Thread: Braided Line and what bites in AUG

So its been a long time since I had the pleasure of fishing GSP {7years}. An now that I finally going back to Gulf shores in the First week of AUG.. I had a question or two I would like to ask. Is braided line still Frowned upon? Also what should I target fish wise. I look to do both surf and pier. Well that is if its back open! Thanks!!

Lobstermeat, I’m certainly not a regular, living in N. Ga., but, I’ll share what I’ve read. As far as I know, braid is frowned upon on the Octi where crossed lines are common when schools of big fish come through. In order to get the line capacity I wanted on my 5000 and 5500 reels, I put on my desired braid and put 12# mono on the last 100 yards or so. That way, I avoid the impossible braid weaving tangles but still have capacity if I hook up to a train.


http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...r-pier-r-9236/
This post is what I refer to if I want to see what’s biting.

Hope is was of some help and please, someone correct me if gave out bad info.

Just from observations..as a mere googan. Braid only becomes a nightmare when you're drift fishing and you get a bad tangle/knot with someone.

Originally Posted by 700fisher

Just from observations..as a mere googan. Braid only becomes a nightmare when you're drift fishing and you get a bad tangle/knot with someone.

The tangles with slack braid are probably the big problem, especially freelining live bait, but braid will also cut a taut line with a big fish if the braid is reeled hard across the taut line. Braid used for casting and reeling lures where the line does not go slack is not so much of a problem if you are careful not to cut someone's line.

Edit: I do have braid under mono on a couple of my reels - just so you know I'm not dissing anybody.

Originally Posted by frednic

The tangles with slack braid are probably the big problem, especially freelining live bait, but braid will also cut a taut line with a big fish if the braid is reeled hard across the taut line. Braid used for casting and reeling lures where the line does not go slack is not so much of a problem if you are careful not to cut someone's line.

yep pretty much, all my "big fish" reels got a nice topshot of mono..if it gets down to the braid he's probably ran at least hundred yards at that point. I remember when I first started fishing the pier I threw out an LY got tangled with about 3 people with some heavy braid..wasn't a pretty look I assure you lol, live and learn

Thanks for the info guys... I mainly have smaller reels 2500 series or 3000 in penn so I use braid with mono leaders...although I’m curious what type of rig most use for surf fishing.

Me, I like braid when I'm in control of the situation, such as casting and retrieving a lure, especially on a bubble. As others have said, the worst thing about braid is tangles when you're drifting a bait, and I agree. I like braid because it lets me use a lighter reel, such as a 5000 for casting for kings, which doesn't wear my arm out---still can get enough line on the reel, even with a topshot of mono, to handle any fish I'm LIKELY to hook. (I don't want to fight a tarpon, too much like work.)

Here's a handy hint on braid: When you get a small wind knot (the kind that are impossible to get out) take your Chapstick and grease the knot up good, then grab the line above and below the knot and pull like you are trying to make it tighter. Unless the wind knot is too complicated, it will pull out eight times out of ten. It's like magic.

There are some fish around in August, but the heat can be brutal. Be sure to drink plenty of water and watch yourself for signs of heat exhaustion.

For surf fishing, I use a three-way swivel, a one or two ounce pyramid sinker and a size two or four Kahle hook. A carolina rig in the surf tends to wash around and wind the leader up on itself. If you use shrimp, make sure it is fresh dead, never frozen. Throw away the head. Peeling the shell off the tail puts more scent in the water. Good luck.

For me, in August, I'm fishing for slot reds. Have a sabiki rod (rigged with the smallest sabikis) available to catch bait. Have a "redfish rod" equipped with 20 pound mono (or bigger braid if you want) a small egg sinker (the sized depending on the wind and current), a smallish swivel and about 18 inches or so of 20# mono or fluorocarbon (you can get away with 30 pound fluorocarbon leader) and a #4 treble.

You can also catch them at first light with fresh-dead shrimp. If the water is clear enough, you should be able to see them down there. Just drop the previously-described baited rig among them to the bottom and you should get a bite. Several times last August I had limited-out by 7:00 or 7:30. Then you can move on to catch Spanish Mackerel on the east rail just south of the bathrooms. Have one rod rigged with a really small swivel, about 4 inches of 27 pound single-strand wire leader (use a haywire twist to connect them) and a silver Gotcha with an orange-red head. You may also use this same set-up to score with bluefish in the surf.
If you got a bag of fresh-dead shrimp from Hooked-Up, you can use some of those shrimp (once you've caught your limit of reds) pieces on platter-sized spadefish near the octi. You may see them on the west side cruising around, looking for jellyfish, which are plentiful during August, typically. The rig is highly specialized. You'll need about 10 pound (or less) test fluorocarbon leader, a tiny swivel and a float located about 3 feet (usually) above your small peeled fresh-dead shrimp piece. You need a SMALL STRONG hook. It's one of the hardest-pulling fish ever! And it's a challenge to catch them, but it's something to fish for when nothing else is biting. To top it all off, spadefish are great eating!
You'll want to look into renting or buying a pier cart. New pier rules aren't going to let the occasional fisherman rest his extra rods on either the benches or the rail. And it so hinders your ability to transition to going from one fishing pursuit to another if you only have one fishing rod with you and you have to change setups every time.

Originally Posted by Haywire

Be sure to drink plenty of water and watch yourself for signs of heat exhaustion.

Of all of the advice that you get about fishing in August, this advice is the one that will serve you best! Haywire and I both have been adversely affected by the summer heat. I no longer stay on the pier in the summer once the sun starts heating things up. Usually that's before 10:00 a.m. Even then, I try to rehydrate and I definitely, every day without exception, apply at least 50 SPF sunscreen. I fish almost every day and I've never had a sunburn or experienced peeling skin because of too much sun at one time (which is different from too much heat!). Definitely prepare for the weather conditions!

I really want thank everyone for the advice!!! I have a pier/beach cart it’s the Berkeley one,an was a gift😁 I also am very aware of the heat an I know it can sneak up on ya! Is the surf fishing any good? We rented a condo in royal plams the last one on the beach before the park. I figured that there would be fewer people so me an my son could try surf fishing.. even if it’s just ground mullet.