Compleat Angler Melbourne: Penn Pursuit Multi Coloured Braid

You’ve travelled from the east to west coast and have finally gotten to the wrecks that hold the Samson fish that were the whole point of the journey. Your 400gram jig has just reached the bottom in 100m of water and as you start your retrieve you know you’re only moments away from one of the most monumental hook-ups you’re going to get all year. It’s at this very moment that you hope and pray that everything in your setup is just right.

Penn Pursuit Multi Coloured Braid
has become our go-to Jigging line

For the past six years we have made an annual pilgrimage to the waters off freo to chase the big samsons that go there to spawn. These fish are between 15 and 50 kilo with the average being about 30kilo. At that size they are very demanding on the gear and the angler. Early on we had some trouble with line breakages that appeared to be way lighter than the suggested breaking strains the lines were rated for. Some testing back at the shop suggested that some of the lines we were using weren’t up to scratch. There were two lines though that broke at or over their respective breaking strains even after doubles and leaders had been added. These two lines were the Line System Frog and the Penn Pursuit Multi Coloured Braid.

Much has been written about the benefits of using braid in a host of different fishing situations but let me touch on them again here specifically for those chasing big fish in deepwater on jigs.

Low Stretch - while monofilament lines have 25 - 30% stretch it is said that modern braided lines are more like 3 - 5%. This lack of stretch gives the deepwater angler four main advantages. Firstly there is much more feel, secondly the lure reacts more to the movements of the rod, thirdly you will get a much better hook set when you finally hook up and finally the fish can’t use the stretch in the line to get back to the wreck once hooked.

Thinner Diameter - This allows more line to be put on the reel or in the case of the 80lb braid we are normally using on the samsons it means you can fit enough on to successfully chase them. You’ll also stay in more direct contact with your jig which also adds to the feel and better hook sets.

Hooked up to a good fish in 100m of water the thin diameter
and low stretch really make a difference

Specifically for the Penn Pursuit Multi Coloured braid though it is an eight carrier braid; that is it has eight individual strands that are braided together to form the line. Eight carrier braids have a rounder profile which enhances casting (not really a concern to jigging anglers), increases knot strength and offer the best strength to diameter ratio.

Another thing that makes this braid my first choice is that it is multi coloured, changing colours every 10 meters. Now this may not seem like a big deal but it allows you to know just when your jig is about to hit the bottom so you can be ready to kick the reel into gear for less chance of hanging up on the bottom. It also means that if the fish are 30 meters thick and 20 meters off the bottom you can jig the area the fish are holding without wasting time in the fishless water below or above the school. Lastly when you are cranking your jig back to the boat you’ll be more aware of when the jig is about to get to the surface, nothing more dangerous than a 500 gram jig flying out of the water and connecting with someone on board.

When you're hooking samsons like this you need every
possible advantage. You just can't get away with second rate tackle.

I’ll be getting the gear ready soon for our trip in January and you can bet that the line that goes on all of my reels will be the Penn Pursuit Multi Coloured braid in 80lb. When that monster comes along I want to have the confidence that the line is up to the job…….I Just hope I am.

For more information contact the team at Compleat Angler Melbourne

P: (03) 9620 3320

E: melbourne@compleatangler.com.au

W: http://www.compleatangler.com.au/
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