Line and Rigging Preparation (Basic) - Beginners planning to fish off bottom, using bait and weights, should use a shock leader. This basically means tying a line of higher breaking strength to your backing. The heavy “shock” leader absorbs the energy of casting. Without it you run the high risk of breaking your lightweight line after just a few casts and watching your rig sail into the sunset. The general rule is to use a 1 to 10 ratio or a 4 oz sinker to a 40 lb shock leader. Cut you leader long enough to wrap around your reel 5 times and run to the rod tip and back to your reel, this should provide ample leader for casting. With this in place, you will be able to cast with confidence. I used several hundred yards of quality 20 lb Mono backer to 40 lb Mono (Shock Cord) tied together with double surgeon knot or Albright knot to large swivel to 3 feet of 20 lb Mono leader to a #3 Octopus hook, baited with Mackerel. A three-ounce Triangular lead weight attached with a slider rig to the 40 lb Mono above the swivel, allows fish to take the bait without tension.
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Personally I have never fished for striped bass but it is good that you brought to some attention about a good read to help.
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RK, Striped Bass and Blue fishing is really starting to heat up here in Maine. If you ever get a chance to go jump at the opportunity!
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