Surfcasting with braid
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Landbased & Surfcasting
Forum Description: From rocks or beaches, here's the place for the landbased fishos to share information
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=133339
Printed Date: 14 Jun 2026 at 9:33pm
Topic: Surfcasting with braid
Posted By: Kandrew
Subject: Surfcasting with braid
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 5:41pm
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With us being allowed to surfcast in L3 I dragged my old 14 foot surfcasting rod and I looking to use my 8500 spin reel I use for jigging on it. Reel is loaded with 40kg multi coloured braid don’t want to have to reload the reel so I was wondering if anyone has surfcasted with heavy braid? Thanks Kerry |
Replies:
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 5:46pm
| Yes, a few times. Haven't made up my mind. Obviously better bite detection and casting distance. Downside is less abrasion resistance and grip lead setups are more like to move due to less elasticity, but even the latter has to be balanced against the lower diameter of braid meaning less water resistance. To get the best of both worlds, I'd use a heavy, long mono leader. |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 5:54pm
Yep I was going to take the 50kg leader off and top shot on about 10 metres of 20kg, then sinker and swivel. Was thinking this might save my casting finger from getting dealt to by the braid. |
MightyBoosh wrote:Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 6:03pm
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Dunno, I am a terrible surfcaster but my thoughts: a decent shock leader. abrasion resistance not a biggie off the beach. It's a chance to go fishing. It's the best time to fish in close. go for it! Whatever gear you have but heavy braid isn't going to be a bad choice
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 6:15pm
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Thanks Smudge, just got to make do with what you got to get out of the house. I can see dozens lined up along Manly beach. |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 6:50pm
Yepp. But in reality I think as is usual there will be more people talking about going fishing than those actually doing it. Early mornings, late evenings & local knowledge i'm guessing will see the beaches relatively empty. At midday however the beaches are likely to be crawling with people bemoaning the fact that the trawlers have cleaned the fish out. You will recognise those people because they will leave all their rubbish behind ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 6:59pm
| I was planning very early morning 2 hours before low tide so there’s a bit of room on the beach for all the other beach users |
Posted By: rockz
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 7:30pm
| should be perfect for those big manly stingrays you'll catch Kerry! |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 7:51pm
Yeeha |
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 8:20pm
| Stingrays can be fun! About all I catch from the beach before you pay too much attention to my words. If you're getting a lot of them, I would recommend a single, de-barbed circle hook or a hook that will rust quickly (anything by Black Magic should do!) and cut them off close to the hook. |
Posted By: lbgaz
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2020 at 8:53pm
| 40kg is overkill for surfcasting but it will be fine. 20kg mono shock leader should be sweet like u say, or 24kg if you use 5-6oz lead. If you aren't a regular caster distance isn't an issue so don't forget about the good old lemon fish/rig at night or dirty water. Just don't go up the beach for a stroll with a tight drag on 40kg or you'll turn around to see your rod going for a swim ;) |
Posted By: taurangatroutmaster
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 3:34pm
| A bit of insulation tape on your casting finger of even better a surf casting finger glove is important. make sure your drag is done up tight as possible on the cast. Only time I've had an issue was when I forgot to tighten the drag. Cut straight through the casting glove and almost to the bone. Then remember to loosen your drag after the cast. Seen a few rods disappear into the surf when mates forgot to loosen the drag back off. You don't even need a shock leader, especially with braid that heavy. My leader is so short the join knot sits outside the rod tip. I only use one because I don't trust braid knotted straight to a swivel. |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 4:52pm
great advice there TTM, thanks. I mentioned shock leader because of the cut factor. That's a pretty graphic explanation and a good solution. I didn't even consider tightening the drag up. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: lbgaz
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 5:01pm
| Using a mono/fluro leader isn't only for the cast it gives a bit more invisibility at the business end. I used to tie traces direct to braid and found I have much more action with a shock leader. Also adds a bit of stretch in the swell to keep things in place. |
Posted By: Craigo 90 mile
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2020 at 1:26pm
| Braid is best for distance. And use a tapered shock leader. Hunting and fishing sell casting clips. Tape on above your bail arm. Never use your finger again. 7 solid days on the beach. No gloves needed |
Posted By: Craigo 90 mile
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2020 at 1:29pm
| My mate makes 2 prong sand rod holders. They never fall over. Even in 1 metre of water. Best design ever conceived |