Help this moron...

[GeorgeH]

I got a Okuma rod reel combo for Christmas. So now what?

I need to at least set-up the reel.

I have zero experience with center pin fishing. When buying the rod and reel, my wife would have told the sales person that I was right handed. That's all she would know.

In handling the reel, I noticed that when turning on the clicker the pawl drag makes a louder noise when turned clockwise, that suggests to me a left hand retrieve. This is fine by me since I fly fish and cast with my right hand but retrieve with my left.

Assuming I'm correct, (the reel looks like a large arbor fly reel) I guess I need to wind on some backing. Dacron? How strong and how long? 20lb 50 yards? More or less?

When I put on the mono, what kind should I use? And what knot? I don't think it is possible to tie an Albright knot with mono, so should I use a nail knot?

Then what?

[tommytubular]

I'm no expert by any means but I just bought myself one and here is how I was told to spool it up...

12lb Siglon F ( I was told 12 lb because its easier for a newbie to handle and learn with and the F stands for floating) I think it was a 150 yard spool. Then backing to fill the reel.

I was told to put the siglon on first then add backing to fill the reel to max capacity. This way you get the full spool of siglon on. Then you have to unspool reel onto and empty spool and then put it back on another empty spool to get it going the right way to put it back on the reel. Then when you spool it back onto the reel it will be full. I went to the local fly shop and had them do the spooling and unspooling. I couldn't imagine trying that in my living room.

We ended up putting on 30lb backing... I think the idea is to never have to get into the backing while fishing... but to have the backing provide some cushion for the siglon. This will prevent warping the spool of the reel when the siglon gets wound on tightly when fighting fish.

I haven't had a chance to go much further then that... I'm STILL waiting on my rod to be delivered.... GRRRRRRRRR!!!

However... I do foresee a few back lashes in my future while figuring out the casting part.

Good luck
Tommy

[axisgear]

However... I do foresee a few back lashes in my future while figuring out the casting part.
You have no idea.;)........:lol:
Test size of backing is not important as it would take a hot fish in some BIG [Alaska,B.C.] water to get you that far.It is simply a cushion between the hard mono and the warpable aluminum spool and it adds much needed filler to increase retrieve rate. Unless you're doing a lot of side casting[which you will probably learn first] the amount of filler is not critical.

Good luck and have fun with it.

Oh yeah,an Albright knot is sufficient for attaching your main line to the backing.

[Ron Matthews]

side casts are for girls!
Spin that Pin the way it was intended:D

[RIVER LADY]

side casts are for girls!
Spin that Pin the way it was intended:D


Yeah, even River Lady spins the pin. :evil: Well, once or twice eh Ron? :lol:

[Ron Matthews]

Ya, That's the worst cast for your line.
Pull cast is Much better. With practice you can get It out there.

[itchn2fish]

Yeah, even River Lady spins the pin. :evil: Well, once or twice eh Ron? :lol:
Wow, it's getting hot in here.......

[RIVER LADY]

Wow, it's getting hot in here.......


Spinning the pin can work up a sweat, eh Mr.:evil::lol:

[Big Fish]

Sir,
After the backing and Siglon (12# is probably the way to go), attach a 4-6' section of mono (8 or 10#). This is where you will attach your bobber and shot. Then tie in a high quality micro swivel, then your tippet 6-10" (4-6#). Of course the idea is that the tippet will break saving your shot and bobber. There is a tackle shop out of Penn by the name of USA Tackle. (fishusa.com). They will ship Siglon FF line and Drennan floats and caps. This website has several extremely helpful casting videos: flyandfloatfishing.com The side cast will destroy your line after a day of casting, but it is the easiest to master.
Hope this helps a little.
Tight lines,
Big Fish

[axisgear]

Ya, That's the worst cast for your line.
Pull cast is Much better. With practice you can get It out there.
The swing[or BC style] cast gets the job done much more efficiently on the big water,but that's not for beginners.:yikes: The pull cast[or Wallis cast] is very efficient and reduces line twist on the smaller water,but beware overrun with the Wallis cast[especially on windy days!],though,because it could make your whole day suck!:mad: