Line for rock and surf fishing
- Thread starter RossouwCw
- Start date
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
Why 20 lb line?
You can put on a "strong" 20lb line like sufix 832 which is probably closer to a 40b line in diameter, or put on a dyneema 8strand line like HMP that is good quality, locally made, but has accurate breaking strain on the packaging. I'd use hmp 35lb (or even 50lb) which is probably thinner than some "20lb" lines, will last longer and casts smoother. A real 20lb braid is too thin for rock and surf in my opinion unless you want to donate tons of line to the rocks and have a frustrating time.
You can put on a "strong" 20lb line like sufix 832 which is probably closer to a 40b line in diameter, or put on a dyneema 8strand line like HMP that is good quality, locally made, but has accurate breaking strain on the packaging. I'd use hmp 35lb (or even 50lb) which is probably thinner than some "20lb" lines, will last longer and casts smoother. A real 20lb braid is too thin for rock and surf in my opinion unless you want to donate tons of line to the rocks and have a frustrating time.
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
http://www.cds-angling.co.za/hmp%20braid.html
You could use a 40lb or 35 lb... line diameters are comparable to other lines with lighter rating showing the quality of the line. Overseas products market themselves as the strongest 20lb line but in reality are an average 50lb line in terms of diameter.
I'd not use mono on a grinder for R&S, the line twist and memory of the mono with thicker lines would be a nightmare and casting with not get distance. If one must use mono, I'd use a very good mono like a premium doublex where the line strength vs diameter is as good as one can get and use something not less than .4mm which is a thickness I normally use for my weaker sinker line when rock and surf fishing where my mainline is normally .5mm or .55mm mono. So its relative.
Wait for one of the league anglers to chime in, they use braid and grinders in the surf almost exclusively these days while I have gone the otherway around to mono and multipliers.
You could use a 40lb or 35 lb... line diameters are comparable to other lines with lighter rating showing the quality of the line. Overseas products market themselves as the strongest 20lb line but in reality are an average 50lb line in terms of diameter.
I'd not use mono on a grinder for R&S, the line twist and memory of the mono with thicker lines would be a nightmare and casting with not get distance. If one must use mono, I'd use a very good mono like a premium doublex where the line strength vs diameter is as good as one can get and use something not less than .4mm which is a thickness I normally use for my weaker sinker line when rock and surf fishing where my mainline is normally .5mm or .55mm mono. So its relative.
Wait for one of the league anglers to chime in, they use braid and grinders in the surf almost exclusively these days while I have gone the otherway around to mono and multipliers.
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
.55 will be heavier than you will need and also there will be guys on here far more pro than me when it comes to R&S to be honest, but I know my way around the park..Can read the water now and know my baits and have caught my fair share, ate fish last night and freezer can still feed me for a while so I have moved just above the beginner rung on the ladder now haha..
.50 will be a more all round line but to cast and fish either off a grinder will be a headache.
I don't fish a mainline less than that. Thing is in the sea you don't know what you will hook and with sharp reefs and barnacles and limpets and mussels and scales and scutes do don't know what your line will be up against. I hooked as many crackers this year with a little piece of redbait scratching for gallies, as I did gallies, with light gear there is no way I would have landed those fish. As it stands I lost only one that came off the hook while my mainline was jammed in the rocks and I was wading out in the dark under full moon to land him..
I've given up on braid for scratching, it is just too frustrating for me. When I do it is just a double overhand loop to swivel and then trace so that I leave minimum braid in the water. FG knots and braid leaders when scratching and getting stuck every second cast become tired quick.
Ja the double x extreme abrasion is gold
It all depends on where you are fishing too and the rocks and surf, sea shells in the sand banks can also cut thin line. In natal it will be different fish to eastern cape to western cape as well. Different line, different fish.. Scratching for gallies in cape town you can go light, except for the kelp making life difficult so guys go heavy, in eastern cape a big steenie, cracker or ray could pick you up when scratching for small fish and then you better be prepared or you will always be thinking about the one that got away..Like I used to..Now I get most out, touch wood..
.50 will be a more all round line but to cast and fish either off a grinder will be a headache.
I don't fish a mainline less than that. Thing is in the sea you don't know what you will hook and with sharp reefs and barnacles and limpets and mussels and scales and scutes do don't know what your line will be up against. I hooked as many crackers this year with a little piece of redbait scratching for gallies, as I did gallies, with light gear there is no way I would have landed those fish. As it stands I lost only one that came off the hook while my mainline was jammed in the rocks and I was wading out in the dark under full moon to land him..
I've given up on braid for scratching, it is just too frustrating for me. When I do it is just a double overhand loop to swivel and then trace so that I leave minimum braid in the water. FG knots and braid leaders when scratching and getting stuck every second cast become tired quick.
Ja the double x extreme abrasion is gold
It all depends on where you are fishing too and the rocks and surf, sea shells in the sand banks can also cut thin line. In natal it will be different fish to eastern cape to western cape as well. Different line, different fish.. Scratching for gallies in cape town you can go light, except for the kelp making life difficult so guys go heavy, in eastern cape a big steenie, cracker or ray could pick you up when scratching for small fish and then you better be prepared or you will always be thinking about the one that got away..Like I used to..Now I get most out, touch wood..
the line depends on the reel size.
can use 0.55mm on a 4-5000 grinder
even a 6000 might be too small
get that balance right!
can use 0.55mm on a 4-5000 grinder
even a 6000 might be too small
get that balance right!