halibut poles what type of line?

Troller · 02-10-2003, 06:14 AM

I just picked up a couple of halibut poles with longbeach 65 reels used for $50 for the pair. The line on them needs to be replaced one has mono and the other has a braided line of some sort. My question is what type of line should I put on the reels. I will be fishing 150 - 600 feet deep so mono is out of the question to much stretch. I looked the new stuff out their but it is expensive for a small spool. Do you put a backing on the new lines . What do all you guys use out their. I have halibut fished before but was on a guided trip and they supplied all the stuff. I am headed to port hardy for a week this summer and want to try a little halibut fishing along with the salmon fishing.

Orca · 02-10-2003, 07:04 AM

I use 80 lb PowerPro with no backing. Since I have no backing, I put a piece of that stretchy, spongy, bandage tape that is used to hold gauze in place around the spool before adding line. This will keep the slick braid from just spinning on the spool.

Keep in mind that if you are fishing in 600 - 700 ft of water and you have a good drift, you may end up with 900 - 1000 ft of line out. When I used Penn 330 GTI's one year with 300 yds of line, I was on occasion down to the end of the line and was not on the bottom. I now use Penn 345 GTI's and spool up with about 375 - 400 yds (if I recall correctly).

Your worst nightmare will come when you get hung up, and you bust the stuff off somewhere in the middle of the 800 ft. of line you have out. You are then done fishing for the day, and have to go buy another $40 worth of braided. This happened to me several times with another brand of line, and now I rig a 70 lb. mono "top-shot" at the terminal end. You put a bimini twist in the end of your braided, get about a 50 - 100 ft. piece of mono, attach the mono to the braided using an albright, then put your terminal tackle on the end of the mono.

The advatages are:

- Easier to tie terminal tackle to the mono.
- The above allows even novices to fish with you.
- As the mono wears, you can cut back and not be working down your expensive braid.
- The mono should take the cuts and bottom abrasion better.
- When hung, the mono should break first at the terminal knot.

The downside:

- You have to tie that bimini twist and albright.
- The join of the 2 lines will not exactly pass smoothly through you rod eyes.

[ 02-10-2003, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: Orca ]

Pilar · 02-10-2003, 07:22 AM

Orca, can you tell us more about the splice between the braid and the mono?

Hey, you could do a little photo essay thing. I can picture what you are describing but tell us more so I can try it.

This would replace most the backing on a reel. You could spool a 4/0 with 400 yds of 80# tuff and then top it off with mono. This just makes sense.

Mark Mc · 02-10-2003, 07:34 AM

Hiya Troller, there's no arguement from anyone about using spectra for halibut. You can also get by just fine with 50 lb instead of 80. It will cut the water better when there's a drift. The thing I'd be concerned about though, is that those are only about 10 lb drags in those Penn 65's (maybe 15 lb tops). They are definitely not designed to button down the drag all the way on 80 or even 50 lb line. The spools are two piece; they will come apart (spread) under too much pressure. I know you want to use them because they're paid for, but if you can stand it you really ought to think about getting reels with bigger drags, something equivalent to a 4/0. On top of that, the 65 has a real low gear ratio. When you are reeling up that first ~ 200 feet of line, you will be pulling in about 6 inches of line per turn. Your wrists will hate you. Find a couple of used 4/O high speed (113H) or the larger gti's, or diawas, and you'll be in business. Use the 65's for salmon trolling. Good luck....Mark

tailchaser · 02-10-2003, 07:38 AM

Interesting thought, but I load my reels with 50 lb tuf (the small diam. stuff) and then use a small 25 lb mono dropper for my weight ( 2") and 80 lb mono leader for the hooks. I can't say I've ever hung up with the circle hooks and I barely hide the point with the bait, but when I hang up with the weight it's a pretty good tug but I'll break it before I loose all my gear. I haven't lost a single rig due to a snag in 15 years of fishing for flatties. "Knockn' on wood right now."

tc

DriftR · 02-10-2003, 08:05 AM

I use 80 pd Tuff line XP. Really, really tough line. I use an Accurate Boss 665H Mag Twin Drag reel spooled with the Tuff Line XP but always use a top shot of Maxima in the 40 to 60 pd range. If you get hung up and have to break off then the Maxima goes first , usually. Yes the line is expensive but when you go deep the smaller diameter allows much more line to be spoled. Line costs are the least that I worry about. Using a good rod, great reel and super line your going to bring that big one back home with you.

02-10-2003, 08:34 AM

Pilar,
I use two Uni knots to splice the mono to the spectra and have never had them break or come untied. To test this knot I put a scale and a comealong on it and it broke on the mono below the knot at about 10% over it's breaking strength. The Uni knot is easy for us old timers with bad eyes to tye too :grin:

[ 02-10-2003, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Orca · 02-10-2003, 09:56 AM

Keta likely has a better plan here. Much easier to tie, and likely less of a lump to go through your eyes. I will have to try it out.

Bait boy already has most of the mystery to my tie-up posted. See his posts for "bimini" and "albright" . . You put the bimini in the end of the spectra. Now you have a double in the end of your spectra. In his drawing of the albright, you use the whole double (both strands) as the single lighter line shown. The double spectra loops a ways up the mono loop then back around and around the mono till finished. I added a few half hitches to the spectra tag after tightening the main knot just for good measure (if you cut it short, it can work back through). You will want to cut the mono close or it will hang in the eyes going out. It can be cut pretty tight without any problem.

[ 02-10-2003, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Orca ]

02-10-2003, 10:30 AM

The Uni knot is also faster to tye

PS:
Depending on the mono diameter I use 3-5 wraps on it and 7-10 on the Spectra. I was given a 25yd spool of Seaguar 50# fluorocarbon line and put it on one of my 3/0 Senators with a Uni knot and it worked too.

[ 02-10-2003, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

kenai · 02-10-2003, 01:46 PM

I used 50# power pro on a 320 GTi and I believe I got close to 400yds on it last yr. also landed a fair size halibut on it. Went to the 345 reel this yr.

Pitch Pocket · 02-10-2003, 03:27 PM

400 yards should be plenty! They may not last for years with only two ball bearings, but they should work for this year anyway. I hope I get a chance to wear them out.

bait boy · 02-10-2003, 05:12 PM

P.P.
you could always just buy a 2 speed reel for those long crank ups from the bottom....

Pitch Pocket · 02-10-2003, 05:44 PM

Mr. Boy,
Two speed reels are great, but I don't really want to spend $500 for a reel to catch 1 halibut at a time. I could buy four 345 Gti's for that price and outfit my entire crew. CD bought a couple of electric reels. I'm intrigued by that. I'm getting older and I really like halibut and rock fish. I'm going electric if I spend that kind of cash.

corrirod · 02-10-2003, 06:16 PM

320's work just fine. They hold between 350-375 yds. of 50# Tuff. I've had 2 of them for 5 years and fished the Tillamook "bottomless pit" halibut hole (850ft.) every year with no problems. Keep in mind I said they work, they're not the best option, but they work. I also use an 330 and an Okuma Magda (my personal favorite). All are small reels but have just enough capacity to get by.

I'd be interested in the braid to mono knots. Rolling thru the guides is the only issue and more so with Tuna then Hali's. When Charlie grabs the line, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, the last thing you need to hear at the end is, zzzzzzzzzzz--SWAK!

02-10-2003, 07:53 PM

The Spectra knot is smaler and it helps to guide the knot through the eyes.

Pitch Pocket · 02-10-2003, 11:18 PM

I'm rigging for halibut this season. I already have 2 Penn 320 GTI's, but I fear they are not big enough for the depths. I might try loading them with 50 lb tuff line and see if I can get 300 yards on, but it might be a waste of money. I think I'll start shopping the 345's. The nice thing about the 320's is the gear ratio of 4.3:1. The 345's are only 3.25:1. Anyone use the 320's for Halibut?

jcarufo · 02-11-2003, 01:17 AM

We use 50# spectra and 15-20 feet of 40-50# mono topshot tied with a Spider Hitch to an Albright. The Spider Hitch gives you a double line like the Bimini, but is quick, easier to tie, and much smaller. (probably not as strong, but has never failed us). We're going to try a Dacron sleeve this year using about 3 feet of 80# dacron. You use a beading needle and thread both the spectra and mono into the dacron from opposit ends going in and out a couple of times on the way until they meet in the middle. A half hitch is tied about 9" from each end to lock in the lines. The dacron is supposed to work like a Chinese finger puzzle locking down on the two inserted lines. Some people whip finish the ends of the dacron with waxed thread to really make the join more secure and finish it off. You could probably use something like pliobond as well. Very popular on the long range boats out of San Diego. Just an option-something to try.
Jean

Troller · 02-11-2003, 05:44 AM

Thanks for all the help. I think I got it figured out. I was thinking of putting down mono backing followed by power pro then some more mono as a short leader at the end. I am going to have to make do with the reels for now. Propably come home looking like popeye but that will be forgotten if we can catch some halibut. You will be seeing more posts from me as I am researching into what all I need to do. Nest post j hook versus circle and circle straight vs circle offset. I will start a new topic on that one.

Orca · 02-11-2003, 06:18 AM

From the PowerPro "manual". Keta's uni-to-uni, and then a suggested way to "lock" the spectra after making an albright with mono. Also, you could tie the spectra to the mono directly (with an albright) without putting the bimini in the end of the spectra, but in this case you would still put a loop in the end of the spectra and use it as if you had a true double.

02-11-2003, 09:29 AM

jcarufo,
I tried that and the Spectra tends to slip out of the dacron.

SlabQuest · 02-11-2003, 09:41 AM

I have tied fireline to mono using the good ol' fashioned blood knot and have not had any knot failures. That "uni" knot looks like it might have more of a tendency to hang up on the ferrules since the tag ends come out of the end of the knot instead of the middle (like the blood knot).

02-11-2003, 10:03 AM

Slab,
The blood knots sliped and cut the mono before the line broke, at about 75% of line strength. With the uni the Spectra is limp and doesn't haing up going out, the mono will catch a bit comming in.

corrirod · 02-11-2003, 02:56 PM

jcarufo,

I'd like to see that if you can ever make one of the meetings we have. I've played around with a fid and tried to get the two together but with no success. If you ever make one of the meetings please bring your equipment and show us how. Thanks.

Beer Waggin · 02-11-2003, 08:16 PM

I'll second the use of 320's or 321's. Mine are loaded with 80# tuff and they get down at the Ranch. TR 200g's w/ 80# will get down there as well.
Don't think you have to have one of the big reels to get the job done, although I have upgraded. Just had to have a couple, you know the feeling......

[ 02-11-2003, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: NorRivDave ]

02-11-2003, 09:56 PM

Rod,
Round off the end of the mono with fine emory cloth.

Pitch Pocket · 02-12-2003, 06:55 AM

Thanks for the replies about the 320's. I'll use them loaded with 80 this year and see how it goes.

I've got a couple of Quantum reels filled with Tuff line to the spool. The guy in Eugene (can't remember the shop) who repairs the reels filled them. He used Super Glue Gel to glue the line to the spool. Works fine, no line slippage.

Why would you need more than a few feet of mono as a top shot to your braided line? It seems to me that a large barrel swivel with 24-36" of mono would be sufficient and you wouldn't have to worry about joining the dissimilar lines. Any real reason for a 100' top shot?

Myles · 02-12-2003, 06:56 AM

I use a Daiwa SL-X50HV loaded with about 300 yds. 80 lb. tuff with a dacron backing and a top shot of 50-60 lb. mono, tied on with a uni knot and a drop of super glue.
I just bought an Okuma T-20-ll, a 2 speed lever drag off e-bay for $151 with shipping and can't wait to try it. It's got 400 yds of tuff and a top shot of 60 mono. The reel is a bit rough around the edges and not as pretty as the gold version, but it's just a little more money than the Daiwa.

okuma page for the reel
http://okumafishing.com/products/ree...ed/titus-2.htm

myles

WP · 02-12-2003, 07:35 AM

320's and 321's take about 300 yds of tuffline and hold up well...one of the best price to performance reels I have ever owned. Work great for tuna, FBs, and any other long line work of medium weight.
JMNSHO..WP :grin: :grin:

SlabQuest · 02-12-2003, 07:40 AM

Well, you need three hands to tie a blood knot. It looks like you need four or five hands to tie one of them extra fancy knots

Marty · 02-12-2003, 09:01 AM

Jean

I agree with you on the splicing concept of a bimini on the spectra end and then you can insert almost any pound test mono into a length of 80lb. dacron. Like the long range boys have been doing for years. Then double the dacron back into itself and you have a doubled 80lb. test loop that you just loop onto the bimini. A loop to loop connection that is easy to put on and take off. When fishing in Mexico or ???? I usually have three or four "top shots" of different pound test line that I can change at will to meet any unforseen fishing situation or quickly change a frayed line at sea. Have never had a problem with the dacron splice and since there is no knot, it goes thru the guides very easy. AND the connection is 100% because you have doubled up 80 lb. at the connection.

Marty

Mark Mc · 02-12-2003, 09:42 AM

Hey Marty, aren't you omitting the fact that it helps just a little to have those all-roller rods of yours?

Marty · 02-12-2003, 11:52 PM

Mark, No way man...........besides I only have one rod that has all rollers and I think I may retire it til the bluefin are around. Unless you need if for your new, big Newell.??? And by the way..........its not fair having you spending all your money on new fishing gear and I'm spending all my money on boat payments, insurance, repairs, etc. etc. and etc.

Marty

jcarufo · 02-13-2003, 02:59 PM

Corrirod,
I seem to remember an article in Western outdor news about the splices. I'll see if I can find it in my old back issues and post the pertanent parts. Attend a meeting huh? Maybe it's time to quit being a lurker. Thanks for the invite.
Jean

Sailfish · 02-14-2003, 08:50 AM

Hey corrirod,
I just got back from a few months of guiding down in Costa Rica and cant wait to hit up the albies. I got a few idea's about a good tuna set-up as far as rigging goes and would like to shoot the shite wit ya about it. Let me know when the next TA meeting is and maybe I can bum a ride with Greg and we can tell some tales and whatnot in preparation for the upcoming season. Man I hope the el nino means fish early and close in cuz I am already jonesin' and the sea bass just aint cuttin it.