Winter boat fishing line

[PeterHenry]

So, my brother and I have got a boat fishing trip booked off the North Wales coast later this month.

Apart from one trip over the summer, neither of us have been boat fishing for years - and then thinking about it, only in the summer months. On the previous trip, we both decided to hire equipment on the boat, and didn't ask any questions.

I have a Leeda boat rod I bought just before Covid (pictured) that I was planning to twin up with an Abu 7000 (with an abu 'power' handle). I presume that's all in proportion? The old 9000 and 8500 reels I have seemed overkill for the rod.

The day is billed as 'general fishing' - so not wrecks or targeting any particular species. My brother has decided on 100lb line. In my head this seems over the top. Do I really need to spool up with line of that strength? 

Any advice on rod / reel / line greatly appreciated

Edited November 7 by PeterHenry

[RCB56]

Look at your rod, it says 12-20, that is a 12-20 lb class rod whatever that means. But I  think 100lb line is over kill, your not fishing for Jaws or you'll need a bigger boat.

[islandgun]

5 minutes ago, RCB56 said:

Look at your rod, it says 12-20, that is a 12-20 lb class rod whatever that means. But I  think 100lb line is over kill, your not fishing for Jaws or you'll need a bigger boat.

Absolutely correct.  I use 25-30lb braid, you will need less lead and feel every movement

[PeterHenry]

6 minutes ago, RCB56 said:

Look at your rod, it says 12-20, that is a 12-20 lb class rod whatever that means. But I  think 100lb line is over kill, your not fishing for Jaws or you'll need a bigger boat.

Thanks - appreciated.

I suppose the gist of my question is - my fly fishing kit is balanced, so the rod / reel / line / tippet, all work in conjunction with one another. I'm presuming that setting up a boat rod is the same (although maybe not quite as finely balanced) - but somethings - like 100lb line - are going to throw the equation well off?

3 minutes ago, islandgun said:

Absolutely correct.  I use 25-30lb braid, you will need less lead and feel every movement

👍

[islandgun]

18 minutes ago, PeterHenry said:

Thanks - appreciated.

I suppose the gist of my question is - my fly fishing kit is balanced, so the rod / reel / line / tippet, all work in conjunction with one another. I'm presuming that setting up a boat rod is the same (although maybe not quite as finely balanced) - but somethings - like 100lb line - are going to throw the equation well off?

👍

I use a 12lb class and 7000 for most of my fishing, you can use heavier braid than nylon and still retain a lower diameter but give yourself a bit of extra breaking strain if you should need it

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, That sound good Peter, I only did a boat fish once !!!!!! it was once 🤮😄, mind you i was only 12/13 , any way that as mentioned seem OTT , I reckon the rod and reel would do if you do not boat fish often , it is a 12 20 llb class rod so i would use 20 llb line just in case you hit a biggy, Braid or Nylon , have a good day and let use know how goes

[Old farrier]

There’s been some good replies here 

not familiar with the tide run of the welsh coast but here goes 

the thicker the line the more tidal drag and the heavier the lead required to hold it bottom the thicker the line the less capacity on your reel 

so with the rod reel combination

30lb line max you should be able to fish with 6 to 8 oz weight comfortably unless the water is very deep or a lot of tide run (big springs) as for line type stick with mono it’s more forgiving for a novice braid is very good but can be challenging 

If in doubt ask the skipper 

personally don’t think you should use any mainline that you can’t break out if you get hung in a snag 100lb line almost impossible 

remember you can catch a big fish on a small hook you rarely catch a small one on a big hook so 2o or 3o hooks to start they’ll cope with skate bass also whiting pout and dogfish 

have a good trip 

All the best 

of

 

Edited November 7 by Old farrier

[Old Boggy]

12 minutes ago, Old farrier said:

There’s been some good replies here 

not familiar with the tide run of the whales coast but here goes 

the thicker the line the more tidal drag and the heavier the lead required to hold it bottom the thicker the line the less capacity on your reel 

so with the rod reel combination

30lb line max you should be able to fish with 6 to 8 oz weight comfortably unless the water is very deep or a lot of tide run (big springs) as for line type stick with mono it’s more forgiving for a novice braid is very good but can be challenging 

If in doubt ask the skipper 

personally don’t think you should use any mainline that you can’t break out if you get hung in a snag 100lb line almost impossible 

remember you can catch a big fish on a small hook you rarely catch a small one on a big hook so 2o or 3o hooks to start they’ll cope with skate bass also whiting pout and dogfish 

have a good trip 

All the best 

of

 

He`ll definitely need heavier line for those

Sorry Nigel, couldn`t resist it

OB

[Old farrier]

1 minute ago, Old Boggy said:

He`ll definitely need heavier line for those

Sorry Nigel, couldn`t resist it

OB

Dam spell check 😂😂

Just checking your paying attention 😂😂

back in the day when I was a serious boat angler I tried to get the British shark record on 10lb line never succeeded bet I managed a fair few porbeagles into the 100lb+ bracket 

there’s some great fish caught on light line nowadays especially with the carbon rods and high capacity reels available wish I had this stuff back then 

[Old Boggy]

11 minutes ago, Old farrier said:

Dam spell check 😂😂

Just checking your paying attention 😂😂

back in the day when I was a serious boat angler I tried to get the British shark record on 10lb line never succeeded bet I managed a fair few porbeagles into the 100lb+ bracket 

there’s some great fish caught on light line nowadays especially with the carbon rods and high capacity reels available wish I had this stuff back then 

100lb porbeagles, that is some serious fishing.

I thought that I used to do well with tope to 30 lbs and spurs to 15 lbs from my boat off Ramsgate back in the 70s.

[Old farrier]

4 minutes ago, Old Boggy said:

100lb porbeagles, that is some serious fishing.

I thought that I used to do well with tope to 30 lbs and spurs to 15 lbs from my boat off Ramsgate back in the 70s.

Had bigger but not on 10lb line 

we get 30lb tope and smoothhounds to 15lb off the shore here 

I’m sure they were about back in the day but we never had the gear to cast far enough out to catch them or never tried as there not really the best eating 😂😂

a little one on a pond rod and light gear 

[PeterHenry]

7 hours ago, islandgun said:

I use a 12lb class and 7000 for most of my fishing, you can use heavier braid than nylon and still retain a lower diameter but give yourself a bit of extra breaking strain if you should need it

Cheers - much appreciated 👍

6 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, That sound good Peter, I only did a boat fish once !!!!!! it was once 🤮😄, mind you i was only 12/13 , any way that as mentioned seem OTT , I reckon the rod and reel would do if you do not boat fish often , it is a 12 20 llb class rod so i would use 20 llb line just in case you hit a biggy, Braid or Nylon , have a good day and let use know how goes

Thank you - if I catch anything I'll be sure to post some photos 👍

4 hours ago, Old farrier said:

There’s been some good replies here 

not familiar with the tide run of the welsh coast but here goes 

the thicker the line the more tidal drag and the heavier the lead required to hold it bottom the thicker the line the less capacity on your reel 

so with the rod reel combination

30lb line max you should be able to fish with 6 to 8 oz weight comfortably unless the water is very deep or a lot of tide run (big springs) as for line type stick with mono it’s more forgiving for a novice braid is very good but can be challenging 

If in doubt ask the skipper 

personally don’t think you should use any mainline that you can’t break out if you get hung in a snag 100lb line almost impossible 

remember you can catch a big fish on a small hook you rarely catch a small one on a big hook so 2o or 3o hooks to start they’ll cope with skate bass also whiting pout and dogfish 

have a good trip 

All the best 

of

 

Thanks - that all makes sense to me

[B686]

Hi I would definitely get braid for your mainline. As said you get a much higher breaking strain and lower diameter than mono. I have 40lb braid on my reel I use for beach fishing and the same on my reel for my spod rod and marker rod for carp fishing.  It’s the same diameter as a 15lb mono. You will see bites so much better also. Good luck on your trip, hope the weather plays ball as well as the fish👍🎣🎣

[PeterHenry]

On 10/11/2024 at 13:28, B686 said:

Hi I would definitely get braid for your mainline. As said you get a much higher breaking strain and lower diameter than mono. I have 40lb braid on my reel I use for beach fishing and the same on my reel for my spod rod and marker rod for carp fishing.  It’s the same diameter as a 15lb mono. You will see bites so much better also. Good luck on your trip, hope the weather plays ball as well as the fish👍🎣🎣

Cheers- much appreciated 👍