[625921]

OK... I admit I am a newbie so bear with me...
I would like to try using braided line for Great South Bay and outside to 80' for fluke. I have Seeker rods (Stainless guides) and Penn 320 GTI reels. The question is will this gear be OK with Braided and does it make sense to change over to smaller reels designed for use with braided line. Our problem over the past few years is simply keeping the rigs on the bottom on windy days. We use up to 10oz with mono line. I was hoping to cut back on weight with braided and get a more sensitive feel.

If I change to new reels and rods what would be suggested?

 

[sandybeach]

Get a 150 yd spool and just lay it over the mono. There is probably enough room for it, if not just peel some mono off. Check up on mono to braid knots to be used. Some braids have the instructions in the box. You will cut back on weight and be able to fish straight up and down more often, and gain sensitivity.

 

[devontie]

Seabert,

You can use braid with just about and rod and reel these days. The Penn 320 GTI should be fine with 30lb braid, like Sandybeach said just tie it to the mono. I use a uni to uni knot to tie them together.

I use Power Pro, it comes with directions and shows the proper knots for each application.

 

[reelfisher]

The only problem I see with your setup is the guides. Over time the stainless guides will not hold up to the braid and a groove will develop in the guide which can lead to breakoffs etc...

You will definitely be able to use less weight than you do for mono. Keep in mind that you should use a mono leader as well. The faster the action of your rods, the longer the leader should be to absorb the shock of headshakes, lunges etc...

This post edited by reelfisher 05:05 PM 05/13/2008

 

[MS222]

I have switched to braid for alnost all applications...especially bottomfishing. I prefer 10-20# suffix for fluking depending on the application. you will certainly see a marked difference in sensitivity and amount of weight needed to hold bottom. Also let me say that I and many others like to fish with our lines pretty vertical. When I say enough weight to hold bottom, I mean enough weight to hold bottom and keep fishing fairly vertically close to the boat...I do not mean holding bottom with my line out at a great angle far away from the boat.

 

[6to8ftSeas]

I've been fluke fishing with braid for years. I use braid on almost every rod now. A mono leader is important when using braid. but also I like to use a soft taper rod. the gradual taper helps to absorb sudden runs and head shakes which can lead to the line snapping or the hook being shaken out. mono doesn't have these problems as much because of the stretch. a little 2'-3' leader won't be substantial to absorb enough shock, it would need to be like 15' of mono. I feel the soft taper rod with standerd 2'-3' leader is much more effective.


If you have Seekers with stainless guides I'm going to assume that they are the "American" series which are tan and blue in color. I never had braid on stainless guides so I can't give you any advice one way or the other as far as the guides being damaged. If you are looking for new rods I would suggest staying with seeker but getting the "east coast series" (black and teal in color). they're great rods. J&H on sunrise in Bohemia and Saltwaters bait and tackle on main st. in West Islip both stock these rods.

 

[gebby]

seabert,

for the ocean use the mono on your current set up for backing for 30lb braid. for the bay go get yourself an inexpensive 5.5-6.0' light rod with a low profile baitcaster or an abu 4600 or 500, spooled up with 20lb or even 10lb if you have good eyes, itll cost you about 60 american. and you'll enjoy fishing light jigs and such in the bay a lot more. or even a cheapie spinning outfit to enjoy the bay, at these prices, there almost disposable. check out this one:

http://www.ffo-tackle.com/detail.cfm?PassProdId=3039

of course, if you like this light tackle stuff, you will want to step up to pricier, better made equiptment.

This post edited by gebby 12:56 PM 05/15/2008

 

[outrageous21]

I use a Medium Chaos rod with a Pennn Torque Series reel. I have mono backing to suffix braid with a uni to uni knot, then braid to fluorocarbon leader with an albright knot with 30 wraps. The albright runs through the guides nice and smooth. Your setup should be fine just use mono backing and I would not put anything heavier than 20lb test on the braid.

If you do a search I asked about how to spool with braid a few months ago and had a lot of helpful replies, People posted diagrams of the knots and I got a bunch of different ways it can be done. The setup above seemed like the best and most common used.

 

[Dizzy24]

Don't wanna sound like a jerk or a know-it-all but using a Penn 320GTi for fluke is criminal and absolute overkill. That is my honest opinion. There are many other reels that can be used for your application.

 

[Savvy18]

I can't see using anything bigger than an Avet SX for fluke fishing in 80 feet. To each his own I guess. I used to own the Penn 320 GTi many years ago and I was just thinking how much braided line it would take to cover that spool once! It's a big spool. Probably could put 150 yards on that reel without covering the mono backing.


As far as using braid (opposed to mono) so that you can use less lead, that is true. You will see a big difference. Probably get away with 6-8 ounces instead of 10. That could be the difference between landing a big fish or yanking the bait from it's mouth.

 

[Bachala]

Agreed, a small ambassadeur or Penn 940 is the way to go. Braid in deep water is great. If you are on a party boat people my get pissed if you cause or are involved in tangles. Braid can be a b**ch to undo. Not to change the topic but my buddy had one of those interline rods and in deep water the sensitivity was unbelieveable. Almost to sensitive. It felt like I could feel every little bump and rock on the bottom. Made me want to set the hook constantly.