Spectra brand

What brand of spectra do most of you use and do you run a mono topshot with it?  I am thinking of trying it out on one of my reels.  thanks

 
 I would choose a round line with a finer weave Blackwater,Powerpro,Suffix,Stren,and Tufline are some examples to check out.
I always topshot with mono or flouro leader. Its easier to tie knots, provides a little stretch for shock absorbtion on a fast action rod and is more abrasion resistant. Spectra cuts real easy on rocks and barnacles. Learn some braid specific knots, it's slippery compared to mono so it needs more wraps.

 I've used spectra from the beginning. The older style was a flat braid and the newest are round with a colored coating. I find the rounder form with a finer weave to be the best, it usually costs a little more. They all work as far as sensitivity and no stretch. The new rounder lines pack,and cast better and are usually thinner looking. The differences in line shape will be most noticed when flylining a live bait, and drifting or trolling a long line.

 

Suffix braid is currently my favorite.  Seems to have a finer weave to it and is much smoother through the guides... very nice stuff. 

I run a fluoro topshot on my rigs for rockfishing, etc.  Albright knot is my knot of choice for attaching braid to fluoro.

EK

What length is your topshot?

If I'm using flouro less than a rod length.

You guys have to check out Daiwa's new Saltiga Boat, Saltiga Surf, or latest Samurai dyneema braids.  It's the thinest, smoothest... and simply the best stuff out there right now.  Down right impressive!

Kicks ass over PowerPro.  The Daiwa Boat braid in 40lb test is as thin as 20lb Powerpro and smoother so it casts great and makes no noise going through the guides.  I know of only two places in the Bay Area that stock Daiwa braids.  Mel Cottons has the Saltiga Boat braid and Mike's Bait in Oakland has them all.

A lot of times I just tie up to the spectra.  Less knots...less to go wrong.  I feel rockcod, cabbies and lings are not line shy.  Why would we using 40 lb mono as a top shot?

The fish are looking at the lure or swimbait.  I will start using a short mono leader so I can have a shrimp fly above my jig.  The big reds like to hit the fly better than the jig.

Also, compansite for the lack of stretch by using a soft rod like a Calstar WC870C 7 ft.  15-40 lb. test or a Fenwick Pacficstick Royale (Old, old rod) PR789C 6 1/2 ft.....15-50 lb. test.

 The reels are a Daiwa Saltist 30T & 30TH with 30, 50 or 65 lb. spectra.  I use Fireline or powerpro.  I found out by fishing party boats again.  That I was under gunned by using the cheap shimano reels like the triton tld star, speedmaster or the TLD 15/30 or TLD 20/40.  The cracking power of the Saltist is great and the drag is good.  I am sure the Shimano Toriums are just as good.

There is a big difference from cracking a 20 lb ling from 150 ft to 180 ft with a good reel with a good handle.  Than, a cheap reel.  I only fish around 50 to 60 ft in my yak for Lings.  But, if I get a big one than I feel that these outfits can do the job.

Ken kickfish

A lot of times I just tie up to the spectra.  Less knots...less to go wrong.  I feel rockcod, cabbies and lings are not line shy.  Why would we using 40 lb mono as a top shot?

Abrasion resistance.

-Allen

Abrasion resistance...Not really.  I think spectra does just fine.  I check it now and then.  You can see and feel if it has been cut. Using a iron or big plastic leadhead the fish is not near the spectra.  You just have to worry about the snags and rocks.

Just saying you can just tie to the spectra.  Never, gave me a problem with rockcod, cabbies or lings.  Last 2 partyboats trips and all of my rockcod fishing on a yak have been done with just spectra.  Salmon...yes I would run a 10 to 15 ft of mono or floro.

My 2 cents.

Ken kickfish

Abrasion resistance...Not really.

Yes really.  I guess we'll differ on this one.

We fished Ano yesterday from a PB and the wind drift was fast, which meant we were snagging bottom quite a bit.  I started out the day with a section of 25# mono topshot.  I wore it all the way back to the spectra after a few breakoffs and re-ties.  I got lazy and didn't retie any mono, instead tying directly to the spectra.  As I was letting the line down I said outloud, "I'm going to regret this", and I did.  Indeed I snagged up again, and before I could even try to work it loose, the spectra broke.  I'm not saying I could have worked it loose with mono, but I didn't even get a chance to try with the spectra.  Once you get a nick, it works through quickly.

Another story.  When we were up at Vancouver Island a few weeks back, one of the guys was fishing spectra directly to the jig.  He was busting off lings quite regularly until I noticed what he was doing and suggested a mono leader.  He tied up with mono and stopped breaking off fish.  He was fishing small leadheads. I'm sure the lings were inhaling it and their teeth were doing their thing on the spectra.  With larger irons or jigs, it may not come into play as much (as you say), but why risk it?  Especially given that usually a 10 foot topshot will last me all day and I only have to tie it on once before heading out.

-Allen

thanks for all the tips.  I am going to go with a mono topshot as soon a I learn to tie braid to mono.

 I'm with Polepole, I use topshots unless I'm bass fishing jigs or there are no rocks or barnacles. I've tested spectra and it cuts quite easily if rubbed on something hard under a load.When you hook a larger Lingcod or Rockfish(Vermilion,Copper,etc.) that can take line off your reel they will dive into or under the reef if possible. You can feel the rubbing(dulled feeling)  and see the chaffing on your topshot afterwards. A few of the larger fish I caught this year would have been "fish stories" if not for having a leader on.
 The uni to uni is probably the simplest leader knot. Lately I've been using the braid leader knot from Geoff Wilsons knot book.
 

To each there own....I don't feel the rockcod, cabbies or lings are line shy.  They hear the noise and go out to see what's there.  I have not have any problems with only spectra.  Only, problem is setting the hook to soon and only getting the skin of a lingcod.  And, let me tell you that the skin is better thatn a hook set in the mouth.  It will not pull free.  And gives you a better fight.  My brother can not fish the ocean anymore...gets seasick long after the trip is over.  Stays sick for 3 to 4 hrs.

For guys like that .....I think the less knots you tie the better. They do teach you this is Big tuna.  The less knots... the less that can go wrong.  If you guys would just try it and think you need mono. at the end of your line...never mind.

PS... if the 50 to 65 lb spectra will not bring in that big fish...then maybe, your knot tying skill are up to par?

Just the way I fish...maybe, not your way..but, it works for me.  And, I that's the way I roll.

Ken kickfish

For rockfish... the mono or fluoro topshot definitely gives an advantage for abrasion resistance.  I'm with Polepole and Fishshim on this one.   It's not a line-shyness issue at all.

Example... the winning ling I caught at Elk last year torpedoed me into the rocks and I played back and forth with it and could feel a rock rubbing on my line as I tried to get him back off the bottom.  My 40# mono topshot was seriously abraded for about 4 feet from the lure to the point where little shavings were curled up on the line.  That fish would not have been landed with straight spectra... period.  I've had plenty of other experiences just like this targeting lings. 

Also, I like to use only 30# spectra for rockfishing rather than the heavier versions.  30# is plenty strong (minus the abrasion issue) and the super thin diameter allows for a nice vertical presentation even with a pretty quick drift. 

Also... you only need two knots with this setup.  Either an albright or uni-to-uni (or other knot of your choice) to connect topshot to mono, and your choice of knot for your terminal tackle (I use palomar almost exclusively there).  If I break off my topshot, it just takes a couple minutes to get it set up again if you are well versed in your choice of connector knot. 

EK

Quote--For guys like that .....I think the less knots you tie the better. They do teach you this is Big tuna.  The less knots... the less that can go wrong.  If you guys would just try it and think you need mono. at the end of your line...never mind.

PS... if the 50 to 65 lb spectra will not bring in that big fish...then maybe, your knot tying skill are up to par?

 For larger than football tuna I usually don't use knots anymore. I've been using spliced hollow spectra and crimped on hooks.
 Ken if you are using 50-65lb. spectra,thats the difference in technique, for rockfish most guys are only using 20-30lb spectra with 25-40 leader.
 This ling swallowed a 3.5oz jighead with a 7inch fishtrap, he ran under a rock, got pulled out and shook his head all the way up. The 40lb. leader was very frayed.