[Ronald H Levine]

I just bought 150 yards of Sufix 832 braid, a favorite because it neither floats up in an arch nor sinks in an arch, so it will be a straight line to the lure for excellent feel and hooksets. I couldn't resist the clearance sale of 65 pound test on sale because such poundage doesn't sell well here in Utah.

I've been fresh water fishing it in much lower test here in Utah and appreciate it's advantages. Is salt water line different?

Though I haven't surf fished yet, I've bought my equipment and I've been reading books and the posts here for a while in preparation for my first surf fishing vacation. The location and toarget fish are still undetermined. I have plenty of vacation time saved up to use.

My reels are the Penn Spinfisher SSV 10500 and Penn Clash CLA 8000 which hold considerably more than 150 yards which is why I post to ask experienced surf fishers if the following is good thinking. I'm wondering if I should even bother to buy small spools or if I should fill the spool with braid and only buy it in large spools?

I have monofilament line in huge spools of various tests that I plan to use as the fill on the spool and top it with braid. My thinking is my surfcasts will be less than the 150 yards of braid, so I'll still have all of the advantages of a straight line to the lure for feel and a firm no stretch solid hook set. Then, should a big fish run far against the drag, it won't matter much that it's a stretchy monofilament once the hook is set.

I have two of each of those reels, so I can have them spooled differently to be ready for different fishing or even spool up upon determining what's out there that I'm targeting. At this point, I'm just trying to be broadly prepared for variety.

Am I missing anything in my thinking? Should I purchase the large spools of the braid I want to fish?

Ronald

 

[pmcdaniel]

First time trying out braid myself this season as well, also using Suffix 832 in 50# green. Had one test run back on a nice weekend in February, and I loved how it casted and the sensitivity of it. It also held bottom much better than 20 pound mono, so I could use less weight. Didn't have any issues with wind knots or tangles. I casted with both my finger and a new breakaway cannon, and had no issues with either. Unfortunately, the water was still a bit cold, and we didn't get a bite all day. Going back down tomorrow to try again!

 

[pmcdaniel]

And to answer your ultimate question, yes you should fill the spool. On thinner braid, mono backing is a good idea to keep it from digging into itself. On thicker braid it isn't as important, so you can fill the spool with braid if you want the length and want to spend the $$$, but backing the braid with mono is still a good idea if it meets your capacity requirements.

 

[Guest]

Though I haven't surf fished yet, I've bought my equipment and I've been reading books and the posts here for a while in preparation for my first surf fishing vacation. The location and toarget fish are still undetermined. I have plenty of vacation time saved up to use.

Ronald

Ronald,

Because you're coming from Utah, I suggest going to "PINS" ( Padre Island National Seashore ) in Texas. Contact "Nickaway" ( Nick Meyer ) at Breakaway Tackle in Corpus Christi.

Being a first-timer, you might want to hire a guide. Billy Sandifer is the local expert on PINS, but he might be retired by now. A 4x4 and beach-driving knowledge is critical !

The website corpusfishing.com should be helpful, too.

 

[Ronald H Levine]

Thanks, Daniel and PierRat! I'll keep buying the too short to fill braids to add to my tackle collection. I'm going for versatility and preparedness for all types of fishing. I just finished my fourth season of ice fishing and continue to add different dying skills. I enjoy it of course, but I'm more serious than just enjoyment. I'm very much into preparedness for harsh times to come and my preparedness style will be sea based mobility by sailboat which will open up a world of fishing opportunities -- both inland and sea. I have lots of deep sea fishing experience from childhood, but haven't tried surf fishing yet.

Ronald

 

[cthulhu]

The only reason to fill a big spool with braid is if you are targeting really long running fish, and need the line length braid will give you. You can run a mono backer, braid main line, and a mono shock leader for casting if you are fishing for typical coastal stuff.

If you are getting ready, and have not get, hit the fields to get a good feel for how everything casts, and if you want to tape your fingers, use a breakaway cannon, or whichever. You don't want the big trip to come and find out you opened up a finger on your first few casts. I cast in an empty field by an intersection here in town, people have to wonder what is wrong with me, but it makes for trouble free fishing when I have chances to get to the salt.

 

[Ronald H Levine]

Yes, I do need to practice surf casting technique or even get lessons. Any surf casters in Utah?

I have this twenty three foot surf casting rod:

http://www.squidjig.com/fishinggear/carbon surf rod.htm

I tried casting it for three days and decided to put it away until I get coaching or find a way to learn the concept because I can cast much further with my ten foot rod.

Next, I bought a Cabela's 15 foot Ugly Stick Surf three piece Spinning rod to practice with a shorter rod and maybe work up to the longer rod. I'm successful at casting that almost as far as I can cast with my ten foot rod which I've fished a lot. I bought those rods before joining this group to see what others here are using.

The twenty three foot rod was described to me as having surf fishing advantages to keep the line high and out of the breaking waves and it can cast much further. I think it's all about timing and progressive acceleration to properly load the rod. I need to give it a try again now that I can cast the fifteen foot rod.

Ronald

 

[2ndbar]

if you ever make it to Hatteras North Carolina bring that 23 footer I've been surf fishing for 30 years and never seen one

 

[js1172]

no way do I want a big fish on a 23' rod, a 200# ray or shark is bad enough on a 12'er
js

 

[buster]

Ive fished braid for many years and have found that putting a mono backer on then 300 yrds. of braid worked best for me.I usually use 40 lb braid with a spare spool of 50 for different circumstances.Tried the 65lb once and found that it cut my casting distance way down.With that being said ...I only use artificial ,no bait and a 4ft.mono leader.The bait guys can probably help you better if thats what you prefer.

 

[Bosco]

Be sure to leave money in the budget for a couple of good sand spikes. Either of those reels is going to get heavy after standing the surf for awhile.

 

[markedwards]

Ronald,
As an East coast surf fisherman I would suggest getting 300yd spools of your braided of choice. This may seem like a lot until you do the math you cast 100yds, you walk back 25yds and spike your rod, and expect the unexpected a 100+ray takes your bait and rips off 100 yards of line. With 150yd spool you're into your backing and trouble in no time joining 2 150yd spools has the same potential for disaster because no matter how much faith you have in your knot tying skills that is going to be one more worry spot for you. Good luck with your surf fishing at whatever destination you choose.

 

[Ronald H Levine]

Buster, thanks for that advice! When I was purchasing my reels, I looked and was surprised at how much extra spools cost, so I skipped that and bought two of each reel. Besides, it fits with me having extras of each rod for preparedness and knowing someday when Ithe special one for me finds me, she will have plenty of fishing equipment choices and still have plenty for our future children long after manufacturing benefits of a functional society are gone. I also like the idea of when fishing a school that is there for just the moment, an equipment change can be as quick and simple as casting another rod that's set up and ready.

Ronald

 

[Ronald H Levine]

Bosco (and group),

I'm athletic, so the heavier reels will be just good exercise. I see that fishermen often choose the smallest reels to do the job and it makes sense, but my main consideration is for preparedness and the overkill means it will last. Besides, it could be a big fish! Sure, good point. I will want to put it into a sand spike at times or for a second rod through I know I like to cast and work lures.

On sand spikes, I'll be making my own. I just haven't finalized my choice of designs. I have the advantage of working in a modern fabrication shop. I bought a titanium superalloy from Boeing for that and other things. I'll cut the shapes with a water jet and tungsten inert gas weld them into sand spikes. Though I've never used a sand spike (nor surf fished) yet, I'm trying to visualize which of two different designs I like best. One design would be like a sword of a "Y" cross section for the part that penetrates the sand to go in easy yet hold firmly. That would be welded to a pipe with a slide hammer built onto it. Though I have no question that it would be functional, solid and lightweight, I have concerns that the banging would scare away fish. My alternative design would be an auger style with a fold out tee handle that would screw into the sand. I might also have an adjustable telescopic feature to be sure the rod can be up above the surf even if out deep while needing to be deep in the sand. I'm least certain about the need for that and wondering how often it will be better in the surf than on shore.

Ronald

 

[pmcdaniel]

I have a load of the sea striker spikes that have aluminum "angle iron" for the bottom spike section and then it has the plastic rod holder/bait tray on top. Just with they were at least a foot longer. If I were making my own it would be something similar. The "angle iron" is easier to put in the sand than pipe. Most of the time I do it with the right hand while the rod is in the left.

 

[Ronald H Levine]

Marketwards,

Makes sense. I wouldn't want to spend a lot on a trip only to have a disappointment from saving insignificantly on line.

I also realize knot strength is the weak spot.

I might just go for filling the spool with braid and save the 150 yard lines for some other use. It's an odd combination now that I think of it. What is the use for 65 pound test that is only 150 yards?

Thanks!

Ronald

 

[Guest]

Have ur tackle shops spool your reels. Unless you have the math down to a science you'll always end up short or spending too much and have leftovers. And no purpose for 90 yards of leftover braid unless you make bracelets or something. The shops with work with ya on tape or backing. They spool it right and tight and you only pay for what is used. It's cheap now .... Not much more than doing it yourself. Don't ever believe the stated capacity of your reels. You dont know the manufacturer's "20 lb." diameter or how tight they spool it. Between work and trying to catch fish who has time for all that filler spool math.

 

[Ronald H Levine]

Daniel,

I wonder if I should have a holster for a rod on a backpack frame to be able to use my hands?

Ronald

 

[pmcdaniel]

I've seen wading fishermen do that, but it usually hangs from the belt to hold the rod while they retie or bait the hook. On dry land, sand spikes are a better option.

 

[Guest]

I use these