FS Digest

I want to maximize distance with spinning gear and light jigs (1/8-1/16 or lower). I'm looking for advice on everything that could help including rods, line, terminal setups.

In Honolulu, people who spin for bonefish on artificials consistently recommend extremely light jigs (1/8th oz - 1/32 of an ounce) without any extra added weight. However, they're getting way more distance than I am. Here are tips I've heard so far and what my experiences have been like. (And btw so many of my shorefising friends here are homeless and it's more a hobby for people with less money, so I cant ask them about primo gear. So I'm especially grateful for advice here, since I know I'm not putting nobody in an akward situation.) Also, there are panfishermen here who know what's up with light jigs - and we're plumb out of panfish in Hawaii lol

- I was planning to grab a high-end panfish rod such as St. Croix IMX with ultralight action and a fast taper that gets pretty stiff. I am eyeing one that's 6"10 and another that's 7 - but there are a lot of fast-taper UL rods available up to 10'6" at my local store.

I also hear from another set of people who think that very soft rods (like fly blank-soft) can be used in an even more dramatically whiplike motion to get distance.

How long can an ultralight panfish-style rod be before the length becomes a liability instead of an asset? Anyone familiar with the soft rod whip idea as opposed to the traditional soft tip fast taper for light jigs? I've had trouble getting info on the former.

- I've been using 2/4lb fluorocarbon as my mainline in accordance with my ultralight groups rules. However, I'm prepared to give up on them and fish using super lines. However, I will need at least a few feet of fluoro/mono leader or they refuse to the lure. When I've tried to run connecting knots through my guides - and I've tried FG, surgeons knot, double uni knot, Alberto, and blood knot - my distance plummets regardless of when I use any of them. So traditional lines with a 8-18" heavier fluoro leader are still giving me the most distance. However I must screwing something up because I've read a lot of articles that acknowledge stuff like using a rod-length leader of fluorocarbon specifically for light bonefish jigs. There is so much discussion about long casts where the connection runs through the guides and it just amazes me despite having tried every recommended knot I can find. Tips on this especially appreciated.

- I try to use jigs that have hairlike/hair material so that they get wet, slick, and less wind resistence compared to soft plastic. So far I've used marabou and skimmier jigs. So any suggestions on lures that get more distance are very welcome.

- I use an oversize reel (Shimano 2500) because every single bonefish guy I've met says that they outcast smaller reels due to larger spool size. Also, bonefish are easy fighters - they dont go for structure - as long as you can deal with their 150yd runs. Any recs on light spinning reels that cast especially far are appreciated.

- Should I get one setup for 1/8th oz and another for lower weights? (Again, I cant ask people here about that cause I dont want to shame them for not affording specialized gear)

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by MKLB

FS Digest

Hi man! In my spinning experience, and preference, i would recommend getting a 4000 reel with custom spool that is made especially for PE #4-6 braids in japanese spec. My preference is stella but its just about the aesthetics you can get cheaper 4000 with custom spool. The best two rods for casting mentioned weight to horizon imo are poseidon salty sensation 7’7 and a bit longer SRAM from tict 1-13gramm test which has a nickname “cannon”. As i wanted this gear to remain universal i went with 7’7 possidon. When spool is full i can cast 80+ meters with light 3-5gramm spoons

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by sharpHooks

FS Digest

Thanks so much - those are suggestions that are totally fresh to me. I'm a heavy believer in Japanese gear/techniques btw - the times I've fished with Japanese bottomfisherman blew my mind, and their heavy shorefishing techniques (a huge surplus of midwater suspended fresh dead bait constantly changed was the example I know that blew my mind. I've never seen another video in Hawaii with anyone catching that many large fish in a weekend). And when I went floater fishing with light gear with a Japanese fishing obsessive he showed me that krill is the most desireable chum out there for reef fish who probably have never seen a krill in their life.

Rod suggestions are huge - and also I appreciate how you've acknolwedged and addressed the spool size issue. If 3000 works, why wouldn't 4000 work better, right? Also, we always still fish with like 4-6 poles, so adding another 4000 has multiple applications.

Do you know where this gear is available online? And Stellas are a bit much for my pocketbook unless I were to take up something like heavy plugging. But shi kata ga nai?

also, since you know Japanese gear, do you think eyeless rods are a good option for this kind of casting?

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by MKLB

FS Digest

This isn't going to be helpful but ima say it anyway. Those are some crazy light lures.....sounds like you should pick up fly fishing :)

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by walterh3

Dennisjj Loc: Kinston N.C.

MKLB you said so much hell i forgot what you said when i got to the end hope you get your answer.Good luck my friend fish on.

Paddygirl Loc: Chesapeake City, MD

Is this only for bonefish? You don't need a Stella, that's for sure! A 2500 spinning rod using 10 lb power pro slick line with any 6 to 10 lb monofilament leader like Trilene Big Game or Silverthread. Should enable you to throw light jigs. Use a 7 foot light tackle casting rod and that will improve your distance. And, if you don't want your tag end of your knots getting stuck in the guides, then learn to tie the Crazy Alberto Improved Knot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roHMWeL9yCQ
I have been using a spinning rod for bonefish for the past 9 years...and also a fly rod. My biggest bonefish ever came on a barbie rod that some neighbor left on the beach in a spike with bait in the water. You can certainly fish for bones cheaply.

Capt Lou

Get an EDGE ROD that labeled light , 8 - 9’
Moderate tapers will load easily and launch lite lures ! Use soft mono and I agree the reels with larger spools will allow line to come off easier if your using the correct mono !
The longer rod will keep your light line off the water and prevent break offs or cut offs on coral !
These rods literally load themselves so casting anything u mentioned weight wise should be piece of cake . A short fluoro leader will help sink your offering quickly ! Uni to uni knot will be fine for smaller fish like Bones !