BigBendFishing.Net

Good afternoon,
Well since the weather is really crummy and there doesn't seem to be any real hot issues being kicked around, let me see if I can learn sompin.

I've been trying to decide what would be the most satisfactory in the way of a bottom rig (rod and reel). As I've stated before, my boat (which by the way was paid off this week!! ) Is a 19' SemiV Carolina Skiff. That being said, I'm probably not going to be running off shore to 90' plus depths. I can carry 32 gal of fuel for my 75hp Yamaha, and I have GPS, VHF, and Depth/Fish Finder, so I can certainly get to some grouper from time to time and Rockbass. Here are the issues that I have been chewing on:

1. What should be the biggest reel that I would want to carry? I'm talking level wind and I'll use some Penn nomenclature to hopefully simplify the discussion. 3/0 , 4/0, 112, 113, 114, etc. Thus far, I've sort of held the notion that I would want a reel capable of handling 50 lb. test line( 113 or 114.. 3/0 or 4/0??) but I don't want anything bigger or more cumbersome than I need. Would a 113 be realistic? To heavy? To light? Lets hear your thoughts. What do you folks use as a "bait on the bottom" rig for Gags? What are some of your recommendations as to Manufacturer's and Models (please be specific here)?

2. What sort of terminal setup do you use? Hook size? Do you use a lighter line with a heavier leader material and what kind of leader material? Does visibility determine your leader choice? Lead weight, (I know that will depend on tide, current, and so forth) Do you use swivels and where?

3. Is the rod and reel in #1 above OK for trolling, if I should do that? If not what do you generally use?

4. During the few times I've tried trolling (using stretch 25's and 30's) I seem to have trouble keeping them down. They want to come up to the surface every now and then. Is my speed the problem? Do I need to have more line out? What are the common mistakes that I am probably making?

5. Let me add one more to this list. When do you like to chum and how do you go about it? Do you send it to the bottom and how do you go about that? When would you use some sort of dispenser and create a chum line closer to the surface? Do you make your own, buy it, etc.

I sure hope I'm not annoying you folks with my questions and I really appreciate what you've shared already. Your a great group, thanks to you all.

Sir_Reel,
1. I have recently gone to 113's for bottom fishing. I was using a 112H before. The 112H is sufficient most of the time. However, when you get into bottom that rises up several feet, whoever wins the first 6 feet wins the battle. The 112H is a high speed reel, and the rod has to do all the work in a rough bottom situation. ZI could lift the fish with the rod, but when I dropped the rod to gain line, at times, the fish would win. The 113 has a much lower gear ratio and hope that will ge\ive me the advantage on gaining line.

2. I use a 10/0 circle hook for bottom fishing. I use a 60# mono leader with as much lead above a swivel as necessary to get the bait down.

3. A 112H or 113 will work fine for trolling. There are more sophisticated reels on the market designed for trolling, but these will and do work, for me.

4. Not knowing exactly what you're doing when you troll, I'll say that I usually pull stretch baits between 3 and 4 mph. I prefer to be at about 3.5 mph. I put about 100 feet of line out with these baits. The only time I've ever had the baits to surface is when the picked up grass. I watch my rod tip. If it's vibrating, the bait is usually working. If it stops vibrating, the bait isn't working, and I check it for grass.

5. I've never chummed so I can't offer any input on the subject.

What I've written is not THE WAY to bottom fish. It's what works for me, given my budget restraints. I can't afford to invest several hundres dollars into every rig. The 112 and 113 reels are under $100. I wouldn't even begin to suggest rod selection, other than go heavy actionon the bottom rod. Ya gotta win that first 5 or 6 feet.

Thanks TC,

Great information. Hopefully there will be others to tell us what works for them. The more information that comes out the better. I'm sure there's more information and experience out there.

By the way... you indicated you use a #60 leader... what #? are you tying that onto?

For my bottom fishing I use a 3/0 112H on a 6'6" Ugly Stick Rod. I spool about 1/3 with 80 lb clear Ande and 1/3 of 50 on top of that. If you don't fill this reel up, you can lower the gear ratio.

I generally use 4 to 6 oz of lead but have used as much as 10 for ripping current in deep water. I tie about a 4-5 foot 80lb ande leader to a 100 lb swivel. I use an 11/0 mustad circle hook. There have been very few fish that I couldn't turn on this outfit.

For Trolling I use a 3/0 with 25lb trilene big game fluorescent green line. I use the same 80# leader, but usually tie it line to line with a no-name knot. I do use a snap swivel to make changing lures easier. I also have a big Penn 6500 SS spinning combo that I rig the same way. Set the lure back about 150 feet and put on just enough drag so line won't be pulled out by the lure.

For king fishing and cobia live baiting I have a Ambassador 6500 on a 7 foot rod rigged with 20 lb Trilene big game fluorescent green.

I have started carrying my Calcutta 250 and 7-foot plug rod offshore to use for jigging. It is rigged with 16-pound Ande with a 40lb fluorocarbon leader tied line to line with a no-name knot.

When I chum, it is almost 99% from the surface. I buy my chum blocks from Jerry's Bait and they normally last a good 2 hours if the water isn't boiling. I put it in a mesh bag and tie it to the back cleat. I also try to position the boat up current of the structure and let the chum settle down to it and pull fish off it.

I hope this helps you in your quest.