Line connections

[On a mission]

How about some discussion on connecting fire line, tuff line etc. to mono leader for plug fishing. I use a swivel. Does anybody use knots? What kind?
How much Leader? Thanks for the input!

[Tanner]

Use mono and you won't have to worry about it. :rolleyes: I use the 14 lb flourescent green mono on my plug rods, I put a small corkie on my line and then a barrell swivel, about 5 1/2 feet of ultragreen 10 or 12lb and my plug.

[Thumper]

Tanner --- what is the purpose of the little corkie??

[Pilar]

Thumper, I use it so I won't reel the swivel into my tip guide and break the ceramic.

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/372115329.bmp

Here's a knot I use on tuffline. It wont break or slip. I don't know what it is called. When you have it formed, pull the tag end until it coils and then pull the main line until the knot hits the swivel. This works on any multistrand line, braid or tuffline. No glue is required.

[ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: Pilar ]</p>

[David Johnson]

Even in gin clear water 20lb test works great for steelhead plugs, if they are going to hit that plug they're not going to think twice about leader size, then you never have to worry about breaking off your plugs. Just about every guide I know has gone to heavy leader.

I will either run 50# Braided with a bead (for the reason Tanner stated)and a barrel swivel and then a 5 1/2 foot 20# leader or I'll double nail knot a ten foot leader of 20# to my 50# Braided.

I'll run the swivel set up when there are a lot of leaves in the water to help catch them before they get on the plug.

[Tanner]

Exactly. Too many ceramic guides have been broken by a swivel reeled up too far. It also helps in being able to spot how far the plugs are being let out. If you are rowing a driftboat, the green line really helps with seeing what the plugs are doing.

[Thumper]

So THAT'S howcome I break the ceramic in my tip guide!!! Duh for me!

[Bubzilla]

In response to just the connection question, I've used a Blood Knot to splice mono to braided line with success. David's use of a Double Nail Knot sounds very interesting, though. I use double nail knots to insert shock gum in fly leaders, and it works great.

Blood knots really work best with two lines of similar diameter--sometimes a problem when splicing mono to braided line. I'd imagine using double nail knots would eliminate that problem.

[Pitch Pocket]

Pilar, I think you show a uni knot (or a deriviative). I've used the knot below for years and have never had it fail. It is quick and a little easier to tie. It was shown to me by a guide on the Rogue. Anyone seen it?


http://www.ifish.net/uploads/565916329.bmp

[ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: SjP ]

[ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: SjP ]</p>

[PEEPS]

Here is a link that shows some fishing knots.
knots (http://www.oregonangler.com/knots.html)

[David Johnson]

Right, for using thin braided to thick mono the double nail knot works the best. I also use this to splice a 12 foot section of 120# dacron line to the end of my 80# TUF line for over size sturgeon.

[bait boy]

SJP, thats the knot we were shown for tuffline except we double over about a foot of line to tie it. I really like the simplicity of that knot and of course theres always the Tiemaster.

[Pitch Pocket]

Bait boy, I do double over and tie this one to the swivel. It is fast and secure.

I use it for mono too. It is very versatile.

[Chris Sessions]

Braid to mono = albright
Braid or mono to snap or swivel = palomar
Local salmon- 80lb braid to 40lb Jinkai
Kenai salmon- 130lb braid to 70lb Jinkai

[Jim]

Hey guys...life can be greatly simplified for all of you, I know it was for me and many, many other guides in the Northwest. I have mentioned before many times but Joe Littles Tie Master ties a knot that is superior or equal to every knot mentioned and it does it so effortlessly that you will all be amazed. Yes its a "gizmo", and I am "knot" :tongue: a gizmo guy, but this knot is awesome. David and others, I am sure you know who Clancy Holt is, some may not like him personally but his fish catching ability is up there with the best...he uses the tool exclusively, in fact had quit using braided line until he discovered this little tool.

For more info you can email me or go to:
www.tie-master.com (http://www.tie-master.com)


Solve your knot tying concerns and fish lighter leaders!

Jim

[Thumper]

SjP --- that is one fabulous knot! It was taught to me nearly 40 years ago by my future father-in-law. He learned it as a commercial fisherman in Ireland in the 1930s. I taught it to three Kenai guides in 1974. Who knows where it went from there. It was tested by IGFA many years ago and found to be one of very few "100%" knots. Tied as a double, it had incredible strength. Another advantage is that because you use the tip of your finger to hold the loop it can be tied in the dark "by feel". I've not seen anyone else describe it.

[Gizmo Man]

I use the fireline to swivel with just a regular improved clinch knot. Then mono leaders to other side of swivel. So far I have not had any problems with slipping knots. Just keep it simple.

Giz...


:wink:

[ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: Gizmo Man ]</p>

[Gizmo Man]

got posted 2x

[ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: Gizmo Man ]</p>

[Pitch Pocket]

Thumper, thanks for the history. It's good to know that the knot was tested and it did so well. I've done many o dark 30 tie ups with this knot and it has become second nature.

Jim, I know the knot gizmo ties a good knot, but I'm not sure that I want to carry around another tool just to tie a knot that I can tie with my eyes closed and cold fingers. Is it really worth fumbling around in the boat looking for this tool? Maybe if I get arthritic or something (I'm hoping not). I have a knot tying tool around here somewhere that I bought 15 or 20 years ago that was quickly relegated to the junk drawer, not because it didn't work, but because it was inconvenient.

I'm curious, why would Clancy (I've fished with him, he is a terrific fisherman) stop using braided without this tool? The knots above aren't any more difficult (I think easier) than an improved clinch knot and I know he is familiar with tying knots. With the obvious advantages, in almost all conditions, of the braided lines, I can't see the logic.

[smoky]

Dave/Tanner:

If Im going to leave the Tuff Line on my C4s w/HSR9000 for Steelhead, should I attach Plug as you described:

bead, barrel, mono, plug? Dont use the chain swivels used for KWIKFISH?

If going to run diver and bait, should I put mono between Tuff Line and hot&tot? If so how long on that leader and how long on hook leader?

[Tanner]

Smoky,
I would run the tough line directly to the Hot n Tot when running bait divers. If you are just running straight plugs I would definitely go with the corky/bead, swivel, mono and plug routine.
Use around 5 feet of mono between tough line and plug.

On bait divers use between 4 and 6 feet of hook leader depending on water clarity. (Shorter for off color longer for clear). When the water is off color, you don't want your bait too far from your attractor (Hot N Tot)

[fishbait]

When tieing braded line to a swivel I use a palamar (sp)for two reasons:

1. Its very simple (like me)
2. Its very strong (I wish)

[Johnson_Bar]

Has anyone ever heard of the Bimminy twist? (not sure if that is spelled correctly) It takes a little to get used to but once you get it down you don't have to tie it again. It leaves a loop in the end of your line like the one you would use on your weight line and it won't slip back down, so you don't have to cut it to change. I usually use it on one end of a swivel and then my choice of leader from the other end.

[Jim]

sjp,
Sorry...I responded to your question about Clancy yesterday but the post disappeared...hmmm....

Clancy and many other Wa. and Or. Guides use this knot tool because it ties a 100% consistant knot that is stronger than the line and which does not fail.

Clancy quit using braided line because of knot failure. He came back because he saw that this knot does not fail. He has not lost a fish because of knot failure since switching. Remember that with this knot, it allows you to fish far lighter line than you used to. Lighter line results in more bites, more bites result in more fish.....etc...we all know the drill...because of its consistant strength he can confidently fish lighter and so can many of the rest of us!

Jim

David, Your tool is on the way!