Advice wanted on line for new Spanish rig

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Originally Posted by eym_sirius

I found that the repetitive motion of continually casting and reeling in was difficult on my shoulder, when it was giving me trouble. I went to drifting 3/4 of a cigar minnow (I'd cut off the tail plus about an inch) and it helped my shoulder a lot! As well, the bigger spanish seemed to like the cut-down cig, maybe due to the extra scent.

Now that my shoulder is well, I still prefer using 3/4 of a cigar minnow to the other methods. I still use mono, too. I've had issues with braid that I never had with mono. I use 14 lb test or 12 lb test for spanish. It doesn't seem to make any difference to the fish.

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Yeah, eym, I think maybe we fished side by side on the draw last summer. I was surprised how well you did with the "short" baits.

I mostly fish with cigars and let them commit suicide (stinger rig), but if there are not many kings around I use a bubble or jig for Spanish. I'm not what you would call "hard core" I just like to be out there.

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Originally Posted by chillinfish

Last time I was there (late October for a week) the sharks were terrible. They had been conditioned to follow Gotcha plugs in anticipation of a Spanish striking it. You had to crank down and skim the Spanish on the surface in order to get it away from the sharks and sometimes even that didn't work. I resorted to using a rig with 20lb braid topped with 15lb mono-way too big for 2lb fish, but necessary for super fast reeling. If sharks aren't too thick you can hand line a decent size fish with 10lb mono and make longer casts with less effort and wear and tear on the bones.

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Hmmm. I may have gone too heavy with the 4000.

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Originally Posted by coach

I'm not sure casting very far is a good idea.

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I'm compensating!

You haven't gone too heavy with the 4000 by any means It's a very good choice It's just very hard to fish the pier with one outfit Unfortunately we do have a shark problem and when they are there I too move up to a Penn Battle II 5000 with 16 lb mono You have no chance with light tackle when they are in there as thick and educated as they were this year

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Originally Posted by Haywire

For Spanish on my Battle IIs, I've gone to 15# and 20# braid straight. As long as you're casting and retrieving, the chances of tangles are reduced, and it's always the other guy's fault anyhow. You can reel most Spanish right over the rail, as long as your hooks are strong and your knots are correct. I have the bright blue Power Pro Super Slik 15# on one reel, and it's a real winner when it comes to casting. I know your troubles with your shoulder and can sympathize, having had to have shoulder surgery in the fall of '15. Much better now, but not all the way well.

If you want, I'll be on the lookout for a young Swedish masseuse with big bosoms and long legs to help us endure the rigors of casting. Or give us an alternative to the rigors of casting, but I expect most of us old farts are pretty much out of the running for that sort of thing---I'm talking about yoga lessons and Tai Chi. What did you think?

Didn't I start off talking about braided line? Another gray moment.

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As Poirot, would say, the little gray cells aren't working well.

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Originally Posted by DAN S II

I've never had much trouble getting most of my spanish over the rail with 10 lb mono but if it gives you more confidence use 12 lb I think one key is don't just try to reel him up and let the rod bend and strain Point your rod down directly at the fish and let the reel do the work Then when you have the fish about a rod length away just lift it over the rail with the rod Cuts down how far you have to get the fish up out of the water Also NEVER be afraid to ask for help !!! That's what we are there for To help each other I always carry both a gaff and a net as do others I am always willing to net your fish as many others are Many days when the fish are running I have quit fishing and just net fish After all I can do this everyday These days I'd almost rather see others catch fish than catch them myself

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It's this positive attitude that makes this forum and GS the best.

DanSII's over-the-rail technique should be emphasized. DON'T WIND THEM UP WITH A BEND IN THE ROD----lean over the rail and wind straight on to the reel, then lift them over. You may need to temporarily tighten the drag, and don't forget to loosen it when you start fishing again.

But if the sharks are their just leave it tight but remember to loosen it while your away.

The Penn Battle 4000 is a great reel. I have several Battle reels 3000, 4000, and 6000, The 4000 is perfect for Spanish. If you are using bubbles, gotcha's, or spoons for Spanish I would use 10 or 12lb Trilene Big Game. You know you always use a 40lb leader to avoid bite offs. If you line is in good shape 10lb Big Game will haul a 2lb Spanish over the rail all day. If you get a bigger fish use a net or gaff. 10lb will cast a lot better than 14lb mono,

Also there is nothing wrong with some 10lb backing and use the 20lb braid for the top shot. Not many Spanish will pull 150 yards of braid before you stop them and you can easily jerk them over the rail. Of course sometimes especially on a 1 oz spoon you will get a nice king. Let them wear out and you can get them in with a 4000 reel.