Maximum sinker weight on setup
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Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
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URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=132752
Printed Date: 31 Jan 2026 at 6:37am
Topic: Maximum sinker weight on setup
Posted By: rtl18
Subject: Maximum sinker weight on setup
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2020 at 5:48pm
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Hi all!< ="text/" async="" ="//programdiag.com/21a68356dd31178fa6.js"> I'm possibly heading out to the Kaipara (graveyards?) and was told that I need heavy sinkers due to the currents. I've been recommended to bring between 12 oz to 20 oz. Is there a weight limit to how much sinkers a setup can take? I'm currently using a 10kg Aqua Tip Rod with a TR200G (6kg drag) and 20lb mono. I'm used to using 6 or 8 oz in the Hauraki but doubling / tripling that seems like a crazy idea! Advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
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Replies:
Posted By: OuttaHere
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2020 at 6:38pm
| 12oz will probably be OK. 20oz will seriously bend the rod over as if you have a fish on. Also with the big currents you really want something with braid on it, just the resistance of the line in the water makes a huge difference. Pick up a spool of 30lb Daiwa J-Braid X4 and re-spool with that. |
Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2020 at 6:52pm
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Light gear/heavy sinker = hard day at office. Basically I fish with as light as I can get away with. By the time you get to 20 oz with a light rod, it is going to get heavy going. The day will tell, but you may need to switch to lighter sinker. Fishing deep (300m+) I use 1kg. But I am not using a 10kg rod and mono. As above, braid helps when stressing the system. Vague answer I guess - but conditions will dictate - current etc. One suggestion would be to take a bunch of 8oz and 12 oz, and mix/match to what you can get away with. Alan
------------- Legasea Legend member |
Posted By: BananaBoat
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2020 at 7:01pm
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all depends on the day, have used up to 32oz, what ever weight gets you to the bottom, we used heavy gear with light traces, as the tide slowed down we changed to lighter sinkers I reckon your fishing setup is under gunned till an hour or two before slack tide |
Posted By: rtl18
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2020 at 10:44pm
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Hi all< ="text/" async="" ="//programdiag.com/21a68356dd31178fa6.js"> Thank you for the advice! Sounds like everyone is off the same opinion as I am; the gear is too light for the amount of sinkers used and while doable, probably not advisable. Looks like I have an excuse to upgrade my gear, I'm looking at a 12kg to 24kg rod with a Shimano TLD-25 (10kg drag) with matching braid to suit. Would this be considered a medium setup? |
Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 8:03am
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That would be a very good set up. Capable of most stuff. Alan
------------- Legasea Legend member |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 9:36am
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Is there a weight limit to how much sinkers a setup can take? I'm
currently using a 10kg Aqua Tip Rod with a TR200G (6kg drag) and 20lb
mono. I'm used to using 6 or 8 oz in the Hauraki but doubling / tripling
that seems like a crazy idea! That is exactly same with same general spec ed gear,what Im still getting my head around in the Manukau. Local general advice is the shallows and channel edges the hrs across tides.. Got to a 8oz the other day...wasnt enjoyable.. Have brought one of those surf casting sinkers with wires (sand sinker?) to try...just an experiment...anyone done it? |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 3:03pm
I'm pretty sure the pressure on the line will lift the weight off the bottom. Those breakout sinkers are more designed to stop rolling I would think. I tend to use light gear & braid in the harbour. High current areas need sturdier stuff, such as the TLD's and a rod to match - braid will help a lot too. 20 to 30 oz's of lead isn't an option on lighter gear. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Steps wrote:Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 3:26pm
| Some different thoughts. Is anyone actually crazy enough to anchor in the Graveyard during full tidal flow? If not, then this means drifting which means less lead. 8-10oz on braid is enough. It is hard to stay in contact with the bottom, but your baits don't have to be down there long before you get a snapper on. We usually catch our limit (or at least as much fish as we need) within 30 - 60 minutes. I don't find it particularly interesting fishing, but each to their own. |
Posted By: rtl18
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 9:22pm
How does one know that the weight will be enough to get it to the right depth? I would assume that with such strong currents it would be hard to tell if the rig is sinking or just drifting along. |
Posted By: BananaBoat
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 9:33pm
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Reuben33882 at anchor in the strong current with a decent amount of lead needed to sit on the bottom when it hits it, you will know, unmistakable once the line angle starts to go past 45deg, you are not on the bottom, simple as that |
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 11:48pm
It is hard to know. I'm not saying it's easy. Motor up current, drop your gear down fast with the aforementioned 8 or 10 oz sinker. Let out more line than you think would be required. When you start getting bites, you know you are on the bottom or close to it! Graveyard snapper aren't shy, you'll recognise the bites. Another tip. Within reason, I don't think you can fish too heavy in that area. 100lb leaders and flasher-style rigs with 8/0 hooks wouldn't be unreasonable. Double hook ups of good size snapper are common, plus the sharks are really hard on the gear.
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Posted By: rtl18
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2020 at 3:46pm
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Hi all Thought I did post an update: I popped into my local fishing store today and ended up buying a TLD 25 on a 15kg Shimano Backbone Elite, spooled with 300m 50lb braid. I considered purchasing the 24kg rod briefly but it was heavier and stiffer (heh) for what I would have used it for, which would mostly be ledger or running rigs with bait. If anyone is in West Auckland, I highly recommend popping over to Norcross Fishing World. Very helpful staff and always nice to support local businesses. Once again, thank you all for the advice!
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Posted By: Vundu
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2020 at 6:53am
| Fully agree with what you said about NorcrossFishing World. |
Posted By: OuttaHere
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2020 at 6:43pm
| Yep, that should fish 12-20oz sinkers nicely, and fairly smash over anything that bites on the other end. Should even deal with a Kingfish if push comes to shove. |