Posted by Ed on 12/9/2007, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Re: 30 lb Fark!"
I have watched this thread with interest. In my opinion 30lb is more than adequate. I was with the Pania club 12 or so years ago and held their dry casting record which at the time was 182 m.
Was`using a Kilwell rod and a Penn 750 ss. None of the fancy long cast reels and powerful rods that are avaiable now.
Thay was`a fairly good distance then considering the gear and I would consider my style as being reasonably smooth. All I ever used was 30lb mono. I didn't have any problem with snapping my leaders, so would consider that alot of the problems are the style and aggressivness that is being used. Perhaps the power is coming in at the wrong stage.
I haved watched james cast and have given him some quideance. He was`very aggressive but his timing was`all wrong. The rod was making a hell of a noise as`it went through the air, but his timing was`wrong and he was not loading the rod correctly and not getting the distance he should have been.
Since slowing down and getting the rod to load and releasing the line at the correct time has` enabled him to get far greater distance with 1/2 to 3/4 the effort he was` using.
Like Kane has`mentioned, going to 60lb leader causes problem in itself as` the knot is quite large and on occassions catches in the quides.
I have in the past and still use a 6oz sinker, so I feel the formula of 10 to 1 for me is way of the mark.`
In the industry I am in I am daily supplying surf sets and 30lb is the standard setup I give to my clients. I don't get them coming back telling me of breakages.
Casting a surf rod is like alot of sports, brute strength isn't always going to give you the distance, timing and technique are two more important ingredients.
I would suggest you guys,, use what you feel is right for you but don't be afraid to experiment.
There are some on this board that feel they need to use 50 or 60 lb, so be it but try slowing your cast down and concentrate on loading the rod and you may well be able to reduce your shock leader.