Heavier line than reel is rated for? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

grey zone · 03-22-2011, 08:44 PM

You dont sound like a cheep ass and you are doing the right thing by asking questions. At first spectra does seem expensive but look at it as an investment to save you money in the long run. The savings start adding up by using much less mono which wears out much faster due to memory and stretch. When the spectra shows enough signs of wear reverse it and put the worn end to the spool. The stuff lasts forever.

Start slowly one reel at a time. Figure out what your going to use a specific reel for and fill it accordingly; 50-65lb spectra is perfect. I divide reels into two catagories bait and jig casting. Bait fishing is a short top shot 3-4 feet and as long as 40-50 feet, short is best around kelp. I fill my bait reels with spectra to a level that is 3/16" from the edge of the spool. At this level I can fish straight spectra a 3-4 foot top shot or put enough 20-40lb mono on the reel so with my longest cast the splice will not hit the guides. For jig casting fill the reel 1/2-2/3 full with spectra depending on the width of the reel. Use enough mono so with your longest cast the splice does not reach the guides.

BrokeLoser · 03-22-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grey zone

You dont sound like a cheep ass and you are doing the right thing by asking questions. At first spectra does seem expensive but look at it as an investment to save you money in the long run. The savings start adding up by using much less mono which wears out much faster due to memory and stretch. When the spectra shows enough signs of wear reverse it and put the worn end to the spool. The stuff lasts forever.

Start slowly one reel at a time. Figure out what your going to use a specific reel for and fill it accordingly; 50-65lb spectra is perfect. I divide reels into two catagories bait and jig casting. Bait fishing is a short top shot 3-4 feet and as long as 40-50 feet, short is best around kelp. I fill my bait reels with spectra to a level that is 3/16" from the edge of the spool. At this level I can fish straight spectra a 3-4 foot top shot or put enough 20-40lb mono on the reel so with my longest cast the splice will not hit the guides. For jig casting fill the reel 1/2-2/3 full with spectra depending on the width of the reel. Use enough mono so with your longest cast the splice does not reach the guides.

I totally get it now. I'm ready to jump on the Spectra band-wagon for sure.
Thanks again guys.....Have I ever said I LOVE THIS SITE!

Pocoloco · 03-23-2011, 07:22 AM

one other thing to remember about spectra is the fact you can re-use it once it gets old/discolored..... just respool it onto another reel and you've got new line. the bottom of the spool is brand new and does'nt go bad like mono.

onetriphudson · 03-23-2011, 08:21 AM

Anyone ever try a bimini twist? I worked with a guy at Seaforth that used that for his top shots. Crazy knot man, not something you can tie on a kayak. The dude had his legs and arms busy and took 15 minutes to tie.

grey zone · 03-23-2011, 08:36 AM

The bimini twist is one of the strongest connections but it makes too large of a knot.

taggermike · 03-23-2011, 08:41 AM

I started out using spectra as a backing only, with about 1/2 the spool spec and 1/2 the spool mono. I was a bit nervous about casting the spec or having a knot pass through the guides. But a few years ago I started filling my reels all the way up with spec and only using 3-5' of mono or fluoro as top shot. I have no trouble casting the spec and feel it casts better than mono. Using spec for baybass fishing I realized how many bites I've been missing over the years with mono. With 0 stretch you feel ever thing. Same with deep water coding. I also like the option of using different line tests on the same reel for different applications. I have a sort of calico set up with 30lb spec on a curado 200. I run 10-15lb on it in the bay or local kelp. I recently took a trip to baja where I was casting large jerk baits right in to mangrove roots. I switched the top shot to 30lb fluoro for abrasion resistance and it worked very well. Also the 0 stretch let me really set the hook and keep the fish coming toward the boat. Mike

BrokeLoser · 03-23-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taggermike

I started filling my reels all the way up with spec and only using 3-5' of mono or fluoro as top shot.

Do you guys always tie a uni to uni or an albright (which takes me 5 minutes to tie)
Or, use a swivel when you're running a short lead of say 2 to 4 feet and you can prevent the swivel from running through the guides?

MarkT · 03-23-2011, 10:08 AM

I use a Bob Sands/Tony Pena knot to join the mono/fluoro to the spectra. It's low profile and passes through the guides just fine. On local stuff I don't use fluoro, just mono. I use a fluoro leader in a pick Albie/Tuna trip.

03-22-2011, 08:44 PM	#1
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	You dont sound like a cheep ass and you are doing the right thing by asking questions. At first spectra does seem expensive but look at it as an investment to save you money in the long run. The savings start adding up by using much less mono which wears out much faster due to memory and stretch. When the spectra shows enough signs of wear reverse it and put the worn end to the spool. The stuff lasts forever. Start slowly one reel at a time. Figure out what your going to use a specific reel for and fill it accordingly; 50-65lb spectra is perfect. I divide reels into two catagories bait and jig casting. Bait fishing is a short top shot 3-4 feet and as long as 40-50 feet, short is best around kelp. I fill my bait reels with spectra to a level that is 3/16" from the edge of the spool. At this level I can fish straight spectra a 3-4 foot top shot or put enough 20-40lb mono on the reel so with my longest cast the splice will not hit the guides. For jig casting fill the reel 1/2-2/3 full with spectra depending on the width of the reel. Use enough mono so with your longest cast the splice does not reach the guides.

03-23-2011, 07:22 AM	#3
Pocoloco Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: el cajon Posts: 239	one other thing to remember about spectra is the fact you can re-use it once it gets old/discolored..... just respool it onto another reel and you've got new line. the bottom of the spool is brand new and does'nt go bad like mono.

03-23-2011, 08:21 AM	#4
onetriphudson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 143	Anyone ever try a bimini twist? I worked with a guy at Seaforth that used that for his top shots. Crazy knot man, not something you can tie on a kayak. The dude had his legs and arms busy and took 15 minutes to tie.

03-23-2011, 08:36 AM	#5
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	The bimini twist is one of the strongest connections but it makes too large of a knot.

03-23-2011, 08:41 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I started out using spectra as a backing only, with about 1/2 the spool spec and 1/2 the spool mono. I was a bit nervous about casting the spec or having a knot pass through the guides. But a few years ago I started filling my reels all the way up with spec and only using 3-5' of mono or fluoro as top shot. I have no trouble casting the spec and feel it casts better than mono. Using spec for baybass fishing I realized how many bites I've been missing over the years with mono. With 0 stretch you feel ever thing. Same with deep water coding. I also like the option of using different line tests on the same reel for different applications. I have a sort of calico set up with 30lb spec on a curado 200. I run 10-15lb on it in the bay or local kelp. I recently took a trip to baja where I was casting large jerk baits right in to mangrove roots. I switched the top shot to 30lb fluoro for abrasion resistance and it worked very well. Also the 0 stretch let me really set the hook and keep the fish coming toward the boat. Mike

03-23-2011, 10:08 AM	#8
MarkT Deep Release Specialist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 94	I use a Bob Sands/Tony Pena knot to join the mono/fluoro to the spectra. It's low profile and passes through the guides just fine. On local stuff I don't use fluoro, just mono. I use a fluoro leader in a pick Albie/Tuna trip.