shock leader question?????

[baitfish13]

Currently i'ev benn using #65 spectra w/ a short(100') topshot of #30 0n my sharkin rod,i recently made some mod's to the rod wich have given me quite a bit more distance But i am having line breaking problems i.e. sinker goes but not the line DOH!!!!

My question is if i loose the topshot and run just specta do i need to have a shock leader??

Thank in advance!!!!
Baitfish13

[AbuMike]

are you loosing the whole topshot ie: breaking at the knot?

[gtodave]

I wondered this too...I was going to just use the braid with my standard 8' shark leader to cut drag/line bow.

[AbuMike]

I got a feeling it's breaking at the knot

[SmoothLures]

If you're casting more than 4 oz total bait and sinker weight, you need more than 30 lb mono for a shocker. 10 lb test per 1 oz of weight is the general rule.

You might not need a shocker, but braid isn't very abrasion resistant.

[SmoothLures]

Also, I don't know what your rig looks like but I wouldn't want to grab hold of braid when you're trying to land him...

[baitfish13]

are you loosing the whole topshot ie: breaking at the knot?

No thank god,i have a swivel conecting the topshot to my leader and it's breaking above the swivel!!!!!
Im usally tossing 4-8 w/ bait......So im thinking #60 shock would do it,but should i figure in the weight of the bait too??

[baitfish13]

If you're casting more than 4 oz total bait and sinker weight, you need more than 30 lb mono for a shocker. 10 lb test per 1 oz of weight is the general rule.

You might not need a shocker, but braid isn't very abrasion resistant.

DOH i didnt read this verry well!!!!! guess that answers my last question!!!!!

Also, I don't know what your rig looks like but I wouldn't want to grab hold of braid when you're trying to land him...

GOOD thought!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AbuMike]

Then you may have a bad eye nicking the mono

[baitfish13]

So if i go to a #60 or #80 do you think it will cats ass off my spining reel????

[AbuMike]

I use 50# for 8nbait. Over 8oz you may go a tad higher. Really depends on your style. A good smooth cast means alot.

[SmoothLures]

You probably wouldn't need 100' of a shocker, unless you use it for some purpose other than a shock leader, I don't shark fish so I dont know... 1.5 - 2 times as long as your rod is is the usual, enough to get a few turns of the shocker around your reel plus what you let down to throw it.

I would also check the guides carefully like AirDown said.

[baitfish13]

You probably wouldn't need 100' of a shocker, unless you use it for some purpose other than a shock leader, I don't shark fish so I dont know... 1.5 - 2 times as long as your rod is is the usual, enough to get a few turns of the shocker around your reel plus what you let down to throw it.

I would also check the guides carefully like AirDown said.

Checked the guides first thing good to go.....

sounds like 30 ft. of 60 will do me just fine thanx for the help guys!!!!

There is a hot bite of sevengill sharks goin on right now gonna hit it tomarrow let ya know how everything works out,and w/ any luck some good pix of some toothy critters!!!!!

baitfish13

[SmoothLures]

No problem, and hood luck, hope you get into them.

[gtodave]

I haven't gone above 40lb test for my shocks...casting all the way up to 8nbait. It takes a lot to break 40lb test :) . I don't like the big knots you get with the larger line.