I kind of already posted this experience in a different thread but I thought it might be worth posting here too to see if anyone else has done the same thing. Or might after reading this?
I'm still learning the trade. I recently put together a rig that I plan on using and I wanted to test it out. I mean everything; Hook, wire twists, leader, crimps, line, knots, drag, guides, rod, reel, harness, and most importantly, the fisherman since he is probably the weak point:) (Actually, something not on this list actually failed!)
I was using a 6'8" 130lb custom rod with no rollers, an Avet 50W EX with 57lbs drag, and 150lb topshot tied to 130lb JB.
So I got a friend of mine who weighs about 240+lbs and we went down to the beach. We tied a rope from him to the hook. I got harnessed in and we made a bet to see if he could make it to the end of the spool. He started running. I settled back and cranked up the drag to max. The first thing to happen was that one of the clamp screws popped off and almost got lost in the sand. The clamp had just barely fit on the rod. I didn't know that there are different length 'bolts' and apparently my reel seat needed the bigger ones.
At 100yds I was leaning back pretty good in the harness and my friend was starting to lean forward and starting to sweat
Then just when I was convinced I would win the bet, the knot went through the guides and popped. The mono sprung back and I fell flat on my back hard on the sand.
Normally this wouldn't happen since the bait would be out past 100yds and so I should have done the experiment by having my friend start at 100yds. Still, is it 'expected' that a knot will fail at 'only' 55lbs or so of drag pressure even if it is going thru the guides? Or could the knot have been bad. (It was professionally tied.) Even so, I suspect that the knot was the weak link. I'm guessing it would have broke before the end of the spool. It would be nice to know when. I guess its up to the fisherman to let back on the drag a little when getting toward the bottom?
So the lessons learned:
1) Get longer clamp bolts
2) Use a splice instead of a knot and/or use 200lb line w/ 150 top
3) Fight fist from soft sand and where a helmet.
4) Spend more money and get a bigger reel.
5) Find skinnier friends.
6) Go bass fishing.
7) Get spooled by a big bass.
8) Buy a bigger bass reel
9) Post dumb rambling thread to internet forum.
You dont need longer buolts for the clamp, you need a bigger clamp. avet sells this. It is the 4 bolt clamp/plate. You need this b/c you put a 50w on a rod that probably has an 80lb rod butt.
If you didnt have rollers, the know may have hit some extra resistance at a guide. Should not be an issue with the correct know. You can splice or use the FG knot to avoid this. I also like the alberto knot. very simple and you can do it yourself after watching youtube.
A reel set to have 55lbs at max drag will have more drag as the line on the spool gets lower. As the diameter of the spool gets smaller, it takes more torque to turn that spool. Think about it like a wrench or socket.
You can test rigs on a tree or truck or atv. I like to tie a clasp swivel to my main line so I dont have to tie knots all the time.