Fishing line

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jay Johnson on January 30, 2014 at 9:12pm

Good subject ... Looking forward in hearing what all have to say.

Permalink Reply by Dan Rice on January 30, 2014 at 9:38pm

No knots here. I use 20-lb P-Line CXX with my 6" and 8" swimbaits. I know anglers who go straight and those who use braid to fluoro. One of my favorite fishing partners, Mr. Bob Trukositz over here in Spokane, uses straight braid (depending on the rod he's using). Let's just say we've had 6+ pound fish next to the boat and they could care less about straight braid.

Since the 8" Hudd is my largest bait, there may be some better options for larger swimbaits, but I haven't ventured into them yet. For my confidence, I stick to my 20# P-Line.

Just goes to show you'll get smashed either way. Different strokes for different folks.

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on January 31, 2014 at 11:19am

Let me premise this with...I'm not one of the guys with the best killer gear, all the money to make the perfect choices, or am I the guy with the ability to throw the big baits...That said, I have a 7'6" Heavy rod that doubles as a flippin' stick.  My primary bait is the 6" weedless Hudd.  I also toss various others like the Tru-Tungsten blugill, some floating baits like the Optimum OB minnow, and Hollow belly's as well.  My severe Tendonitis keeps me out of the big leagues, so 8-6 rods will neer be fund in my hands.  Being that my rod is stiff (but light), my preference has been for a staight up Mono.  I use this awesome stuff that I found called Suffix Elite in 17lb. cause it has little memory (unlike flouro), casts very far, and the stretch keeps me from tearing out hooks when I set in single hook baits.  Also, when I parallel docks with a swimbait, and rub the pilings, or when I fish crapstuff with jigs, this line is super durable compared to most.

I use palomar knots (when I remember), but mostly improved clinch or modified uni knots.  What's more important is re-tie after EVERY fish (or every abusive failure).  Hope this is useful.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 1, 2014 at 3:29pm

• 65# TUF-Line XP braid mainline
• Shimano Calcutta 401 TE reel for power, torque, gearing, casting distance and durability
• 25# and 30# Seaguar Premier fluoro for leaders on sinking swimbaits (10 - 25+ feet depending on water clarity, conditions, cover and lure)
• 20#, 25# or 30# Maxima Ultragreen for topwater leaders (length varies per conditions and lure)
• Alberto knot to join braid and fluoro - tightened with extreme tension, braid tag end burned with a lighter and fluoro tag trimmed right to the knot
• San Diego Jam knot to connect leader to lure (copolymer and fluoro)

I only get a couple/few short days on the water per month.  When I do manage to get out, I want to have fun (first priority) and catch big fish - period.  Equipment failures are NOT an option.  If I get lucky enough to entice a trophy fish to bite, I want to drill that fish so it's pinned securely as possible (even at the end of a monster cast), and get it in quickly.  I have 100% confidence in my terminal tackle system and have had zero failures to date with any elements of this system.  It's taken me a lot of trial and error to get to this point.  Everyone has their preferences, but this is what I feel is the perfect setup for my style of fishing.  Good luck, Sparkadelic.    

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 1, 2014 at 3:30pm

Russ, is the tendonitis in your wrist, elbow, shoulder, other?  May have some ideas/suggestions.

Russ Kroeker said:

Let me premise this with...I'm not one of the guys with the best killer gear, all the money to make the perfect choices, or am I the guy with the ability to throw the big baits...That said, I have a 7'6" Heavy rod that doubles as a flippin' stick.  My primary bait is the 6" weedless Hudd.  I also toss various others like the Tru-Tungsten blugill, some floating baits like the Optimum OB minnow, and Hollow belly's as well.  My severe Tendonitis keeps me out of the big leagues, so 8-6 rods will neer be fund in my hands.  Being that my rod is stiff (but light), my preference has been for a staight up Mono.  I use this awesome stuff that I found called Suffix Elite in 17lb. cause it has little memory (unlike flouro), casts very far, and the stretch keeps me from tearing out hooks when I set in single hook baits.  Also, when I parallel docks with a swimbait, and rub the pilings, or when I fish crapstuff with jigs, this line is super durable compared to most.

I use palomar knots (when I remember), but mostly improved clinch or modified uni knots.  What's more important is re-tie after EVERY fish (or every abusive failure).  Hope this is useful.

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on February 1, 2014 at 4:24pm

Tag, I've had 5 surgeries in 3 years (both hands, 3 trigger releases, elbow, shoulder) most have been helpful, but no helpful diagnosis as of yet. Switching from left hand to right hand every year seems to help, but mostly just lighter gear, exploring other fishing styles, and stretching ALOT, has been my life. Too bad more articles aren't written about preventative exorcizes yah know? It may have helped.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 4, 2014 at 8:47am

Hi Russ, thank you for the reply and I'm sorry to hear about the issues you have been dealing with. I agree 100% with your statement regarding the lack of articles/videos speaking to preventative measures. Casting (especially heavy gear), hooksetting, reeling, working your lure, fighting fish, standing on the trolling motor foot pedal all day and rough boat rides all take their cumulative toll. This Summer I am going to be posting a short series of videos/blogs showing a variety of shoulder, elbow, forearm, trunk/core, back, etc. mobility, flexibility and strengthening exercises that not only prevent injury and reduce fatigue on the water, but also increase casting distance, improve hooksetting power and contribute to better overall performance on the water. Very specific exercises using Indian clubs and the TRX Rip Trainer is the main foundation for this system. I've been working on this project with my wife who has her Masters degree in Human Kinesiology and Movement, has a number of exercise instructor training certifications, is a national trainer for Balanced Body Pilates, owns and operates three exercise/movement studios in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, specializes in injury-prevention and post-rehab, and is also a licensed acupuncturist. Looking forward to sharing these tools with the angling community. Tournament anglers, big bait chuckers, swimbait junkies and weekend warriors will all benefit. Stay tuned.

Russ Kroeker said:

Tag, I've had 5 surgeries in 3 years (both hands, 3 trigger releases, elbow, shoulder) most have been helpful, but no helpful diagnosis as of yet. Switching from left hand to right hand every year seems to help, but mostly just lighter gear, exploring other fishing styles, and stretching ALOT, has been my life. Too bad more articles aren't written about preventative exorcizes yah know? It may have helped.

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on February 4, 2014 at 9:24am

Mmmmm sounds like a good topic for part of a Limit Out seminar!!!!!  I think we'd love to hear from the wife too!!!

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on February 4, 2014 at 9:41am

Yah.  I remember he used to have a series for a little while in Bassmamster that I was following.

Permalink Reply by Trevor Radach on February 6, 2014 at 4:48pm

Tag,

I would like to hear why you choose to use the Alberto over the faithful blood knot for this scenerio? Does this have something to do with the larger line diameter?

Tag Watson said:

• 65# TUF-Line XP braid mainline
• Shimano Calcutta 401 TE reel for power, torque, gearing, casting distance and durability
• 25# and 30# Seaguar Premier fluoro for leaders on sinking swimbaits (10 - 25+ feet depending on water clarity, conditions, cover and lure)
• 20#, 25# or 30# Maxima Ultragreen for topwater leaders (length varies per conditions and lure)
• Alberto knot to join braid and fluoro - tightened with extreme tension, braid tag end burned with a lighter and fluoro tag trimmed right to the knot
• San Diego Jam knot to connect leader to lure (copolymer and fluoro)

I only get a couple/few short days on the water per month.  When I do manage to get out, I want to have fun (first priority) and catch big fish - period.  Equipment failures are NOT an option.  If I get lucky enough to entice a trophy fish to bite, I want to drill that fish so it's pinned securely as possible (even at the end of a monster cast), and get it in quickly.  I have 100% confidence in my terminal tackle system and have had zero failures to date with any elements of this system.  It's taken me a lot of trial and error to get to this point.  Everyone has their preferences, but this is what I feel is the perfect setup for my style of fishing.  Good luck, Sparkadelic.    

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 6, 2014 at 5:45pm

Hey Trevor, the blood knot is a fantastic braid to fluoro/mono union and I never had any failures with it. However, I am very particular (OCD) about my knots and will always retie if they do not look perfect to me. I found that a little too frequently, the blood knot would not pass my visual test, forcing me to retie. This got me researching new knots and after experimenting with the Alberto, I knew this was the union for me. I can tie it perfectly 95% of the time and I love the Chinese finger trap concept behind this knot. I can trim the fluoro or mono tag end right up to the knot and it goes through the guides exceptionally well. Most importantly, it is bombproof. Both knots are great, but I truly believe the Alberto is a superior knot for me.

Permalink Reply by Zach Chandler on February 6, 2014 at 8:11pm

Agree with the Alberto knot. Snake got me onto it last year, I had always used the uni - uni. It took me a little time to tie it quickly, but its a perfect knot for braid to fluoro/mono. Its insanely strong, and I like how the braid protects the attachment point.

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