Casting

I'm in the process of aquiring two dropshots setups - a 7ft ML action rod and a 8ft H action rod. I'm going to have around 10lb braid on the ML rod and around 20lb braid on the H rod.

From what I have read and seen regarding leaders, the most popular is around 1 - 1.5m and that the leader doesn't go past your tip eye. In other words, you cast with your finger on braid. From my freshwater experience this is okay with light weights, but with the heavier weights of 1.5oz - 2oz I'm not sure. Do you use a casting glove or hope your cast goes smoothly and doesn't cut you? I prefer asking as opposed to finding out for myself. The cuts you get from bad mono casts are painful and iritating enough!
 

camo shorts

Senior Member
I've used 8lbs fireline upto 30lbs braid on my dropshot kits, with 30-100cm fluoro leaders, never entering tip eye. No casting glove when using grinder, sometimes use a 3oz spoon when spinning for elf.
My recommendation would be to wear a bucket as when a 50cm+ steamer grabs that prawn lure, your ribs take a hammering, and you forget about line cuts/burns
 

Def-e-nition

Sealiner
what about using that iron finger thing ?
i found on saturday that letting go with a solid ripper tends to try and remove my finger print on my left index finger ...
 

mnyamane

Senior Member
Alternatively, cut a small piece of a bicycle tire tube the size of your finger and out in your finger. I use that, it works.
 

Michel

New member
I am a big dropshot fan and use 10 - 25Lbs fireline with a 11f Poseidon or a range of excellers and man does my finger take a hamering on casting, the fireline is so thin and if that line starts sliding on your finger with a heavy jig end on the end of the line I hope you have some plasters in your kit! I have bought a pair of gloves from Kings in Durban and it set me back about 400 bucks but my left hand thumb has been thanking me ever since!! also helps when tying fluro leaders to the braid, and then when you do catch something it also gives you a good grip on the fish especially when fishing off the rocks!
Been using them on the jet ski also and was a great investment!
My POV anyway
Good luck!
 

aquadementia

Sealiner
when throwing a 2oz+ triton bullet spoon or 2oz benthos jig on my 9ft ugly stik using 14lb fireline I can throw as hard as I want and my fingers fine. Just make sure you have a very firm grip before you cast and use a long drop. The smoother the cast, the more evenly the pressure builds and the less likely it is to jerk out and cut your fingerprint off ;) lol Stu
 

Fluffy

Senior Member
I have burnt my fingers more on grinders then on multipliers!!!!wihtout the use of braid.thats ounch.dont even wana know with braid on a grinder.
 

Simen

Sealiner
Stefan Engelbrecht wrote:
I'm in the process of aquiring two dropshots setups - a 7ft ML action rod and a 8ft H action rod. I'm going to have around 10lb braid on the ML rod and around 20lb braid on the H rod.

From what I have read and seen regarding leaders, the most popular is around 1 - 1.5m and that the leader doesn't go past your tip eye. In other words, you cast with your finger on braid. From my freshwater experience this is okay with light weights, but with the heavier weights of 1.5oz - 2oz I'm not sure. Do you use a casting glove or hope your cast goes smoothly and doesn't cut you? I prefer asking as opposed to finding out for myself. The cuts you get from bad mono casts are painful and iritating enough!

Suggest some sort of protection, its not the one cast you make that cuts your finger when using a grinder, its the one where you forget to tighten the drag after fighting a fish that cuts the finger when the spool rotates during the cast.

Once cut that's the end of the days fishing, the line tends to slip into this cut time and again.

Dont go to extremes, piece of plaster, insulation tape, glove etc all work.

 
 
I like the idea of a casting glove the most. What make of glove or specific glove do you recommend that works for you?

Gardner, a freshwater tackle company, have a nice casting glove that only has the casting finger enclosed and the other fingers are open from the knuckle outwards.
 

Simen

Sealiner
Stefan Engelbrecht wrote:
I like the idea of a casting glove the most. What make of glove or specific glove do you recommend that works for you?

Gardner, a freshwater tackle company, have a nice casting glove that only has the casting finger enclosed and the other fingers are open from the knuckle outwards.

Get yourself a pair of these at the hardware sore approx R15-00 a pair. Rubber coated on the palm side and material on the other. Cut of the fingers on the glove you dont need.

Very comfortable and soft, yet strong enough to handle braid. When dirty just pop into washing machine.

Just check they come in different sizes .
 

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neilg

Sealiner
We boys must be rough and tough like our grandpa's used to be

And remember

Trophy's watching you's !!!
 

potevan

Senior Member
I found using a light weight protective glove (cost a dime a dozen at most hardware/P&P,Checkers,etc) or ordinary rubber garden gloves work just as good as anything.

I also started cutting off all the fingers off the gloves and using only one finger at a time to cast. much better feeling with the rest of your hand on the rod/reel.

 

My 5c....
 
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