Avet spool weight?

[captbobv]

Does any one know how the Avet spool weight compares to other, current/popular reels of the same/similar size class. Is it really all that discernible? Possible reel seat issues aside (& not applicable to most ulua poles), are there any other reasons that would make the MXL 6/4 MC a bad choice for slide baiting? Thanks, Bob

[cbar45]

Line capacity. For slide baiting most prefer a reel that holds close to 300 yds of 60lb mono--and that is on the lower end of the spectrum.

Here on the Big Island, rough underwater terrain necessitates the use of heavy mono lines and leaders.

The deep waters and strong currents close to shore are another reason to choose a reel with adequate line capacity.

It is not uncommon to see Penn 6/0-9/0's and Newells in 546 through 646 sizes--with mainlines of 80-100lb mono--being used to slide bait.

A friend on Oahu uses HX and EX series Avets for ulua fishing, running thick oil in the spool bearings of non M.C. reels to aid in casting.

With lever drags, the 10-12 oz. weights used to slide bait are enough to get the spool turning; it's slowing it down that takes finesse.

Chad

[swill88]

... speaking of slide baiting; can this technique be used from the beach over the surf or is it used just for fishing from the cliffs?

I am thinking of trying this on my next trip to Baja.


steve

[cbar45]

Hi Steve,

Yes, it is possible to slide bait from the beach or from a level low to the waterline. It helps to use a long rod, a clawed sinker that will hold the bottom, and most importantly either a weighted slide, or another type of slide-bait swivel called an "Aussie Slide"--or one-way slide.

Aussie Slides are designed such that they allow the bait to slide down your line only, and not get pushed back up due to the surge of the waves.

Here is a thread on the old ulua fishing forum that has more info on Aussie Slides, particularly the posts of Brian F:

http://www.ulua-fishing.com/hff/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=8447&p=78663&hilit=aussie+slide#p78663

And another one with info on shallow water slides:

http://www.ulua-fishing.com/hff/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10054&p=94846&hilit=weighted+slide#p94846

Hope it helps. The decision to use regular slides or weighted/Aussie slides depends more upon water depth and conditions than how high a level you are sliding from. At times the weight of the bait alone, used in conjunction with a very taut main line, is sufficient to prevent your slide from getting pushed back up. My first ulua was caught using regular (non-weighted) slides, from a spot only 3 ft. above the water.

Chad

[swill88]

Thanks Chad... helps a lot!

Steve

[Jeri]

Hi All,

Sliding is very easily done from 'beach level', it was a very popular method used heavily in our competition angling scene until about 5 years ago, when it was banned, and now is only popular with social anglers. It was used very heavily for getting big dead baits out to deep water for sharks over 300lbs, and had pretty much been refined to an 'art form', with the use of either standard 14' long surf rods, or in some cases special 'sticks' that had an extending butt to make them 16' long, especially for sliding the big baits out.

We used to use plain sliders for live baits, and weighted for big dead baits, the weight on the end varied according to the weight of the big bait. Some were even used with 2oz egg sinkers on the end of the lever arm, just to ease the 'see-saw' action needed to make the non-return slide move down the line. Our clips are somewhat different to those used by the Australians, as ours actually clip onto the line, and thus avoid the problems of coming off under extreme strain from big fighting fish.

As for using the Avet MXL, the capacity might be a little wanting, unless you are using only 30lb main line, then bottom loading with 30lb braid with a top shot of casting 30lb nylon, essential to make sliding work. During the past for use with 50lb nylon and sliding, reels like the Saltist, Saltiga, Torium, Trinidad and Finnor Lethal were used, especially in the 30 series sizes, more capacity for the thicker line.

Hope that helps.

Cheers from sunny Africa


Jeri