Recommended Minimum Amount Of Line For Carolina And Alabama Rigs

[Inoah88]

I am told that when you cast a Carolina or Alabama rig you go through a huge amount of line in the cast.  What would you guys say is the minimum and recommended line you feel comfortable with having on your reel?

[flyfisher]

it is no different than any other heavier rig that you cast.  I have never adjusted the amount of line on my reels based on the baits i am throwing but I am also not throwing those types of baits too often.  I would doubt you would be able to cast out all the line on your reel but if you do, and it is a technique you will be doing often then you may want to invest in a higher spool capacity reel.  My citicas do fine when i throw alabama rigs and besides, i really don't want to throw super far as long range hooksets have a lower hook up percentage for me.

[Inoah88]

I am worried because mine can only hold 80 yards of 65 lb braid

[flyfisher]

well the only thing you can do is make sure your spool knot is good and go see what happens.  Just remember that braid doesn't have high shock resistance so if you are getting close to the end of the spool you better thumb it to slow it down.

 

Also, what reel is that because that seems like a low capacity for what equates to about 12lb test.

[Inoah88]

It is an Abu Garcia Orra Inshore it is 12/180 but for some reason when i put on braid i only got 80 or so yards weird

 

well the only thing you can do is make sure your spool knot is good and go see what happens.  Just remember that braid doesn't have high shock resistance so if you are getting close to the end of the spool you better thumb it to slow it down.

 

Also, what reel is that because that seems like a low capacity for what equates to about 12lb test.

[flyfisher]

I'd ccheck your measurements because there is no way it is off by that much if it says it can hold 180yards of 12lb or you have too much backing on there.  Also, 80 yards is a long cast, a lot longer than people think.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

You should be good. I would be surprised if you could cast 80 yards.

[Inoah88]

I'd ccheck your measurements because there is no way it is off by that much if it says it can hold 180yards of 12lb or you have too much backing on there.  Also, 80 yards is a long cast, a lot longer than people think

 

I have little to no backing

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

100' is a long cast and that's 33.33 yards. You'll be fine.

[Kevin22]

Longest casts I make are 40 yards ish. 80 yards is more than enough.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

I've heard kvd say on a good cast with the wind 150 to 200 ft. 80 will be fine. I have trouble casting an umbrella rig as far as other single baits anyway. Maybe I just don't have a good set up for it.

[fishballer06]

65 pound braid is overkill for a carolina rig. 40 pound should do you just fine and it will work great on the reel too.

[kikstand454]

1) i think there may be something wrong with your calculations in regards to the amount of line you have.

2) it doesn't matter. You will only be throwing the c-rig 50yds at best. You're good to go.

3) i agree 65lb braid is odd for a c-rig. I get hung up entirely too much for that hassle. I throw mine on 15# yz hybrid.

[Mike L]

Related....

Do all you guys use braid for a Carolina rig?

I've had to use my crankbait setup last outing (composite rod with a 3oz max weight rating) and 12 lb Yo Zuri rigged with a 1oz weight and haven't had any problem's or complaints.

Just asking

Mike

[kikstand454]

^^ i experimented one summer with braid, but ultimately went back to hybrid. The braid was transmitting the bottom like nobody's business, which was awesome- but where I fish the c-rig the most, its scattered wood on the bottom and stumps and I get hung up alot on the sinker- not so much the hook. Braid doesn't ( IMHO) do the bow and arrow thing as well as other lines- and that coupled with an almost impossible breaking strength- it just became more hassle than it was worth. I just went back to hybrid and use steel or brass weights now to up the sensitivity. Haven't looked back.

[Mike L]

^^ i experimented one summer with braid, but ultimately went back to hybrid. The braid was transmitting the bottom like nobody's business, which was awesome- but where I fish the c-rig the most, its scattered wood on the bottom and stumps and I get hung up alot on the sinker- not so much the hook. Braid doesn't ( IMHO) do the bow and arrow thing as well as other lines- and that coupled with an almost impossible breaking strength- it just became more hassle than it was worth. I just went back to hybrid and use steel or brass weights now to up the sensitivity. Haven't looked back.

Thanks

Mike

[Dogmatic]

65 lb. braid! That's heavy slop frog or punchin line. Like others said, you could down size line, and gain some capacity, although you don't have to worry about spooling out on a cast. I once cast an umbrella rig 80+ yards, of course it wasn't still attached to my rod and reel.

[WIGuide]

Pretty sure you're calculating something wrong since braid is thinner than mono. Even if it was just slightly thicker it'd cut your capacity some but not 100 yards off it. That's besides the point though. 80 yards is plenty of line. Next time you're at school, go down to the football field and stand under a goal post and look towards the other one. If you were to make an 80 yard cast, you'd be casting to the 30 yard line on the opposite side of the field. 

[FrogTastic]

I prefer P-Line Copolymer for C-Rigs and A-Rigs, it means that I can feel a strike way better. 25 pound for A, 15 for C. Although I very rarely throw an A-Rig. 

 

As for that line capacity, there is almost no way that it only holds 80 yards of 65 pound braid. How did you measure that? But even then, it's enough line. I prefer to have more than that though, because I cut off and retie a bunch, so a few extra yards of line makes all the difference for me.

[NJSalt]

The thing with distance, is that most people overestimate just how far they are casting...

 

 

Coming from the surfcasting side of things, and being part of casting demos, you see it alot. With an 11ft rod and a 4oz lead sinker, I was putting it out to a measured 130yards(which isn't really a long cast to most), so when i hear about people claiming 100yard casts with a 1/2oz bait with hooks on it and a 7ft rod I just chuckle. Sorry... got off on a tangent there. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't worry about the line capacity there..