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Casting Buttons

Posted by BobB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=BobB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 20/3/2015, 4:54 pm

This topic may have been dealt with previously.
How many of you use Casting buttons to save your finger when casting. If you do what model do you recommend

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 20/3/2015, 5:30 pm, in reply to "Casting Buttons"

I have three open face, fixed spool reals. When using a thirty pound, nylon shock leader, I find no need for a casting aid. However, if I were using braid right through to the terminal tackle, I would always use an aid. A mistake like failing to tighten the drag sufficiently would see the braid cut the tip of your finger to the bone.

As an addition. I always fish two rods and vary the distance I fish from the beach. One reel is loaded with 12 pound breaking strain nylon, one with 12 pound breaking strain braid. I have been using this combination now for well over a year. I must say the new super braids, although expensive, are simply brilliant. I have just taken delivery of two spools of super braid and over the weekend I will spool the other two reels with this product.

My reasons for taking this somewhat expensive decision are many fold. First with super braid I get no line twist at all. My 'fish landed' number is better on the braid, also this line can help cut through weed that may catch on the line. Being finer than nylon I can tie a far smaller and neater knot to attach a leader. Possibly the most important reason being I stay in better touch with a hooked fish as there is no line stretch. This allows the rod to help wear the fish down, which is part of the job it's designed for, absorb any short but powerful runs a fish may make. This may not be so important if using heavy line, but it really helps when using light line, I believe this is why my 'fish landed' tally is better on braid that with nylon. This may not be so relevant with multiplier reels but with fixed spools it is a factor. Braid may not cast as well on multiplier reels, perhaps users of these reels may wish to comment.

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by DrewHB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=DrewHB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 20/3/2015, 6:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

I use triggers/cannons on all of my rods. They can be brought from Phil and Tackle Tactics.https://www.tackletactics.co.nz/casting-aids.html
They are simple to use and I think one of the best things I have ever used.

Take less, leave more...tomorrow is another day

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by GaryK <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=GaryK' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 20/3/2015, 8:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

I agree with Drew, Cannons are the bomb!

The snapper don't know where the car park is!
Sometimes it is better to travel than to arrive.

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by Phill <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Phill' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 20/3/2015, 8:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"
Tackle Tactics

Either a Cannon or a Letago I prefer the Letago. We have both on the website.

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by Frosty <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Frosty' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 21/3/2015, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

All my rods have canons, they are cheap and easy to use. Plus they have the added advantage of saving your finger lol. I use whiplash 50pnd braid with a diamater of 0.17mm. very thin and strong, plus there is no need for a shock leader.

well im off for a fish with kane tomorrow so am looking forward to that.

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by steveinwellington <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=steveinwellington' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 23/3/2015, 9:37 am, in reply to "Casting Buttons"

I have been using letago casters for years. Very reliable and i like the position of the thumb when casting. I reckon i get extra 30 metres with thumb caster. My shock leader is 15kg .45 with .38 10kg mainline. With small single bait i get around 140m which drops my bait in deeper water and more consistent hookups. I did try braid but found it too sensitive when fishing in swells and breakout sinkers would keep pinging. I prefer a bit more stretch in the line.

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 23/3/2015, 10:44 am, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

That is a very interesting post, Steve. I always fish two rods with identical terminal tackle. The only difference being one reel is loaded with nylon, the other braid (both 12lb). I wonder why my findings are at a complete opposite to you.

The Napier foreshore consists of true storm beaches so breakers are the norm. There are virtually no breakwaters so truly flat seas right up to the water's edge are somewhat unusual. The very reason why I have just loaded all three reels with super braid is I find this line truly resists rough water, sweeps and current, this means the breakout sinker stays put.

I think it fair one should compare apples with apples, so as both rods were rigged in identical fashion, the braid is well ahead on the fish landed stakes, but in fairness I only fish 12lb line ... perhaps that is where our findings differ.

Re: Casting Buttons

Yep handler tackle is always a personal choice which is probably why none of us have identical kits. My rods and reels are identical that way everything works the same. I use tica long cast bait runners and 14ft penn slammers (copies of the Kidwell slx). I also have a pair of okuma Solaris for when the weather conditions are a bit rough. I prefer the slammers for actually landing fish as they feel more like really large spin rods. Braid or mono aside the thumb casters do make a big difference when I need longer casts. The problem I have had with braid is when fishing in 2m or more swells I get pressure on the line from incoming swell and because there is no flex in the braid it tends to breakaway my sinker and then I have no option but to bring it in. Perhaps the thin super raids you are using are better for the job. I would be interested to hear other's experiences or views on using braid vs mono. Cheers Steve

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by DrewHB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=DrewHB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 23/3/2015, 8:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

I love using braid and have done for many years. The only problem is the complaints from people around me who use mono. I use 30lb whiplash and recently brought some saltiga braid to try. But because I fish next to others who use nylon, I have spare spools of nylon just to keep the peace. But I strongly believe that braid is far superior for stength. But the downfall is that if mono crosses it...the braid WILL cut the mono. The only time the braid seems to fail is where there is a swell rolling and weed. This combination will often pull the breakaway sinker. But otherwise braid is my first choice....

Take less, leave more...tomorrow is another day

Re: Casting Buttons

Well reading the comments from those who use a casting aid, I will shortly make an investment and try one out. We are never too old to learn and I am happy to give one a go.

I must say I don't have problems when casting and it would be many years since I cut my finger doing so. I will only buy one aid to start off with, this as long casting holds no real appeal, I do very nicely between eighty and a hundred metres from the beach. Then there is the additional problem of telling others I have aids.

I have just put this video on YouTube, it covers an experiment session I had two weeks ago, I was using a head-cam for the first time. The fish I hooked crossed the line on my second rod and the 12 pound braid went through the nylon like a knife through butter.

You are so right about softer rods behaving like spinning rods. In the video you can see this 14ft-6in rod easily absorbing the extra pressure the inshore waves, although small, are putting on the gear. This Okuma rod, sadly no longer available, punches well beyond its weight, I will be very upset the day it finally cries enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eSE8rJ4z2A

Re: Casting Buttons

Nice job with the video Hangler, I never realised the sea could be so flat !!

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 24/3/2015, 3:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

Oddly, it was like that for much of this morning, a wonderful three hours. I christened a new rod second cast with a twenty-four and a half pound ray, followed that with a beautiful two pound silver eel and then three Kahawai.

I'm dreading the time when surfcasting improves, I will never keep up with it.

When the Kahawai started, last half hour of the session, my wife refused me permission to pack up and go home, is there no pleasing women?

Re: Casting Buttons

Posted by Frosty <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Frosty' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 24/3/2015, 6:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Casting Buttons"

What happened with the eagle ray Hangler

Re: Casting Buttons

The eagle ray caught in the clip posted on this page was duly dispatched with a sharp blow to the head. I don't usually record this as it is upsetting for some viewers.

Then using my filleting knife I removed the wings being careful not to break the gut cavity. This is best done as soon after landing as possible or the fish, like a shark, can release an ammonia like substance into the flesh. I always carry a large bucket with me, the wings were then kept in sea water until I call the session to a halt.

When I got home the wings were washed and scraped to get rid of any protective slime off the skin, then I put in the fridge overnight for the meat to firm up. The following day I fillet the meat from off the center cartilage plate (both sides) then I cut these pieces into three nice chunks. These are now very manageable and they can be skinned, no different to any other fish.

The rays flesh is rather unusual in that it comes in segments, these absorb any additional flavour you may wish to introduce. I am lucky because I am married to a Chinese lady and what the Chinese don't know about flavour isn't worth knowing. Juan (my wife) has shown me how to use Teriyaki sauce and this is just perfect for fish. She will seal the fish in a fry pan then put a saucepan lid over the fish so (a) it doesn't dry out when cooking and (b) the fish steams as well as fries. I can assure you the end result is simply delicious.

This morning I caught a large stingray, I was hoping to get another eagle ray because it is my intention to make a video showing the entire process: from sea bed to dinner plate. I will post that movie clip on this site when it happens.

I now have about half a dozen clips on YouTube and UK surfcasters are really interested. They are astounded double figure fish can be caught at anytime, most of them wouldn't catch a ten pound fish in a lifetime. We really don't know how lucky we are in New Zealand, which is why I make the most of every fish I catch regardless of specie.

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