topshots, super short or longer? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

tptrench · 05-09-2008, 02:12 PM

Just curious what are the pros and cons are. I've been long ranging for a long time and have had great success with 100 or 125 yard topshots. It's never been an issue.
Now for fishing off my kayak, I've lost several nice fish to the kelp. I know that a lot of you guys use super short topshots of 3-5 feet, so the spectra saws through the salad. If you get really hung up in that stuff, how the heck do you get out of it without cutting off that expensive spectra?
Should I stick with the longer topshots or risk going to the super short ones?

Holy Mackerel · 05-09-2008, 02:22 PM

I use ~5ft leaders of fluoro for live bait. I use #75-#150 swivels to connect the fluoro to spectra. I have had a Uni to Uni knot hold up on big fish, but I am paranoid about tying that knot correctly, so mostly use swivels.

chris

tylerdurden · 05-09-2008, 03:05 PM

You should be able to break off 50 and 65# spectra if you snag it.

Wrap the spectra around the outside of the spool, point the rod straight down, and pull with the swell.

Or the method I prefer is to wrap the spectra around the handle of my pliers or gaff and pull.

It's actually easier to pull out snags with shorter top shots, less stretch so something is more likely to give. Pulling out snags on straight mono ends up being like a bungee cord that gives and gives but won't break off.

TheSherThang · 05-09-2008, 04:31 PM

For cutting through kelp, a really short topshot as spectra will slice through kelp like nothing.

For party boats, I go with one about 25yds to 50yds long.

05-09-2008, 03:05 PM	#3
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	You should be able to break off 50 and 65# spectra if you snag it. Wrap the spectra around the outside of the spool, point the rod straight down, and pull with the swell. Or the method I prefer is to wrap the spectra around the handle of my pliers or gaff and pull. It's actually easier to pull out snags with shorter top shots, less stretch so something is more likely to give. Pulling out snags on straight mono ends up being like a bungee cord that gives and gives but won't break off. __________________ MLPA, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Let the Fish and Game Commission know what you think about the proposed maps. Be ready for December 9th and 10th.

05-09-2008, 02:12 PM	#1
tptrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pt loma Posts: 101	topshots, super short or longer? Just curious what are the pros and cons are. I've been long ranging for a long time and have had great success with 100 or 125 yard topshots. It's never been an issue. Now for fishing off my kayak, I've lost several nice fish to the kelp. I know that a lot of you guys use super short topshots of 3-5 feet, so the spectra saws through the salad. If you get really hung up in that stuff, how the heck do you get out of it without cutting off that expensive spectra? Should I stick with the longer topshots or risk going to the super short ones?

05-09-2008, 02:22 PM	#2
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	I use ~5ft leaders of fluoro for live bait. I use #75-#150 swivels to connect the fluoro to spectra. I have had a Uni to Uni knot hold up on big fish, but I am paranoid about tying that knot correctly, so mostly use swivels. chris

05-09-2008, 04:31 PM	#4
TheSherThang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 82	For cutting through kelp, a really short topshot as spectra will slice through kelp like nothing. For party boats, I go with one about 25yds to 50yds long.