[red fish]

[csmerril]

[csmerril]

[csmerril]

Alright guys I have some 50lb braid on its way. So when I respool, I just have to add one layer of electrical tape on my reel, tie up my spectra and while im reeling it on keep it soaked in water and keep line taunt/tight?

[bigred805]

you got it bro. And regarding using the drag as your cast control this will work BUT... MAKE SURE your reel is in free spool while adjusting drag. If you do this while the reel is in gear it can and will ruin your drag. Good luck!

[avidangler]

If you can stop that first big run of a bat ray you have a decent chance at getting even the largest fish in. Unfortunately there will be some that just dont stop,but most of the time it can be accomplished with a good conventional reel and a tight drag.

[tackleholic]

Just a thought...there's a rebate on spiderwire stealth braid running thru July. I think a 300 yd spool of 50 lb will run you $25 to $30 at most stores...the rebate is $10 back, so you could get 30 yards of 50 for like $15-$20 after the rebate. Do a search and get the coupon online...but you can buy the line anywhere, so if find it on sale..you could get it even cheaper. I've never used spiderwire spectra even though I have a 300 yd spool of 80 packed away somewhere, so I have no idea how it compares with power pro which is what I prefer for the pricey boat trips...but for shore fishing...I'd give it a shot especially if you can get it for possibly half price of power pro.

[420Fisherman]

I lost a brand new sharK-ray rod back in 97' off the north T pier, i remember seeing a little nibble and then my pole just went "flying out" 15ft before it hit the water and just kept goin as it was pulled down under... there was no boats around and it was so sudden my freind and i were in shock, and i was freaked out, cause i was still making payments on that pole... I now always set the drag as i set the pole down, its better for the fish to run and swallow anyways and plus I love the sound of that drag peeling away with a good one... as for the spoolin, try putting down a 100 yards of braided line( it takes up far less space) then attach your mono it'll give you alot more fighting room... And as for gettin those 100 pound plus monsters, you need to figure out methods to "turn" em cause once they get goin they will just B-line straight out of there! Ive gotten towed around by huge Bat rays in my kayak and figured out differnt ways to coax them to "Turn". One way is to yank on that hook that is piercing there tough skin and causing them pain, I'll make sure the hook is set then start yankin on the rod back n forth like im stuck in the rocks and am tryin to pop the hook while there runnin hard, the trick is to keep the tension and persistantly start tuggin in the direction you want em ta go and try to coax them into turning back in your direction... Ive used this technique to land a 200+ monster nightfishing in ventura, but i had the advantage of surf fishing, so i could run up and down the beach as well as getting neck deep in the surf when i was spooled, but after a epic 45 min fight i managed to dragg em onto the beach, flip em over(10 mins later) un hook em, flip his fat ass back over and drag em back to watch em slowly glide back out into the deep water clearly in the light of the full moon tired but unscathed... Try this turning method and any others on the smaller rays when they make there runs for good practice when the next monster of the deep takes you for a ride you'll be ready to flip that bitch!

[csmerril]

Went out again last night and my buddy hooked and landed 2 rays and I landed 1. Guess what!? All the same freakin' ray!!!! 150lber in the same general area. We were shocked it came back for 3rds. Let alone seconds. We could tell it was same due to fat belly, cut tail, and where we pulled a hook from wing. Fought just as hard all 3 times.

[420Fisherman]

Went out today mid bay, and had the same thing happen, kinda... Took my little bro and sis out but, brought my big pole while they were fishin for perch and rockfish. I casted out a whole 8in mackeral and it got ran with by a big-un and when i finally turned it back my way it did a u turn and this time almost spooled me, and when i reached the end of my line I tightined the drag and tried to turn em again just to break the line right where the knot tied to my leader was... well, not 10 mins later im hooked up again and when i get the brute close enough to see i notice the fresh hook in his lip with the same leader i had just lost.. well the tackle was recoverd and the brute released healthy and quickly, id like to think it was the same ray, but mine was more like 100-130 pounder, were you using a scale or eyeballin it(csmerril)?