Good Deal/Match for Inshore Trolling??

[fellinger]

Between a fisherman flea market yesterday and Ebay I have managed to put together brand new ANDES 5'6 stand-up rod, heavy action (line wt 50-80) and brand new Okuma Contura CR603 reel. Total cost was $78! I think I did pretty well.

What's the thought of the pairing now?

I have 500yds of Spectrex IV 50# braid. Should I load that all on the reel or only a good portion? I assume I should use a 7-8' mono leader with the braid?

Thanks,

Fred

[Hotrod]

I think.. You need to be trolling with mono.. Not braid..

[fellinger]

Ok, maybe I got my wires crossed on all theses posts.... Trolling should be mono? Whats the benefit of braid than? I am getting so confused.....

[IrishAyes]

I troll braid. Less friction in the water; gets down deeper than mono. Don't know if it's right, but it's what I do. 

I typically use about 15-20' of mono leader. Absorbs some at hook up and from the head shakes and gives a better hand hold than braid when leadering boatside to land the catch.

Not familiar with your set up so can't give an opinion on that.

[Bucktail]

   Braid.

[fellinger]

  Braid.

Thanks, guys. I have been doing some other reading and it seems like this is a common technique now.

Do you put your braid straight to your reel or do you back it with 100yds or so of mono first, then braid, then mono leader ("top shot" right?). I know braid has a tendancy to slip on the reel so, I was thinking the backing would help prevent this?

I am not fishing hundreds of yds of line so, I don't think it would ever be possible for me to get to the backing.

Thoughts?

[Hotrod]

OK.  Maybe my 6 rods are all mono.  Because I can't afford all that in braid

[Capt. Carl]

I put about 25 yds of mono on , then the rest braid....you can go all braid to the reel if you put some electrical tape on the spool first to keep it from slipping.

[NJ Guy]

I troll braid. Less friction in the water; gets down deeper than mono. Don't know if it's right, but it's what I do. 

I typically use about 15-20' of mono leader. Absorbs some at hook up and from the head shakes and gives a better hand hold than braid when leadering boatside to land the catch.

Not familiar with your set up so can't give an opinion on that.

 

[IrishAyes]

All braid is acceptable but needless expense. As you said, you don't put a mile of line out so why pay for 500 yards of braid when you can put half or less on. 

Keep in mind, it also depend on what you  are fishing for and how much of a run you expect out of a fish.

[NJ Guy]

they way i do it may be silly but whatever! lol if its a reel a like and i use alot i fill it up with braid completely.... if its a reel i dont use very ofter or is for guests onboard i put mono backing and 150-200 yards or braid

[fellinger]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess theres no right and wrong way at the end of the day.

What weight mono do you back with? 50#? 80#?

What weight do you use for your leader? I have heard of 100# and 150# for inshore trolling for BFT etc....

[blynch]

My concern would be that your 78 dollar setup may not hold up too well with braid on it... Braid is notoriously unforgiving and unless the guides are ceramic or "braid ready" they can get damaged... Trolling puts alot of stress on the gear anyway

[Reel Time]

 as stated go with 20-30 yards mono top shot for trolling to act as a shock leader. i would use higher than the main line rating, and tie it up with a wind on knot, such as the pr knot. (my new favorite)

 use mono as a backer onto the spool with a rating lower than what your mainline is. its only purpose is so the line does not spin on the spool, which it will if theres not a mono backer on, or the arbor is taped

i usually go for 20lb backer mono 5-10 wraps,,, cause if your getting spooled the backer test strength is irrelevant anyways cause the gear cant handle it, so go for the easy break off and not have the rod ripped out of your hands cause of 50lb break strength.

[Capt. Rich K]

This is how I rig my tuna gear,All reels get braid or hollow core line no mono backing start with some electrical or hockey stick tape on the reel first then tie a good knot wrapped 2x time around the spool never had them slip used up to 38lbs or drag.top shot or leader depends on reel size I use 100 to 150 yards for trolling and 10 to 20 feet for jigging.and dont forget to set your drag with a scale.

[Hunter 2]

All braid is acceptable but needless expense. As you said, you don't put a mile of line out so why pay for 500 yards of braid when you can put half or less on. 

Keep in mind, it also depend on what you  are fishing for and how much of a run you expect out of a fish.

I purchase my braid on large 1500 yard or 3000 yard spools. This works out to be cheaper when you need to fill several reels. This also stops you from having an extra 50 or so yards left from a 300 yard new spool of line when you reel is full. If you spool your reel with just braid and use friction tape or hockey tape on the spool, most likely you will never use the line close to the spool. So next season you can spool another reel using that same line by paying out the old line on to a new reel. The used or worn line will be close to the spool and the less worn line will be on the outer part of your spool.

[fellinger]

Good tip, Eddie. I never even considered that.

[Wex]

 
Here I am just trashing it when I take it off! Gonna try that next time.