Author Topic: Surf spinning outfit and Leader assistance please! (Read 6564 times)

Buck · « **on:** April 12, 2012, 09:51:58 PM »

Hi all, this is my first post and I hope there will be many more!
I have decided to invest in the new Waft Iron Feather 11ft6" Spinning rod. With some experienced guidance, I will decide whether to take the 2-4oz or the 3-5oz rod. I have never seen a Waft rod so I realy need your opinion on the rod and what reel to use with it.

I have been spinning succesfully with a Dominator 10ft6 and I love it. Now I want to get a bit more distance, but I don,t want to buy the wrong equipment. My plan is to hunt for kob in the surf this winter.

I also need someone to tell me what sort of (1.)line and (2.)leader to use when I cast the heavy stuff. (3.)How do I knot the leader with minimum damage to guides and (4.)how long should it be.

Please help!

eviltoy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2012, 10:23:27 PM »

I usually fish with a short leader with the knot just outside the eyes. I connect it with a bimini in the braid and a Yucatan connection to the leader

Tommo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2012, 11:15:46 PM »

Hi Buck

good to have you on the site. For the job you are wanting to do with it, I would say the 2-4oz rod would be the one to go for. You don't need a heavy rod to spin for kob, and it will just tire you out, as you must know, spinning is hard work!
I am not familiar with the WAFT rod, but would normally say a reel like the Shimano Stradic 5000 would be ideal for spinning for kob in the surf. It may be on the small side for the rod you have in mind though... If so, maybe look at the 6000.

You can use 20lb braid for surf spinning down there, I am enjoying the new Power Pro slick, it casts very well and is plenty strong. If you go for the bigger reel, then maybe you could up your braid to 30lb, but it will lose you some distance on the cast.

I would recommend using a back to back uni/fig 8 knot, with a 7 turn uni on the braid side and a 3 turn fig8 on the leader side. There is a tutorial under knots on this site to show you how it is done. Use a nice supple leader like Sufix zippy 50lb for the job. I wouldn't cast the knot through the eyes, there is no real need for a long leader for kob spinning, so make your leader just shorter than the drop you use when casting, so that the knot is outside the tip eye on a comfortable cast.

I hope you enjoy your new rod, and remember to look after those kobbies, they won't last forever if they get hammered. Take your one for the pot and let the rest go to fight another day!

Half-Pint · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2012, 06:56:25 AM »

Is the waft for a grinder or a multiplier?

Buck · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:04:14 AM »

Thanks for the reply guys! Specialy so late at night!!!!!

I will have a look at the Power Pro Slick? Who are the agents?
I will have check out the knots for braid, thanks.
I am new to braid fishing and currently use the Viper (multi colour) because it warns me when I am near the front ledges. Will this work for my new venture?
I always take home enough for two mouths. I believe the larger fish should and we should only take one legal size home. Pitty this is not usualy the case all over the coast!

This site is awsome! Good honest genuine assistance!

Buck · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:07:07 AM »

Hey Half-Pint

Waft make rods and have t a new range on the market. The one I am looking at is the 11.6ft Iron feather. Starting at about R2300. Not sure yet though!

Half-Pint · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:12:25 AM »

Hey Buck the reason I ask is that all the advice you have got so far relates to grinders. If the rod is built for a multiplier the advice won't really help

John F · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:14:43 AM »

Quote from: Buck on April 13, 2012, 07:04:14 AM

Thanks for the reply guys! Specialy so late at night!!!!!
This site is awsome! Good honest genuine assistance!

You said it all! Night owls helping with proper advice!

Buck · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:26:38 AM »

Hey Guys,

My goodnes but you don't miss a thing. I am in good hand on this site!!!!!!

Tommo's reply was actually most helpfull. The whole combination and different thoughts on this rig is what I need. I am not dead set on the Waft yet,so I am looking for opinions. Remember I have a 10.6ft rod and reel. I want to go a little bit heavier.

Maybe some more help on braid and reel will assist to put the correct rig together.

Poenskop · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:53:19 AM »

Do yourself a favor and go to Alcocks in Cape road. Speak to them about a Grafcast rod for your application. They will be able to give you good advice as well. The grafcast blanks is awesome.

haakies · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2012, 03:52:38 PM »

Hello Buck.

It may be worthwhile to hang on for a bit. I know that Barry Wareham will soon be stocking an 11 ft Assasin Shore Game Spinning stick that may be just what you are looking for.

Be careful going heavier. To my mind the advantage that spinning tackle has over conventional tackle is the fact that you can fish so light.

In terms of your leader connection I like to use a 7 - 8 slightly heavier braid leader and then a short mono leader on the front that stays outside your guides. There are 2 ways to join the braid leader to your braid. The first is with a stitch and the second is two loops and a modified cats paw. The loops are made by stitching the braid back into itself. My loops are kept very small ie the size of a 10c coin. The join is the almost invisible and you will not detect it going through the guides. The advantage of this over the stitch method is that you are quickly able to put on a new leader if needed given that your loop on the mainline is in tact.

There are then a variety of knots that you can use to join the mono to your braid leader. For ease of tying I like the French Knot. On my heavier set ups I use hollow braid as my leader and then splice my mono leader into it as one would do on the front of a windon.

These connections have yet to fail me.

Kind regards
Anton

Buck · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2012, 04:34:31 PM »

Hi Haakies,

Thank you very much for this good advice. I have not bought anything yet because I am still not convinced. I will definitely check the new assasin rod before buying anything. I was also told that the Blue Marlin 11'6 surf spinning rod will work well. I will check on that one too.

I was hoping that someone would tell me to do this braid to braid extention before the leader, becuase I wanted to do this. Now I know what knots to use!!!!!!

I WILL use this advise! Thank you!

Any advise on the reel to add to this rig

Buck

haakies · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2012, 04:54:25 PM »

It is personal choice really but I like Shimano spinning reels. Stradic FI is good value especially when the drag is upgraded to carbon fibre. It is best to choose the size reel that is well balanced to the rod. In terms of your setup the reel makes up the bulk of the weight. Most rods are under 350grams. Keeping the reel weight down keeps the total weight down. Look at the Shimano website. There is a bog step up in weight from the 5000 to the 6000 size reels.

Poenskop · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:08:40 PM »

Quote from: haakies on April 23, 2012, 03:52:38 PM

Hello Buck.

It may be worthwhile to hang on for a bit. I know that Barry Wareham will soon be stocking an 11 ft Assasin Shore Game Spinning stick that may be just what you are looking for.

Be careful going heavier. To my mind the advantage that spinning tackle has over conventional tackle is the fact that you can fish so light.

In terms of your leader connection I like to use a 7 - 8 slightly heavier braid leader and then a short mono leader on the front that stays outside your guides. There are 2 ways to join the braid leader to your braid. The first is with a stitch and the second is two loops and a modified cats paw. The loops are made by stitching the braid back into itself. My loops are kept very small ie the size of a 10c coin. The join is the almost invisible and you will not detect it going through the guides. The advantage of this over the stitch method is that you are quickly able to put on a new leader if needed given that your loop on the mainline is in tact.

There are then a variety of knots that you can use to join the mono to your braid leader. For ease of tying I like the French Knot. On my heavier set ups I use hollow braid as my leader and then splice my mono leader into it as one would do on the front of a windon.

These connections have yet to fail me.

Kind regards
Anton

Anton

Do you use the stitch for smaller size braids as well? (20lb)

haakies · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:21:06 PM »

I have done 30 lbs often as this is what I fish in the surf. I have not tried 20 lbs yet but I am sure that it is possible so long as you work neatly with a thin needle. Remember in doing the loop you are stitching the braid into itself. There should be no issues with the 20 lbs.

Buck · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:45:53 PM »

Thanks Haakies,

I will check out the site for more details.

Buck

Loganathan · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:51:31 PM »

:shkswm

hi can you explain the Yucatan connection

Lichia amia · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:58:46 PM »

Quote from: Loganathan on April 23, 2012, 05:51:31 PM

:shkswm hi can you explain the Yucatan connection

have a look at http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=84.0

Poenskop · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2012, 06:00:39 PM »

Quote from: haakies on April 23, 2012, 05:21:06 PM

I have done 30 lbs often as this is what I fish in the surf. I have not tried 20 lbs yet but I am sure that it is possible so long as you work neatly with a thin needle. Remember in doing the loop you are stitching the braid into itself. There should be no issues with the 20 lbs.

Loganathan · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2012, 06:03:34 PM »

thanks guys