Redweiser

I'll have to get back to you Mon on rods, I'm packing to go fishing. BTW ... Upgrading drag washers on your Baitrunners will boost the drag to about 26+ lbs.

I bow to you Lu, that test would put many different stresses on all the tackle and rod holder ... like a big fish.

I will find out about the Samurai braid's strength//knot strength and spooling capacity when I receive it. I have 5 reels spooled with Daiwa 70 lb P-5 multi-color, it tested well lifting 50 lbs of dead weight ... didn't go any further. The Samurai braid is .002" smaller in dia, 70 is the same size as Spider Wire's Invisi-Braid listed size for their 65 lb.

Thanks Lu, I think I'll give my Stradic's a try with Carbontex drag washer 30% upgrades , I ordered washers from Smooth Drag. 250 yds of 65 PP is borderline for what I want, Daiwa advertises their Samurai braid at about 20% smaller than PP. I got in touch with Jeff at www.anglersystems.com and ordered two 1500 yd spools (55 & 70 lb) at a good price. I'll just have to start testing line//knot strength and spool capacity to see. The 70 lb should spool about 300 yds, 55 about 400. Leaving for 5 days of fishing Wed, I'll test next week.

Hey Rick , Don't get me wrong on the Pflueger Medalist reels, a 6070 might work for me for line capacity but 26 oz unspooled is a little more weight than I'm looking for. Do you happen to know where I can find drag specs on these reels? I can't find them anywhere ... not even on the Pflueger site. Thanks Red

Ever think about going to Carbontex drag washers or the next size larger reel? Conventional reels shouldn't be thumbed or spinners palmed for more drag. On the other hand ... Fly reels have to be palmed because they don't have drag capabilities but it takes a while to get it down right for working large fish. My daughter dosen't do too bad with a fly rod.

I've been using the old FA's for years, can't wear'em out but I do upgrade all my Shimano's with Carbontex drag washers before they're mounted on a rod - increases drag 30 %. Rick, I don't fight a fish using that much drag, just use it to stop a hard running fish before he spools you ... with my knees locked in against the boat ... holding on with the rod tip pointed at'em. If I stop'em I ease off the drag to fight'em or my little skinny ass would go overboard.

My favorite is also a Spheros 14000 for YF / Sailfish .. weight 2 lbs spooled with 400+ yds 65 lb PP .. 44 lbs drag. I'm in the process of building a lightweight 2 piece 9' rod for Sails in Guatemala. I'm testing a 8000 Stradic on YF in the Gulf ... 1 1/4 lbs spooled with 250+ yds 65 lb PP .. 29 lbs drag. A Lamiglas rod blank weighs 5 1/2 oz before assembly.

How about some spec's on some of these reels. Weight .... line capacity ... gear ratio ... max drag. Then someone can make a comparison.

(Should have said Spinning Reels) True, conventional Penn Int's/ Shimano Tiagra's hold up well if taken care of ... I use them. Heavy drag $$ spinning reels are more of a problem for me ... they upgrade quite often

Good custom (USA) rods, Seeker/Grafighter blanks seem to last forever ... on the other hand high $$ reels are usually upgraded yearly losing their value .... ??

You must be fishing in the wrong place. Look up the TAC stats for the Texas 9 mi boundry.

Well ... you are in Texas ... you're able to keep'em ... we're blowing out and killing tons of 15-20 lb snapper here.

Star drags work well for someone who knows what he's doing and not putting a thumb on the spool ... that goes for LD's too. With LD's you can preset drag but you have to use a baseball bat to whack people with heavy thumbs. 2¢ Red

The guys in the Bahamas love the high speeds for wahoo (18 kts). Made a few up ... we'll give'em a little try when running between the rigs.

I rig a few of those too.

I picked up four new 8' soft birds on eBay for $1.99 ea (free shipping) ... couldn't resist. Now I have to figure out how I'll rig these motor scooters for Venice. Unending options ... Single ... 1 Chase Bait ... or Daisy-Chain.

Good luck guys ... we're not doing well with Dr Crabtree over this way.

Just wait a few hours ... things will change. COASTAL WATERS FROM THE SOUTHWEST PASS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER LA FROM 20 TO 60 NM- 331 PM CDT WED APR 15 2009 SATURDAY SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 9 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. SUNDAY SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

We've just been laying back waiting on better fishing conditions, should be happening soon. Let us know when you'll be heading back this way for a break, we'll give it a shot. Red

Hey Al, Not as of yet ... but on a thirsty day in Venice ... a possibility. Red

I purchased 6 somewhere on the web last year ... about $10. a pk. You can rig'em many ways.

A one time lure ... kings/wahoo usually destroy with one hit, but they work. I rig a few from scratch ... less $$.

Not a thread stealer Wiley ... Just a reply to a new poster. Yep .... You can't beat it, all the Capt's there are great ... Capt Jason Brice in pic.