Mainline test

[Rockfish]

I use 40 lb high res for main line and after losing 3 big slabs with nicked up 30 lb leader earlier in the year I now use 48lb Triple Fish (hard and abrasion resistant for the teeth) and have not had a single brake off since despite a lot of big ones on. Blow back is not a problem for us. Forget the pancakes rigger balls unless you have some reason to want to plane out to the side (once caught a 29.5 lber with a pancake down 40 feet out beside a rock wall with a kelp bed). We use 12lb balls with the lead fin most of the time but when the current is ugly and/or we are going deep, we switch to the 15 lb rounds with the fin. The only reason we don’t use 15 lb all the time is it seems to wear out the rigger cables much faster. Can’t yet bring myself to join the modern age and switch over to braid.

 

[trendsetter]

I've been using the big game 30lb this summer and couldn't be happier. Used to use the 20lb for the sox but ended up losing a few flashers.

Didn't notice any significant blow back down to 120ft.

Big game 40lb leaders on everything.

Cheers.

 

[TheBigGuy]

quote:Originally posted by Island Fish Lifter

Run 50 # braided tuffline on those Islanders with about 30 feet of 35 to 40 # mono on the end. The tuffline is thinner and has minimal stretch, which is significant when fishing deep.

Exactly what I do (minus the islanders). I have used spectra on most of my Salmon reels for over 15 years and much prefer it to mono. For joining spectra to the topshot of 40 lb mono I use the Albright Special knot. It has yet to fail me, the knot has never slipped on me.
It's nice actually win some of the battles with the seals, with spectra you at least have a fighting chance.

 

[spring fever]

How many yards or feet are you carrying on your reels. The diameter of Spectra(12lb) would allow tremendous footage-or do you put on a Dacron or some other backing?

 

[TheBigGuy]

quote:Originally posted by spring fever

How many yards or feet are you carrying on your reels. The diameter of Spectra(12lb) would allow tremendous footage-or do you put on a Dacron or some other backing?

I just use the mono that was on the reel before for backing. I guess the proper way to do it would be to spool up with Dacron backing. I've never had any problems using mono as backing. You'll never see the backing with a lot of spectra on top anyways. My reels aren't expensive enough to worry about splitting a drum on the reel. If you've got a lot of money invested in the reel Dacron backing may be the safer route.

 

[profisher]

25# Maxima at the moment. I load the reels right up so I can remove damaged end sections occasionally and still have enough left so I don't have to re spool. I lost 1 flasher for the entire season...happened yesterday.

 

[eaglemaniac]

X2 for Trilene Big Game 30# test. Big spools from Cabelas are a great deal as well. eman

 

[Dogbreath]

quote:Originally posted by eaglemaniac

....Big spools from Cabelas are a great deal...

Yup that's where I buy my Maxima. [8D]

My reels are filled with 300 yds of 30# Fireline and then 100 yds of Maxima Chameleon Red.