I am building a 1502 rainshadow for surf casting as a spinning set up for large drum. I will be using 20lb running line with a 40-65 pound shock leader. My question is will the leader knot slip through size 12 rings and top or do I need to go to size 16's? I have read volume 7 issue #1 on this subject but wanted to know if anyone has tried 12's.


Thanks,

Dan Grulke

The only way to tell is to tape up a set and try them. You can buy inexpensive Hardloy or similiar for the testing of these sizes.

Generally, I found that size 16's were about as small as I could go for most guys using shock leaders in the 50lb range. The knot will pass through 12's, but you may get a "shock" or "grab" on the cast.

If it were me, I'd try it with 12's with the exact reel and shock leader/knot set up you plan on using. If you have to go to 16's, that blank is stout enough that it won't hurt performance to any large degree.

.............

Thanks. Wuill try the set-up and see what happens.

Dan Grulke

Dan; I would go to the 16 tip When I built my 1209 I used 16's as running guides and tip. I'm using 50# shock also

Dan, I have a couple of store bought surf rods with number 12 tips and haven't had any problems using 20# line/50# shocker. Having said that, I never go smaller than a 16 on the guides or tip when I build my own. I guess I just like the extra clearance.

I hate using shock leaders -- I dislike line-to-line knots, as I'm always afraid they'll break under the strain of a big fish -- but last winter I built a convench spiral surf rod on the heavier side, and because I knew that using a shock leader was likely, I included a shock leader knot when I did my testing. If memory serves, I was using 20 lb. mono for running line and a 50 lb. shock leader.

My tests shows that what Tom said was true for me -- size 16s were as small as I could go and comfortably pass the line/leader knot comfortably. If you're an expert knot tier, the kind of guy who can tie a necktie knot the size of a pea, you might be able to get away with 12s. But even if you could get away with 12s, I'd probably recommend 16s anyway -- on a big surf rod, you're not going to notice a performance or weight difference between 16s and 12s, and the larger size will give you a bit more margin for error.