New to the game. Need some help.

[GScott]

Hey Guys,
I am interested in getting in to jigging.
I recently picked up a couple of Trevalas and a couple of Tyrnos.
One is a TFC-63MH (it's rated Line wt. 50 to 100 lb and Jig wt. 110 to 240g) with a Tyrnos 8II for flounder and sea bass, spooled with 50 lb. braid.
The other, the heavier of the two, is the TVC-58XH (it's rated Line wt. 80 to 200 lb and Jig wt. 160 to 270g) with the Tyrnos 12, spooled with 60 lb. braid (I think) and a 100' of 50 lb. mono top shot.
I would like to take these set ups jiggiing off Hatteras next month but I'm wondering about their limitations.
Generally speaking, can I be confident with these two set ups for "most anything" I may run in to?
Would you guys recommend a heavier braid or a heavier top shot?
What would you guys suggest I set the drag to for "strike"?
I have read through the last 5 or 6 pages on this forum.
Thanks for all the help.
Is there any other "must know" knowledge I need before going out?

GScott

[paul708]

they should be ok.
unless you run into BIG tuna.
we usually use shorter topshots or leaders.
most times 6-20' long. usually 80# test

did you read gmans writeup at the top..thats pretty good info.

[GScott]

I did read his intro. Very helpful but no mention in it of line test or top shop lb. test.
Would you suggest an 80 lb. top shop on the 50 lb. main line or should I replace everything with 80 lb. (braid and top shot)?
(Especially with the lighter rod, I'd still like to be able to cast when neccesay.)

GScott

[paul708]

depending on what you are fishing for, the 50 should be fine.
you can just put different leader/topshot on.

[Jiggin Junkie]

With the trevallas you will be undergunned if you run into big tuna also. Don't get me wrong trevallas are great starter jigging rods, but they don't have the backbone to consistantly whip big fish.

[mythosbeer]

You should be fine for your lighter setup with the 50lb braid. I would suggest moving to 80lb braid on the larger setup that you want to use offshore for say grouper and AJ's/tunas. For flounder and seabass I think you could stay lighter with your leader (I say leader because its not long like a topshot) as long as you aren't planning on fishing much more than 15lbs of drag on say 40-50lb leader.

On the heavier setup...I would use an 80lb leader (I like 10-20ft) or heavier based on what you are fishing for. I usually stay with 80lb but have gone up to 130lb when I am getting chaffed up a lot or have lost a couple. Oh, and check your leader often for chaffing.

Mitch

[GScott]

Thanks Guys,
I appreciate the help.
When setting the drag on 50 lb. line (for instance), would I set the max drag to 12 to 15 percent or would I set the "stike" drag to 12 to 15 percent?

GScott

[mythosbeer]

i set my strike drag at 25-30% of my braided line. that is typically the most you want to use.

[Sea Draggin]

Thanks Guys,
I appreciate the help.
When setting the drag on 50 lb. line (for instance), would I set the max drag to 12 to 15 percent or would I set the "stike" drag to 12 to 15 percent?

GScott

For almost all fishing application (except live baiting Kings) you should set your drag at 1/3 of your line breaking capacity. IE. 80lb line diawa line that breaks at 72lbs would dictate a drag setting of 24lbs.

Like everything, this is a rough rule of thumb and many things can dictate changes up or down.