NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: Eddie on October 20, 2017, 01:46:26 PM
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I attach 100 ft of 30lb mono with an fg knot to my 30lb braid. Why do I do that? To protect my guides? For some flexibility? Why not straight braid?
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If you fish frequently and target different variety, a topshot will give you flexibility (i.e. replacing a 100ft is better than replacing 200 yards). Typically a topshot is of different grade, but the same grade can be used for a purpose.
For me, my topshot would be a fluoro with mono backing (braid as a second choice, I don't care to deal with digger). For me, a fluoro is best for line shy fish, braid is good for smaller diameter line (less drag, deeper), and mono is good for stretch. I have a reel that is 100% fluoro because I don't need the variety/combination and it has only one purpose for one species (guess which species). My mooching rig has a fluoro with mono backing.
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I use 20-30# mono topshots on my reels spooled with 65 pound braid for abrasion resistance and shock absorption. I like using braid because I get more line on my reels and I can tie on any type of topshot depending on what species I'm targetting.
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The braid lasts forever. Replacing a few feet or yards of topshot as needed is hella cheaper and convenient.
There are occasions when I do use straight braid or mono. I use straight braid when fishing topwater for bass. I use straight mono on my ultralight rigs.
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I hear mono topshot is good for salmon, as the stretch helps to set a better hook. Some say the mono leader length is enough. I don't know either way, but I'd like to see the responses to the post. Popcorn buttered and ready to read...
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I hear mono topshot is good for salmon, as the stretch helps to set a better hook. Some say the mono leader length is enough. I don't know either way, but I'd like to see the responses to the post. Popcorn buttered and ready to read...
In my humble opinion, as long as you build in shock absorbing element and keeping the line tight, that's all you need. I personally believe you can achieve this not just through lines, but also through rod tip and keep on moving the yak.
This change a bit if you use a downrigger, at which time I believe reeling like crazy and keep on moving until the light is tight is the way to go. Imagine a triangle, there is a split second when the opposite and adjacent line transform into its hypotenuse form, at which time the line will slack. Worst yet, if the fish goes up, that hypotenuse form is more of a semi circle form. I believe this period is one of the worst period to lose a fish.
But, what do I know, I am not a fish ....
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For me, a good fluorocarbon top shot is just a very convenient way to fish. I use 50 pound braid and 30 pound fluorocarbon top shot for rock fishing. When I get snagged and break off, it's almost always at the knot to the jig head and tying up a new rig is really quick and easy. I use a double uni knot to join the two lines together and a drop of super glue for extra holding power. The knot passes through the line guides very smoothly and I have never had a break or separation of the two lines.
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I use 20-30# mono topshots on my reels spooled with 65 pound braid for abrasion resistance and shock absorption. I like using braid because I get more line on my reels and I can tie on any type of topshot depending on what species I'm targetting.
BAM! but i use 30lb. flouro....same efect, but more $
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In saltwater, I use 50# braid with short leader of 30# mono. But, I mostly fish in Santa Cruz where there are no fish, so I don't know what it's like to actually catch anything on this setup...
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I need to respool my Daiwa Sealine 30SHA. I use it strictly for RF. I thought about doing this. I’m glad this topic came up.
What would you suggest for a RF set up. I was thinking 50 lb braid but unsure of what top shot line to use and how long.
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In saltwater, I use 50# braid with short leader of 30# mono. But, I mostly fish in Santa Cruz where there are no fish, so I don't know what it's like to actually catch anything on this setup...
Except that monster halibut that you caught last year .... 40+ lbs on the same setup?
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As others I run 40lb braid to a 25lb copolymer topshot if I get into rocks. I usually add about 30' of topshot at a time so I don't have to redo it so often. I like the size of the FG knot and it goes through the guys great, but I hate tying it.
Cheers,
Brad
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In saltwater, I use 50# braid with short leader of 30# mono. But, I mostly fish in Santa Cruz where there are no fish, so I don't know what it's like to actually catch anything on this setup...
Except that monster halibut that you caught last year .... 40+ lbs on the same setup?
Yes, that same setup. But it is well known that that was the last fish in Santa Cruz. They are all gone now...
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As others I run 40lb braid to a 25lb copolymer topshot if I get into rocks. I usually add about 30' of topshot at a time so I don't have to redo it so often. I like the size of the FG knot and it goes through the guys great, but I hate tying it.
Cheers,
Brad
I use this knot. Very small knot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=24&v=yRah3aNKpYw
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In saltwater, I use 50# braid with short leader of 30# mono. But, I mostly fish in Santa Cruz where there are no fish, so I don't know what it's like to actually catch anything on this setup...
Except that monster halibut that you caught last year .... 40+ lbs on the same setup?
Yes, that same setup. But it is well known that that was the last fish in Santa Cruz. They are all gone now...
So sad, maybe Bushy will be nice to me and share me the password ....
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Y'all are very helpful, I might switch to flouro because it lasts longer. Many good reason to have a topshot, thank you, I forgot why I had one, I just remember it's what you do and now it is confirmed why :smt006
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I don’t topshot in most situation. The longest leader I use is about 25 feet so maybe that could be called a topshot. That’s only for jigging macs in clear water. Otherwise I’m braid with a short or no leader depending on what I’m doing and water clarity, or mono. If I was using flouro more ($$) I would think braid with 100yds or so of flouro would save some money.
So salt is 30lb braid (what’s with all the 65 or 50 braid?) with a leader from 15-30lbs depending on what I’m chasing from salmon to hali to rf. One reel to cover several rods.
Topwater and flipping is 50lb braid. Short leader of mono if clear water topwater. Also stripers in muddy water is straight braid 50lb. (That’s one rod/reel for all of that)
Most other freshwater is light mono. I think my heaviest bass line is 15lb. Usually I throw 10lb.
Eddie you know I’m a KISS fisherman lol.
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I don’t topshot in most situation. The longest leader I use is about 25 feet so maybe that could be called a topshot. That’s only for jigging macs in clear water. Otherwise I’m braid with a short or no leader depending on what I’m doing and water clarity, or mono. If I was using flouro more ($$) I would think braid with 100yds or so of flouro would save some money.
So salt is 30lb braid (what’s with all the 65 or 50 braid?) with a leader from 15-30lbs depending on what I’m chasing from salmon to hali to rf. One reel to cover several rods.
Topwater and flipping is 50lb braid. Short leader of mono if clear water topwater. Also stripers in muddy water is straight braid 50lb. (That’s one rod/reel for all of that)
Most other freshwater is light mono. I think my heaviest bass line is 15lb. Usually I throw 10lb.
Eddie you know I’m a KISS fisherman lol.
Yup, I try not to overthink this stuff but you know me, I bring the whole kitchen sink..... :smt005
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I hardly ever topshot. Unless it's called for or if my braid is getting low I'll throw on what ever I have in the garage. Usually it's 20# mono or fluoro. I just mainly use leader n swivels. Stripers aren't line shy. And sturgeons are as blind as can be.
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20' of top shot.
If braid get nicked under stress (like rubbing against a rock) it will break.
Mono can handle it.
When you catch as many fish as I do( :smt044) you are always cutting a few inches of line and retying your jig because the teeth are always nicking the line.
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20' of top shot.
If braid get nicked under stress (like rubbing against a rock) it will break.
Mono can handle it.
This is a good point. I hooked a thresher shark this summer and lost it when my (50#) braid broke---and that was with a 4' mono leader. I'm pretty sure it was the tail of the fish rubbing against the line, which was enough to cause the braid to fail. I'm still bummed out about that one. So, maybe a topshot is the way to go...
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Not that very many of us use downriggers, but when fishing for Blackmouth Salmon in Puget Sound I use 30' of 30# mono as a topshot. I put 30' out and hook the last inch of mono into the downrigger clip as the briad doesn't stay in the clip.
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For rockfish, I use straight braid to a small SPRO swivel. I also pre-tie a handful of 2-3 foot leaders of 30-lb mono with snaps at either end. Snap on a leader, snap on a lure, and I’m good to go. I also tie up “teasers” (in my case a Super Line EWG worm hook with a GitZit tube rigged up weed less) with about 4” inches of mono leader with a loop tied in the end. If I want to add a teaser, I just clip it on at the terminal end of the braid.
I like this setup because I can fish all day, with all different offerings, without tying a single knot on the water.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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For rockfish, I use straight braid to a small SPRO swivel. I also pre-tie a handful of 2-3 foot leaders of 30-lb mono with snaps at either end. Snap on a leader, snap on a lure, and I’m good to go. I also tie up “teasers” (in my case a Super Line EWG worm hook with a GitZit tube rigged up weed less) with about 4” inches of mono leader with a loop tied in the end. If I want to add a teaser, I just clip it on at the terminal end of the braid.
I like this setup because I can fish all day, with all different offerings, without tying a single knot on the water.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice, with my swaying disease, the least knot tying the better....