How Light Have You Gone?

[johnf]

I bought myself a maxximus solid c last year with the idea of fishing as light as possible over hard ground. I only got out once & to be honest the fishing was terrible. I plan on having a couple of trips this year & was thinking of buying some (30lb)braid, combining it with an old shimano speedmaster I have & the maxximus. Questions are: how light have you regular boaties gone?, do you change tactics?, how much lead will I need(for an average tide)? and should I also take along my standard boat gear (old 20lb Ugly Stik) for when it all goes wrong!

[northeast1]

I have used a Diawa spinning rod on the wrecks with a 6oz pirk but it was not the best idea but good fun, had a 5lb cod and decided to not do that again

I never use anything more than a 8-12lb class rod, dont see the point for our area because if it could take a 40lb tope and sure it could take a big cod or ling.

Braid, anything really as not much difference between 30lb and 60lb thickness wise.

Leads i use 6-10oz with 8 being the main choice.

Tactics wise i try a drift over the wreck with bait pirk or leadhead then if nothing move on.

Only try new tactics if having a good day and comf is high

Always best to have two of everything when boat fishing as a rod or reel could go anytime and often goes when the fishing is good.
I always have 1 set up with a pirk and 1 with bait or lead heads but can be abit pushed for space on some boats.

If in doubt ask the Skippers, they out day in day out and most happy to lend a hand or give advice.

Once again, every body has there own opinions so just pick one try it and if your not happy try one until you find what you like using.

I started off boat fishing with a 50-60lb class all roller metal butt boat rod that cost £200, it has not seen the daylight for 7 years but may get used if i ever make it Skate fishing

[Charlton]

open ground, go as light as you want, just play the fish, great fun. Wrecks a different kettle of fish you need something to stop the initial run back into the wrecks, I used a 20lb class rod and 80lb braid with a monofiliment leader.

[drifter]

When it comes to braid do not go for economy brands as you will invariably find that the better quality braids are considerably less in diameter than the cheaper brands. You may even find a quality 65lb braid will be less in diameter than a cheap 30lb braid and bye the way the better braids allow you to use 6oz weights for general boat fishing with perhaps an increase up to 8oz when wrecking. I use 65lb braid with a Fladen Max rod most of the time as it's like a trout spinning rod in my hand but it can certainly handle anything we are likely to catch in our local waters.