A fishing rod question

[otolith]

BSW, there are a few anglers on this forum who have done a lot of the destination fishing stuff - worth joining and starting a thread there. Vagabond in particular has been everywhere (currently claiming 471 different species, though he is rather old and does make every effort to add to his list)

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/

[grand cherokee]

just a thought - but any specific reason it has to be a multiplier?

in USA/Aus etc they use shimano Thunnus baitrunners for tarpon/tuna/grouper/and sailfish

these are superb heavy duty reels for pelagic species (Thunnus being latin for Tuna)

I don't know about the new ones but I have seven of the earlier models known in the UK as 'Big Blues' I have the medium but they were also available in Large and XL - very popular for cats on the Ebro etc (fish over 150lb)

sometimes they come up on Ebay secondhand for about £100 - £150 each

after your trip you will have no problem reselling

[blindswelledrat]

otolith said:

BSW, there are a few anglers on this forum who have done a lot of the destination fishing stuff - worth joining and starting a thread there. Vagabond in particular has been everywhere (currently claiming 471 different species, though he is rather old and does make every effort to add to his list)

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/

Ill give it a shot, cheers. The more I look at this the more I realise that I don't know so Ill no doubt have loads of things to ask

[blindswelledrat]

grand cherokee said:

just a thought - but any specific reason it has to be a multiplier?

No really. I was always of the belief that multipliers cope much better with heavier lines. I know from experience that the heavier the line on a fixed spool, the more cumbersome the casting.
At the same time, though, I cant see me actually casting long distances on this trip so Ill have a look out for that.

[grand cherokee]

blindswelledrat said:

No really. I was always of the belief that multipliers cope much better with heavier lines. I know from experience that the heavier the line on a fixed spool, the more cumbersome the casting.
At the same time, though, I cant see me actually casting long distances on this trip so Ill have a look out for that.

that was the case, but in the last ten years or so fixed spool reels have come on a long way - also bearing in mind your using braid then line diameter will not be a problem

i'll give you an example - using my Big Blue M reels loaded with 30lb Powerpro I can cast a 3.5oz lead all day using a 3.5tc Daiwa Infinity X carp rod!

as I said before these 'new generation' fixed spools will handle 100lb+ tarpon/sailfish/tuna/cats etc

[otolith]

30lb powerpro is, what, .3mm or so? About the same as 10lb Maxima?

[Mr Gearchange]

blindswelledrat said:

Mods: Couldn't work out which section to post this in so just bunged it here.

A question for you fisherman out there. I need to buy some new rods for a specific purpose but I don't even know what to type of rods to search for.
Ideally they will be 10-11 feet in length and have a test curve of about 7-10 lbs and be able to hold a multiplier reel.
What should I be searching for? Doe sthat describe a boat road or a shore casting rod or what? I cant really find what I am looking for and then I get into the realm of casting weights being quoted instead of test curves and I am finished.

Thanks

I'm not sure that what you are looking for exists.
7-10lb TC is massive - I have a set up 3.5lb TC carp rods which have happily caught carp up to 60lbs and cats up to 80lbs. Something in 11ft length with a TC of 10lb would be like a telegraph pole at the butt section.
Some kind of massive big game rod for Marlin fishing might be strong enough - but it won't be 10-11ft long and you won't be able to cast it.

In fact a rod of that TC would be impossible to cast as you wouldn't be able to compress it anywhere near enough to send the bait out unless you are casting something that weighs 2lb+ and have arms like Geoff Capes. A very heavy spod rod - around 5.5lb might do the job but they will all pretty much be 12ft long.

Edited by Mr Gearchange on Monday 29th September 13:43

[slow_poke]

Time to think about terminal tackle? I reckon a setup for porgbeagle sharks would do the trick. 10/0 Cox&Rawl Meathooks, anyone?

[blindswelledrat]

Mr Gearchange said:

In fact a rod of that TC would be impossible to cast as you wouldn't be able to compress it anywhere near enough to send the bait out unless you are casting something that weighs 2lb+ and have arms like Geoff Capes. A very heavy spod rod - around 5.5lb might do the job but they will all pretty much be 12ft long.

I think this thread has established that I am looking for something similar to a 6-10 oz uptide rod.

[blindswelledrat]

slow_poke said:

Time to think about terminal tackle? I reckon a setup for porgbeagle sharks would do the trick. 10/0 Cox&Rawl Meathooks, anyone?

You joke, but this is next on my worry list.
I need to make up my own wire traces for this and haven't got the first idea how to go about it.

[otolith]

Pike traces are easy - I guess tigerfish traces are the same principles but heavier?

[slow_poke]

He'll need a good pair of proper crimpers. Using pliers is a shortcut to disaster.

[blindswelledrat]

I guess so. Ill have to learn. How are the hooks attached to the wires?
Also, and I am trying to get my head around this: I read somewhere (cant find it now) that the current favoured method is to fish with 3 hooks at either side of the body of the livebait.
I cant work out how you would achieve that with one trace?

[Rosscow]

Traces are easy - you can pretty much make them however you like!

[slow_poke]

blindswelledrat said:

I guess so. Ill have to learn. How are the hooks attached to the wires?
Also, and I am trying to get my head around this: I read somewhere (cant find it now) that the current favoured method is to fish with 3 hooks at either side of the body of the livebait.
I cant work out how you would achieve that with one trace?

Sounds weird. Are you thinking about "gang hooks"?

[slow_poke]

Outfitter? Pah, bsr don't roll with outfitters. He's a solo operator, angling on the fringes of luancy.

[blindswelledrat]

grand cherokee said:

I presume your going with some outfitter?

if so the making up of traces etc should be something they do as part of their service - they can tell you what trace material/hooks etc to bring with you

I'd guess 100 - 150lb trace wire and always use double crimps - hook wise Owner/Gamakatsu are superb

if you want to make your own traces there are plenty of vids on You Tube etc from guys in the USA

if your going into the Congo basin a few tips

a) make sure your outfitter is up to date with security issues on the ground - life is cheap out there and if something goes wrong in 'bandit country' you will be in a world of hurt with no help at the end of a phone
b) take a very comprehensive medical kit - don't rely on what the outfitter may have - take antibiotics/suture kit/blood products/syringes etc - in other words a proper trauma kit
c) take you own life jacket such as a crewsaver with spare CO2
d) getting the locals onside is a big plus - take some football shirts - Chelsea/Man Utd/Liverpool - they will win you friends
e) its a sport fish to you but its a meal to poor locals so don't be too keen on catch and release - give them some food
f) tell them when you leave they can have your line/hooks/traces etc - that's worth a lot to them as they cannot source/afford fishing tackle
g) satellite distress beacon - remember false use results in a fine of about 20K dollars!!

when you see these 'fishing expeditions' on Sky with Jeremy Wade/Matt Hayes/John Wilson etc remember they have full emergency backup including medevac and ex forces combat medics who can deal with everything from limb loss to snake bite - also they often have armed govt 'minders' for security as it would not look good if an international film crew got robbed/mugged or even worse

food for thought?

contacting Jeremy Wade would be a big help

try

[e-mail]

somewhere I have contact details for Matt Hayes and John Wilson (but John has moved to Thailand) - i'll look them out but will have to get their approval to release them to a third party - sorry, but I have to respect their privacy

[]

Funnily enough it was a book I read by Jeremy Wade 15 years ago that has caused this trip. It remains on my bedside and has been read about 15 times since.
FYI he doesn't have any of that sort of backup when he films his programmes. Its a small 3 man crew consisting of him, a cameraman and a sound man and none of the provisions you mention.
Although Im not being flippant- I know the risks and will be cautious.
Re the 'outfitters'- I may be proved wrong but I get the impression that all they are going to do is get me there. Im certainly not going to arrive being reliant on their knowledge and will consider it a bonus. The difference between this and other outfitters (like for Mahseer) is that tourism is nowhere near enough in the Congo for them to be doing regular trips and become experts.
I get the impression the main company that does it only does about 2 weeks a year or so, so they will have nothing like the expertise you get on more mainstream expeditions. LIke I said, I may be pleasantly surprised but Ill make sure I am prepared either way.

[grand cherokee]

blindswelledrat said:

Funnily enough it was a book I read by Jeremy Wade 15 years ago that has caused this trip. It remains on my bedside and has been read about 15 times since.
FYI he doesn't have any of that sort of backup when he films his programmes. Its a small 3 man crew consisting of him, a cameraman and a sound man and none of the provisions you mention.
Although Im not being flippant- I know the risks and will be cautious.
Re the 'outfitters'- I may be proved wrong but I get the impression that all they are going to do is get me there. Im certainly not going to arrive being reliant on their knowledge and will consider it a bonus. The difference between this and other outfitters (like for Mahseer) is that tourism is nowhere near enough in the Congo for them to be doing regular trips and become experts.
I get the impression the main company that does it only does about 2 weeks a year or so, so they will have nothing like the expertise you get on more mainstream expeditions. LIke I said, I may be pleasantly surprised but Ill make sure I am prepared either way.

Jeremy may have had a small three man team in the 'early days' - that has changed I'm told because quite simply insurance companies insisted on improved provisions

so I'm going to leave the discussion - if you want info on Powerpro just mail me

[blindswelledrat]

grand cherokee said:

Jeremy may have had a small three man team in the 'early days' - that has changed I'm told because quite simply insurance companies insisted on improved provisions

Makes sense, I'm sure you're right

GC said:

so I'm going to leave the discussion

Wow, you're a little touchy today aren't you? Discussions are a two way thing you know?

[slow_poke]

Never mind all that old buzzco is you two. "Gang hooks" is where this convo shod be at right now.