Thread: The Elusive King

Originally Posted by Grandpa Kirk

4 and a hair pounds.

Sounds about right to me!

It's always that dang hair that gives me problems....

Guys I went offshore with always worked the reel before setting the drag to build up heat on the drag washers, it will increase the size from the heat thus increasing the drag too.....loose is good for me till after the first run then adjust afterwards as he is coming in, sometime just a slight touch of the finger on the spool will do too.

That's kinda always been my approach after the first (and only) pop from a too tight drag. But have always been curious if there was a "standard" drag setting. I just pull line and tighten until it feels right. In other words - wing it and tighten or loosen as necessary while fighting. :-/

... or ask the guy next to you on the rail ;-)

Originally Posted by Pier#r

... or ask the guy next to you on the rail ;-)

Yea, assuming he's not fishing with a wally world spinning special held upside down and a bright blue leader with 4 hooks and two pounds of squid......

Originally Posted by Pierless

Bend the tag back and forth under pressure several times and it will break totally clean as opposed to the sharp little burr left by wire cutters.

Also I know everyone in the world wants to believe they are tying near 100% knots but trust me, it isn't happening unless you are tying perfect bimini twists. Fortunately 20# test (if it is sold as 20# its probably really 30#) and 2-5# of drag leaves you lots of margin for error. In fact I like the weak clinch knot for low drag mono situations because you can easily untie it for rig switching.

I suppose it's just the type of wire cutters that I use now, but I haven't had the "burr" problem in years. I know what you're talking about, though. I've stabbed myself a-many-a time with that itsy-bitsy piece of wire sticking up!

Regarding line size, I use "about 20" which usually means from 17 to 25, the variable being which reel I use. I don't have a line tester, but that size range works for me an allows me enough line on my reel for the king to take that first long run. I also don't have a knot tester, but I'm able to tie a uni-knot in a matter of seconds and by feel in the dark if I need to. A person's knot-choice is one of personal preference. As long as it is strong enough to haul in huge fish, it's a good one. I have seen people on the pier tie simple overhand knots where the line would surely cut into itself and break, should a big fish hit.

I retie and cut off a few feet of line after catching a king (of course) and after catching a few spanish. They're such slashers that you'll often see, or feel, nicks in your line a foot or more above the leader.

One more thing that I've had considerable luck with, is using, in high winds, a 1/4 oz egg sinker above the swivel which is about 18" of wire leader from the treble hook. It helps keep the bait just under the surface and many times, my bait will be the first one hit!

I've heard many fishermen say that they are reluctant to use an egg sinker because it will "scare off the fish". My experience is that the fish pay the sinker absolutely no mind and seem to focus only on the bait.

Originally Posted by eym_sirius

One more thing that I've had considerable luck with, is using, in high winds, a 1/4 oz egg sinker above the swivel which is about 18" of wire leader from the treble hook. It helps keep the bait just under the surface and many times, my bait will be the first one hit!

I've heard many fishermen say that they are reluctant to use an egg sinker because it will "scare off the fish". My experience is that the fish pay the sinker absolutely no mind and seem to focus only on the bait.

Most don't want to use a weight on the swivel because Spanish will see it and snip it off the line. I use a split shot on the knot of the hook of the treble in high winds. at least that is the best trick I have learned.

Originally Posted by divedeep

Yea, assuming he's not fishing with a wally world spinning special held upside down and a bright blue leader with 4 hooks and two pounds of squid......

My luck has been that HE is the one with the fish on . . .