Topshot's and Knots

I hate the uni bump, catching salmon its s problem. I was thinking i might go straight mono

I don't understand the need for the topshot.  I use straight braid to a swivel and then a leader.  Am I doing it wrong?

Haha, dude that's how I been doing it for the last decade and I don't plan on changing my ways anytime soon! So no, you aren't doing it wrong. You just aren't doing itthe cool way LOL!

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

Hi Scott,

Can you explain why it is needed for WSB, YT and YFT?  Just trying to learn more about this sport I love.

Josh

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

WSB is the reason I was tying a top shot back on my rig I talked about earlier. I usually just use a duo snap on my main line, and a 1/0 swivel on my Pre-tied leaders.

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

Hi Scott,

Can you explain why it is needed for WSB, YT and YFT?  Just trying to learn more about this sport I love.

Josh

Because Scott told me too. If he says to do it, I do it.

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

Hi Scott,

Can you explain why it is needed for WSB, YT and YFT?  Just trying to learn more about this sport I love.

Josh

Because Scott told me too. If he says to do it, I do it.

I hear you but I don't follow blindly.  Sorry.

Scott has a good write up on WSB on the home page. 

He knows more about fishing than anyone I have ever known. He studies what works, improves on it, and catches an S load of fish.  The tops hot really depends on where you are fishing in the water column too. Also in kelp or not. I believe it helps when targeting mid depth areas to shallower areas of the column. But let Scott explain better.

Scott has a good write up on WSB on the home page. 

He knows more about fishing than anyone I have ever known. He studies what works, improves on it, and catches an S load of fish.  The tops hot really depends on where you are fishing in the water column too. Also in kelp or not. I believe it helps when targeting mid depth areas to shallower areas of the column. But let Scott explain better.

I have read his entire article several times.  Being told to do something and understanding why to do something are not the same thing.  Asking why should not be offensive.  I am here to learn and become a better fisherman.  Thanks for your help.

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

Hi Scott,

Can you explain why it is needed for WSB, YT and YFT?  Just trying to learn more about this sport I love.

Josh

see #2

I use a topshot/leader with braid for:
 1. abrasion resistance and detection (one slide of the mono through your fingers and you'll know if it needs to be trimmed/replaced. Rockfishing can be brutal on leaders and I'd hate to break off a big fish, and
2. shock absorption. Less of an issue rockfishing, but you get something that slams it and all the energy is transmitted through the braid which can over stress a terminal knot.

You need a top shot for WSB, YT and YFT. I used to use a bimini albright and never had a failure but it is hard to tie on a kayak. Now I use a tony pena or double uni.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=46962.0

Hi Scott,

Can you explain why it is needed for WSB, YT and YFT?  Just trying to learn more about this sport I love.

Josh

see #2

I use a topshot/leader with braid for:
 1. abrasion resistance and detection (one slide of the mono through your fingers and you'll know if it needs to be trimmed/replaced. Rockfishing can be brutal on leaders and I'd hate to break off a big fish, and
2. shock absorption. Less of an issue rockfishing, but you get something that slams it and all the energy is transmitted through the braid which can over stress a terminal knot.

Thanks!  That makes sense.

Josh

WSB, YT and YFT can be line shy when fishing flyline bait so a mono or fluoro topshot is usually used. Mono and fluoro also have some abraision resistance advantages. In addition, when fishing light line (20# test or less), a long mono topshot gives you more stretch to absorb the impact of the first run and head shakes. I do use spectra mainline on my bottom rigs. Most of the tactics I use came from Ken, Etienne and his commercial buddy Dave. Dave uses really light mono, 15# I think and kills the C bass on the flyline. I also use a long mono or fluoro topshot for salmon downrigger trolling, shallow salmon mooching and shallow halibut drifting. Spectra is great for deep water fishing and increasing your line capacity. However, you will get less breakoffs with mono or fluoro.

Braid gives us the ability to spool more line onto our reels (due to its narrower diameter-to-strength ratio). Whereas you can only put 100yds of 20lb mono onto an Abu 5500 C3, you can put 300yds of 30lb braid...thus eliminating the worry of getting "spooled" because you have so much more line. So guys like to put a bottomshot of braid under their mono to increase line capacity (I believe this was the original/main reason for it). 

But braid has zero stretch and limited abrasion resistance. Especially compared to mono. So guys like to put a topshot of mono to give a little leeway to the fish--specific types of fish are more prone to stretching the line (short speedy bursts, violent head shakes, topwater attacks, trolling at speed, etc).

Also, some guys prefer a mono topshot because they tend to handle the line (not as frequent in CA yakfishing though).

Also, some guys use topshots because they expect to cut/replace sections of line throughout the day. Honestly though, I don't break my line enough to warrant it--not to mention the leader material I use costs more than braid!

Another reason guys use a topshot is to avoid breaking their line while casting heavy lures/sinkers. If you're repeatedly chucking 4oz into the surf with straight braid, you run the chance of over-stressing your gear...the line could break or the rod could snap. Thus, you add enough mono topshot to have 2 or 3 wraps around your spool while casting.

I'm sure there are many other reasons why guys use a topshot. And to each their own. But it's not for everybody, and it's obviously not necessary for the kind of fishing we do. Maybe if I was trolling plugs or a spreader for albacore @ 5kts in a boat...then it'd make sense.

Moose taught me a knot a couple months ago.Braid to mono or flouro.Surgeons knot five times through.Works great.Tie an improved clinch on bottom.My snags have been breaking on the bottom clinch.See you at Albion.

Moose taught me a knot a couple months ago.Braid to mono or flouro.Surgeons knot five times threw.Works great.Tie an improved clinch on bottom.My snags have been breaking on the bottom clinch.See you at Albion.

I like to use a 3 or 4 ft piece of floro and do a 3 or 4 turn surgeons knot. Like the floro because it holds up better than mono.