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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
I have noticed that line tangles are always the other guy's fault.Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
"..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.