duncan Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 (edited) having suffered a clean bite off when a suspected porgy grabbed my mackerel last week I woundered just how strong the hook length needs to be to survive? clearly the fish took the bait whole and closed it's mouth preventing the circle hook from getting a hold outside the teeth! 50lb wire was clean cut about 20 seconds (a lifetime holding the rod) of the fish swiming up and slighty across the tide but I am sure it didn't realise it was attached to anything as it just moved slowly against the drag (set at 20lb!!!!!!!) and my arms. I have made up a few with 3 ft 150lb wire / 6ft 250lb mono - but someone else has suggested bicycle brake cable...............mind you their idea of hooks was a little agricultural too. Appreciate any advice. Edited May 12, 2008 by duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I'm no expert Duncan, as I havent had the chance to use my kit in anger, but I went out and bought the kit a few years back with the intention. I used double barrel s/s crimps and galv multi strand wire from B&Q - about half the thickness of bycycle cable. Hooks were 10/0 o'shaughnessy's but since Ive got some proper 'sharp' shark hooks from Mike at UK-Hooks. Hopefully the new boat will give us the chance to have a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Not an expert but I understand you should consider 175lb minimum, S/S . Have a look at Leadertec website............ All the goodies you'll need. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Hi Duncan My Porgie traces are 4 or 5 feet of 400lb 49 strand, double crimped and shrinkwrapped ends to a decent 400lb swivel followed by about 15 feet of 400lb mono rubbing leader with a further high quality swivel with a snap link. Hooks are 12/0 Mustad, made for the job. My Blue shark traces follow a similar theme, but come down to 175lb 49 strand and 300lb mono with a 10/0 Meat Hook or Partridge ultra sharp hook. I have one unused Tiger Shark trace which is a work of art (monsterous art). It has a 16/0 Mustad haywire twisted to 5 separate single strands of 400lb wire each. The 5 strands are five feet long and not wrapped with the idea that they will fit between the nashers of the shark rather than get sawed as would happen with multi strand. This is then linked to 15 feet of 600lb mono.... not much use for Porgies though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 I also made up a few traces years ago I always carry at least one on the boat, and would have used one last week if we suspected a porgie was playing. I have tried them this side with zero success. although they were used succesfully abroad once on black tips. They are made of about the same spec as above suggestions 14-0 Mustad seamaster to heavy wire [like cycle brake cable], rolling swivel to 300lb mono then another rolling swivel. I have a few more at home if you want to borrow one next time you go accross Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Just re read the post. 20lb of drag!!!!!! OMG!!!! That's huge levels for any UK fish. What were you fishing for? The 700lb Marlin I had last week was played on 17lb drag for most of the fight and only as it (and I) tired did we nudge it up towards 30ishlb. If it was hooked whilst Tope fishing around Alderney it could have been one of any of the UK shark species. I believe Blues are often seen towards the north west Tope marks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Tom, One of those 'I could so I did' issues. As the fish headed slowly away I upped the drag to it's max setting which is maintained at 20lb - and it continued on it's way at the same speed for about another 10 secs............ Penn Formula 15kg / Grauvell stand up stick. At the time I was confident that the rest of the set up would handle the loading but with hindsight it was obvious that the fish didn't realise it was hooked so it could have 'kicked' and this might have caused problems. I was only using this set up as I was too lazy to set up my preferred tope rod which was still in it's bag down below - this one was in a holder and seemed like a good idea at the time - nearly inspired decision but I needed a good hook up away from the teeth (which I didn't get). Next time......thanks all for the suggestions and information. I have made up some 150 / 250 traces and will cross my fingures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 The new traces will be fine for Blue Sharks, but could still be too light for the proper teeth of a Porgie unless you get a perfect lip hook hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Never mind All That. - - - - Where were you when this happened ? I don't think I'll be doing any swimming in that area ! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Tom's hit the location on the button - about a mile NW of 'the tope mark' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) Tom's hit the location on the button - about a mile NW of 'the tope mark' Fast and Rough? If it was a Blue you would probably have been able to turn it in 15 or 20 seconds on 20lb drag. I would expect a drag of 5 to 7lb on Blues. A big Porgie would have taken line steadily with little hinderence on 20lb, but would have turned eventually. Edited May 13, 2008 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Sorry for the idiot question.... How do you know you had 20lb of drag dialled in? Presumably the Formula's have a lever drag similar to a TLD20/25... which you can also adjust on the pressure dial on the side resulting in max drag not always being 'murdered up'?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 yep LD reels (only use 1 star drag nowadays the calcutta 400). whilst I tend to mess about with most of the others from time to time in much the same way as star drags I leave this one alone and have the 'strike setting' at 20lb which gives about 10lb when it's up against the first stop against an old spring balance. As the line is relatively fine for the reel it would need a lot of line off the reel before the effective drag increased much. this was all set up with wreck conger in mind - not tope! As for porgy.....well it's odds on I never see another one of those - or if I do he will lake a bait on 15/20lb class gear and a nylon trace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Thanks Duncan. I must go and try mine, havent a clue what I set them at..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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