Rod n' Reel

So I just moved to Washington from TX and I am wondering what would be a good setup for these heavy lines/weights everyone uses here in the Sound. I tried the berkley Air and Shimano Cardiff with 15lb test. It works great in the river. In the saltwater with the deep water it seems like the setup is still a little light and I can never feel the hits when I am mooching. Any advice?

You should feel it hit the bottom no matter what the line weight. That being said most people use 25-30# line.

I'm guessing the reason you're not feeling the weight hit bottom is because of one of two things. Either your line angle is too flat or you're weight is landing in some soft sand. Most likely a combo of both. If it's too flat it's because your drift is really fast (2+ mph) and that line angle really flattens out because the weight isn't falling fast enough. I'd up your weight to 6 oz and that should clear it up. If it doesn't you could try 8 oz but 6 should be enough.

Z

On top of what Zee said, try braided line. Smaller diameter, and way more sensitive. When you get a strike don't immediately try to rip the lips off the fish though. Give them a second to grab on, and since there is no stretch, the hookset needs to be far less violent.

Doc,
same issues i had when i got here from SATX. follow their advice, and remember they use way more weight up here than we do back home.

You're getting hits while mooching?!  Damn!  I'm jealous.

Ditto on the braid.  I use 50# for the casting rigs and and 25# for the lighter spinning rigs.  With the braid one can also use a 20-30' mono shock leader.  

Just my 2¢ about type of line for mooching. I know a lot of people prefer braid and it sure does work but the old school moochers using mono have something going. I've never really had any issue getting to the bottom w/ mono line so diameter doesn't come into play. As to feel I think the old school guys know it's really not all that important to jump all over every bump. As a matter of fact it's really about waiting until your rod folds over. No hook set needed. Since the fish take the herring and chew for a while you just want them to feel like it's any other day getting a snack. Resistance bad. What mono does for you is act like a giant rubber band so the fish takes the herring and byoooooing the line stretches. A good bendy rod w/ heavy butt will make it a big shock absorbing system. Then when the rod does fold over and the fish is on all you have to do is pick that rod tip up and hold on. The springyness of this setup really helps alleviate any slack in the line and the barbless hook is more likely to stay set.

Z

Depending on your mooching setup ... I've been using a dropper rather than a banana sinker, you can put the sinker on a slide.  This also reduces the resistance the fish feels when it takes the bait. 

Mono line moocher here.  With round sinkers on a slider ala Demonick.  And listen to what Mooch Master Zee has to say ... resistance is futile!!!

-Allen

resistance is futile!!!

Nice one.

Z