Advice From the Pros

[twitchy]

This last weekend I hooked into what seemed to be a very good sized Yellow. It took off and went into the kelp. After about 10 mins I got broken off at the knot where my spectra and mono meet. I had 60 feet of 30lb mono as a top shot and 30lb spectra underneath. Needles to say that after the adrenalin was gone the frustration and dismay kicked in.

Here is my questions:
1. My spectra is about 2 years old. Do I need to replace it?
2. Do I need a shorter top shot?
3. Do I need to use heavier everything and if so, how heavy?

All advice is welcome, thanks.

[Dan]

I would ditch the topshot and go from spectra to a 3-4ft flouro leader with a swivel. That's the standard LJ kelp cutting setup. I pull off a rod's length of spectra every time I retie the rig to keep the wear down on the stuff that passes through the eyes or can get nicked. go get that yellow back!

[Holy Mackerel]

I am not a pro, more of a babysitter these days.

But...

I would recommend bumping up to #65 spectra. I use Power Pro, there are some who dislike it, but it has been solid for me. I guess it would depend on how often you fish, again for me these days, my spectra will last 20yrs. But if you fish regularly, I would just inspect it, for nicks, etc. You may just have to peel off 10-50ft.

Go to Fluoro over mono for a topshot.

I would recommend a shorter top shot. My top shots are 3-6ft, just depends how finicky the fish are, that way you are sawing with spectra.

Btw, I dislike spectra to fluoro knots. I use small high rated swivels. uni knots all the way around, maybe a palomar at the hook.

I am sure others with more experience will chime in, hope this helps.

[taggermike]

I'll second ditching the 30 lb spectra and step up to 65 lb. Also having a long top shot sort of limits the kelp cutting action of your spectra. 3-5 feet is enough. Having the shorter top shot also allows/forces you to change it more often. That way you don't end up with a old or questionable knot. Also if your mono or fluoro to spectra knots are not great you can use a small welded ring as your attachment. MIke

[Billy V]

I'm no expert either, but here is my 2 cents.

As has been stated above.

Use straight 65 lb spectra, and connect a 3-4 ft fluro leader with a small 90lb.or 100lb. swivel to make the connection.
(I sometimes use 80 spectra just because it is slightly larger and easier to tie.)
-----------------------
Spectra will last for years, but if it smells like mildew then change it out. A quick rinse with fresh water keeps it in good shape.
------------------------
San Diego Jam Knots on Everything.
15-20 turns on the spectra, and 5 turns on fluro.
-It very easy to tie spetra with this knot, it dresses itself nicely.
The same goes for the fluro.

-If you are not completely satisfied with ANY Knot's appearance, or the coils aren't laying Juuust Right, cut it off and retie.

[bender0240]

I'm also not an expert but I recently did some tests on knots of Fluoro(20 lb) to Spectra(65lb). The uni to uni knot with 5 twists on fluoro and 10 twists to spectra(like the guy at Dana Market suggested) failed every time. The spectra sliced thru the fluoro like butter. By far the best connection was the Tony Pefia Knot. When I first looked at how the knot was tied I thought their was NO WAY it would hold, but when I tested it it never broke at the connection. Very impressive knot. Still though, I went and got some connector rings at squidco. I trust my knots way more (I use uni knots) but the Palomar Knot and the San Diego Jam knot are supposed to be the best. Although it's been suggested to me to put a long leader of clear line like you had, I just can't see the purpose of that since the spectra rarely sees the water. 4' to 10' leader seems to be the most practical for our type of fishing to give the spectra a chance to cut the kelp

Ben

[B Slate]

If it broke at the knot it was because of a bad not.
I use thirty pound spectra on almost all of my reels and it held up fine.
You can bump up to a higher pound test and it will cut through kelp better
but it won't cast and handle as well which is fine if you only use the reel
to troll with. I like my top shot to be shorter than the rod for casting.
Remember to retie your rig once in a while so theres no kinks that can lessen the strenth of your rig.
As for knots i always use the uni to uni because its simple and it has held up for me.

[peguinpower]

Here is another way how the connection can be done.

http://www.charkbait.com/article/spectra.htm

[kurt]

Straight 8lb mono. I never get broken off in the kelp. Just spooled.

[twitchy]

Thanks for all the advice, I am off to get some new Spectra and learn some new knots..... I have always thought light line means more fish, so 8lb all the way.

[CurtyL]

wow. I just tie off 40lb mono straight to the hook with a "fishermans knot" (the one my dad showed me when I was 12). never had a problem boating YT, then again this year I haven't really had a hit. Sometimes I'll attach a hearty looking swivel with a sliding sinker above it. Am I a caveman? will spectra make me a better fisherman? if it will, I'll buy it.

['Cuda]

Run your line thru the swivel eye twice if useing the uni.
I've lost more fish to spectra nicks than anything else.

[Holy Mackerel]

Originally Posted by CurtyL

will spectra make me a better fisherman? if it will, I'll buy it.

No, it won't make you a better fisherman, but we use it to saw through the kelps. There are other reasons too, like sensitivity, no stretch, etc. But I mainly use it to SAW BABY SAW!

Originally Posted by 'Cuda

Run your line thru the swivel eye twice if useing the uni.
I've lost more fish to spectra nicks than anything else.

x 2

[MarkT]

Sounds like a bad knot. I use a Tony Pena/Bob Sands knot to join mono to spectra. Uni-Uni is a good easy knot too... 5 turns on the mono and 10 on the spectra. I would prefer 50 or 65# spectra with 30# mono.

[-scallywag-]

spectra is a pain.....BillV's knot tips/line are very good, they must look perfect.

i always use #65spectra 40 to 20lb flouro.

i like the double auburn for spectra to flouro or even better (easier) use a swivel.

don't use a sliding egg sinker on the spectra unless you are very dilligent (remember its hard to see damaged spectra when the line is wet)

take some time at home infront of the comp trying different knots and TESTING them, this helps alot as you will be able to identify bad knots on the water easier

on my spectra (trolling) rods i like to first fill the spool about 1/4 to 1/2 with 40lbmono backing then use the double auburn to attach about 150-200yrds spectra to the mono. I like the mono backing for two reasons, 1)spectra is not cheap and you dont need 500yrds of spectra when kayak fishing, 2) it helps keep the spectra from digging down into spool when you snag or hook up and also casts a little better