Had a huge hit on bomber broke me off. In hindsight should have had heavier leader. Any recommendation on setup for plugs.
I like braided line, no leader, for topwater plugs and braid-to-fluorocarbon for “subsurface” bats. Pound test just depends on how well your drag works/how well you “play” the fish. Really big fish can be landed on really light line. If you simply want to wench them to the boat on a buttoned down drag, go big. Granted, the longer the fish is on the line, the more stress you’re putting on the fish.
God bless the “ignore” function.
This gets hit on from time to time, and you’ll get lots of different answers. Personally, I like a bit of mono/fluro to add a stiffer section before the plug. Braid seems to find its way around the trebles occasionally when the lure hits the water. Your mileage may vary.
Line/leader weight depends on the size and type of the fish, as well as the area you’re fishing. Throwing bombers at the jetties for… reds and trout? 15# mainline to 30# mono leader should handle a good-sized red without being too nuts for trout. You can definitely upsize if you want, I don’t think the fish will care – especially on topwater. Even as large as a 50# leader would probably be fine (though it might mute the action of the plug just a bit), and would be enough for even a 40+ inch redfish. Just make sure you use a loop knot to try to let the plug walk as best as it can. You could downsize too, but some big fish hang around the jetties and it can be tough to land a bigger red in swift current when you can’t put much drag to her. Plus like bangstick said, it’s not good for the fish to extend the fight more than you have to.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
quote:
Originally posted by brysonThis gets hit on from time to time, and you’ll get lots of different answers. Personally, I like a bit of mono/fluro to add a stiffer section before the plug. Braid seems to find its way around the trebles occasionally when the lure hits the water. Your mileage may vary.
Line/leader weight depends on the size and type of the fish, as well as the area you’re fishing. Throwing bombers at the jetties for… reds and trout? 15# mainline to 30# mono leader should handle a good-sized red without being too nuts for trout. You can definitely upsize if you want, I don’t think the fish will care – especially on topwater. Even as large as a 50# leader would probably be fine (though it might mute the action of the plug just a bit), and would be enough for even a 40+ inch redfish. Just make sure you use a loop knot to try to let the plug walk as best as it can. You could downsize too, but some big fish hang around the jetties and it can be tough to land a bigger red in swift current when you can’t put much drag to her. Plus like bangstick said, it’s not good for the fish to extend the fight more than you have to.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
^ Well said! ^
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
Good advice going Thurs morning I’ll update.
Good luck.
God bless the “ignore” function.
Unless using super heavy braid use a flouro leader. 30lbs or higher if your having bite offs.
Someone suggested using Berkley trilene big game mono 50lb for leaders rather than flouro do to cost and the fact that visibility here is sucks especially when it’s ripping through the rocks any thoughts?
Sure. I use regular Ande 50 for most med heavy applications and although softer it works plenty fine.
Our visibility sucks the fish can see a lot better. I’m with the line of thinking that stacks every odd in my favor. I was fishing chocolate milk by a pipe that was dumping water and noticed a difference when I down sized my leader. I fish as lite as possible. I’ve notice with circle hooks heavy stiff leader effects the hook setting it will do the same when working a bait so you have to find the medium that works for your application.