SI 7/18

Saltwater Surf / Pier Fishing
1

Posted earlier this week about some of my previous “learning” trips. A lot of people posted offering some suggestions about my rigging, hook size, bait, etc. This morning the wife and I went to Sullivans and I tried my new rigs. From the first cast, started getting bites on shrimp. After a few misses, I hooked a small whiting which I used for bait. I cut some chunks and threw out. A few minutes later I hooked what I think was a large sting ray which I fought for about 5-6 minutes before it broke my leader.

I promptly put on a another rig and threw out again. Soon after, I hooked into another large ray. This time I was able to bring it to the beach. Snapped a couple of pics and let it go. After that I threw out again and hooked what I think was another ray but it broke my mono leader. I’ll post a pic but it was pretty crazy to throw out three time and hook into something decent each time, especially after struggling so much this year.

Also, what strength mono do you guys use for surf rigs? I was using 30 lbs that broke off twice and not at any knots I tied.

Thanks in advance,
Jared

baloo314

Native Ultimate 12

2

baloo314

Native Ultimate 12

3

When I fish cut bait I always use a steel leader, 12"-16" of 60#. Rays have very hard mouths good for twisting hooks and breaking mono leaders. I good trick I use for landing bigger Rays. When they suck down on the bottom, give them a totally slack line for a few seconds. They will start swimming again. If it comes off, it wasn’t hooked anyway. Trying to horse them usually results in bent hooks and broken line or worse a broken rod! Personlly once I’m sure it not a big red, I’ll reel down hard, point the rod at it, palm the spool, and give it a good jerk. :stuck_out_tongue: Works every time.

4

Leader length depends on rod length. I use a 12" steel leader ( hook on one end swivel on other ) then tie a 6 foot length of 80 lb mono to that, for a rub leader ( helps prevent the tail of big Rays from breaking it ) then 15 to 20 feet of 50 lb test as a casting/shock leader ( allows the 50 lb to wrap around the spool a few times which makes it easier to cast heavy leads and bait )

Hook - steel leader - swivel - length of 80 lb test - length of 50 lb test - mainline.

Use surgeons knot to attach mono to mono lines.