Advice wanted on line for new Spanish rig

I've got a new Battle II 4000 (early Christmas) that I intend to be my main Spanish rig for lures and bubbles. I would like to get it set up right from the first. I've already loaded 110 yds of 20 lb braid for the backing - now comes the mono.

I'm an oldish fart (70 yo). I've got a marginal right shoulder and can't take a lot of hard casting so I go for the lightest line I can get away with to ease the work I have to do to get a lure out. Not to whine, but I've had to get steroid injections after a trip down there. I don't mind that so much as I don't want to be limited while on a trip.

The goal is to get a typical Spanish over the rail without using a net. I've been using 14 lb mostly and 10 lb inshore rig when my shoulder complained too much. 14 lb (on a 6500 SS) works my shoulder pretty hard. With the 10 lb it doesn't take much of a fish for me to feel the need for the net so that's a pain in the arse, with 14 lb I can get most of them over with confidence.

I would appreciate opinions on 12 lb, i.e. can I still get most (95% +) of them over the rail without a net?

What do you guys use for Spanish (lure/bubble casting)?

I'm sort of new to pier fishing, but I thought you were suppose to use mono for the backing with braid as the main line.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sleeping_dogs

I'm sort of new to pier fishing, but I thought you were suppose to use mono for the backing with braid as the main line.

---

Braid makes for really nasty tangles if the line is slack (pier gets crowded at times). I put braid on the inside of the spool (backing) to get more yardage on a small spool in case a king hits my Spanish rig. Top shot of mono is HiVis (again, I'm an old fart, eyes are not so great - true for a fair number of us), which makes it easier to do the dance out on the octi.

I hadn't thought of it like that. Thanks

You will love the Battle II 4000 I have three of them For plugs I actually use 20 lb braid on one as I'm expecting to catch bigger fish as well as a possible King For the bubble rigs I use the old mainstay mono I have used for over 40 yrs Bass Pro Shop Excel 1500 yds for $9.99 Can't beat it Excellent casting and strength and very durable Easily lasts a season on my reels Maybe more Have use the same spool to fill my reels for over 4-5 yrs Can't remember breaking a reasonable spanish off trying to get him up on the pier Good luck !!

I usually reel up the smaller Spanish but if it's a bigger one I'll let somebody hand line it or net it over the rail. Don't really want to try hand lining anything with braid. I give em all away anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DAN S II

You will love the Battle II 4000 I have three of them For plugs I actually use 20 lb braid on one as I'm expecting to catch bigger fish as well as a possible King For the bubble rigs I use the old mainstay mono I have used for over 40 yrs Bass Pro Shop Excel 1500 yds for $9.99 Can't beat it Excellent casting and strength and very durable Easily lasts a season on my reels Maybe more Have use the same spool to fill my reels for over 4-5 yrs Can't remember breaking a reasonable spanish off trying to get him up on the pier Good luck !!

---

Thanks, but what weight? I yank them over the rail with confidence at 14 lb, but with 10 lb is pretty goosey.

It may be a pretty silly question, maybe I will only know by trying, but my question is about 12 lb. vs 14 lb.

I know 10 lb is easier to cast, but needs a net pretty often, I know 14 lb will yank most of them over the rail, what do you think about 12 lb for an everyday Spanish rig.

I'm probably asking for more "precision" than we have, just looking for a general opinion - 10 v. 12 v. 14.

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.

Well if the sharks are around(when are they not) I'm not sure casting very far is a good idea. The farther out the hook-up is the more chance of losing it. IMHO

Sounds like we need to hire a trainer to apply ointments and rub downs as us old farts leave the pier!
Like you eym, I have also switched to the low impact snobblin. An occasional short toss with a looney breaks up the pattern and keeps me loose.

I have 8#, 10# and 12# line on my Spanish rigs. I haul most of them over the rail but if in doubt, I holler for a net. And am always ready to put my rig down and net one for someone else too.
IMO, 14# is overkill but you can easily haul a 5# Spanish over the rail if you really want too. I am more worried about the hook ripping out than the line breaking.

Thanks, Carl, and all,

My real concern was about yanking them over the rail. I really like fishing with 10 lb, but don't like asking for too much help. I am what I am.

I'll think about it.

Any thing anyone else has to offer will be appreciated.

Your focus so far has been on the line, but you have not mentioned the line rating of the rod (and action)...

Generally speaking you should have no trouble 'muscling' spanish up to 3# on 12# mono.

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.

We use Penn Battle II 3000's with 20lb braid and 40lb fluoro leader for Spanish. No trouble pulling them over rail or getting shark bit. Will also have plenty of line when that big one comes along.

I haven't settled on a rod, but want a light one.

Am looking at a 6' blank with a 0.510 butt and a 5/64 tip, MH with fast action (1-11/16 oz.) - figure to go with a split butt.

I want it light, with enough ass to fight a schooley king to the pier, but the main thing is to not to wear me out if I fish it for a few hours.

Obviously, I have to build it, as no one is going to put something this "strange" on the shelf.

Opinions welcome. I might have to go to 6.5 ft., but I really want it light.

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

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.

Frednic, i use 12lb trilene big game, and ive hauled 5lb spanish over the rail with it, while not quite your age lol, ive got some shoulder injuries that bother me as well, i use a 7ft medium berkley lighting shock rod with a quantum 40 reel and it holds up and is very low stress on the shoulder, long casts as well

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haywire

...and it's always the other guy's fault anyhow....

If you want, I'll be on the lookout for a young Swedish masseuse with big bosoms and long legs

---

I have noticed that line tangles are always the other guy's fault.

"..as long as your knots are correct.." How da'st you suggest otherwise.

My wife is of Dutch extraction, but not fond of giving massages. I will try to talk her into the Swedish gal, but I'm not really optimistic. When she hit 40 I tried to trade her in for two twenties, but the Doc said I wasn't wired for 220.

Thanks, anyway. Maybe I'll go to straight braid.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coach

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

---

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

Quote:

---

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.

---

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

Quote:

---

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

---

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.