PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 Average RUN distance for BIG MACKS
What size reel do you plan on using? What sort of rod?
If i was chasing big macks the smallest reel I would go would be a 4000 size loaded with 20/30lb braid. You should get around 200-300 yards of braid on.
The size of the runs is somewhat dictated by the drag your running and the size of the fish. The spanish macs i've caught only made runs I'd estimate up to around 50m (but quite a few of them)- but this was using 15kg overhead gear with around 4kg of drag.
You can catch macs on lighter gear, but if i was putting together an outfit for this specific task, I would not got any smaller than 4000.
the actual run can be quite short, but the boat still driving ahead or indeed giving it some throttle will make the run seem like it is a real high speed long one, if you are (say) anchored and hook a fish, then the true run can be measured, providing of course the fish is moving directly away from the boat, so I guess in fact then, who far will/can a fish run is governed by a whole host of things, I have seen movies where the fisherman is yelling about the run, when in actual fact the boat is doing most of the "running" and the fish is just "sulking"
4000 refers to a general size in Spinning reels, although some brands do differ a bit, it is a gauge for the size, and you could certainly catch a good sized Mackeral on 175yds of 12LD line, but it does not give a lot of reserve if that "big daddy" pops up one day, especially if you are at anchor.,, but also remember more people get spooled in the Pub than out in the Boat fishing and the more beers the bigger the fish was and the quicker it spooled you! (but it does happen)
22lb of drag won't do you much good on 12lb line. You should set your drag at around 1/3 of your line strength, 1/2 if you must stop a fish quick (better to break off quickly than after a long fight) 200m of line (10-15kg is a good strength for Macks) should give you plenty to stop anything except a real horse!
15kg is the same as 30lb in braid or mono. If you are using braid make sure to use a 5-10m mono leader as the strikes can be violent at times and this will give you just a little cushion on the strike (braid has a habit of breaking on hard strikes when trolling if you don't use at least some mono) Using braid for your main line though will give you plenty of extra capacity on the reel.
Any of the 30lb braids will give you a great increase in line capacity. If I could make a suggestion for your trolling set up, it would be to load your spool with 150m - 200m of braid and topshot with as much mono as you can fit after that. Personally I am a big fan of braid, sensitivity, greater capacity etc. but for trolling or bottom bashing for Red's the forgiveness of mono is a great advantage.
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