To Top Shot? Or Not To Top Shot?

Hey guys im getting a new reel. Im going to put some braid on it. Should i be ok in the murky bay water if i have a Mono Leader?

In the bay, I think you will be fine with mono. Not too many line shy fish in the bay.

In the bay, I think you will be fine with mono. Not too many line shy fish in the bay.

Thats what i figured Lol. Cant see anything under water in that giant mud hole

ive thrown 50# without a mono leader plugging for stripers.didnt notice anything diffrent

If you are going to tie a top shot try the sebile not.  You'll find it on you tube.

One small abrasion on braided line and its lost its strength. If you get a nice fish on and your braided line is compromised it could cost you the fish. I always use a top shot of flouro leader material when I have braid as the maninline. Some guys who use braid for bass fishing dont though. Maybe one of them can chime in.

I always use a leader the length of my rod. Then I can judge when my bait is gonna show up.

Braid it and add top shot when fishing deep so you won't have the stretch for the hook set.
striped bass in the delta or lake you're good with light mono

Top shot.

Top shot, for the reason RB stated.

If you are going to tie a top shot try the sebile not.  You'll find it on you tube.

I need to get out and fish, just to try this knot.  Knots sticking on the guides irritates me.

Top shot as mentioned for abrasion resistance and absorb shock. For the bay, I would think any type of line would work. P line and big game are cheap reliable lines. I use Seaguar fluoro or p line fluoroclear but overkill for the bay.

Short vs Long Top Shot: depends on what you are fishing for. WSB or tuna, long top shot. Around kelp short top shot. Direct tie swimbaits cast and retrieve, long topshot. Deepwater verticle jigging, short top shot.

Fluoro vs Mono/copolymer: except for tuna, dorado and YT, most saltwater stuff we fish for are not line shy. All that said, I use use fluoro for most top shots because it sinks, is low stretch and is abrasion resistant. Mono/copolymer is cheaper, absorbs more shock, is abraision resistant but floats.

Knots: the most reliable connection is a bimini albright but I have been using a double uni and have not had a knot failure and I have pushed the knot to the limit against tuna and WSB. I use 12 turns on the spectra and 6-8 turns on the topshot.

Knots: the most reliable connection is a bimini albright but I have been using a double uni and have not had a knot failure and I have pushed the knot to the limit against tuna and WSB. I use 12 turns on the spectra and 6-8 turns on the topshot.

I to have been super happy with the uni knot. One knot and you can tie terminal tackle, loop knot, and line to line. Never had one fail either.

Like Fishbucket, I like a rod length topshot of mono on my standard rigs so I can tell when the line is abraded. Easier knot tying for terminal stuff too.

Great Bass 2  has the solid answer, as usual!

I'll learn to tie the Sebile knot. I have always used uni-to-uni and have always been happy with it, but like Bungle I HATE when a knot sticks.

Hey GB how ya doin?  Quick question, when you say long top shot are you talking 40-60 ft?  I have been running it at around 40, just curious.  Jeff

I consider a short top shot/leader is 1-10' long anything longer is a long top shot and the length depends on what you are fishing. For casting live bait for tuna, 75-150' might be good. For swimbait and iron tossing  150-300' might be better. If possible, I prefer not to cast through the connection and have enough topshot to cut and re-tie several times a
Day.