Steve,
As a man who is more than interested in what you say about Tobago and find all the articles more than interesting. I would be grateful if you could clarify a few points for myself.
In my generation. No I will not tell you how old I am the family motto was every 'Puddle owns a Fish' that aside I have visited different countries around the world and some of the information was well below par This does not seem the case with your site.
My wife and I visit Tobago in early May your excellent description of fishing tackle to take does not mention any thing about Beach Casters. Is this because these rods are a waste of time or the venue does not lend itself to this type of fishing.
Like you I have multi-piece rods or though I do lean towards the telescopic variety. Plus I also use braid a lot. The question is what weight do you use 3, 4, 5, 6oz rods, what weight for the lead, are breakaways required and is there a need for a rod rest in the type of a sand spike. Most of your articles and replies lean more the other way. Plugging, Fly-fising, Live baiting.
This question could have been asked before, if so I apologies for not reading all of the questions.
If beach fishing in the type I know is a none starter then at least I have more than enough information now on what to take and maybe the fish of a life time
Thanks for your time 'Tight Lines'
Beach Rods
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
- Posts: 4856
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk, England
- Contact:
Hello Nick
Welcome aboard!
Whilst I admit to writing the basic articles in our fishing section, our resident fishing expert, Steve Pitts, put the meat on the bones and provided the excellent FAQ. Your question are obviously directed towards him and hopefully he will connect and respond within the next few days.
In the meantime, I just wanted to welcome you aboard before I switch off the computer and disconnect. We are moving accommodation within the next ten minutes and will sadly be back to a TSTT dial-up connection - so I am unlikely to be able to answer any forum posts personally.
Welcome aboard!
Whilst I admit to writing the basic articles in our fishing section, our resident fishing expert, Steve Pitts, put the meat on the bones and provided the excellent FAQ. Your question are obviously directed towards him and hopefully he will connect and respond within the next few days.
In the meantime, I just wanted to welcome you aboard before I switch off the computer and disconnect. We are moving accommodation within the next ten minutes and will sadly be back to a TSTT dial-up connection - so I am unlikely to be able to answer any forum posts personally.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Nick
I wish Mr Wooler wouldn't refer to me as the RESIDENT fishing expert.
Firstly - I'm no expert and secondly - he is more of a resident than me at the moment. I think he's just trying to wind me up
Anyway - enough self-pity from me - down to your question Nick.
I haven't done much 'beachcasting' e.g with leads and bait as there are so many other species that you can catch on a lure or fly, without having to resort to chucking 6oz leads at them.
Don't get me wrong - each to his own, but for me, to be connected directly to a bonefish, jack, snook or tarpon which is unhindered by the usual paraphernalia of a beach casting rig + leads and to play it on a light actioned rod, rather than a hefty beach rod is beyond compare.
That aside, a ledgered bait would probabbly work for a variety of small species like snapper and grunts. You might find that you are fighting the things off at some venues! Larger species, shark, moray eels, stingray and tarpon will take a fish deadbait and the beefed up rod could come in handy for these species. Jacks will also take bait, but I think that a float-fished livebait would tip the scales in your favour, when jacks are on the prowl. Snook will also take a small ledgered livebait, fished in the surf at dawn.
If you can take your beach rods with you, then I see no reason why you shouldn't catch something and it could be big. For this reason, I would hold the rod, rather than use a rod rest or sand spike. If you get a belting run off of a tarpon or shark, you could loose all your gear if you don't have a firm grip on it.
I prefer to use braid for spinning and see no reason why you shouldn't use it for casting a lead, if you are used to it. I would use 30lb breaking strain braid, with a 70lb shock leader if you are going to use 6oz leads, although a 4oz breakaway will hold bottom in most places - even 2 - 3oz would do if you have a light bass rod and you could scale down to a 30lb shock leader.
Few people (that I know of) have fished with conventional beach casting gear, but that doesn't mean to say that it can't be done, or that it won't be effective - it probably will be and you could catch that fish of a lifetime.
I have caught several ''fish of a lifetime'' and most of them have come from Tobago.
Cheers
Steve
PS I may be 'in residence' at some point in May (no dates set as yet), so keep in touch and we could meet up. I will then enjoy posting fishing reports, whilst Steve is slaving away over a hot keyboard back in the UK.
I wish Mr Wooler wouldn't refer to me as the RESIDENT fishing expert.
Firstly - I'm no expert and secondly - he is more of a resident than me at the moment. I think he's just trying to wind me up
Anyway - enough self-pity from me - down to your question Nick.
I haven't done much 'beachcasting' e.g with leads and bait as there are so many other species that you can catch on a lure or fly, without having to resort to chucking 6oz leads at them.
Don't get me wrong - each to his own, but for me, to be connected directly to a bonefish, jack, snook or tarpon which is unhindered by the usual paraphernalia of a beach casting rig + leads and to play it on a light actioned rod, rather than a hefty beach rod is beyond compare.
That aside, a ledgered bait would probabbly work for a variety of small species like snapper and grunts. You might find that you are fighting the things off at some venues! Larger species, shark, moray eels, stingray and tarpon will take a fish deadbait and the beefed up rod could come in handy for these species. Jacks will also take bait, but I think that a float-fished livebait would tip the scales in your favour, when jacks are on the prowl. Snook will also take a small ledgered livebait, fished in the surf at dawn.
If you can take your beach rods with you, then I see no reason why you shouldn't catch something and it could be big. For this reason, I would hold the rod, rather than use a rod rest or sand spike. If you get a belting run off of a tarpon or shark, you could loose all your gear if you don't have a firm grip on it.
I prefer to use braid for spinning and see no reason why you shouldn't use it for casting a lead, if you are used to it. I would use 30lb breaking strain braid, with a 70lb shock leader if you are going to use 6oz leads, although a 4oz breakaway will hold bottom in most places - even 2 - 3oz would do if you have a light bass rod and you could scale down to a 30lb shock leader.
Few people (that I know of) have fished with conventional beach casting gear, but that doesn't mean to say that it can't be done, or that it won't be effective - it probably will be and you could catch that fish of a lifetime.
I have caught several ''fish of a lifetime'' and most of them have come from Tobago.
Cheers
Steve
PS I may be 'in residence' at some point in May (no dates set as yet), so keep in touch and we could meet up. I will then enjoy posting fishing reports, whilst Steve is slaving away over a hot keyboard back in the UK.
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
- Posts: 4856
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk, England
- Contact:
Steve - for somebody who is no expert, you sure know how to cast a line.
Yes, when I think about it, the line "resident expert" is a silly one, isn't it? Sounds a bit less pretenious than "expert by royal appointment to myTobago.info" though.
Yes, when I think about it, the line "resident expert" is a silly one, isn't it? Sounds a bit less pretenious than "expert by royal appointment to myTobago.info" though.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Mike Northcott
Hi All
I and some friends have just returned from a weeks fishing admittedly mostly from boats, Grand Slam and Grand Slam II with Kester and Kevin. We had a dozen or so Dorado to 24lbs, X2 Kingfish to 15.5lbs, X 2 17.5lb Wahoo a few ladyfish and X 7 tarpon to 60 lbs. The evening Tarpon trips using live baits are to be highly recommended at £100-£120 for up to X4 rods and by May they will be in in strength.
We have beach fished before however and as Steve says livebaits will pull in the Tarpon. A small drennan float 9-11 grams with a 4 foot 100lb nylon leader to a Mustad Ultrapoint Big gun 2/0 hook. We landed the 7 tarpon from 12 runs an excellent hookup rate in our experience compared to previous trips using circle hooks. A temporaray resident Steve Hull fished with us and will be experimenting from the beach and should have evidence by May, Steve is a regular on this forum.
We have never used beach casters always meaty spinning rods eg Shimano travel, Fox travel or indeed Sea Bass heavy by Shimano.There is very little tide so a 3 oz weight more than enough. Use flying fish or 'Herrings' as bait, you can these buy from local fishermen very readily.
We have caught several stingrays to 80lbs, but 10-20 lb more common. Small Moray eels at night, and for that matter daytime, small grunts , small groupers to 5 lbs, bits and bobs of reefish and even the odd small 12 lb shark or two.
The locals tend to fixsh piers and jetties like the ones at Plymouth, Pidgeon Point or for the adventurous Parlatouvier but they use 30lb line class boat rods and big fixed spool reels as the stingrayas can go well over 100lbs !!
|I strongly recommend e-mailing Steve Hull maybe the Three of you in May could get together for some experiments
Tight lines but don't forget to do some liming too!!
Mike
t
I and some friends have just returned from a weeks fishing admittedly mostly from boats, Grand Slam and Grand Slam II with Kester and Kevin. We had a dozen or so Dorado to 24lbs, X2 Kingfish to 15.5lbs, X 2 17.5lb Wahoo a few ladyfish and X 7 tarpon to 60 lbs. The evening Tarpon trips using live baits are to be highly recommended at £100-£120 for up to X4 rods and by May they will be in in strength.
We have beach fished before however and as Steve says livebaits will pull in the Tarpon. A small drennan float 9-11 grams with a 4 foot 100lb nylon leader to a Mustad Ultrapoint Big gun 2/0 hook. We landed the 7 tarpon from 12 runs an excellent hookup rate in our experience compared to previous trips using circle hooks. A temporaray resident Steve Hull fished with us and will be experimenting from the beach and should have evidence by May, Steve is a regular on this forum.
We have never used beach casters always meaty spinning rods eg Shimano travel, Fox travel or indeed Sea Bass heavy by Shimano.There is very little tide so a 3 oz weight more than enough. Use flying fish or 'Herrings' as bait, you can these buy from local fishermen very readily.
We have caught several stingrays to 80lbs, but 10-20 lb more common. Small Moray eels at night, and for that matter daytime, small grunts , small groupers to 5 lbs, bits and bobs of reefish and even the odd small 12 lb shark or two.
The locals tend to fixsh piers and jetties like the ones at Plymouth, Pidgeon Point or for the adventurous Parlatouvier but they use 30lb line class boat rods and big fixed spool reels as the stingrayas can go well over 100lbs !!
|I strongly recommend e-mailing Steve Hull maybe the Three of you in May could get together for some experiments
Tight lines but don't forget to do some liming too!!
Mike
t
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Stephen Hull
Nick, Steve, Mike and all
Beachcasting is certainly not a waste of time. I am in touch with a couple of locals that fish with rods/handlines in the late afternoons/evenings. Casting only 30m or so from the shore they regularly catch big fish on deadbaits (flying fish strip seems a favourite) and small livebaits (mullet/herring). Standard fare include snapper, barracuda, jacks and sharks. They have also taken tarpon as well as a lot of the smaller stuff.
As Mike hints, in my fortunate position as a temporary resident
, I intend to do some experimenting with livebats from the shore over the next few months to see how this compares with what have been relatively modest returns from lures (it must be me Steve!). This will probaby be both float fishing and legering - the locals tend to use 15g bullets when legering livebaits rather than anything too heavy - in particular, the bullet helps prevent the livebait tangling the line.
And if anyone fancies a session from the shore or to share costs on a boat trip with Kester/Kevin when they are out here, send me an email.
Finally, a big thank you to Mike and co. for letting me join them on a couple of trips - I learnt so much and the fishing was hot.
Steve
Beachcasting is certainly not a waste of time. I am in touch with a couple of locals that fish with rods/handlines in the late afternoons/evenings. Casting only 30m or so from the shore they regularly catch big fish on deadbaits (flying fish strip seems a favourite) and small livebaits (mullet/herring). Standard fare include snapper, barracuda, jacks and sharks. They have also taken tarpon as well as a lot of the smaller stuff.
As Mike hints, in my fortunate position as a temporary resident
, I intend to do some experimenting with livebats from the shore over the next few months to see how this compares with what have been relatively modest returns from lures (it must be me Steve!). This will probaby be both float fishing and legering - the locals tend to use 15g bullets when legering livebaits rather than anything too heavy - in particular, the bullet helps prevent the livebait tangling the line.And if anyone fancies a session from the shore or to share costs on a boat trip with Kester/Kevin when they are out here, send me an email.
Finally, a big thank you to Mike and co. for letting me join them on a couple of trips - I learnt so much and the fishing was hot.
Steve
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Chris Sykes
Nick I will be taking a beach caster with me in April I will let you know how I get on when I get back. I am hopeful to meet up with Steve and do some fishing off the shore with him while we are there. My thoughts on beach casters are big rod, big bait, lots of line, and hopefully big shark on the beach (to be released unharmed) what a rush I get excited dreaming about it
Regards Chris
Regards Chris
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Nick Tatnall
Thanks
Steve Wooler, Steve Pitts and Stephen Hull,
Many thanks for all the help and direction that I have gleaned from the three of you about my quest for beach fishing in Tobago. I have arranged all the tackle to be transported to the Caribean in the smallest area that I can get away with.
With luck I will hopefully seen you in Tobago when I visit from 6th - 20th May. My wife and I will be staying at Le Grand Courland. You will recognise me as I will be the demented rock hopper trying to catch the fish of a life time.
If I miss you I will post my finds and experiences that could possibly benefit all
Regards
Nick T
Many thanks for all the help and direction that I have gleaned from the three of you about my quest for beach fishing in Tobago. I have arranged all the tackle to be transported to the Caribean in the smallest area that I can get away with.
With luck I will hopefully seen you in Tobago when I visit from 6th - 20th May. My wife and I will be staying at Le Grand Courland. You will recognise me as I will be the demented rock hopper trying to catch the fish of a life time.
If I miss you I will post my finds and experiences that could possibly benefit all
Regards
Nick T
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
-
Stephen Hull
Steve
We started warming up your seat for you yesterday with a little tarpon trip on Grand Slam accompanied by John Morgan and John Leballeur (only just off the plane!) . My 9 year old son Chris was first into the action again (!) with a 15 pounder which put a nice curve in his Surespin. I got lucky and had one of 55lb which managed 4 or 5 spectacular leaps and some good runs. John M caught a 25-30lb fish which was on at the same time as mine which added to the excitement! In all we must have had 5 or 6 other takes, most of which were on for some while before shedding the hook. Kevin had to drag us back home at the end.
Steve H
We started warming up your seat for you yesterday with a little tarpon trip on Grand Slam accompanied by John Morgan and John Leballeur (only just off the plane!) . My 9 year old son Chris was first into the action again (!) with a 15 pounder which put a nice curve in his Surespin. I got lucky and had one of 55lb which managed 4 or 5 spectacular leaps and some good runs. John M caught a 25-30lb fish which was on at the same time as mine which added to the excitement! In all we must have had 5 or 6 other takes, most of which were on for some while before shedding the hook. Kevin had to drag us back home at the end.
Steve H
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Steve
Thanks for the daily update.
What a way for John M to end his holiday and for John L to start!
I really do fancy a trip or two with Kester / Kevin for the Tarps - looking for a bit of additional footage for the film (you can never have too many leaping tarpon in any film).
Counting down the weeks now
Cheers
Steve
Thanks for the daily update.
What a way for John M to end his holiday and for John L to start!
I really do fancy a trip or two with Kester / Kevin for the Tarps - looking for a bit of additional footage for the film (you can never have too many leaping tarpon in any film).
Counting down the weeks now
Cheers
Steve
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Stephen Hull
-
Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
-
Stephen Hull
-
Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Steve
Quote - 'Are you happy if we go in the big boat and have one or two others with us?'
Who do you have in Mind - Mr Carib and Mr Stag?
Remember that classic line from Jaws, when Chief Brodie sees the shark up close for the first time?
''I think we need a bigger boat''
The big one is fine by me.
Cheers
Steve
PS Just received a couple of copies of April's Feder Pesca - the main glossy angling mag in Spain.
There is a 6-page article on bonefishing in Tobago - lots of nice pics and good info.
Written by two right scruffy gits, who you might recognise.
Quote - 'Are you happy if we go in the big boat and have one or two others with us?'
Who do you have in Mind - Mr Carib and Mr Stag?
Remember that classic line from Jaws, when Chief Brodie sees the shark up close for the first time?
''I think we need a bigger boat''
The big one is fine by me.
Cheers
Steve
PS Just received a couple of copies of April's Feder Pesca - the main glossy angling mag in Spain.
There is a 6-page article on bonefishing in Tobago - lots of nice pics and good info.
Written by two right scruffy gits, who you might recognise.
-
Stephen Hull
Steve P
Tarpon trips arranged for 18th and 22nd May 4-8pm, sailing from Pigeon Point. If anyone else is out at this time and wishes to join us, first come first served.
We had another go at the tarpon out of Castara yesterday. Spent half the morning trying to get livebait. Celery Bay was full of small friars but no decent sprats in sight. Rusty was tearing his hair out (well he would have been if he had any) but he did eventually manage to find some - it is still a mystery to me how he can see fish through 15ft of murky water and his prowess with the cast net is awesome. When we eventually managed to start fishing, Chris Sykes had a 40 pounder on for around 10 minutes but it cut the line with a spectacular leap only 20 yards from the boat - now that would have looked good on any camera! John Leballeur had a 5lb ladyfish and I sat there like a lemon for hours without a bite! If we could have got the livebait earlier I think we would have caught quite a few fish as there were tarpon breaking the surface all along the Bay earlier in the day. Nevermind - it was just a fantastic day to be out in a boat!
Re your earlier offer of supplies - if you can manage to squeeze a couple of spools of 30lb Dynon MCT in your suitcase, I seem to get through the stuff like its going out of fashion.
Steve H
Tarpon trips arranged for 18th and 22nd May 4-8pm, sailing from Pigeon Point. If anyone else is out at this time and wishes to join us, first come first served.
We had another go at the tarpon out of Castara yesterday. Spent half the morning trying to get livebait. Celery Bay was full of small friars but no decent sprats in sight. Rusty was tearing his hair out (well he would have been if he had any) but he did eventually manage to find some - it is still a mystery to me how he can see fish through 15ft of murky water and his prowess with the cast net is awesome. When we eventually managed to start fishing, Chris Sykes had a 40 pounder on for around 10 minutes but it cut the line with a spectacular leap only 20 yards from the boat - now that would have looked good on any camera! John Leballeur had a 5lb ladyfish and I sat there like a lemon for hours without a bite! If we could have got the livebait earlier I think we would have caught quite a few fish as there were tarpon breaking the surface all along the Bay earlier in the day. Nevermind - it was just a fantastic day to be out in a boat!
Re your earlier offer of supplies - if you can manage to squeeze a couple of spools of 30lb Dynon MCT in your suitcase, I seem to get through the stuff like its going out of fashion.
Steve H
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Steve
Sounds like fun!
Glad to hear that you have been showing John how not to land tarpon.
I haven't heard from John Morgan yet, but will give him a ring over the weekend.
Thanks for arranging the trips with Grand Slam - those dates will be fine. I'll put them in my diary, which is otherwise looking pretty empty for those two weeks:)
There is a 90% chance that Mike and his wife Lilian will be coming over for at least one of the two that we are staying, so I had better provisionally bag a place on at least one of the tarpon trips for him, if that's allowed.
You know, it never ceases to amaze me how life throws up spooky coincidences all the time - not 12 hours ago I loaded two new spools of 29.8lb Dynon 3000 MCT onto my spinning reels.
It's the first time I've tried it and I'm impressed with its characteristics - a cross between Berkley Fireline (which I use) and Whiplash (which Mike swears by, but I can't get on with) and there you go asking me to get you some. I'll pop into Veals Mail Order and pick up two spools for you.
Cheers
Steve
Sounds like fun!
Glad to hear that you have been showing John how not to land tarpon.
I haven't heard from John Morgan yet, but will give him a ring over the weekend.
Thanks for arranging the trips with Grand Slam - those dates will be fine. I'll put them in my diary, which is otherwise looking pretty empty for those two weeks:)
There is a 90% chance that Mike and his wife Lilian will be coming over for at least one of the two that we are staying, so I had better provisionally bag a place on at least one of the tarpon trips for him, if that's allowed.
You know, it never ceases to amaze me how life throws up spooky coincidences all the time - not 12 hours ago I loaded two new spools of 29.8lb Dynon 3000 MCT onto my spinning reels.
It's the first time I've tried it and I'm impressed with its characteristics - a cross between Berkley Fireline (which I use) and Whiplash (which Mike swears by, but I can't get on with) and there you go asking me to get you some. I'll pop into Veals Mail Order and pick up two spools for you.
Cheers
Steve
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Steve
I've been thinking about your comment on loosing so much Dynon braid and I am a little worried that it may have a few inherant faults. I'd rather find out now than when I have a balistic tarpon in the end of my leader.
Any ideas why you are getting through so much of the stuff - or is it just that you are fishing 24/7? (seems like it from your recent posts)
Mike and Lilian are now 100% - subject to flights being available.
Cheers
Steve
I've been thinking about your comment on loosing so much Dynon braid and I am a little worried that it may have a few inherant faults. I'd rather find out now than when I have a balistic tarpon in the end of my leader.
Any ideas why you are getting through so much of the stuff - or is it just that you are fishing 24/7? (seems like it from your recent posts)
Mike and Lilian are now 100% - subject to flights being available.
Cheers
Steve
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Stephen Hull
Steve
Thanks very much for the braid. I'll save a slot for Mike - just let me know which week in due course.
I've tried Fireline, Whiplash Pro and Dynon MCT out here. The Fireline was OK but is fairly thick for its strength. The Whiplash pro seems a bit prone to tangling (and every time I have to chop off a few metres). I also find when float fishing for tarpon that any slack line is very quick to wrap around the float/mono leader and this has also been an annoying source of minor tangles. The MCT is very thin for its strength but seems to fish fine. My only slight concern is that because it is so thin, any slight abrasion will have a proportionally greater effect on its strength. I've only been using it a couple of months, but it seems to be pretty much the best of the bunch I have tried.
Mike Northcott & co had done some coral abrasion tests on various lines before they came out. This showed a clear winner in abrasion resistance (can't remember what it was), but Mike lost 3 or 4 fish on it here when he was using it - he wasn't impressed!
Steve
Thanks very much for the braid. I'll save a slot for Mike - just let me know which week in due course.
I've tried Fireline, Whiplash Pro and Dynon MCT out here. The Fireline was OK but is fairly thick for its strength. The Whiplash pro seems a bit prone to tangling (and every time I have to chop off a few metres). I also find when float fishing for tarpon that any slack line is very quick to wrap around the float/mono leader and this has also been an annoying source of minor tangles. The MCT is very thin for its strength but seems to fish fine. My only slight concern is that because it is so thin, any slight abrasion will have a proportionally greater effect on its strength. I've only been using it a couple of months, but it seems to be pretty much the best of the bunch I have tried.
Mike Northcott & co had done some coral abrasion tests on various lines before they came out. This showed a clear winner in abrasion resistance (can't remember what it was), but Mike lost 3 or 4 fish on it here when he was using it - he wasn't impressed!
Steve
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Steve
You're up with the lark (or Cocrico) this morning.
Mike is now thinking of coming out two weeks (well, he's retired now, so time is not a problem). I can see us doing quite a bit of fishing!
Mike N's experiments with line abrasion are all very well in 'laboratory' conditions, but when you introduce a jack, tarpon or barracuda into the equation, then I'm afraid crossing your fingers and hoping that they don't find any weeknesses in your gear is likely to be your best approach.
Your experiences with whiplash and fireline mirror mine, so we agree on the best characteristics of braid then. I always use a 1-2 metre bimini twist + either a 1 metre trace of 50 - 80lb mono or 30cms of 30lb wire if the cuda are around. It doesn't stop you loosing fish, but at least you know you've done just about all you can to avoid losses.
Off to B&Q now - on a Good Friday afternoon?
I must be mad!
Cheers
Steve
You're up with the lark (or Cocrico) this morning.
Mike is now thinking of coming out two weeks (well, he's retired now, so time is not a problem). I can see us doing quite a bit of fishing!
Mike N's experiments with line abrasion are all very well in 'laboratory' conditions, but when you introduce a jack, tarpon or barracuda into the equation, then I'm afraid crossing your fingers and hoping that they don't find any weeknesses in your gear is likely to be your best approach.
Your experiences with whiplash and fireline mirror mine, so we agree on the best characteristics of braid then. I always use a 1-2 metre bimini twist + either a 1 metre trace of 50 - 80lb mono or 30cms of 30lb wire if the cuda are around. It doesn't stop you loosing fish, but at least you know you've done just about all you can to avoid losses.
Off to B&Q now - on a Good Friday afternoon?
I must be mad!
Cheers
Steve