and if it helps the combo will mainly be used for jigging purposes only. im unsure what other fishing it would be good for, maybe trolling for tuna??

the high speed is better for popping, lower for jigging.

you could also use it to throw lures (metal slices) at tuna etc, depending on where you fish.

Most guys here jig with bigger reels like a Stella SW20000 / Saltiga Expedition etc  for sambos. Particularly if you are going out on a charter, they aren't real happy with people jigging up sambos on lighter gear as it takes longer to land, people get less time fishing and so on.

Rule of thumb is 80lb line on the charters.

I'd go with the low gear ratio Catalina 4500.

More cranking power than a high gear ratio reel. Alot more versatile, you can use it for other purposes as well. 

i'm confused

if you pump and wind when fishing , then the reel is just gathering line

do you use the reel to crank the fish up and not the rod??

well...you are gaining more line than what your rod can lift. Also there's alot more stess on the gears if you try to wind with a high gear ratio reel.

Think of it as the gear box in your car. You wouldnt try to take off in 3rd gear.

A short jig rod will only lift about 40-50cm of line per jig and you are winding continously. A high speed reel will pick 50% more line, so it'll be quicker than you can jig. Too hard to get a rhythm going, thats why I use low gear ratio reels to jig.

ahh

ok. cheers honsu

thanks for the help guys. looks like ill go with the low speed 4500, spool it up with 60lb jigging braid and ill be set!

was contemplating upgrading to the 6500 catalina but i recon the 4500 should be enough line capacity provided i spool it with a thin diameter braid!

If you want line capacity, look for PE4 size line. You'll get all 300m of it on the spool....just. PE 5 or 6 will only get 230-260m

thanks oceanside.

what are your recommendations for jigs over there? i want to grab a few around 300-400gm, unsure of brands and colours though. is there any particular ones i should be looking at? generally with any kind of lure i like blue colours for some reason.

the saltiga sacrifice jigs look nice but are obviously a bit more expensive than some of the other ranges....

i know bluejuice have replacement jigs on board at around $15 each, but are they any good or just cheapies and i should bring my own spares along???

You can either use the charter's or get some of your own once you're over here. No point carrying jigs over. 300-400gm are good sizes, usually long skinny jigs are the go. Zest super deep 300-400gm, R2S Zero droppers 370gm and many others to choose from.

thanks honsu, what bout in regards to colours do you have any preference?

do you know what jigs they have on board bluejuice by any chance?

Nah I dont know what they got. Sambos are not fussed with colours. Just go what looks good to you..hehe

bluejuice use william abyss jigs. 300-400g.

I'd suggest getting a variety - no point spending big bucks on good quality jigs. Sharks are always a problem (well at least last season).

As honsu mentioned - colours are colours... the sambos won't be fussed at what you drop to them - just make sure you can give the jig some action.

I'd suggest spooling your 4500 with as much braid as possible (perhaps upgrading the size). I fished the 200m mark on a few occassions (include drift - you'd potentially have 250m of line out at once).

And as huggy mentioned - charter blokes don't like people using light gear.

just a few more considerations anyway. 

daz.

thanks dazsam, do you have any suggestions in regards to cheap effective jigs? had a look online at the williamson abyss jigs but they are only rated u to 9oz (255gm) and cant find any heavier??? i like the river2sea knife jigs but they seem a bit on the expensive side along with the daiwa sacrifice.

not sure of other brands though...?

ill be running 60lb braid on the catalina so should be ample along with a rod rated to 330gm jig. do you consider this light tackle for sambos?

found this tackleshop online... campbells pro tackle, i believe it is a WA franchise?!

they got river2sea knife jigs 300 and 400gm pre-rigged with assist hook for $17.50 and $19.95 respectively, seems like a reasonable price with only $10 postage within australia.... dont know what size assist hooks they come with though??

http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=2782

http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=3710

river2sea knife jigs are good. $15-$20 bucks is about the RRP for these jigs. Best just to buy your jigs over here rather than spending more on the postage cost. I generally buy my jigs from the local tackleworld blokes.

60lb isn't light in my opinion. I used a PE6 outfit last season (shimano 8000 sized reel). If you've got confidence in your knots & technique, there's no reason why you won't be able to work the fish up fast & furious (keep in mind sambos dish out what you dish out to them... i.e. give em sh!t... they'll give u the same.

Where are you coming from & when are you arriving?

daz.

thanks mate, provided i find a thin diameter line the setup with 60lb braid shouldnt be an issue. just gotta practice my knots as im not used to rigging up this heavy. from what i understand braid to 130lb leader with bimini twist + albright knot. then leader to swivel with a crimp (people tell me not to tie a knot) and then to a split ring???/

thanks for the info, we have a day up our sleeve before the charter so might shop around then! we are coming from SA and fishing late december. i was told the sambos are around between novermber-february so just picked a random date halfway!

I wouldn't suggest using a albright... an improved albright is more ideal if you're going down that track - but it's a chunky knot. I'd suggest tying a bimini & simply using a loop to loop (catpaw) connection onto a wind on leader (only use quality wind-on's).

I personally use a PR knot, but before this, I used the wind-on leader technique.

No need to crimp... just use a uni knot. I use uni knots up to 200lb. Very easy & strong.

Let me know when you're arriving & perhaps I'll join you on a charter.

Daz.

Bimini, GT knot, 2m ~100lb leader, Uni knot to jig.

thanks guys

how many twists in the bimini??

I do 70 twists

just gotta remeber to use a foot with a sock on to tension the twist - and leave rod in holder with heaps of drag on

Anybody used cheap chrome spanners from Bunnings etc? They are supposed to go pretty good.

Cheers
Dale

.

purchased the rod -  catalina 56S-8/10 rated to 330gm jig - but still undecided on what reel to go with now.

Tossing up between the Catalina 4500 vs 6500... im leaning more to the 6500 and running 80lb braid through it, would this be a more appropriate set-up taking into account the rating of the Catalina Rod????

Either reel is gonna be fine. And yes I'd go the 6500 size and run PE6 (max 80lb).

thanks honsu, appreciate the advice looks like 6500 with 80lb it will be!

what assist hooks do you guys recommend?

i have a few packs of Saltiga Long 7/0's but im looking for a few 9/0's but they dont come in the saltiga range. i also have 5/0 saltiga's but i have a feeling the hooks will be a tad too small?

what brands are strong & reliable that have 9/0's, or will 7/0 assist hooks be big enough?

the gamakatsu's have bigger hooks ive found but they seem too short for 300-400gm jigs and are quite more expensive than the daiwa's.

you want the hook sitting around 1/3 to 1/2 way down the jig is that correct??

kevlar loop jig hooks (5/0).

And I wouldn't be too fussed about hanging them that low for sambos. Here are 2 of my jigs.

Just remember to crush the barbs for easy removal.......

thanks huggyb.

are they owners?

so obviously 5/0's are a suitable size then for the sambos!

they is the owner hooks.

You can go bigger, but I found 5/0's adequate. More experienced jiggers may chime in with opinions otherwise.

good post this, got some valuable info

Yeh keep it simple, cords around 10-12cm long is more than adequate. Owners are the best off the shelf to use and not overly expensive. Bloody strong hooks as well. I usually use 6/0s or bigger, mainly for sambos coz its easier to get the hook out and wider gape gives it more secure hookup.

Thing is I choose the hook 'gape' size to suit the jigs. In this case, doesnt have to be huge as the jigs of choice are usually long and slim.

thanks.

so a wide gape hook would be something lihe the Gamakatsu's ive found the hooks on them are very wide.

lookin for some owners online but cant seem to find any of the ones im after. do any of you have a website for purchasing them online?

 tackle stores here in SA have minimal jigging gear and my local hasnt re-stocked their gear despite putting in an order couple months ago...

doubt ill have time over there to pop into a tackle shop and plus i like to come kitted up with everything already so odnt have to rush around to find things.

Bluewater: http://www.bluewater.net.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_393_315&sort=2a&filter_id=409

Campbells: http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/cats/terminal.asp#cat137

 Motackle: http://www.motackle.com.au/index.cfm?pr=catalogue&category_id=348

You can also ring the site sponsors Oceanside (9337 5682) or Tackleshack (9248 3800) and I'm sure they could help you out with a delivery.

found some owners at a local tackleshop so added a few 7/0 and 9/0's to the collection.

as it stands just waiting for the rod & reel on order but all the terminal stuff is ready to go.

saltiga 7/0 and 5/0 assists

owner 7/0 and 9/0 assists

130lb wind-on leaders

crimping tools

swivels

river2sea knife jigs and sea rock jigs - 300 and 400gm

jig carry bag

split rings

solid rings

split ring pliers

should be about all, just gotta practice my bimini twists!!

thanks for all the help guys