Need help bull red surf fishing

I've been lurking and learning from you guys for a while now. Thanks for all the great advise so far. I'm heading to Fort Morgan last week in June and want to spend the week surf fishing at the Bar. I have a Abu Garcia 6500 I can catch small fish on but finally decided to spend money on Surf Combo.

I got a Penn Battle 6000 and Ugly Stick big water 11ft Heavy rod. My question is what size type of braid can I use and still be able to get 75-100 yd top shot of 20lb mono on it. I was thinking 30 lb braid 220 yds and 100 yds 20lb mono. Just don't wont to overload it and want enough to pull a big bullred in if I can hook up. Also was going use 100-200 lb 5 ft mono leader. Does this sound right? Any help appreciated. Thanks!

You should be able to put a whole 300 yard spool of 30# braid on and still get close to 150 yards of 20# mono on top.
Or if you want 'apples to apples' you could drop back to 300 yards of 20# braid and top it off with almost 200 yards of 20# mono. (that's what I would do ;-)

BTL6000

320/15 • 280/17 • 220/20

445/30 • 365/40 • 310/50

6+1

20 lbs

5.6:1

39(in)

21.8(oz)

3 ft to of 50 to 100#. Will do the trick most of the time.

Thanks for the fast answers. I knew there was a simple answer so 20 lb braid backing it is and then I will have room to fish the 20 lb mono.

That's more or less what I have for fishing the Ft for Reds, although when I have all my rods out a few of them have a much lighter setup and are completely adequate for catching bulls.

Also, you don't really need 100lb leader.

Or, use fluorocarbon leaders, which disappear under water. Btw, my sweet and lovely wife landed a 24# Red with 8# Stren, Penn 4500SS, 6'6 Ugly Stik at the end of Grant St. at Ft. Morgan last year. I tied the knots and set the drags, so I can claim a large part of the credit, IMHO.

Gonna have to deal with a lot of Atlantic Sharpnose sharks in late June. 80lb mono is standard leader material with circle hooks. My summertime leaders for the point are either 200# Ande mono or 275# 49-strand wire. I notice zero difference in pickup ratio between mono and cable on bull reds. I would have to actually say that I have beached more on the wire. Wouldn't waste my time on heavy fluoro for the surf when bait fishing for reds/blacks.

Sinkers from 3-8oz for the heavy tidal flow and tendency of heavy sargassum volumes this time of year.

Such heavy gear.

Unnecessary.

I wouldn't go over 16#-20# test line. Line capacity is better. Use a quality line.

As for leader, a good 40# mono leader line is sufficient. If sharks are out, convert or come prepared with a 20# to 31# single strand wire leader.

Use a circle hook. Thick with at least a 1 inch circle.

Using heavier gear is not always best. Reds are easy to catch, even on light gear and 5# line if fished properly.

When you come down, feel free to PM me. I'll gladly meet up and show you some very helpful tips in person.

Bingo on the light tackle. I caught five bull reds one afternoon this spring (Yeah, I'm braggin') while surf fishing for pompano with 10# line and 12# leaders---#4 kahle hooks. Of course there was nobody else around so I could let 'em run all they wanted and have all the fun I wanted. Also caught a big ugly, black drum that same day on that tackle (still bragging). The fishing gods obviously got confused and thought I was somewhere else, so this time I can say "I WAS there yesterday!" Did not lose a single fish that I hooked.

It killed the passing tourists that I was letting those big fish go after I landed them. "Aren't they good to eat?" ---And I have a reliable witness.

He fishes, therefore he lies... No pics, no proof.

Not in the surf, but 10# line fishing for Spanish when the Reds ran thru! (CPR)
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/...psfb89a881.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChileRelleno

He fishes, therefore he lies... No pics, no proof.

---

Early to bed
Early to rise
Fish like Hell
And make up lies!

Nice fish! But I think I will stay with at least 20 lb to make sure I don't lose any. Agree I think I could reduce the leader size but if I hook a shark I might as well bring it close enough to see it before I let it go. That was my reason for heavier leader.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by squirt_0311

Nice fish! But I think I will stay with at least 20 lb to make sure I don't lose any. Agree I think I could reduce the leader size but if I hook a shark I might as well bring it close enough to see it before I let it go. That was my reason for heavier leader.

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The point of reducing leader size is not for sport.

It is to help you catch more fish. Thicker and heavier leaders, unless catching something very, very large, will allow the line to pass through and between the fishes teeth rather than be scissored and cut by them.

Also toning your main line down will keep the line more in cohesion with the reels of the caliber typically being used so you don't over crank a fish and lose it due to hook, knot or swivel failure.

Overall, resulting in more hookups and more landings.

I know it sounds counterproductive, but it's quite the opposite. Just make sure if you go with 20# line, that you aren't trying to match that torque on your rod and reel for free swimming and running fish.

Fish are worn out more by dragging long stretches of line sideways through the water due to abrasion resistance, as opposed to strong arming the fish in green.

Aha! Good Sir Chile, but I DO have pictures. I just hesitate to post all the photos of my catches for fear of extreme jealousy, or causing other, less fortunate fishermen to go into deep depression. I have to maintain a modicum of appropriate modesty.

And Sir, Lies? I may, upon occasion, alter the fabric of reality or distort what some may perceive as hard fact, but lie? Never.

Remember the first rule of journalism: "Never investigate a good story too closely."

Pictures are as reliable today as molars with hairline fractures.

With Bob and David's combined abilities in photoshop, anything is possible to "prove."

Best to just take the anglers word for it and high five.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Viking Guy

Pictures are as reliable today as molars with hairline fractures.

With Bob and David's combined abilities in photoshop, anything is possible to "prove."

Best to just take the anglers word for it and high five.

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I am highly insulted that anyone would think all our photos are not legit, SHAME ON YOU!
I remember the day Haywire made an astonishing catch and wanted me to photograph it because we knew no one would believe it.
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1352ab9e.jpg

Besides that, I believe that all of Haywires stories are just like he remembers things happened with or without pictures!
Thanks a lot,
Fin

Ha!
Pre-PhotoShop days ;-)

Attachment 2226

I got the pic, so it MUST be true!
That reel had 4# mono BTW ;-)

Proof, Proof, you don't need no stinkin' Proof!
If you say it, I believe it.

Oh, btw; nice hair-do and the fish ain't bad either :cool:

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/...psdbc73cf6.jpg

last year I caught about a 31" red at the Dixey Bar at the end of the point. I was using 20# Ande Back Country mono with a 50# fluoro leader and a 4oz pyramid slider sinker with a gulp shrimp. There wasn't much grass in the water, but the current is strong through there. I was using a 10' Star rod with a Penn 7500ss. No issues at all bringing that fish in on that line.