Author Topic: Expected casting distance & Braid leaders (Read 5346 times)

Stan da man · « **on:** October 14, 2013, 04:52:21 PM »

Hi guys.
I'm a total newb when it comes to saltwater fishing but love my bass fishing. Once tried throwing a lure in the sea at Sodwana a while back but blanked spectacularly. Going down to Toti to see if I can hook into any rod bending reel screaming type o' fish.
Would like to know how far can i expect to cast a 2oz bullet spoon and a needle nose plugg on my rigg?
9ft xh 1-3oz Berkley Cobalt 20lbs Fire line.

Some folks also told me that to be safe i shouldn't cast a 3oz lure....why would that be if the rod is rated 1-3oz??

Toppie · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2013, 05:16:54 PM »

Stan I have cast a 3oz lure with a 9XH. Because its the rod's max suggested limit I think their advice only to err on the side of caution.

Casting with braid only with say 1m mono leader, you should throw that lure quite a distance.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2013, 06:23:23 PM »

Stan, with a 2 oz bullet, you'll cast it 60-80m no problem at all. With a bit of practice and timing, you'll be sending it 100m.

The rod is fine to throw 3oz with if it's rated at 3 oz. All rod manufacturers understate their capacity's to be on the safe side. Eg: my 3oz Poseidon and Exceler rods cast 4oz comfortably.

What I would suggest to avoid frustration, is to make yourself some 50lb stitched braid leaders. http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=74.0

20pd mainline joined to 4m of 50lb Braid leader joined to either a swivel or knotted to 1m of Fluorocarbon. What happens with the thinner braids is that they tend to snap in midcast at the leader join if you "give it horns". With the strengthened 50lb leader wrapped 2 or 3 turns onto the reel, you can throw much harder without having snapoffs.

Stan da man · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2013, 05:09:04 PM »

SHOT A LOT!!
can i stitch fused braid like fireline??
then can i stitch my mainline braid into the stitched leader???

REEFMAN · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2013, 08:47:09 PM »

Stitching mainline into leadr braid would be first prize, but not sure whether you can stitch fused line - somehow, I doubt it...

Stan da man · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2013, 09:08:57 PM »

Tried it with the 20lbs Fireline...
very thin and hard to pierce with the needle, so I flattened it by running the braid over the blunt side of a kitchen knife. It was still very thin and the fibers didn't split. After two hours i had 60cm and sore finger tips. Then I stitched the fireline off my reel into the leader for about 20cm. Pulled it as hard I can and it didn't budge at all. Alot of effort for 60cm i tell ya...

Won't it be easier just buying 50lbs braid and using that as a leader????

REEFMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2013, 07:30:21 AM »

Not sure what you're asking Stan?
On 20lb mainline, I do a Bimini and join to 4m of 50lb stitched Braid leader with a CatsPaw. My Braid leader has only about 14 stitches in it - don't know what your'e doing with 60cm?? See the link I posted above?

Stan da man · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2013, 08:13:22 AM »

I'm now so confused....the 4m stitched braid leader only has 14 stitshes??? I put the needle through the braid every couple of mm's. and it took me 2 hours to do 60cm. it was just a test to see if it's possible with the fused braid.
What was asking is can't just buy some 50lbs braid, stitch the line off my reel into that ( as a way to join) and use that sa leader bcause stitching 4meters of that will take me a week!

The way I've got is mainline joined to 4m of stitched breid leader wich is then tied to the fuoro leader...

REEFMAN · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2013, 08:29:34 AM »

sHEESH sTAN...If all else fails, follow instructions!!

Here is the link again..... http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=74.0
This is to make a 4m long Braid leader, that is stitched at one end (using only 14 stitches) into a loop so that you can join it to the Mainline with a CatsPaw knot.

Alternatively, you can take a piece of 50lb Braid (4m long). Stitch it straight to your mainline using about 14 stitches in either side of the tag ends...
Shouldn't take longer than 10 mins?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2013, 09:55:49 AM »

Stan, it seems as if I'm a bit of a numbnut at explaining things, so I drew you a diagram of the alternative method of stitching Braid mainline directly to Braid leader... maybe this will help explain things? Hope so...

REEFMAN · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2013, 12:35:58 PM »

And here is the way to do it by stitching a loop in the leader only. This is the way I do it. Make the Braid leader before hand, keep them in your Tacklebox. If you lose your original, then you can put a new one on at the beach, without having to do the stitches...

Stan da man · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2013, 06:29:05 PM »

Thank you so very much!!!
This is awesome.
Thanks for taking the time to do that drawing...puts everything into perspective.

So the bimini and mod catspaw actually goes through the eyes of the rod??
Next trip to the tackle shop = 50lbs braid. And I have to see if I can teach myself those knots.
SHOT A LOT!!!

REEFMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2013, 06:54:46 AM »

Stefan, no need to buy braid, I have plenty 50lb PowerPro at home which you can have.
You need to make one of the UA socials, can give you a hands-on Tut on how to do everything...
Next one is end November.

Did this tut for you.... http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=15598.0

Stan da man · « **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2013, 10:19:32 PM »

Wow thank you Reefman.
I didn't get you anything...

Appreciate the effort in trying to help a newb. I will try and take all to heart and maybe put a bend in that rod of mine.
Where will the next social take place? Would really like to attend if I can.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2013, 10:24:12 PM »

They're usually at the leeuwkop prison dam in kylami. You must come, they're great fun.

Stan da man · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2013, 07:05:31 AM »

Sounds like the place to be. Count me in.

Stan da man · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2013, 07:10:33 AM »

Picked up the braid from Reefman (legend) yesterday and made me some stitched braid leaders then tried the bimini twist. First attempt epic fail. Watched the video tut and hit it on the second. Looks much harder than it actually is. Then did the mod catspaw. Can't believe how small it is. Awesome.
Couldn't get the 7 turn uni and fig 8 to look as good as the picture so I did it the way a toppie showed me at sodwana. It is the same as the 7 turn uni but I tie the braid and flouro in the same knot. Good looking knot. Does anybody know this knot and can i trust it for strength.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2013, 07:15:41 AM »

Well done Stefan! Was nice meeting you.

Stan da man · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2013, 08:09:01 AM »

Was nice meeting you too dr. Tony. Next time at the social we might even have a beer.
Thanks again for the braid. You say the next trip is to Kosi? Jealous as hell.
Great to be in a place where a newb can get proper info and support from the guys with the know how. Caring is sharing and I'm feeling the love.
Armed with everything I've learnt I'm sure that my blanking streak at the coast will come to an end rather sooner than later.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2013, 08:28:14 AM »

bru!