Went down to Galveston this morning,got some fresh dead shrimp and a couple of crabs.went out on the 39th? Street jetty with my surf rod and my playing around rod.
The beach replenishment is right up to the jetty now and the water is really sandy.I still gave it a try put crab on my surf rod double riged and whipped it out as far as I could.Put bougie sized piece of shrimp and threw that out into the water.
On my small rod I caught a couple of good sized gaff tops.I was taking the hook out of the third one,I looked at my surf rod and it was bent over 90 degrees and quivering.I dropped my rod with the gaffe top and grabbed the surf rod.I loosened the drag some and made sure that the hook was set well and started the battle.
He went out about 100 yards or so and I pulled him back slowly,every once in a while I could see his back raise out of the water.I still wasn't sure what I had until about 20 minutes later after tiring him out I got him up to the rocks and it was a big red.
I mean like a 40 incher and fat.I guess he still had some play left in him because he looked up at me and with a whip of his tail broke the line off on the rocks.
I guess I'll always be learning something new and when I got home I replaced the heavy nylon line with braid.
First the same thing happened and I learned patience then I learned to adjust the drag and now I'm through with nylon.
All in all it was still a good day fishing.oh and next time more crab.

What size mono? Did the rocks cut the main line or the leader? Don't give up on mono.....try keeping the line off the rocks.

I think it was 20# and it was definitely the line.lve been fishing that particular jetty for the last 8 yrs at least once every few weeks when I can get down there.
Bull reds must be my nemesis.
I've landed 1 42 incher but many have either snapped my line,bent the hook,stripped my reel,or broke my rod.
I think the age of my line was a factor,but I'll never give up.

Common consensus is Fluorocarbon Leader material is the most abrasion resistant, there is a difference between Fluorocarbon line and Fluorocarbon leader. Braid is considered poor for abrasion resistance, even less abrasion resistant than mono of similar breaking strength. For what its worth.

Take pictures when you catch the next Bull!

might want to try a shock leader on a surf rod. you don't want lead flying around hitting people within a few hundred yards. generally 10# for every oz of lead you're throwing.

MH Rod.....11ft. maybe
30# Mainline
40# Fluro Leader line
SS Hooks to fit.
Appropriate size weight and design

Finally,didn't change anything about my rig just used calm my drag and kept the line tight.
Gave him a pat on the head and set him free for the next time

Congrats !

I bet that was a great feeling.

I am curious what you are basing your statement about braid on, specifically considered by whom.