Topshot for tiles?

[jjdbike]

Hi folks.
When rigging for tilefish on a partyboat do you use a top shot between your braid main running line & your bait or jig rig? If so how long? I ask this because obviously depending on depth being fished, line capacity can be an issue and a long topshot will definitely cut into that. I'n fishing that deep, the sensitivity of the braid would be a real benifit, on the otherhand tangles are much easier to deal with on mono tops hot. I'm curious to read what you folks do.
Thanks & Happy New Year!
JD

[aduma1107]

35ft top shot 60lb is what I like to use.

[jjdbike]

Thanks Aduma. If you're using 60lb topshot, what lb test running line braid are you using?
JD

[ironfish]

I use 65 braid with 50 ft topshot of 60 mono

[jjdbike]

Thanks!

[Garone Custom Rods]

I fish 65# braid with a ~50' topshot of 80# mono when I am bait fishing. For jigging I use a couple setups. When fishing the shallower water and/or lighter 6-10oz jigs I use a softer rod and shorter 20' 50-60# topshot and 40 or 50# braid. When in the deep and using big 14-20+ oz jigs I go to 65# braid with a longer 50' topshot again, just like when bait fishing.

[jjdbike]

Thanks.
How often are you able to go with 6-10 oz jigs? I love jigging. What style jigs does one use for tiles?

[Garone Custom Rods]

Thanks.
How often are you able to go with 6-10 oz jigs? I love jigging. What style jigs does one use for tiles?

It all depends on conditions and depth being fished. I will take some pictures of the jigs I use.

[jjdbike]

Awesome, that would be great & very much appreciated. Would any of my cod jigs we used in the GOM work, e.g, slovkrogens, lav jigs, crippled herring, hammered diamonds, etc?
Thanks again!
JD

[JayO]

I use 60 lb mono top shot that is 35 ft long. The reel is loaded with 50 lb braid. Jigging varies with the conditions. A World Record was caught with 40 lb braid. :eek:

Try to distance yourself from the guys with electric reels... ;)

Check out the Reel Seat's page below for some of the jigs I have seen on the trips...

http://www.reelseat.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=389&cat=Tile+Fish+Lures%2FJigs

[jjdbike]

I use 60 lb mono top shot that is 35 ft long. The reel is loaded with 50 lb braid. Jigging varies with the conditions. A World Record was caught with 40 lb braid. :eek:

Try to distance yourself from the guys with electric reels... ;)

Check out the Reel Seat's page below for some of the jigs I have seen on the trips...

http://www.reelseat.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=389&cat=Tile+Fish+Lures%2FJigs

Thanks for the info.
At this point I'm committed to getting geared up and doing some time trips. I like to be prepared so I greatly appreciate all of your advice. Also a consensus that the folks at The Reel Seat are THE experts so I also greatly appreciate that they chime in here. I have two questions.
I see that pretty much everyone says 50 lb braid. I'm curious why one would use 60 lb top shot w/ 50 braid. From my perspective, I would think that one's top shot would less that the running line to make connection neater and so if a snag occurred (I'm guessing that they're rare fishing over clay) the loss of line would be minimal. If I may, what are the reasons?
I also appreciate the jig info. I will start another thread as it really is different from the original top shot question.
Thanks!
JD