Yo-Yo Rig... Next Question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 01-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Thanks to all who responded to my last question about the best Yo-Yo rig setup. Based on the suggestions received, I plan to use my 6' stiff Squidco rod with my Torium 20. This reel is currently spooled with 65# Spectra.

Most people who responded to my last post recommend 40# mono for Yo-Yoing. I do not have a spare Torium spool so I am a little puzzled about what to do. Should I add a wind-on leader to the spectra? If so how long should this leader be.

The bigger question is if I add a leader, how to attach the leader to the spectra so the connection does not hang up in the rod guides. I have read that some prefer a loop to loop connection. Others say that the spectra will cut through the mono using this method. Some say the best way to connect specta and mono is a uni to uni knot.

Any suggestions?

Bob

j mo · 01-02-2009, 09:24 AM

This should prob be in the "discussion" area but try the albright knot http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/index.php

GHOSTHUNTR · 01-02-2009, 11:35 AM

Uni to Uni is easy and very effective.

forefrazier · 01-02-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellyuptim

Uni to Uni is easy and very effective.

MarkT · 01-02-2009, 12:00 PM

A uni-uni or tony pena/bob sands knot works well. If you've got a full spool of 65# spectra just go with 5' of mono as a shock leader. That way the knot doesn't have to keep going through the guides.

jimbo · 01-02-2009, 12:45 PM

how much mono you want will depend on your preferences. i used to be converted spectra fan (and still think it's great for many things), but now i'm back to being a fan of mono or spectra/mono over just spectra for lots of reasons. i've come to grips with that fact that i'm only a mediocre caster, so when i make my occasional flub w/ just spectra, the line goes snap and the jig goes flying to the deep. also, i think I get better hookup ratio w/ mono vs spectra (both jig and live bait). something about the stretch works for me. so if it was me, i'd add enough mono to get a full cast. if you just want a shock absorber, 20 feet should be enough. i don't think you have to make it too short to avoid winding it through the guides- either knot should wind up easily. with 65 spect to 40 mono you prob won't have to worry much about strength, but i think the albright is a bit stronger. plus it just looks cool when you tie it. it's what i use. works well so long as you tie the spectra onto the mono (not vice versa). uni/uni is very easy and will also do the job. i don't think either of those knots should have trouble going thru the guides.

esdees · 01-02-2009, 03:44 PM

I don't like casting over a knot, so I either put on a long enough top shot that that doesn't happen, or I use all mono.

THE DARKHORSE · 01-02-2009, 07:03 PM

It's pretty simple, you want enough mono to cover the depth you are fishing (not a small top-shot for stretch). Remember, sometimes you will be Yo-Yo'ing in greater depths (like this week for example). For fishing the deep iron 200' of 40 lb Izorline or P-Line is what I use.

Seriously though, this isn't all about personal preference, think safety. Before you even consider using spectra to Yo-Yo, take it from me, I almost cut off the tip of my left thumb while guiding the line back on the reel when a big Yellowtail slammed the jig. The spectra cut though my thumb almost down to the bone. When I gaffed the fish, I'm not sure who was bleeding more. I love spectra for bait, but I will never fish the heavy iron with it again.

fishchaser25 · 01-03-2009, 10:34 AM

Im with Josh on this one. I have worked on a sport fishing boat for 3 years and have seen my fair share of split thumbs while yo-yoing. this happens because you never know when that monster is going to hit and you never know what that monster will be. so i would recomend strait mono for yo-yoing and spectra for bait.

Holy Mackerel · 01-03-2009, 11:29 AM

You can always take the spectra off, wrap it around old mono filler spool, coffee can, whatever. Put it on another reel, when you need it. I pulled hook on YT on straight spectra, my buddy swears by straight for surface Iron, he feels sets hook right away.

I use #40 mono, YOYO, and surface. All of my jig reels have 1/3ish spectra backing, then the rest mono. I never see the spectra, when fighting a fish, the spectra basically makes it so, I use less Mono when re-spooling.

chris

bellcon · 01-03-2009, 11:49 AM

does anyone use a levelwind, like the new saltist, for yo yoing?
just curious... seems like a good idea to me...but ima rookie

Siebler · 01-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Levelwind is just one more thing to break when you have a lot of torque on the reel form a big fish.

JrBasser · 01-06-2009, 04:41 PM

first thing that will break**

The level wind is ALWAYS the first to go. I've had a few blow up on big rays.

01-02-2009, 09:11 AM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	Yo-Yo Rig... Next Question Thanks to all who responded to my last question about the best Yo-Yo rig setup. Based on the suggestions received, I plan to use my 6' stiff Squidco rod with my Torium 20. This reel is currently spooled with 65# Spectra. Most people who responded to my last post recommend 40# mono for Yo-Yoing. I do not have a spare Torium spool so I am a little puzzled about what to do. Should I add a wind-on leader to the spectra? If so how long should this leader be. The bigger question is if I add a leader, how to attach the leader to the spectra so the connection does not hang up in the rod guides. I have read that some prefer a loop to loop connection. Others say that the spectra will cut through the mono using this method. Some say the best way to connect specta and mono is a uni to uni knot. Any suggestions? Bob

01-02-2009, 12:45 PM	#6
jimbo Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 97	how much mono you want will depend on your preferences. i used to be converted spectra fan (and still think it's great for many things), but now i'm back to being a fan of mono or spectra/mono over just spectra for lots of reasons. i've come to grips with that fact that i'm only a mediocre caster, so when i make my occasional flub w/ just spectra, the line goes snap and the jig goes flying to the deep. also, i think I get better hookup ratio w/ mono vs spectra (both jig and live bait). something about the stretch works for me. so if it was me, i'd add enough mono to get a full cast. if you just want a shock absorber, 20 feet should be enough. i don't think you have to make it too short to avoid winding it through the guides- either knot should wind up easily. with 65 spect to 40 mono you prob won't have to worry much about strength, but i think the albright is a bit stronger. plus it just looks cool when you tie it. it's what i use. works well so long as you tie the spectra onto the mono (not vice versa). uni/uni is very easy and will also do the job. i don't think either of those knots should have trouble going thru the guides. __________________ that's why they call it fishing

01-02-2009, 07:03 PM	#8
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	It's pretty simple, you want enough mono to cover the depth you are fishing (not a small top-shot for stretch). Remember, sometimes you will be Yo-Yo'ing in greater depths (like this week for example). For fishing the deep iron 200' of 40 lb Izorline or P-Line is what I use. Seriously though, this isn't all about personal preference, think safety. Before you even consider using spectra to Yo-Yo, take it from me, I almost cut off the tip of my left thumb while guiding the line back on the reel when a big Yellowtail slammed the jig. The spectra cut though my thumb almost down to the bone. When I gaffed the fish, I'm not sure who was bleeding more. I love spectra for bait, but I will never fish the heavy iron with it again. __________________ Last edited by THE DARKHORSE; 01-03-2009 at 12:23 AM.

01-03-2009, 10:34 AM	#9
fishchaser25 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Riverside Posts: 97	Im with Josh on this one. I have worked on a sport fishing boat for 3 years and have seen my fair share of split thumbs while yo-yoing. this happens because you never know when that monster is going to hit and you never know what that monster will be. so i would recomend strait mono for yo-yoing and spectra for bait. __________________ Fishing is not a hobby! It's a way of life!

01-03-2009, 12:38 PM	#12
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Levelwind is just one more thing to break when you have a lot of torque on the reel form a big fish. __________________ CJ Siebler

01-02-2009, 09:24 AM	#2
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	This should prob be in the "discussion" area but try the albright knot http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/index.php

01-02-2009, 11:35 AM	#3
GHOSTHUNTR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poway Posts: 160	Uni to Uni is easy and very effective.

01-02-2009, 12:00 PM	#5
MarkT Deep Release Specialist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 94	A uni-uni or tony pena/bob sands knot works well. If you've got a full spool of 65# spectra just go with 5' of mono as a shock leader. That way the knot doesn't have to keep going through the guides.

01-02-2009, 03:44 PM	#7
esdees The Good Clone Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Clairemont Posts: 520	I don't like casting over a knot, so I either put on a long enough top shot that that doesn't happen, or I use all mono.

01-03-2009, 11:29 AM	#10
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	You can always take the spectra off, wrap it around old mono filler spool, coffee can, whatever. Put it on another reel, when you need it. I pulled hook on YT on straight spectra, my buddy swears by straight for surface Iron, he feels sets hook right away. I use #40 mono, YOYO, and surface. All of my jig reels have 1/3ish spectra backing, then the rest mono. I never see the spectra, when fighting a fish, the spectra basically makes it so, I use less Mono when re-spooling. chris

01-03-2009, 11:49 AM	#11
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	does anyone use a levelwind, like the new saltist, for yo yoing? just curious... seems like a good idea to me...but ima rookie

01-06-2009, 04:41 PM	#13
JrBasser Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 260	first thing that will break** The level wind is ALWAYS the first to go. I've had a few blow up on big rays.