Line weights on the 50w's

[reeltherapy]

Fellas,

I'm getting ready to spool up the reels for swording. Having heard so much about soft mouths, pull outs and the such, no more than 12-15lbs of drag at the fish and long, long runs makes me want to spool up with 50lb. It sounds like a guy could easily get spooled with the heavier weight. Given the soft mouths, is tear out not a bigger issue than break off? Bottom line then, in you seasoned guys opinion, is 50lb to light on the 50w's?

Thanks,
Reeltherapy

[Nightfighter]

I use 700Yds of 100# power pro & +-200 yds of 60#-80# mono top shot, on my 50SW's
If you are going with only mono you want as much as you can get on it, in that case go with 50#.
Don't be scared to put the heat on her, up to 22# of drag, if she is stripping you.
Better to lose it in the first 20 min. than lose her after a few hours. irat:
Opinions will varry

[swordfish123]

I agree, If you want to go with all Mono, get Momoi Diamond 50#, I think its actual breaking strength is around 83lbs, but it has the same diameter.

If you want to spool up with any kind of spectra, I highly recommend Jerry Brown 80 or 130. I go with 700 yards of 130 with a 100yrd topshot of Diamond 80 (actual breaking around 100)

The only problem with fishing the 12-15lb drag is that you risk a big fish taking it to you and getting spooled. You can put 1100 Yards of JB 80 on a Penn 50W, and 1300 on a Shimano50W. (800 and 1000 of 130 respectively)

Those capactities for spectra are based on a 30ft topshot. So adjust accordingly.

Just some ideas. If you want to pursue spectra, contact Tek at Reel Pro Shop.
www.reelproshop.com

[quack quack]

If you go with mono step up to 60lb. I have my 50ws filled with 130lb jerry brown hollow core. 1000yds with short top shot of 50yd of 130 flouro. I fish short leaders on ballbearing snaps about 8ft 200-300lb. If you like a lighter drag thats ok but with 50lb mono you cant put the heat on if you need to :sad: With the heavy braid you can sock it up if you have to and still have lots of line cap.
as NF said opinions will varry

[Islander]

If mono, Momi Diamond High vis 50# attached to a wind-on (200-300#) leader. Strike drag set at 16# on all of the 50w's.

Jerry Brown Hollow core spec, JB 130 # with 100 yds of Momoi 50 # High-vis W/ wind-on leader.

Cortland hollow core spec. 80 # w/ 100 yds of Momoi 50# High-vis W/ wind-on leader.
* The reason I use Cortland in the 80# is because it is considerable less than the JB hollow core in the 80#. It is almost twice the cost of the JB 130.

[Nick C]

80lb Hollow core JB, Power Pro or Cortland(dang I wish I was still on thier prostaff) spliced into 100-300 yards of 80 diamond.
That's the way to go!

And I've fished 10lbs of drag and 20lbs of drag... if fishing J hooks go with the heavy drag! Like Night Fighter said, better to lose one after 10 minutes than 3 hours(been there done that )

[reeltherapy]

Having not been out there at night, I was wondering, is it better to have your main moss green and your topshot hi vis or does it really make any difference. Just thinkin you'd kinda know where you were when the yellow showed up? Maybe this is insignificant??? Your thoughts...

[RiskTaker]

Reeltherapy:

I suppose you are just chomping at the bit to get some new lines wet and have a swordfish at the other end. Your line selection is one of the more controversial topics. If not controversial, many anglers prefer their own style. Indeed you have choices. So you must pick one method, or mix and match if you like. But you would probably be less scattered with your mindset if you choose to do all of your swordfishing reels by the same method. Again, your call.

I have had wire, monofilament, solid core power pro spectra, hollow core spectra, top shots, mixed spools and wind-on leaders on my reels during my fishing journey to date. At this point in time I have settled into a preferred configuration, which I will share with you.

With swordfishing definitely being in mind and IGFA compliance not, I have intentionally chosen to use 130# all Jerry Brown Hollow core spectra on my Penn 50 TW (wide) conventional reels, topped with a 50-60 ft. wind-on of 200# Momoi diamond. That's all. But I am still flexible to reconfigure. I can just as easy pop-off a wind-on and add a deep drop chicken rig, or put on a much lighter monofilament for Tuna fishing or regular bottom fishing where I would prefer for my mono to break first anyway.

This is my personal choice which I will also share with you, my reasons why. I am also content with the fact that other anglers have other preferrences such as all mono, or specctra backer with mono top-shot, etc. That is fine with me and I will not try to make people change their ways. Because others are absolutely right with their choices too. Monofilament continues to work just fine and "d"Ande, even in the year 2006. But with the advent of super-filaments, we have more choices. But if you agree with all of my reasons maybe you would see it that way too.

I chose Jerry Brown Hollow core 130# initially because of price: a 2500 yd. spool of JBHC-130 is about $275 where a 2500 yd. spool of JBHC-80 is about $475. So for economics you can spool 3 - 50 wides with 830 yds. each for about $100 each. With the other configuration you could be looking at 2 reels with 1200 yds. for about $250 each.

After some further thought, I realized, or justified, that the 130# may have actually been a better choice even if price was not such a weighting factor.

The 130# HC is more comfortable on your hands.

With 130#, you can actually, keep the drag "heat" on a fish with your 50 lb. class reel even if you have all of your line in the water. (Remember if you are fishing with 50 lb. mono, your drag setting at full may only be 22-30 lbs. , with a full spool. With an empty spool coupled with all of that line drag from the saltwater, 50 lb. line would pop somewhere, and most likely where you may have a knot or small abrasion, etc. So yes, you have a lot a drag flexibility in a 50 wide if you over-test the line. (Put it on a Shimano Tiagra LRS and you are king flexibility.)

(Do yourself a favor and don't make line decisions based upon the softmouth situation of swordfish. Yes, they do have soft mouths and I have landed at least one fish hooked in the soft spot between the lower jaw bone and several foul hooked somewhere in the skin away from the mouth. We would have lost those fish for sure if it was pulled in with a lot of drag. But many fish are jaw hooked where this rational does not apply. It is angler's choice to take that chance or not (gentle drag or lots of heat. But you have choices available to you.)

Hollow core is spliceable and may last many fishing seasons, if you like. This is probably the single most compelling reason why I have chosen: first spectra over mono and also Hollow core over solid core. Knots will typically be weaker connections than any other unblemished place in the line. Over-rating lines, to the reel class, can compensate to increase the strength of the weakest link, like the knot. But with the intended use of Hollow core, knots have been replaced with splices and terminal sliced loops. Splices are 100% with no strength degradation from the stated test. As a matter of fact splices may actually be stronger than a single strand of line since a splice is actually a section of a double piece of line, so suffice it to say 100% is the best you can get. You are now narrowed down to nicks and abrasions for weak links.

With seemless spliceability, knots are not recommended and any line defect can be clipped out of the line and perfectly spliced back to gether again. (What do you do with mono? Cut off the defect and re-tie with a knot. Or if that is unacceptable to a particular person, one may respool with fresh mono. To save money there, you may just replace a top shot to replace a shorter piece. In that case what would you have underneath a top shot? Could be some spectra line to pack on a little more capacity. Possibly solid core, or even hollow core. But here we are back to something other than mono again. Or you have accepted the knot(s) as a weaker link in a long line.

Thinness of the line is also a consideration. You have less drag in the water. Good for some deeper bottom fishing or great for electric reels for deep drop. But that is a different subject since I am focusing on hand crank 50 wides for general trolling, bottom and drift fishing.

Lack of stretch - the spectra lines may only stretch about 3% making them ideal for fishing sensitivity or yanking a fish from structure on the bottom. If you insist on having stretch, you can most likely accomodate that with a suitable wind-on leader or a top shot. Generally monofilament may stretch up to 50%. So if you had a 100 ft. top shot you could get up to a maximum of 50 ft. of stretch. To me, if you need stretch it would be nice to know how much is enough stretch. Certainly

edit - had to stop and get business done and send off message, as is, late in day. So pretty much there you have it. Those are my reasons for using JBHC 130# and yes the color choice I have picked is Hi-Viz Gold too.

Good luck Mon. >----^-.---- If you don't catch one here maybe

the herd's down by Kingston by now.

Jerry - Whats the word from the King's town?

[Nick C]

Originally Posted by reeltherapy

Having not been out there at night, I was wondering, is it better to have your main moss green and your topshot hi vis or does it really make any difference. Just thinkin you'd kinda know where you were when the yellow showed up? Maybe this is insignificant??? Your thoughts...

High vis is so much easier to see when chasing a fish at night! I like it for that reason.
I have white backing and Hi vis Top shot... very easy to see.

[Islander]

Reeltherapy,

RT makes some very good and valid points that I agree with ( like that matters) line selection can very controversial as is light selection :lol: I apologize for my earlier brief post but I and not the silver finger tipped devil RT is

Witch ever system you choose try and stay with it on all your outfits it will cut down on tangles while trolling or drifting. I have personally used the Dacron-top shot method for over 20 years with great results I have just recently changed to JB Hollow Core, due in fact to conversations with RT and other members of this forum and I am extremely happy with the change. I currently am using the JB 130# rather than the 80 # spec. not because of cost but because of it larger diameter, much easier on the finger during retrieval of line.

Main line diameter and line capacity and stretch have always been a concern of mine, I try and achieve the highest capacity of line with least amount of resistance in the water while not giving up on line test. The mono top-shoot affords me a little stretch, the reason I choose Momoi I find it don't stretch as much and is more abrasion resistant than other brands I have used in the past.

Using the the JB-HC to a top-shoot with a wind-on leader all being loop connections allows us to be very versatile with our set ups. It's not uncommon for us to troll for dolphin in the afternoon, Swordfish that night and run for yellow fin tuna in the AM with just the change of the wind-on's

The High-Viz line allows for good visual reference to where the lines are during the day and even more so at night making maneuvering the boat to the fish a whole lot easer.

The reason I use a top-shot is just a hold over from my trolling for tuna and wahoo. I tend to troll a bit faster than the norm, use a higher drag setting so when you have a boat speeding in one direction and a hot fish going in the other something has to give. The reason I use a higher drag setting as stated before is if the hook hasn't found a good purchase on a fish I want to know it now not one,two or even three plus hours into a Battle.

Wind-on's now here is one that get people going. I use them for three reasons, first Its a safety thing for me, it allows the angler to reel the fish to boat side for a grab and gaff or dart with no loose line coiled up on deck but I still have the option to wire the fish if need be. Second I can use shorter leaders on my baits and lures again keeping the pit clean when I have to clear lines in a hurry, and three it also makes storing the rigs allot easer.

I have just recently gone over to the dark side (damn I've got to get back in the sun I'm white as a ghost) so I am by no means a sword guru.....yet . The one thing can share with you is when it comes to terminal tackle this is not the place to scrimp or get lazy,spend extra money it takes to buy quality products and taking the time to prig properly because your only as good as your weakest link

Like every one has said not one way works for everyone. This way works for me until I find something better and I am always looking.

Good luck and welcome to the Dark side of Life

[reeltherapy]

Well guys,

Tons of thanks to you for allowing me to pick your brains on the matter. I wound up going with 100lb hi vis braid and 80lb Momoi flourescent yellow for the topshot , 300lb stainless bb swivel, 8' 250 clear mono leader and 10/0 mustads at the end. Now if I could just get out of this deep freeze out here in the Rockies and get down there to the boat I'd be set for a good thaw!!!

Keep posting those pics. At 18 below zero, it's sure nice to see what you're bringing to the bank down there in the Banana belt! Can hardly wait to get back down!
Roger

[RiskTaker]

Good Job Roger:

Hey guys crank up the banana winds and get that man a boat drink.

Hang in there Roger, don't get cabin fever. Don't forget to inspect your freezer and bring all the frozen Elk you've got.

We don't have too much of that, in these parts. And besides you're going to have to make room for all of that swordfish and other scalefish you will be latching on to.

After the banana winds blow, things should settle down and you will have calm seas for your drifts out around the 50.

We'll keep a bottle of Cabo Wabo in the freezer as a constant reminder of just how cold below 0 is IS. It'll be right next to the frozen Margarita mix so that we can whip up a nice boat drink to savor those briny breezes, with wafts of seared swordfish flavors drifting through the white coated "coral rock" backyard.

Enjoy the thaw. :razz: RT

[jerry]

RT, are you gonna drink or fish? Maybe a little of both.

[RiskTaker]

Jerry:

I am moving over the ocean like a song. So these choices are usually conditional upon what I can get my hands on at any given moment in time.

If I am on a boat - I fish
If I have a rod in my hand - I catch
If I am near the right mix of ingredients - I drink
If I am holding a woman - I love her.
If I have a plate with some freshly seared swordfish - I eat.

If I can get my ticket to KIN - I shake your hand, we prep the boat, land a swordfish while hearing that Tiagra squauk, I show you how a real Mojito is made or just pop a few red stripes, and we finally settle down and sear some nice yellow eye snapper (since the swordfish are not ready yet). We'll leave the description of the women out of this thread.

This is a serious fishing forum. :lol:

[reeltherapy]

Well RT & Islander,

With the Mahi all gone, a little snapper left but no Swordfish steaks, I'm counting on this May trip to turn things around! I guess I'll have to thaw out some calf Elk tenderloin for supper. Them horns are nice to look at but tuff to chew on. Cows are better but a calf, now you're talkin. Since a medium sized calf would equals 2 or 3 deer, you still get a fair amount of meat but oh boy!!!! that's the crem dela crem! Anymore, I'm committed to taking the bow and knocking them right off the udder if I can. Anything with horns less than a 5x5 we let walk. Good for the herd. Anyway, I'll probably be back down at West Palm (Singer Island) in July. Maybe if I brought some nice elk steaks, some of you guys might go out swording with us one evening. Make some good friends and who knows, you might even come out west sometime and go on a bow hunt with me!

I've gott run, I have some questions about lights. Will put a post together later. Thanks again fellas for being so much help!
Flat seas & Tight lines 2ya

[jerry]

I hear ya, I hear ya. Besides women other than my wife are banned on the boat. She does have some cute friends though so I let her make up the crew list when we are headed for the beach.

[Islander]

Reeltherapy, Nice choice, all you have to do now is get tight.........on a fish that is.....on second thought, 18 below zero !!!!!!!!!!! That is insane man you'd have to be tight to deal with that. You'd better check for holes in you freezer. Oh by the way make mine a Run & Coke w/ a twist of lime :lol:

QUOTE: reeltherapy
I've gotta run, I have some questions about lights.

RT, behave now :lol: Hey speaking of lights I just got a hold of a swordlight with a purple/blue bulb, it docent seem to be that bright thought. I have not fished it as of yet. have you use this combo before?

[reeltherapy]

:Islander
Hey speaking of lights I just got a hold of a swordlight with a purple/blue bulb, it docent seem to be that bright thought. I have not fished it as of yet. have you use this combo before?

Islander,
I'm no sounding board yet. I need guidance on lights myself from you fellas who are in the know on these swords. I have a good 4' Hydo Glow. I'm wondering until I've been a few times, will the 4"cylume sticks do fine. They seem to be reasonable. If memory serves me correct, about 17.50 for a 50 pack. I was thinking green and blue. Does that make sense? I'm thinking of rubber banding at the swivel just above the leader, say 10' from the squid. Sound right? Gosh, my fever is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JahMussa]

Originally Posted by Islander

Hey speaking of lights I just got a hold of a swordlight with a purple/blue bulb, it docent seem to be that bright thought. I have not fished it as of yet. have you use this combo before?

The Purple UV color isn't the brightest around the boat as compared to other colors but it does travel the furthest through the water. For instance, it you put a blacklight poster way way way out there... you would see it reflecting back at you which says that the light is actually traveling that distance.

It's also the easiest on the eyes regarding your night vision. Wait until you see a Swordy swim through the light and how it lights up!

[reeltherapy]

RPS,


Thanks for the notes, I'll check it out!
Reel Therapy[/url]