Q: Which line strength for a given weight for beach casting

[Mark Davies]

I have spent a couple of hours scouting for the answer to this question on the web, but can’t find it. Hopefully there is a fishing guru on this forum who can answer it.

Q: What are the recommended line strengths and swivel strengths for beach casting with the following weights: 2,4 & 6oz?

The closest answer that I found is from http://faqs.ign.com/articles/601/601462p1.html but this does not cover weights over 1 1/2 oz nor swivels.

Power Line Strength Lure Weight
UL 2 - 8 lbs. 1/32 - 3/8 oz.
L 4 - 12 lbs. 1/16 - 1/2 oz.
ML 4 - 14 lbs. 3/16 - 5/8 oz.
M 6 - 16 lbs. 3/16 - 1 oz.
MH 8 - 20 lbs. 1/4 - 1 oz.
H 10 - 25 lbs. 3/8 - 1 1/4 oz.
EXH 10 - 25 lbs. 3/8 - 1 1/2 oz.

I made my own Pennel rig using 60lb shock leader. However, I am concerned that the 25lb line on my beach caster might break whilst casting with a 4 or 6oz weight. Also, I’m not sure if the swivels will hold.

Slightly off-topic: in a couple of weeks I will be pier fishing for cod with a Pennel rig with 4 & 6oz weights; my first time night fishing

I can't wait as, although I'm still a fishing n00b, I've caught fishing 'bug'.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

made my own Pennel rig using 60lb shock leader. However, I am concerned that the 25lb line on my beach caster might break whilst casting with a 4 or 6oz weight. Also, I’m not sure if the swivels will hold.

A shockleader is what it says on the box it absorbs the shock of casting the weight . and you do not just use it for your rig but wind on say 2 1/2 rod lenghts on to your reel that way your main line does not take the cast itself

Oh welcome to the forum

[creedy]

ur mainline will certainly not break 25lb main is quite heavy i tend to use 18lb, does not sound like a big difference but the difference in diameter means u will punch the lead that little bit further, u want about 8 turns of 50lb shockleader(tapered ones in my opion r best) around the reel attached to the mainline. And have ur main rig body made out of shockleader two,
try to use desecent quality line as cheap stuff is not good, try to use things like ultima f1 18lb mainline or daiwa infinty duo mainline

cheap is not the way hope this helps mate

[geejayy]

mmmn, where to start?

shock leader , heavy line to absorb the shock/stress of the cast, it must cover the distance between the weight up to the tip ring and back down the length of the rod and at Least 6 turns around the reel spool ( including the rig body) when the rod is set to cast.
minimum strength should be 10lb for every ounce of weight cast, i,e 6oz lead, 60lb b/s shock leader.

main line strength is determined by several factors;- personal preferance, venue/conditions, how far u want to cast, how sporting u want to be.
i generally use 15-20lb mainline which causes no problems with 'crackoffs'
as the shock leader takes the strain of casting.
i wouldn't use lighter unless spinning or fishing clean ground for sml speices.
but often use up to 30lb for rocky or weedy conditions or targeting large strong fish, ie conger ( i should be so lucky).

as to swivels , i'm not too sure of the breaking strains envolved but i think the sml ones that get used for rig building are about 75lb for snood attachment , i use much larger ones that take the load of casting , i think they're no,4's about 150lb+ because large gauge wire hoops are easier to tie shock leader material to.

i'm no guru, but hope this helps. geejay.

ps if you get a good fish on the peir get a net under it, if u try winching it up the side u stand a good chance of looseing it.

[Mark Davies]

Thank you all for your prompt answers! They have been extremely helpful!

geejayy, I think I'll upgrade my main line like you recommended, and use the number 4 swivels. Nice one.

So, as the shock leader is designed to take the shock of the cast does the hook line, running off the Pennel rig, also need to be made of 60lb shock leader? Or would 25lb main-line be sufficient here (which would be cheaper)?

[Charter Skipper]

Hi Mark,welcome to the forum,all you realey need is 15 or 18lb main line ,this gives minimum resistance to the tide.The Leader is needed for casting and as a minimum needs to be 10X the amount of lead,so if you have a 6oz sinker you need a minimum of 60lb shock leader.

[Pross]

The rig body would normally be made out of a lighter line with strength depending on what you are fishing for, shock leader isn't very good for rig bodies as it is difficult to tie knots with, you are best using some kind of low memory monofilament line such as amnesia, I usually use about 20 to 25lb but I'm sure there'll be more experienced rig makers out there who can give you a better idea.

[geejayy]

mark,

snoods;- line from hook to rig body can be any strength you fancy. depending on;-
size of potential fish, crab activity ( spider crabs abound down here on the south coast in summer, 30-40lb snoods help stop them snipping the hook off).
lighter snoods help with bait presentation as they move around in the current better as a sight attractant in clear water.
bareing in mind that a flowing trace/ledger has no rig body, paternoster style rig bodys need to be a simalar strength to the shock leader or theres no point to the shock leader as the rig body also suffers the stress of the cast.

25lb main line is plenty unless you plan fishing real rocky ground,
as charter skipper says , 15-20 it optimal for most fishing , heavier line will reduce the distance you can cast and be subject to stronger tide resistance but if youve already got the 25lb loaded on yer reels i'd try it and see how you get on.

which venues do you plan fishing ? as this may give others the opportunity to give better advise ref' local knowledge

gj.

[big guy]

i make my bodies out of 10/ 20lb heavier line than the leader as the knots weaken the strength. ( 70/ 80lb)

i use 15lb main line but use a bimini twist leader knot that's the strongest you can tie. personally i don't use crimps as they weaken the line more than powergum stop knots.

always remember that safety comes first!