Stopping big fish in shallow water
Hello, just wondering if I can get some tips on stopping large fishies in less that 20m of water?
Yesterday we fed a live sargeant baker down on 30lb braid and saw a whitish shape take it about 10m down. The initial take was a screaming run until the braid was cut by what I assume was the reef. Leader, swivel and everything gone.
Later in the day a 40lb bottom outfit was smoked on the initial run, again with the braid cut cleanly. 3m 60lb leader, swivel eveything gone. No sign that the knot failed with the braid coming back like it was cut with scissors.
These cut-offs didn't even feel like the rods had even loaded up fully.
Any suggestions?
Do I let them run and wait to retrieve line or try and lock up on them and keep them away from the bottom?
Also had large sambos happy to visibly eat cubes in the berley trail and not touch the cubes with hooks in them. Are sambos fussy when the water is really clear?
Cheers,
Mike.
sunshine
Posts: 2554
Date Joined: 03/03/09
That is the issue with using braid
Under tension if it comes into contact with reef or even another braid line it fails in an instant - lost a very large (called for a dhuie) Saturday when the hooked fish took the line around a second rod we are trying to retrieve to clear the arena for a clean fight - has many benefits but abrasion resistance sure as hell aint one of them
Mike74
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 16/03/09
Go heavy
As suggested by Walfootrot (a week or so ago), fish a heavy breaking strain with a lightish drag, when the bigger fish hook up simply turn up the pain and pull it backwards.
Evolution 552X Platinum
Broady
Posts: 131
Date Joined: 16/01/13
Also check everything
I would think reef cutoffs would be on the leader or maybe the leader isn't long enough - I run a flurocarbon leader twice rod length on my jigging outfits.
That said, if you haven't already check everything between the reel and your knot. Small cracks on your guides can be found really easily using old stockings, check the roller on the reel, and check the spool for bumps and scrapes that may catch the line.
About twelve months ago with a very new rod I had the same issues losing four good fish in two trips. I went through all of the above but eventually discovered I had a bad batch of line - not a cheap braid either but a top shelf name brand 8 strand. I had convinced myself my PR knot tying was flawed and maybe the tag of the leader was putting a sharp edge to the braid. Tied a few and tested (always good practice) and the line was snapping 1 - 2 feet from the knot without a lot of pressure applied. Changed the line and not a single issue since.
Otherwise apply the tips above - good advice.
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
perhaps go light on the drag?
perhaps go light on the drag? less pressure on the fish it may not take off at 100mph for the bottom, get out to a less nasty location and by then you'll have a better angle on the line, bring up the tension and fight away. I'm sure there is a few line class guru's on here who might have some ideas
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
If you are able, you can
If you are able, you can chase them in the boat, this can get you a better angle and potentially avoid being reefed. Of course it depends on the location, bottom conditions, how you are fishing etc.
If you can feel your line on the reef, backing way off on the drag might get you out of trouble in a pinch, you can always recover the line.
Failing that, the only real option is to go heavier and stop them quickly. I recently spent a week fishing for GT's in the Coral Sea; I know not exactly the same but big sambos are not dissimilar to big GT's. The only way to stop them getting into the reef was heavy gear - 100lb braid, 200lb leader, Stella 18000's with fully locked drags.
rooboy111
Posts: 117
Date Joined: 08/01/10
I've lost so many fish on
I've lost so many fish on five fathom bank, exactly like what you described.
I would also love to learn how to stop those big boys !
I just upgraded to 60lb fins braid and 120lb leader hoping that may work.
One day I'll be a good fisherman ........
ricey
Posts: 734
Date Joined: 24/12/09
what brand braid?
Even 40lb shouldn't break like that. I suggest cheap braid with weak spots could be the problem.
Wise man says - first take the plank out of your own eye before trying to take the speck out of somebody else's.
Paul_86
Posts: 1449
Date Joined: 27/03/09
Not ideal if your anchored
Not ideal if your anchored up, but following the fish once hooked and staying on top of it helps. Also long mono leader
Rozza87
Posts: 72
Date Joined: 12/03/13
+2 for it sounding like bad
+2 for it sounding like bad braid
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
what knot you using
what knot you using
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I run about 5m of 60 lb
I run about 5m of 60 lb fluorocarbon leader and still get busted off before I can put the brakes on.... I call them for baldies. run like hell straight away and head for the nearest reef.
Fish! HARD!