CraigG
Loc: Ocean View Delaware
I just spooled two Penn Battle III reels with 30lb braid and am wondering about the need for a shock lead. I have some 50lb mono I can use but I'll be surf fishing with little to no abrasion on rocks or other obstacles. I've read differing opinions on the need for a shock lead and am curious what some of you might offer from hands on experience.
when I used only braid in the surf it would get all twisted up even with a swivel , a leader provides a little stiffness though a ruff surf can have its way with you , tight lines help
I always use a shock k eader on my surf rods with bait. Makes landing a bigger fish a lot easier. If you try to grab the braid in and the fush jdrks the line you stand a good chance of getting cut by the braid. Plugging rods get a shorter version, but same idea. Standard length of leader is 2 rod lengths plus 4 or 5 wraps on the reel.
I still use extra limp mono in the surf. It casts as far as I need and eliminates a lot of frustration. Most people cast pass the fish on the Pacific Coast anyway. I can not address the East Coast fish patterns for lack of experience there.
I have always used a shock leader while surf fishing but the pound test used was based on the weight of the lure or lead used to hold bottom when bait fishing. I can’t ever recall using anything heavier than 40 lb and that was rare, most of the time I used 30 lb mono and when targeting
stripers, fluorocarbon.
I use 40# simply because I need 6 Oz sinkers to load my rod and usually need it fir current anyway. I've snapped of rigs using 30 mono after 4 or 5 casts.
I use 40# simply because I need 6 Oz sinkers to load my rod and usually need it fir current anyway. I've snapped of rigs using 30 mono after 4 or 5 casts.
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