Fished ICW & South BB with marginal results…found some reds around a dock but all tooo big…and broke off probably 9-12 on the pilings. Almost ran out of jig heads. Man, were those fish strong. Ended a day and a half fishing with 5 slot reds, and 2 trout over 19". BTW, fished outgoing both days right up and through low tide with finger mullet. Weather was absolutely beautiful…
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
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This is a little silly, but I added a top shot (50 to 80 feet) of 50 pound test Power Pro to a couple rods. When we find big dock/oyster/grass reds I pull them out, use no leader and land the majority of fish…most anglers are kids or novice anglers, but on about the 5th or 6th break off, even the seasoned pros switch…
reelly…
Just curious. Were you fishing with a leader and if so, what type/size? I usually use 30# flouro and my “break offs” are limited to an occasional bad knot.
Started with 20# flouro leader, then switched to tying a jig direct to 20# power pro, didn’t have anything heavier in the boat but I will next time. I’m relatively new (4-5 years) at this red fishing thing so I chalk this up to a learning experience. Most of the “break offs” weren’t at the leader but farther up the line as the particular dock I was fishing had a good many oysters on the pilings. Thanks for the input.
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
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quote:
Originally posted by Captain MitchThis is a little silly</font id=“red”>, but I added a top shot (50 to 80 feet) of 50 pound test Power Pro to a couple rods. When we find big dock/oyster/grass reds I pull them out, use no leader and land the majority of fish…most anglers are kids or novice anglers, but on about the 5th or 6th break off, even the seasoned pros switch…
reelly…
Shoot, captain, the object is to get the fish in the boat! What you call silly we mere mortals call common sense…
I fish all rods with 20# Power-Pro and a 25-30# mono leader and rarely have any breakoffs. If you are fishing structure (docks and such) every time you reel in, check your leader by pinching it lightly between your thumb and forefinger and running down the entire leader. If you feel any abrated line, cut it off and re-tie. I always keep a big spool of 20#, 25#, 30#, 40# and 60# mono in the bag for leader material. Cutting off any line with any nicks/abrasions has saved more than one lost fish. Choose the leader weight for the type of fishing and target species. Heavier/more structure (oysters/docks/rocks) I switch to the 30# leader. Grass and creek mouths I use the 25#. My heavier rods all get the 40-60# stuff.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
14’ CMF Skiff
25 Johnson - 2 stroke
14’ Heritage Redfish
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
Much appreciated info…am tackling up for the next trip!
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
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I just rigged a few rods with 20# power pro, and got some 30# fluoro leader. How much fluoro leader would yall recommend for normal dead bait fishing?
Thanks
I use 6-8’. That way I have enought to re-tie several times before I have to re-tie a complete leader.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
14’ CMF Skiff
25 Johnson - 2 stroke
14’ Heritage Redfish
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
Thanks for the help!