Mono v. Braid-Moreton Bay

[Greggo1]

Hi all,
Still a beginner fisherman who's spent most time around the 'Pin/the Rous/Southern Bay chasing Whiting, Bream and Flathead. I'm looking at getting something of medium weight to target Snapper (on flesh baits) at the following-
*Brisbane River around the wharfs/the junction with the boat passage in 5-12 mts.
*Harry's artificial in I think about 15-20 mts.
*Around Mud island in 5-12 mts.
*The odd trip to Cowan artificial in I think 20 mts.
I have a new Shimano Sahara 4000 and am looking at an Ugly Stick Platinum 7' 4-6.5kg and plan loading with 12lb braid or mono.

For braid, I've read it can be too unforgiving and can rip the bait out of the fishes mouth. Does this become less evident/more forgiving in depths around 14 mts. and more?

Alternatively, at Cowan using my old 6-8lb. mono (an estuary rig) in 20 mts., the line felt like elastic with the extra lead and length of line in water. Does this elasticity become less evident as you increase the mono's guage?

Given the above what would you guys personally recommend?
P.S. I've never caught a Snapper over 41cm.

[Jeremy]

Personal opinion/preference counts for alot here. Fishing for snapper in those areas with bait, you are going to be letting the fish run a bit with the bait before striking, so feeling every little pick at the bait isn't important.

My preference is mono.

Jeremy

[Greggo1]

Thanks Jeremy.
Do you think the rod I mentioned is suitable and if not what would you, or anyone else recommend? The rod is $100 though I may go a bit dearer.
Ditto for the line guage?

[Jeremy]

[quote author=Greggo1 link=1167876860/0#0 date=1167876859]
I have a new Shimano Sahara 4000 and am looking at an Ugly Stick Platinum 7' 4-6.5kg and plan loading with 12lb braid or mono.
[quote]

For bait fishing, a baitrunner style reel such as the BTR4500 would be a better choice. Letting the fish run before striking is pretty important. But I think you have already bought the reel?

The rod sounds OK to me, but possibly a bit light. If you are running 12 lb mono, you will be using around 4 lb of drag. Take a 2 litre milk bottle with water in it into the shop and run some line through the guides and hold the milk bottle up. See how it feels to you. Does the rod feel like it could take a bit more or does it feel like it is about to snap?

There is more good info here:
http://www.ausfish.com.au/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1167630746

Jeremy

[Greggo1]

I'll give that a go. Thanks again.

[swano]

greggo
some great advice from others allready , i would personaly go to a 6-8kg rod for that size reel you have and run a true 20lb braid on it with about 2-3 meters of 25-30lb mono leader , some times its not possible to let the fish run to far(ie close to structure) so i like to put a fair bit of the rod butt into them early and then back the drag off a bit when they are out of harms way as not to wear a great hole around the hook penetration .
my rule of thumb is that when bait fishing with braid use a rod that is pretty soft in the first third but really loads in the later stages(the tip more forgiving on snapper head shakes), and when using mono a stiffer rod is required to set the hook and turn the fish early(let the line absorb the shock).
cheers and best luck ....swano

[Greggo1]

Thanks Swano,
I ended up buying a 7' 1 piece 6-8kg Sic Stick, 1/2 price ($70) at #$%@^#$%@^#$%@^#$%@^#$%@^ in the post Christmas sale, that I was pretty chuffed about until that same night I read on here that Strudwick have had some quality issues. I hope this one wasn't built by the new guy on a Friday arvo!
Went out to the Rous in a mates Outsider last Sunday and used it on my first Mackeral trolling experience and had a ball with just around legal schoolies (we didn't keep any). The rig felt great and what a felling when that line is peeling off! I'm hooked and will definately be getting my Aquamaster out there again soon.
I've boated very few legal Snapper and to date the best has only been 41cm from Caltex but like everyone I always fish in hope. What spread of sizes (length) Snapper would you be aiming at with 20lb braid Swano?

[swano]

Thanks Swano,
I ended up buying a 7' 1 piece 6-8kg Sic Stick,
I've boated very few legal Snapper and to date the best has only been 41cm from Caltex but like everyone I always fish in hope. What spread of sizes (length) Snapper would you be aiming at with 20lb braid Swano?

g,day greggo
that combo should be sweet for bouncing sp,s round the bay for snapper(did ya go braid or mono) best iv,e landed at redcliffe was a 89cm 7.5kilo model on a affinity 4000 on top af a 7ft shimano rod . i used 20lb suffix braid with 25lb mono leader and had no problems , just keep a cool head when the bigger fish connect
cheers swano

picture of fish and combo sorry bout the focus

[sarg]

Thats a good snapper from redcliffe always here of big ones but never seen a photo. Was it on a placcie?

Andrew

[Chuckmeister]

Greggo I've got a 6'6 sicstick and it's treated me well. A mate of mine has a Strudwick fly rod which he loves.