In reply to Post #45
Yes I believe you are correct it was a long time ago mid 80's

In reply to Post #42
I had 55's and 57's Then the first bait runners
All very small by today's standards

I had a set of Mitchel RDs and Matches so pleased I ditched them hen for Emblem Golds none the less prior to that I had a set of Camcads by browning which although maybe not as good as the shimanos they where Defiantly bigger. A set of Biomaster which where well made yet heavier and the line guards sucked I set to the naughty step to be Marker and Spod reels which they did well for many a year.

Any way my conclusion is reels for lines as I don't like shock leaders so 12lb on Emblems upto 110 yards 15lb line on ISOs around the same and 20lb on Tourney 6ks again around the same with a PVA bag. I'm not a great caster by any stretch have seen a pal cast a 9lb line and shock leader with baited rig 150 yards many years ago.

In reply to Post #5
3.25lb TC Rods willl usually as a rule of thumb handle 3-3.5 ounce leads 4lb BS line for every ounce of lead so 12 to 14 lb line and that's chancing it IMO. So 15lb line for a 3.5 ounce lead and expect to achieve 110 to 115 yards tops as an average fella imho.

I'm fairly certain others that do cast further use shock leaders and probably lighter lines I may be wrong.

In reply to Post #49
That's interesting. For sea fishing they recommend 10pb of line for every oz of lead. Any idea which one is more accurate?

In reply to Post #50
Most sea distance rods are stiffer than carp rods. People also tend to use pendulum/OTG casts. Plus leads are bigger - a cracked off 6oz breakaway lead travelling along the beach at Dungie in prime cod season doesn't bear thinking about.......

In reply to Post #51
A cracked off 3oz lead can make a mess. I've embedded a distance lead into a tree on the far bank. If that was a person they'd be deaded😱😔😮

For years I stuck with 10lbs of breaking strain per ounce as I go sea fishing as well as carp fishing. Carp fishing With 8-10lb line that we were using on 4000 Aero GTE's and 3oz leads if you went for it big time you would crack off, a leader became standard. (In my case it was Drennan Weasel or Amnesia)

Now we have moved up to 15lb line pretty much as standard, there seems to be less crack-offs. That may be down to 'over rated lines, smoother casting or even more balanced tackle.

In reply to Post #52
Wasn't there a guy over Walthamstow No:1 that copped a Zipp lead in the chest with just the swivel hanging out?

Firstly I won't hit a lead hard if someone is on the opposite bank incase I crack off. Crack offs usually occur for two reasons bail arms (previously closing or not being opened) and line twist that causes the line to wrap round either the tip ring or the first ring due to trapping ok 3 reasons. I've never cracked off for any other reason although I don't cast beyond 110 yards however many years again a pal was hitting 150 yards regularly with 9lb mainline and a 15lb shock leader using a 2 3/4 zip lead.

My advice is don't chance it, I was always told as a rule of thumb 4lb BS for every ounce of lead. Line will suffer fatigue and MOST importantly don't cast when anyone is opposite you as any line can break due to a various reasons (damage etc) and once that lead is free from line it's going to travel serious distance and the last thing anyone wants is someone else being hit by it.

Leads are literally missiles.

Plenty of people have been hit by leads purely pulling for a break. You are loading the gun. Never walk away with you back to the lead seriously dangerous. With experience you can gage the force being applied to the line and lead and using heavier lines in the 20lb plus serious give some kick back.

Be careful and opt for what you feel safe and confident with.

In reply to Post #52
I've been using 15 to 20lb shock leaders during the late 90s for a very good reason. In fact I've stopped using light lines for 15 odd years for this very reason and prefer to have large spoiled reels that allow me to cast distance and use 12-20lb lines straight through. My 12lb line will see a 2-2.1/4 ounce lead whereas I'd stick a 3-3.5 ounce lead of a 15lb line and 4 Oz on to 20lb line not fearing a crack off, all being well. I state this as they all can given bail arm or line twist and a wrap around the last eye. I may crack off (excuse me) once every year of two which utterly pisses me off for good reason most of all a rig is now unattended and it's not cheap.

Good advice I totally agree with you.'

OK line that goes behind the spool, fatigued line that's suffers multiple casts or line that's been damaged

In reply to Post #49
110 with 15lb 0.35 line is easy work

In reply to Post #57
If there's room to cast properly

Hi all,

Late to this post, but for distance casting does the diameter help prevent crack offs or is it more the breaking strain. Reason I ask is I've tested XT in 12lb vs gardner pro dark in 15lb and in a few "pull against eachother" tests actually the 12lb xt is stronger than the gardner 15. However I've seen people say they'd happily use 0.35 straight through for distance which the gardner is however the xt is only 0.33 or even thinner actually.

I'm only really looking to cast 100 yards, just wonder if the 12lb xt will be safe straight through or should I opt for the gardner in 15 for the diameter

Thanks
D

In reply to Post #49
Been faffing with my setup lately for distance and took the new setup.to a.field today to test.
Into a decent headwind I managed to get a 2oz lead 100yds and a 3oz lead 112

This was using gardner covert rod 12ft 3.25lb
Synchro xt 12lb (no leader)
Okuma pit reel

Was only trying to get this setup to 100yds with no leader and happy to say with minimal practise it was possible.

Hope that's useful as a reference for anyone