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Fishing line

So as I'm venturing into the swimbaits, I'm curious if you guys gravitate toward the braid to floro/mono hook up. Alberto knot? Leader spools vs filler spools. Line brand? I've talked with somebody on this and would like to hear all other opinions. I've already taken a choice in what I'm going to do but I wanted to see what others are doing. Maybe we can all learn from who does what and why...it seems to change as line,baits,hooks and snaps evolve. I'm not second guessing what I've been told one bit...trying to start a learning post that we can use as a high end guide with complete confidence.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 13, 2014 at 4:21pm

Hey Russ,

While I prefer to throw big baits on heavy gear, I do occasionally throw "numbers" type tackle depending on who I am fishing with. I use a lot of 30#, 40# or 50# braid on baitcasting gear in those applications, as well as 10#, 15# or 20# on spinning tackle.

First off, I like to spool my braid on as tightly as possible. Many ways to do this. Next, I find if I use the proper line (mainline and leader), rod power/action and hookset/fish-landing pressure for the given technique and application, any digging is virtually eliminated. Meaning, there are certain maximum forces involved in every technique and tackle setup, so I can avoid the digging just by proper tackle selection for the application and line diameter. At the very worst, I may need to do one behind-the-boat cast after landing a fish in case there is a little catch at the point of hookset, to ensure my next cast is accurate and/or distance is maximized.

As an example, for the big fish techniques in Mexico, the small diameter of 40# braid is almost certain to dig into itself with the pressure and forces required to hook and land big fish on properly powered rods and stout hooks.

Experiment. Good luck!

Russ Kroeker said:

That Spool Dig issue that Dez was talking about is the reason I switched to 65# for punching/flipping. I tried it for swimbaits last year, but I just didn't like to feel of it. Noisy through the guides, etc...

Years ago when I went to El Salto, the guide told us that he would see customers lose fish there for 2 main reasons...number 1, they were using 40# braid or smaller and the wood down there was cutting it off when the fish tried to run behind trees, and number 2, the 40# and smaller diameter braids (like I was using:) were digging into the customer's spools, then jamming and snapping off at the spool. I ended using 25# mono and lost no fish. I have had this issue up here with 40# on my reels. I don't know if I'm agrivating the issue by not initially spooling tight enough? Or maybe there is some "trick" I'm not aware of??? Line line conditioner? I love to know if someone has this issue like I have. Peace!

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on February 13, 2014 at 4:39pm

I agree Tag. Thanks for the input! I've had very few drawbacks with spinning gear, when I use small diameter braid to light flouro, but I have had several rod tips either crack the eye, or pop the eye out of it's base, and I'm very certain it's the long casts I routinely make moving that knot past the that eye at high speed. Wind knots are an issue under 15lb braid, but after increasing my leader to like 30-50ft (suggested by Aaron Martens), I don't seem to have the issue. I use the double uni knot. Surprised that I haven't heard of others using it...maybe it sucks? For me...good enough for Aaron Martens "angler of the year", good enough for me. Ha ha.

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on February 13, 2014 at 4:46pm

10# power pro...6/0 ewg...fluke/senko zoom horny toad...dropshot rod. No leader...biggest to date so far is 6.14 using this as my finesse technique. Super long cast. Clear or dirty water.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 13, 2014 at 5:00pm

When I'm down in Thurston County and I see a 9 pounder jumping around trying to throw a 6/0, I'll put two-and-two together. JK!
10# braid is very strong. You are using the proper rod and hookset to avoid a failure.

Sparkles said:

10# power pro...6/0 ewg...fluke/senko zoom horny toad...dropshot rod. No leader...biggest to date so far is 6.14 using this as my finesse technique. Super long cast. Clear or dirty water.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 13, 2014 at 5:03pm

The Uni-to-Uni is a good knot when tied well. I think for zero to low impact techniques like dropshotting, this knot is just fine. However, I trust other knots more for high impact techniques.

Russ Kroeker said:

I agree Tag. Thanks for the input! I've had very few drawbacks with spinning gear, when I use small diameter braid to light flouro, but I have had several rod tips either crack the eye, or pop the eye out of it's base, and I'm very certain it's the long casts I routinely make moving that knot past the that eye at high speed. Wind knots are an issue under 15lb braid, but after increasing my leader to like 30-50ft (suggested by Aaron Martens), I don't seem to have the issue. I use the double uni knot. Surprised that I haven't heard of others using it...maybe it sucks? For me...good enough for Aaron Martens "angler of the year", good enough for me. Ha ha.

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on February 13, 2014 at 5:06pm

If there was a broken off 9.... look for the fat drunk passed out dude laying on the front deck with his pants around his ankles....I don't know why they would be but I am sure they would be.

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on February 13, 2014 at 5:13pm

I've broken off a few fish on hook sets with the uni/uni knot...never on dropshot. Tag is correct on this I believe. Since learning the berto knot I can't wait for revenge.

Tag Watson said:

The Uni-to-Uni is a good knot when tied well. I think for zero to low impact techniques like dropshotting, this knot is just fine. However, I trust other knots more for high impact techniques.

Russ Kroeker said:
I agree Tag. Thanks for the input! I've had very few drawbacks with spinning gear, when I use small diameter braid to light flouro, but I have had several rod tips either crack the eye, or pop the eye out of it's base, and I'm very certain it's the long casts I routinely make moving that knot past the that eye at high speed. Wind knots are an issue under 15lb braid, but after increasing my leader to like 30-50ft (suggested by Aaron Martens), I don't seem to have the issue. I use the double uni knot. Surprised that I haven't heard of others using it...maybe it sucks? For me...good enough for Aaron Martens "angler of the year", good enough for me. Ha ha.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on February 13, 2014 at 5:31pm

Ha ha....that cracked me up!

Sparkles said:

If there was a broken off 9.... look for the fat drunk passed out dude laying on the front deck with his pants around his ankles....I don't know why they would be but I am sure they would be.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on February 14, 2014 at 6:52am

Aarons video on Bass masters show you what he calls an Albright knot but come to find out it's an alberto knot or Nick Berto Knot I am still confused.

Russ Kroeker said:

I agree Tag. Thanks for the input! I've had very few drawbacks with spinning gear, when I use small diameter braid to light flouro, but I have had several rod tips either crack the eye, or pop the eye out of it's base, and I'm very certain it's the long casts I routinely make moving that knot past the that eye at high speed. Wind knots are an issue under 15lb braid, but after increasing my leader to like 30-50ft (suggested by Aaron Martens), I don't seem to have the issue. I use the double uni knot. Surprised that I haven't heard of others using it...maybe it sucks? For me...good enough for Aaron Martens "angler of the year", good enough for me. Ha ha.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on February 14, 2014 at 7:00am

All i know is that there are 58 replies regarding line connections. Im losing my mind.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on February 14, 2014 at 7:02am

I am going to blow your kinds.... LOL....I use 5# braid to flouro for drop shotting..... I also use 8# 10# and 20#. I like it in certain situation all on spinning reels and for applications where my braid doesn't come in contact with anything abrasive. I do not like braid for pitching jigs or plastics unless I am pitching vegetation other than tules. I do like braid for throwing big topwaters. Ok maybe I didn't blow your minds but there you go maybe this will generate more questions and or feedback.

Permalink Reply by Dan Rice on February 14, 2014 at 8:25am

Just goes to show every angler has success with something that has evolved with their ability. We all started with rods and reels that we would probably shake our heads at today. As your confidence progresses, along with your ability to dial in the fish, so does your equipment.

Butch Brown (for an example) uses 15-20 pound Seaguar Abrazx fluoro and he changes it every single trip. Not once does that line hit the water again on the second day. To some, this would kill the pocketbook, or flat out seem ridiculous. But he has his reasons and who would argue with him? No one that I know lol.

I've enjoyed reading the responses so far though. Lots of great information for any level of swimbaiter.

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said: