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[leadbelly]

maybe use a bigger set up, will help with casting and fighting bigger fish more enjoyable.

[clarki]

I've been thinking of upgrading to a slightly bigger reel for coho, and leave my smaller one for cutts, when the sales are on next winter, but for now I gots what I gots.  

[Matuka Jack]

A 20# braided line should do it.  
Make sure to wear protection on your fingers that handle the line.  I use a hockey tape on my index finger that I use for casting.

[Gooey]

I had a very nice shimano spirex loaded with 8lb mono.  Wasnt enough line after a few snap offs/snags so I decided to go to 14lb fireline...it was a good choice in terms for line but 1 season on the chehalis and the reel virtually blew up...especially the drag system.

If you need to use fireline because you dont have enough capacity on your reel then I would be tempted to say your reel is too small.  

Get a bigger reel, get the line capacity and a suitable drag system for your target.  

BTW stay away from rear drag reels....the disks are way smaller.  Smaller disks mean more pressure needed for the same holding power and that means faster wear!

[leadbelly]

here we go again lol.My preference is bottom drag all the way despite its shortcomings.I find it way more convienent to adjust during battle than top drag esp the fighting drag on my shimano symeter.

[Matuka Jack]

When I looked for spinning reel tested all 'refutable' brands locally as well as in Seattle.  The big winners are Okuma for having the silky smoth powerful drag and Penn with the most powerful drag (HT100 drag).  Both just happen to be on the front.

I got one of each.

[leadbelly]

cannot say enough about my old shimano fx 4000 bottom drag.traded a six pack for it years ago when it was already well used.Ive used it for years on every thing up to a 20lb spring in the Stave boulders (with much less than 12 lb mono) and countless coho chum dollies cuttys ect and with some maintenance and the odd bail wheel/spring replacement its truly a tough as nails reel, unlike my shimano symeter 4000 rh that Im scared to death of even getting dirty ::)Many reels can be upgraded in the drag washer, reel oil and bearing departement but for an old reel like that to last so long and keep on lasting says something about its durability.

[Matuka Jack]

Lead, looks like  you got a really good deal on shimano fx 4000.
It sounds like you are really experienced in the local fishing.
Where/when do you fish for Dolly and how?

Any info you could share is greatly appreciated.

[leadbelly]

mostly in the spring as the freshet is rising and the fry are being washed down to the chuck, we fish the Pitt and Fraser with roe mostly but am gonna try with my new fly rod next spring and cant wait.


 one from this spring.Also got canoeman and Trout slayer into their first this year too.

[Matuka Jack]

Thanks for the info Lead.

[leadbelly]

also some interesting comments regarding braided line and casting with mono in the fishing reports section.