some people say it isn't very good ????What's up ?

*****I think i'll stick with 20+ # line,,,,Not only 'incase' we hook up with a bigger fish ---even if ya set yer drag,,some fish are too fast (snap) but 20+ # Line is Good incase ya get 'snagged' or pick up a big hunk of sea-weeds,,,,etc..

Have a Good One!

JohnR · 10-23-2002, 07:35 AM

For anywhere in the Bay from Longmeadow & up, 15# test should be more than enough but don't use that cheap wallmart crap line. Get good stuff like Berkely Big Game Green (my favorite) or Ande

Couple things to remember: Mono is thicker than similar strength braid meaning you'll have less capacity on a reel - not too much of an issue where you are. Mono is a lot cheaper than braid and probably easier for the Newbies to use. Mono can sometimes wear quicker so it's best to respool somewhat frequently. I like to respool my reels (mono line) every few outings when chasing big fish in the rocks. Get rid of any potentially bad areas of line and have good line on when the fish of a lifetime strolls by.

If you two pitch in your money together, you can buy a 1# spool through some of the better shops. A 1 pound spool will have somewhere near 3600 yds of 15# test line instead of the 900 yds on the smaller spools (that you waste line with anyway). This will get a more reel fills for less money.

Putting the line on the spinning reel, place the bulk spool on the ground with the label side up. Verify that the line coming off the bulk spool, which is lightly coiled from being packaged on the bulk spool, is going in the same direction onto the reel. That way, the built in curl of the line (called memory) will pack itself in te same direction on the reel. Also keep in mind that better lines have better abrasion resistance AND lesser memory than the cheap lines - like Shakespeare.

I think most people will agree that Ande or Berkely Big Game are the favored mono lines out there.

DaveS · 10-23-2002, 09:08 AM

I like Ande or Big Game on conventionals that I use for bait fishing, but I prefer PowerPro for throwing plugs/eels. On a spinner, I use FireLine 30# for my braid choice, but if I were to use mono it would be Berkley Trilene XL.

capndave · 10-23-2002, 09:41 AM

SSX, SnS, MRMacey,

Berkley Big Game is probably the most popular mono for Bass and Blues in use today.
The drawback is that all mono lines have “memory” to varying degrees.
In my personal experience, the stiffer ones like Ande, especially in diameters above 15#, can be particularly troublesome on spinners in colder weather.

Ideally, if you’ve shelled out $30+ for a bulk spool, your local B&T should be happy to machine spool it on a couple of reels for you.
If that’s not possible, have someone hold a pencil through the spool and holding it horizontally, spool it on with tension your self. A third way would be to place the spool in a bucket, label side up and spool from there. The bucket just keeps it from rolling all over the place if the line should catch the lip of the spool.

In any case, having someone walk all the line out and then re-spooling it with nothing tied to the end will usually cure improper spooling.

Another common problem is over filling the spool.
If line loops off by just opening the bail and gently shaking…it’s probably over filled.
Try to reveal about an eighth of an inch at the bottom inside of the spool.

Also, a bail roller that is not turning freely will likely twist any line, on every turn of the handle.

At first, I was also intimidated by the micro-diameters and various textures of the braids and braid-types. But with time and patience over the last three seasons, I’ve found Fireline with the Uni to Uni and the Palomar knots to be pretty much bullet proof and now only use mono for leaders.
Although the initial expense for FireLine may seem like a lot, the fact that I get a season per spool makes it pretty much a wash for me in that respect.

Just a rainy day and one guy’s humble opinion here folks…

Hope I’ve helped.

Dave

Saltheart · 10-23-2002, 10:44 AM

As John said , your line is too heavy. Guys land 50 pound fish at hatteras with 15 pound mono . If your line is breaking cause the fish run too fast (or whatever you meant) , your drag is not set correctly. For 15 pound line , you want no more than 5 pounds of pull and i would go with less since you are inexperienced anglers. Use a leader at least 3 feet long , about 30 pound test. That will solve abrasion problems. An even longer leader is better.

StarsnStripers · 10-23-2002, 11:04 AM

Satheart, Can't a 30 lbs. leader be snapped by a blue??

JohnR · 10-23-2002, 12:52 PM

Generally, a blue won't got thru a 30# steel leader, mono, odds increase for lost lure... I use 50# mono when bass & blues are around or steel when just blues (rare)...

MountainBreeze · 10-23-2002, 01:07 PM

Will a bass take a lure on a steel leader?

JohnR · 10-23-2002, 01:13 PM

yep - but there is much debate on if it loses you strikes....

KJLane · 10-23-2002, 01:14 PM

I fell in love with the Yo Zuri hybrid line this year. Its got both resin and flourocarbon, so not only does it lack the memory associated with standard mono, but its also less visible. The only draw back is that its more expensive. It does seem to be more durable though. I never had to respool my bassing setups from the beginning of the season, which have twenty pound test, and my bonito setups, which have 12 pound test hybrid, didn't twist up nearly as much as the stren high impact i fished last year.

StarsnStripers · 10-23-2002, 02:21 PM

Is 50 Lb. Mono leader less visible than a steel leader?

Will I be able to buy a regular 50 lb. test spool of line and make leaders or do I have to use "mono leader material"
Is there any difference??

Fishpart · 10-23-2002, 03:53 PM

Yes and yes.

Many of us use mono line as our leader. Leader material is more abrasion resitant than line. I use Ande Pink 40 pound line and I am starting to like Berkley Big Game Leader 30 pound.

Jenn · 10-23-2002, 09:09 PM

I like the Berkley lines and get the 17#. Sometimes I use steel but mostly 30# for my leaders.....I think between my hubby and I we only lost a few blues on the mono ( and mostly because we got into fish and didnt bother changing to a new leader after a blue....

our own fault really)

I have tried 50 for my rigs and leaders but have a hard time tying good knots with it........so what does one do?????? tie a MUCH better knot on lighter line or a CRAPPY knot on heavier line?????? 6 of one???? half dozen of the other???

TheSpecialist · 10-23-2002, 09:17 PM

Guys for mono I use Big Game, 15-17# is all you will need. For mono leader I use30lb, 40lb, and 50lb. It all depends on the situation. If there is a school of voraciously feeding blues, and thats what you are catching, then check your leader often if you use a mono leader.

As far as Fireline goes, you guys need to learn the Palomar Knot. It is the easiest knot to tie, and works well with braid, and is recommended by most of the braid manufacturers. Do a search on palomar knots, I know there should be a pic on here about how to make it.

Striper SniperX · 10-28-2002, 01:00 AM

SnS
Bought a Spool of the Big Game (green) 15# A few days ago,,, very nice line,,i like it ----and it matches the reel pretty well...
Anyways,,,
I know when we used to fish freshwater,, that using bright green- line like that is a bit crazy looking,,, But does it do somthing in saltwater,?,,, i know it's alot less Visable in the water

But what makes a (15#--Clear) Big-game Spool Different From the same Lb Test Big-Game (Green) spool??
does the green color play that much of a roll-- if anything i would think the clear line would Trigger more strikes but the green line looks awsome as well..... What Do You Guys think ??

Fishaddict · 10-28-2002, 02:55 AM

S&S.. your using a Fin Nor Lite, it's rated for 10 to 14lb test. Go above that and it's just not going to sit right on the reel. I have Ahabs and Mega Lite 4000's both strung with 12 and 15lb. If i go above the 15lb it begins to coil off like you describe. Those narrow spools work much better with the lighter lines. Also remember to put the line on the reel in the same direction it comes off the spool. If you want to use higher test, consider a reel rated for the test you want to use, or, switch to braid. 30lb braid will work realy well on that reel. And then theres always the one sure way to use heavier lines...
switch to convential reels..

Just another opion.. good luck..

StarsnStripers · 10-29-2002, 07:16 PM

Thanx FishAddict, but I just removed my Fin-Nor lite and and bought a Penn Spinfisher SS5500 for $85.
I really love the quality of these reels, they look like they can dish out a lot, plus they are smooth.
I loaded this reel up with 15 pound Trilene Big Game (Green)
The reel is rated for 10-15 pound or something, but 15 pound big game on this reel, will it handle most bluefish and stripers from the beach??
If I hooked onto a 30 pound fish and my drag was set correctly, would it handle it well??
I want to know the answers to these questions because for the first time I feel comfortable with my outfit and want to know what it can handle:

-7' Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger ML action 12-30 lb. Line
-Penn Spinfisher SS5500 rated for 10-15 pound line
-Trilene Big Game 15 pound test (Green)
Will this go well if I use it for Stripers(up to 15 pounds, or watever I hook onto), Blues, Tautog and Cod(in the winter time)
I hope It is because I love my outfit and the way it handles.

Striper SniperX · 10-29-2002, 11:24 PM

vic,
It's a Nice Combo!
I hope to Pick up the Same thing for X-mas ,,, But i want an 8' Rod -

With a Penn Spinfisher 5500ss or 6500ss (matters)
(Same thing tho- Ugly Stik Tiger---or maybe even Ugly stik Custom (Only $4 more---so we don't get mixed up with the SAME rod/reel ,,lol)

See Ya..

StarsnStripers · 10-30-2002, 09:19 AM

SSX, come on, stop, I wanna hear from someone who knows and has used one, as you would say to me"stop sticking your nose in my posts"

Fishpart · 10-30-2002, 09:29 AM

SNS,
Should do the trick for a while. You could handle a 30# fish if you work it right. It will certianly handle 98% of the fish you'll catch in the bay. Don't think I would Cod fish with it though.

Have you tried the "wall" off Narragansett Parkway? I've never fished it but people do fish it, if you go out on the incoming plan on spending some time waiting till the water drops.

StarsnStripers · 10-30-2002, 09:34 AM

Well, what should I use to handle the Codfish???
I need to fish this winter, and I hear that there are only Codfish and Tautog biting, but I still don't know where they are.
Do any fish bite as often as in the summer in the winter???

Fishpart · 10-30-2002, 11:02 AM

Tog=Rocks and steep dropoffs.

Cod=Cox's ledge charter/headboats

Saltheart · 10-30-2002, 01:03 PM

Its a nice surf det up and a good boat set up for stripers , blues and weakfish. Its not a good set up for taug and definitely not a cod rig. the pole mighy be ok for cod but the reel and line are not. for cod the best bet is a conventional reel with dacron or spectron braid. I prefer spectron but some people who use their own equipment on charters say that the charter guiys get pissed if you use spectron when they have dacron.

Fom a beach , you can land even fifty pound stripers with 15 pound line. adjust the drag and get skilled at ;landing fish , especally the last 20 feet , that's when you'll be losing most of them. Use a good long leader , like 6 to 10 feet on that rod. That would be about the length of the rod plus a 3 or 4 foot casting tail.

StarsnStripers · 10-30-2002, 02:24 PM

Since Christmas is coming up, I have decided I would ask my dad for a Conventional rod and reel for my cod and tautog fishing. I will set that on my surf spike rod holder in the winter while throwing little jigs and grubs in hope for some bass. I think it will work out well. I don't feel as bad about the winter now.

As for the conventional outfit, I am going to need a rod for about 50$ and a reel for about 50$ , or a combo thats $100, it can go a bit over like $120.
I want quality for the price and a conventional combo that is good for tautog AND cod.
It must be able to catch the majority of 5 pound taugs and cods I guess I'll be catchin over the winter, but also handle a 20 pound fish smoothly, in case a big cod hooks on.
Thanx for all your help, you are contributing to the future of fisherman!!!!!!!!!

StarsnStripers · 10-30-2002, 02:27 PM

Hey I just figured sotim out, look SSX,its Kim McGin!!!>

lol

FishTales · 10-30-2002, 07:39 PM

Hey you better hold on to that rod instead of jigging with with another rod because tatoug will strip you clean if you don't wait for that bite !

Just thought I would save you some bait ! What would you be jigging for anyway ? ? ?