10 lb. test line enough for stripers in the rips?

[Sea Hunt]

I have a lite st. croix spinning rod with a 440 ssg penn. reel on it with 10lb. ande mono on it. Want to use it this spring for stripers in the rips, reel is small, don't want to put anything larger on it cause I would lose line capacity. Think it's enoogh for the rips? Don't want to use braided on my spinning reel, afrid it will get tangled up somehow, I like it on my conventional but am leary about having it on my spinning reel. Also the rod is 6.6 ft., line weight 6 to 12 lbs. too small an outfit for rips striper? Any thoughts or rod recomindations would be appreciated, thanks!

[striper2278]

You'll be fine with 10.

[Captain Cuda]

I have fished 8 lb test mono for stripers in the rips, so you should be fine. I'd say try it. It's a big difference between using that rig for striper fishing from a private boat and striper fishing from a head boat. I would suggest something heavier on the headboat. And, if you find 10lb too light, I would say not to be affraid of the braided lines, especially in the rips. Yes there can be wind knots, but as long as you keep on top of them you should be fine.

[sjb saxatilis]

funny, but i had the same question for ya skipper

[Great White]

Thats whats nice about the rips. You can fish as light as you want, where can the fish go? If your anchored chunking in a strong current the current will put up a better fight than the striper and you need to go a little heavier.

[CapeMayRay]

Like the others said. Key is to have a good reel with a good drag. Just set the correct drag, relax, don't try to horse fish in, just wear down the fish and injoy. I use 10 and 12 line all the time and even anglers with limited fishing skills do well. Key is to relax and enjoy the fight.

[Sea Hunt]

Thanks for the replies, I m going to use the 10lb. and lite rod and take along my heavier spinning rod with 12lb. on it just incase I want to switch back to something with a little more backbone. Am looking forward to fishing again, walked down to my slip today and was staring at the water invisioning jumping in my boat and heading out for a day of fishing! another 3 or 4 weeks to go.

[Sea Hunt]

Thanks for the replies, I m going to use the 10lb. and lite rod and take along my heavier spinning rod with 12lb. on it just incase I want to switch back to something with a little more backbone. Am looking forward to fishing again, walked down to my slip today and was staring at the water invisioning jumping in my boat and heading out for a day of fishing! another 3 or 4 weeks to go.

[Victory At Sea]

what ever You use don't forget to put fresh line on the reel.

[j0hnnyv]

ill be down there shortly with my new quantum energy10 (4lb-125yd) rated reel but i have 10lb. yellow stren superbraid on it...should be a nice fight!!!!

[snichols]

I have used 12 lb and the difference in feeling the bite was quite noticeable compared to 10lb. I would go as light as possible but remember you will be using 1 oz bucktails, make sure the rod is compatible.

[Steve-o]

make sure the drag is smooth and set to the right poundage and you'll manage

[fishpole5]

I use 17 to 20 only because I got tired of break offs on hang up's, personal choice is what it's all about.

[upchuck]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Make sure the drag is set correctly. I use braided line on all my baitrunners with very little problems. I've gotten away from mono all together. I believe I catch more fish using it. My 2 cents.

[capt. ed]

10 lb Fireline here.

[NJAngler Bill]

In my opinion, you'll end up being sorry with 10 lb. mono in the rips.

Ande 12lb. may sound only slightly heavier, but I think you'd be better off with it.

Capt. Ed's got the right idea. Super light braid would be a better choice for you.

[crojo]

why not use braid and forget about it
30 lb test 8lb diameter

[snichols]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer...I hate braided line, so I don't use it unless flounder fishing in deep water (sensitivity/lack of stretch).

Bill, I don't think that I have ever broken off a fish in the Rips on 10 lb test and I have caught fish pushing 40" on a bucktail. If I was fishing bait, I would go slightly heavier.

[Joe D.]

Can you use the same set-up for chnucking the bay or should you go heavier?

[snichols]

I don't like chunking, but when I do....I go heavier. You generally get your BIGGEST fish chunking and the bite is not usually subtle, although it can be. You also need some more backbone on the rod, a bucktailing rod is too light.

Clamming in the back....light gear, clamming in the bay....heavier again.

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

I hate the braid too...

Chunking, conventional, leverdrag with high quality 30 lb mono, never know what you're going to hook, heavy tidea and anchored boat. I want them in and released healthy so I don't screw around. In the spring especially who knows when a 70 lb drum might show up.

Bucktails... I use a spinning outfit with 10 or 12 lb but this year I'm going ot try the 8 lb outfit and a slightly smaller bucktail. As long as you have a decent reel with a smooth drag and 150 yds of line you should be OK in all but the extreme case. The boat is drifting so if you have to chase the odd LARGE that show up in the rips each year, then chase it.

I really believe in HEAVY from the anchored boat and you can go light if giving chse is a viable option.