[Uncle Russ]

Well, not that anyone cares, (or should care )but I'm at last going to get out of the house and go beyond what my friends are calling "virtual fishing." I have read everything on the board regarding all the various forms of rigging. I will be taking 5 rigs offshore at Venice overnight and would like your collective opinions on my rigging plans, especially with regard to the pound test of my terminal leaders and the length.

You won’t hurt my feelings. I have no pride.

1. Trolling/Deep Drop/Chunking: ATD 50Wide with 900 yards of JB 130 #. I will need to be able to switch. I am tentatively planning to use a 25-foot wind on 100# Fluorocarbon leader. Then I can add a 400 pound snap swivel for bottom rigs or trolling rigs, OR circle hooks for chunking. I will probably use my Calstar 760H as opposed to the 7465H rail rod.

2. Jigging: TwinSpin 30 with 105-pound PE8 colored line and a spare spool of 65-pound Power Pro. I tentatively plan to rig this with about a 10-foot length of fluorocarbon—80 pound for the PE8 line and 60 pound for the power pro. I am married to the regular Albright knot because I do it well. Rod = Calstar 700XH and/or Calstar 700H.

3. Heavy popping: Stella 20K with 80# PE6 colored jig line with an 80-100 pound rated rod of 7 to 7 ½ feet. I am thinking of using 3-6 feet of 130 pound mono and crimp the popper on. Same-same with the Albright.

4. Medium popping: Stella 8K on an 8 foot Smith (80P/35) with 70# PE5 jig line-80 pound 3-6 foot mono leader with an improved clinch knot or loop to the lure. I may crimp this one as well if nobody thinks that would be stupid. This would be for say, tuna hunter juniors or the short stubby OTI poppers that make women say: “Oh, my God, could it be cuter.”

5. Light ready rod: Stella 5K with 40 pound braid on a 6’ 8” Smith Ltd. 70MH, with 60 pound mono-same length and definitely a knot. (This will be for ling, king, dorado, etc.

All comments would be appreciated.

Russ

 

[Minnow]

Here is my .2 cent worth.
Well, not that anyone cares, (or should care )but I'm at last going to get out of the house and go beyond what my friends are calling "virtual fishing." I have read everything on the board regarding all the various forms of rigging. I will be taking 5 rigs offshore at Venice overnight and would like your collective opinions on my rigging plans, especially with regard to the pound test of my terminal leaders and the length.

You won’t hurt my feelings. I have no pride.

1. Trolling/Deep Drop/Chunking: ATD 50Wide with 900 yards of JB 130 #. I will need to be able to switch. I am tentatively planning to use a 25-foot wind on 100# Fluorocarbon leader. Then I can add a 400 pound snap swivel for bottom rigs or trolling rigs, OR circle hooks for chunking. I will probably use my Calstar 760H as opposed to the 7465H rail rod.
I will do the same with this set up.

2. Jigging: TwinSpin 30 with 105-pound PE8 colored line and a spare spool of 65-pound Power Pro. I tentatively plan to rig this with about a 10-foot length of fluorocarbon—80 pound for the PE8 line and 60 pound for the power pro. I am married to the regular Albright knot because I do it well. Rod = Calstar 700XH and/or Calstar 700H.
If you are planning to cast popper with this rig, try 4ft leader instead of 10ft. If jigging 10 ft or longer will work just fine.

3. Heavy popping: Stella 20K with 80# PE6 colored jig line with an 80-100 pound rated rod of 7 to 7 ½ feet. I am thinking of using 3-6 feet of 130 pound mono and crimp the popper on. Same-same with the Albright.

4. Medium popping: Stella 8K on an 8 foot Smith (80P/35) with 70# PE5 jig line-80 pound 3-6 foot mono leader with an improved clinch knot or loop to the lure. I may crimp this one as well if nobody thinks that would be stupid. This would be for say, tuna hunter juniors or the short stubby OTI poppers that make women say: “Oh, my God, could it be cuter.”

5. Light read rod: Stella 5K with 40 pound braid on a 6’ 8” Smith Ltd. 70MH, with 60 pound mono-same length and definitely a knot. (This will be for ling, king, dorado, etc.
Are you planning to fish for swordfish? if yes, you will need to rig a leader for swordfish. Good luck on your trip.

All comments would be appreciated.

Russ

 

[txseadog]

All your pairings sound good.

Do yourself a favor and try the twisted leaders for casting poppers on the heavier rigs.

 

[Uncle Russ]

TJ: Probably no swordfish with only one night to fish--but you never can tell. Actually, since most of us are lifelong bay fishermen but relative novices offshore, we have told Captain Eddie that, while we would prefer yellowfin, we would like him to lead us to the best overall fishing--I look at myself on an offshore trip the way my 8-year old grandsons look at pond fishing--I want to catch something. I am going fishing with at least one yahoo who thinks you put a worm on an 11/0 Super Mutu, and even this dude has caught more tuna than I have. I suspect if the Captain advises that swordfish would be a good way to go, we will rely on him for that tackle.

The Twinspin will most likely be used strictly for yo-yo jigging, and I will not really be using a jigging rod as I do not have one yet. Instead, I will probably use the 700H for up to 200 gram and in the unlikely event I try anything heavier, I will hang it on the 700XH.

Kevin: I have been concentrating so much on other areas that I really have not yet taken the time to look into twisted leaders, but you can bet by September on the Big E trip, I will do so. Thanks for the tip.

I have to say that our group is really looking forward to giving the new OTI spinner a trial--especially since I have never seen one of your rods, Kevin. The only word that comes to mind is exciting.

Russ

 

[Bret]

Uncle Russ, looks like you have it all covered.. I might add... for your chunk rig.. bring some 60 and 80lb flouro as well. If you dont get bit and everyone else is.. try going down to the 80 or 60lb possibly even 40lb.. Have fun and catch some fish!!

 

[bighead]

Nice tackle Russ! I think you have it well covered. Bert

 

[Uncle Russ]

Thanks, All. Gotcha covered, Bret--I have fluoro from 40 up to a hundred. If I need heavier, I'll consider it a lesson learned.

Russ

 

[Ragman]

I know you'll have fun Uncle Russ and lord knows you've done your research and preparation! LOL

I hope you do well! So well in fact, maybe you'll forgo some jetty trips and jump on one of the open charters soon!

 

[Uncle Russ]

Yes, Tom. I think that will happen, and I hope soon. Thanks very much.

Russ

 

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Uncle Russ...

After reading that tackle list, I ain't gonna listen to you rant about tackle prices no more. I think that you have things pretty well covered.

I would suggest that you take a look at the centauri knot instead of a crimp. Two loops will create a strong knot in heavier line. I can tie this knot in weedeater line....
Centauri Knot - Step By Step - Knots - Thai Fishing Guide
Don't take my word for it. tie the knot on one hook and crimp a second hook on. Use circle hooks. Insert a sturdy rod through both hooks stand on one rod and lift the other with both hands. Kerpow! one of the connections broke...
Try this with a rod... No not really.

 

[fathom]

Russ,

May I suggest this knot for p.e. to heavier leader, the mid knot

Angler's Pro Shop

easier than it looks.

 

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Russ,

Mat I suggest this knot for p.e. to heavier leader, the mid knot

Angler's Pro Shop

easier than it looks.

I agree. However, Uncle Russ seems to be knot phobic.

 

[fathom]

I was phobic too, but Kil tied one off on the boat rail for me and made it look easy, I tied it for the first time on the spinner and got the 80lb+ yf.

What rod did you pick for 5' spinning set up? I was certainly impressed by Randys wei world.

 

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

I was phobic too, but Kil tied one off on the boat rail for me and made it look easy, I tied it for the first time on the spinner and got the 80lb+ yf.

What rod did you pick for 5' spinning set up? I was certainly impressed by Randys wei world.

I am hessitant to state my pick... I don't want it sold out.

 

[Uncle Russ]

Gull: I just decided I can marginally afford all that stuff now rather than after retirement, if you know what I mean. I have to admit. That knot does look easy and I will definitely give it a try.

fathom: The seagull is correct-not so much that I am knot phobic as that I have a great deal of difficulty with spacial analysis--no joke. I have tied a few knots so many years that I could never forget them but others, even those I tie well, such as an Albright, if I leave it alone for a couple of months, I have to go back to the diagram. I used to do a lot of heavy duty whitewater and we relied on bowlines for rescue purposes. I could tie one with a rope around my chest in the middle of a class-3 rapid in practice, but for the life of me, it takes me 2 or 3 minutes to visualize one in front of my eyes that is not around my body. Wierd, but true.

I have no doubt when I read of knots used by guys like you and the Gull and Kil and Randy, among others, I have no doubt they are superior. It's just that I have to use something I have confidence in. I have heard that Captain Eddie likes to use a uni-to-uni, so I have no doubt it works for him, and would have no problem with one he tied.

But for some odd, unknown reason, a knot that others have great trouble with--the Bimini--I can tie in my sleep. Go figure. Eventually I will try the mid-knot. I'll start by using it on the jetties agains big jacks and go from there. Thanks for the advice, guys.

Russ

 

[fathom]

Russ,
The knot you have confidence in is the best knot for you.

 

[Uncle Russ]

Yes it is, fathom, but if you don't ever let yourself learn something new and practice it...Hell, the first time I went fishing with my grandparents and great-grandmother at Dunlap Lake, about 1949 or so, I tied the braid to my hook with a couple of half-hitches. It took me about 5 years to learn a clinch knot!

Russ