Fishing Spectra/Dacron

[JrBasser]

So I have white dacron on my reel, my frist question is how long of a topshot would you use on this? This is for fishing bait in la jolla. I figured only a few feet so that the line could cut the kelp, but will the white line slow down the bites? Also, for trolling rapalas, would you tie straight to the lure?

[nmbrinkman]

Are you sure it's dacron or is it spectra? Dacron is a lot thicker than spectra. Anyhow, if it is spectra, use anywhere from 3' to 6'. Some people tie directly to the spectra for Rapalas... But remember, there is no going back on a big fish with line that strong on a 20/25/30 lb rated rod. Just make sure your drag is set right and hold on....

[JrBasser]

It's 50 pound izorline dacron. Thanks for the tips Nate. Will the white color matter much?

[madscientist]

I always use a leader, 10-20ft or so to start with, replacing when it gets down to 4 or 5. With a 3ft leader you need to retie after a couple of lost hooks or chaffed line. White is not a problem. Color it with a marker if you are worried. Most of the kelp cutting occurs while the fish is running.

[nmbrinkman]

Originally Posted by madscientist

With a 3ft leader you need to retie after a couple of lost hooks or chaffed line.

Good point...

[tylerdurden]

I use a 3-6' leader and have to retie often. The knots are easy once you get used to it. The only time it really becomes an issue is when you are hooking stuff left and right. After every fish I usually cut the leader down and retie the hook. Almost every fish you catch will chew on the line, or it's body will hit the line and nick it. This makes the line way more visible, and much weaker. After every zing reel in and check to make sure a cuda didn't just miss your bait and chew up your leader.

Of course everyone has different preferences on how they do things like this.

[Mr_PeaCH]

Just to clarify:

Leader on the spectra for presenting bait. Is Flouro always preferred? Hey Brad, with 10 - 20 foot of leader on, how do you arrange for a weighted low bait presentation on this setup?

Reaction bite situations, straight spectra to lure or looong topshot of mono for casting? Thoughts, preferences?

Myself, I only have a couple of rigs where I'm fishing straight spectra and they are on bass/rockfish rigs. And even then I tie a leader on (mono) for rockfishing deep. I'd like to consider more ways to fish spectra more often.

[nmbrinkman]

Originally Posted by Mr_PeaCH

with 10 - 20 foot of leader on, how do you arrange for a weighted low bait presentation on this setup?

I don't know how Brad does it but they make things called Carolina keepers. Check them out...

[JrBasser]

I think I may have to check out the carolina keepers too, the swivel and 2 extra knots scares me

[spooky007]

Originally Posted by nmbrinkman

I don't know how Brad does it but they make things called Carolina keepers. Check them out...

Ditto on the carolina keepers!! I try not to use a swive if I dont have to!!


Al

[Matt]

I generally use a uni to uni knot to connect my flyline to my leader of roughly 6-8 feet. I use a halibut slider on my bottom rig also tied with a uni to uni and have yet to have a knot fail. Even with multiple larger toothy fellas pulling on my flyline the uni stood up just fine for the 3 in a row I got one day (only 2 landed) I definitely check the leader and always retie my hook after every fish.

Just my own 2 cents that is only worth a penny.

Matt

[madscientist]

If I am keyed on trolling a hi-lo combo I'll use an egg sinker, but even then I like to have a bit of mono or flouro before the swivel. I seem to get less tangles when the swivel is tied to mono or flouro rather than spectra. If I'm using the low rig for both low trolling and dragging bottom then I prefer a slider clip so I can adjust the weight to match the troll/drift. Again, straight spectra to the swivel will work but I prefer a leader in front...less twist ups. I also like to have leaders long enough so that the line to leader knot is at least through the rod tip, if not on the reel, when I have a fish close to gaff. I feel the worst thing is to have the uni to uni sitting right against the tip as you try to maneuver the fish to gaff.

But what do I know, probably better to listen to brinkman.