One more piece of advice (shock leader)

[spada84]

Oh Great Gurus of the Surf:

Just setting up my new conventional and want suggestions on a shock leader.

525Mag wound with 30# Suffix braid - backed with mono. What do you reccomend for a shock leader. I have a spool of 40# Big Game mono leader. I had planned on using this, but I have seen several ppl on the forum mention much larger leaders.

Also, should I tie a double line leader in the braid to connect to the shock leader?

Will be chucking 8nBait.

TIA

[derf]

are you new to conventionals ?
if so ditch the braid and go with 17 or 20 lb mono ; at least until you get used to a conventional
i don't use braid on any of my conventionals ; 17 lb suffix tri , 50 lb suffix tri shock ...
derf

[crashq]

I'll second the recommendation to switch to all mono until you get used to the conventional reel (especially with 8nBait). One good bird's nest with braid will ruin your day, and possibly take the skin off your thumb. Put the braid on the shelf for awhile.

As far as the shock leader goes, conventional wisdom says to multiply your weight (8oz) by 10. This gives you 80, which means 80lbs test. I would scale that down to 60 lbs for my own use. I use 40lbs test for 6nBait.

[spada84]

I grew up casting conventionals, All line was braid then with no mags or clutches, just the thumb. I figure it's kinda like riding a bike, take it easy when you first get back on. I'm not going to try it at night for awhile, guaranteed. If I had never cast with conventionals, I would have spooled the mono to start, but I figured "what the heck".

If I screw up with the braid this trip, I still have my spinners with me, and I'll re-spool when I get home.--->

I'll go grab some 60# tomorrow morning.

Thanks Guys - I 'll let you know how things go.

[beachtoad]

wait till you see how fast that 525 is. It not like the old stuff. I would like to know how you made out. I also have not put braid on my con. yet. Just keep moving the magnets down. Then just when I think I have it under contol....wham birdnest. Only had one that I couldn't pic out.

[spada84]

OK, you've convinced me - if I can find something to spool the braid onto I'll pull it off for now. I have about 350yd of 20# mono in dark green I'll load the 525 with.

[aero993]

84,

One more suggestion, if that 525 is new you might want to use some heavier oil. I use 90 wt gear oil from Walmart on the bearings. That will tame the 525.

[HASH]

On a 525 I use 17 Suffix and 50LB Big Game. Good Luck. I think that 20 lb is a bit big for the reel

[spada84]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I did not have time to respool the 525 before the trip, Had no major problems with it. Had 1 minor nest, picked out in about 20 seconds.

Fishing was slow - I heard about a few puppy drum caught, but did not see anything brought in except for a few small blues and a skate. I caught a small shark (about 24"). He seemed very happy to swim back into the surf. We had a good time anyway, and am looking forward to our week at Thanksgiving.