A spinning reel spooled with braided line has become big time popular along the Texas coast over the past few years. They are easy to use and will cast a lure a country mile without a backlash. Photo by www.luckystrikeguide.com
One thing that I’ve noticed over the past few years is that big time numbers of anglers are fishing with braided line and for good reason – you’ll consistently hook up with more fish. The most important thing about braided line is that you’ll feel more soft bites, plus you’ll get faster hook sets. It’s no secret that monofilament line has a built in stretch factor. That converts into fewer solid hook sets.
Another bonus while fishing with braided line is added distance. I can cast farther and get much better hook sets than I could with monofilament line. It not only lasts forever, but is much stronger than monofilament, and thinner.
For example 30 pound test Fins Windtamer braid has the diameter of 8 pound test monofilament. Windtamer packs very well on reels without pulling into itself, and cuts through the wind to cast without wind knots and rod tip wrapping.
The standard drill along the coast is to spool up with either 20 or 30 pound test braid and tie on about 6 feet of 15 pound test fluorocarbon leader. The line to line connection is made with an Albright knot. It’s one of the most reliable and low profile fishing knots for joining lines of greatly unequal diameters or different materials such as fluorocarbon to braided line. It is easy to tie and should be in every angler’s knot arsenal.
Here’s another little tip about knots. One of the best you can use is a locking loop knot. I believe it was originally developed by Trilene line. It’s quick and easy to tie, and when done right usually tests at 95 percent or more. It’s a proven knot for use with monofilament and fluorocarbon. But its claim to fame is that it doesn’t kill the action of a lure.
Something else I’ve noticed lately is that a lot of fishermen are using spinning reels. They are user friendly, don’t backlash like baitcasters and the handle can be easily switched from one side of the reel to the other. Another perk is that anybody can learn to use a spinning reel in just minutes.
One of my favorites has a 5.1:1 gear ratio for a fast retrieve and will hold about 140 yards of 30 pound test braided line. It’s a Maxim 200 sold only at Academy for about $50. It’s got a sealed aluminum body that holds up well in saltwater. It’s built with five stainless-steel ball bearings with an anti-reverse that delivers smooth line movement. A stainless-steel hollow bail wire with a titanium-coated line roller provides durability.
When spooling a spinning reel with braided line make sure the line comes off the bottom of the spool. It makes all the difference in the world, and you won’t get a wad of line spinning off the reel.
When it comes to great trout and redfish lures there are a couple that dominate year round. One is the topwater Super Spook Jr. The other is the lineup of Assassins. There is something very unique about a Spook Jr. It’s the right size and has the perfect action. The very best colors are chrome/blue and bone/silver. I know there are other great topwater lures out there but the Heddon Super Spook is one you definitely need to tie on when in doubt – especially right about now.
The soft plastic market is wide open with all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes available. But the leader of the pack with the best fish-catching ability is the five inch Saltwater Shad Assassin. I’ve been using these lures for years for one reason – they catch lots of reds, trout and flounder.
They tear up faster than other plastics, but in the long run they catch more fish when it’s all said and done.
One of my top colors is red/shad; another is hot chicken – a mix of green, gold glitter and chartreuse. I’ll rig them non-painted 2/0 Assassin spring lock jig heads in ¼ ounce.
That’s my take on what’s catching fish here in Port O’Connor. Or put another way it’s what I’ve seen catching plenty of trout and reds lately.
Got questions? Want to book a fun fishing trip? Give me, Capt. Robert Sloan, a call at 409 782 6796, or email sloan288@aol.com. Check out a great Port O’Connor web site at www.luckystrikeguide.com.
