dt gets a new fishing rod

I decided to get a new rod and reel. I wanted something a little heavier than my "bass rod" that I've been using but not as big as my 30# outfit. Something that I could cast from the beach or pitch a large bait from a boat. I decided on an 8' Shimano Teramar with a Shimano Trinidad TN14.

I was dealing with a young guy that I didn't know, the guy I usually deal with wasn't there. I asked him to spool it with 60# Spectra and we would tie on a 30# leader. Everything went well until he started to tie on the leader. He started to tie a Bimini Twist and I said "lets use an albright so that it will be a smaller knot. He replied that "they would only guarantee a Bimini Twist connection.....I replied "what are you going to do if it fails, give me a fish?"....he didn't even smile, maybe it wasn't funny.

Anyway, I said OK, go ahead. He proceeded to tie a beautiful knot that I knew wouldn't work but no worries, we'll deal with it later.

I tied on a 2oz swim bait and headed to the beach. I tried to cast that thing about a dozen times with no luck. I could have thrown a cat through the rod guides easier than that knot. After one backlash after another I had had enough, I cut it off and tied an Albright.

I noticed that I hadn't trimmed the tag end of the leader as short as I usually do but figured it would be OK. I headed down to the beach and started casting....gently at first....everything seemed OK so I wound up and gave a mighty heave.......as soon as I released my thumb I felt something pop. That long tag caught the first guide and snapped the leader off. I watched helplessly as my lure and leader sailed off into the distance and my new reel puked up about 200 yards of line. I've never seen such a mess.....



I took it home, opened a beer and went to work. I had to take a break or two and drink several more beers but I finally got it untangled.

I haven't used the new rod as much as I thought I would, the old one is so much more "user friendly". Guess I need to suck it up and get used to it.....dt

Life ain't fair! I just bought a Shamano Curado 2007E. Probably too light for your needs but it doesn't back lash period. And I do know how to backlash! There is a larger version that may be lager enough for your needs. It's a bait caster but it out cast my spinning rods. It has really surprised me how well it works.
~~Maybe you could get by with a shorter top shot? I have 20# braided with a 10# 7' leaded and connect it with a loop at each end. So far no breaks or knot failures. I'll let you know how it works if I ever hook a real fish. Like your rooster. What a drag buying the perfect outfit and it wants to be a loom. Well, good luck!

Just read your other post.
Rod: Shimano Teramar 7'6"
Reel: Shimano Curado 300 DSV
Lure: Luhr-Jensen Crippled Herring, 1oz, blue over chrome
Line: 40lb Spectra braid with a 15' top shot of 20lb fluorocarbon.
That should be the up side of mine. I feel for you. It should work like a dream.

[Edited on 11-5-2009 by Russ]

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ Life ain't fair! I just bought a Shamano Curado 2007E. Probably too light for your needs but it doesn't back lash period. And I do know how to backlash! There is a larger version that may be lager enough for your needs. It's a bait caster but it out cast my spinning rods. It has really surprised me how well it works. ~~Maybe you could get by with a shorter top shot? I have 20# braided with a 10# 7' leaded and connect it with a loop at each end. So far no breaks or knot failures. I'll let you know how it works if I ever hook a real fish. Like your rooster. What a drag buying the perfect outfit and it wants to be a loom. Well, good luck! Just read your other post. Rod: Shimano Teramar 7'6" Reel: Shimano Curado 300 DSV Lure: Luhr-Jensen Crippled Herring, 1oz, blue over chrome Line: 40lb Spectra braid with a 15' top shot of 20lb fluorocarbon. That should be the up side of mine. I feel for you. It should work like a dream. [Edited on 11-5-2009 by Russ]

Large Rooster Fish are almost impossible to catch without live bait. That said, there are ways to improve your chances. If they are actively feeding (crashing bait) and your lure happens to get in front of them at that moment (no easy feat) you might get lucky. They can also be competitive with each other so if you find them hunting in a group your chances are better. It is important to give yourself the best chance to get lucky.

Large roosters are very shy. If you throw a lure in front of them close enough to hear it they are gone. I want to give myself the best chance (slim as it is) to catch one.

The braid that I use is white. I think the Roosters can see it. I want to have enough leader (top shot, whatever you want to call it) so that maybe they won't notice the string that it is tied to. Does it work? Maybe.

I've found that if I carefully tie an Albright and trim the tag end on the fluorocarbon leader right at the knot it does just fine. I was throwing a 6oz lure with it today and never had a problem due to my line connection. I had other issues but that's another story. I'm getting better at it and was able to throw that thing farther than I thought possible. Here's a picture of the connection.



I'm sure a short leader could work, you could probably tie your lure straight to the braid and catch one. I think a long top shot of fluoro gives me the best chance for success....dt

Looks like you're ready to slay a 40 pound rooster now. Go get'm dt. Don't for get the camera

Great informatoin, DT. Helps me to be better prepared for my future fishing excursions.
I print this and save it in my yakfishingfile.

It's really blowing here this morning! Average wind speed around 25mph and the high gust was 44! So since I can't fish I'm day dreaming (as usual) about the new reel I ordered. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpageRLCSHIMANO-SC3ER.html... and a longer heaver rod to go with it, of course. I love day dreams. Some how they never reveal that I never catch big fish. And the idea I already have more fishing gear than anyone needs never comes to mind either until after I've placed an order. And I that I just bought a new surf fishing outfit 2 months ago. So this morning I changed my desktop photo ....

I'm an old tyme mono guy, terrified of theses new fangled spectra thingies. I've pondered this connection and searched far and wide for an answer. I admit to knowing nothing about this subject but if I were to use this miracle tackle, I might try this;

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/fishingvideos/videos/103...

BTW - I can't cast a conventional either.....

Russ, the Curado is sweet but requires some maintenance. I've cleaned mine a couple of times but hadn't in a couple of months of almost every day fishing. I noticed that it wasn't working as well as it should so when it refused to go into release mode I took it apart and was pretty embarrassed by what I found.



I must admit that I'm a "ride it hard and put it up wet" kind of guy when it comes to my fishing gear but you can't do that with the Curado. It really isn't a salt water reel and will need to be disassembled and cleaned regularly.

Expect to find the original drag washers fused to the plates the first time you service it. It would be a good idea to get a set of spares for it. I had to scrape mine off with a knife.

After cleaning, lubing and servicing it yesterday this was my reward.



Good luck with the new outfit....dt

dt, I have noticed the Curado needs 5X the service of my other, put away wet, gear. But it is worth the extra time. I'll see if I can order some spare drag washers today. I should be spooling up the new 300 this time next week. I was told it arrived. I tried pushing all the brakes in and instant back lash so with just two brake pieces freed up no more worries. Nice photo
I was hoping to get out in "Got Soap?" this morning but at first light there's a 10mph breeze and building. Maybe mañana.....
Photo of a small grouper I got last time out in the boat.
Eddit:i look inside mine http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=...

[Edited on 11-24-2009 by Russ]