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About LinkBacksThe best way to guage how much shock leader you will need on a reel is to put 3 wraps on a reel and go from tip to the butt of your rod. I found it works well for me, not too much, but just enough to cut back if you have to.
Active Angler 
Shock Leader The best way to guage how much shock leader you will need on a reel is to put 3 wraps on a reel and go from tip to the butt of your rod. I found it works well for me, not too much, but just enough to cut back if you have to.
New Member
Thank you all for the information. I am used to just hooking up the main line to a leader, and that's it.
Salty Dawg
Having the 30'-50' of heavier line, like 50# can only help you.
It gives you a better chance of landing a fighter when it hits the suds and also helps against breakage when heaving 8 (or more) & bait. I use a blood knot and have not had a problem.
Active Angler Originally Posted by Steve
I use a uni-knot myself, but both are great knots. Just be careful of the knot on your thumb if you are using a conventional reel. If you are using a conventional reel, a little advice for you. As you start reeling in you shocker knot on the reel, try and get the knot to the side of the spool. This will save you alot of pain in your thumb when casting.
Active Angler 
You will only make that mistake once! I ripped a chunk of my thumb off almost down to the bone one day! luckily it was pretty cold out that day so once I got the bleeding under control it really didn't hurt at all.I use a uni-knot myself, but both are great knots. Just be careful of the knot on your thumb if you are using a conventional reel. If you are using a conventional reel, a little advice for you. As you start reeling in you shocker knot on the reel, try and get the knot to the side of the spool. This will save you alot of pain in your thumb when casting.
Now my shock knot always goes on the right side of the reel.
Jim
Hebron Maryland
Click Click Click..........Fish On!
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Active Angler
OUCH
I know that really hurt. I didn't hurt myself that bad, but it hurts when you do. I did it once and that was enough for me. Lesson learned the hard way
Active Angler 
I too would like to know the timetable for Strippers on Assateague. I know when the stripers are there but Strippers sound so much like more fun.
Active Angler Jim
Hebron Maryland
Click Click Click..........Fish On!
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Active Angler George! It's great to hear from you ... OC Snapper usually plans a spring fling for striper - but if you want to head out to the island - we can definitely send you a message or give you a call when we go - pm me or Jim your cell phone number.
Active Angler About getting the knot on your baitcast to the side of the spool when casting. I actually like to have it right in the middle, because for me, it aids to keep my thunm from slipping off, and allows me to whip the bait more.
Active Angler Re: Getting Ready for Assateague Surf Fishing I am using 17lb sufix titanium and then I tie a blood knot with 65 lb pp braid. I then put about 50 yards of braid and what ever rig that is needed for the day.. The pp really allows the caster to heave the heck out of some lead and heads. My son (fishing every night) and I have had very good luck with this set up..
Active Angler Re: Getting Ready for Assateague Surf Fishing I don't like using braid for shock leaders for 3 reasons.
#1 when you get a fish into the surf/beach break you better have good gloves on if you want to grab the line to help beach the fish. HINT FOR EVERYONE, NEVER EVER grab a braid fishing line that is under tension. The stuff is like a razor and WILL cut into you. This will be even worse if you make the mistake of wrapping the line around your hand!
#2 Abrasion resistance. It seems that the braid needs to be changed quite often or you start to get mystery breakoffs and lose fish because the line rubs on a shell or sandbar. You got to really check your shock leader after almost every cast, any frays or such and you need to change the line immediately.
#3 cost, the stuff is just way too expensive! Nothing you can really do about it
Now those listed reasons aren't reasons not to use braid, just know that there are some extra precautions you must take if you do choose to use braid.
Jim
Hebron Maryland
Click Click Click..........Fish On!
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Active Angler Re: Getting Ready for Assateague Surf Fishing I will agree with the mystery break offs because we had them, but then we started glueing the knots and that problem seemed to disappear.. I do feel the cost everytime we resupply the tackle.. But I look at it like I look at gas and bait as being part of the over all price for doing something we love to do.. I really do like the extra distance that we get when casting.
I did just pick this little beauty up.. can't wait to toss this a few times.
Daiwa Saltiga SA-BS35-405G Ballistic Surf Rod
Active Angler Re: Getting Ready for Assateague Surf Fishing
I didn't really notice any significant distance gained by going to a braid shock leader compared to my 50lb mono. I am sure there is some difference but that minimal (in my case) doesn't outweigh the negatives of using braid for me. again its all personal preference.
Also for everyone reading this thread, if you do plan on using 65lb braid or higher as a shock leader make sure you are careful when you tighten down your drag when you get a couple wraps of the shock leader on your spool. There is NO give in the braid and you will snap your rod or guides sooner rather than later!
Jim
Hebron Maryland
Click Click Click..........Fish On!
}<((((((º> }<((((((º> }<((((((º>
Active Angler Re: Getting Ready for Assateague Surf Fishing The benefit we get from the braid is more for when the fish is in the wash and when we throw heavier weights. The braid gives us more assurance that it will with stand the whip and the pressure from casting.
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