Yo-Yo Rig... Next Question
 

Thanks to all who responded to my last question about the best Yo-Yo rig setup. Based on the suggestions received, I plan to use my 6' stiff Squidco rod with my Torium 20. This reel is currently spooled with 65# Spectra.

Most people who responded to my last post recommend 40# mono for Yo-Yoing. I do not have a spare Torium spool so I am a little puzzled about what to do. Should I add a wind-on leader to the spectra? If so how long should this leader be.

The bigger question is if I add a leader, how to attach the leader to the spectra so the connection does not hang up in the rod guides. I have read that some prefer a loop to loop connection. Others say that the spectra will cut through the mono using this method. Some say the best way to connect specta and mono is a uni to uni knot.

Any suggestions?

Bob

This should prob be in the "discussion" area but try the albright knot http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/index.php

Uni to Uni is easy and very effective.

:iagree:

A uni-uni or tony pena/bob sands knot works well. If you've got a full spool of 65# spectra just go with 5' of mono as a shock leader. That way the knot doesn't have to keep going through the guides.

how much mono you want will depend on your preferences. i used to be converted spectra fan (and still think it's great for many things), but now i'm back to being a fan of mono or spectra/mono over just spectra for lots of reasons. i've come to grips with that fact that i'm only a mediocre caster, so when i make my occasional flub w/ just spectra, the line goes snap and the jig goes flying to the deep. also, i think I get better hookup ratio w/ mono vs spectra (both jig and live bait). something about the stretch works for me. so if it was me, i'd add enough mono to get a full cast. if you just want a shock absorber, 20 feet should be enough. i don't think you have to make it too short to avoid winding it through the guides- either knot should wind up easily. with 65 spect to 40 mono you prob won't have to worry much about strength, but i think the albright is a bit stronger. plus it just looks cool when you tie it. it's what i use. works well so long as you tie the spectra onto the mono (not vice versa). uni/uni is very easy and will also do the job. i don't think either of those knots should have trouble going thru the guides.

I don't like casting over a knot, so I either put on a long enough top shot that that doesn't happen, or I use all mono.

It's pretty simple, you want enough mono to cover the depth you are fishing (not a small top-shot for stretch). Remember, sometimes you will be Yo-Yo'ing in greater depths (like this week for example). For fishing the deep iron 200' of 40 lb Izorline or P-Line is what I use.

Seriously though, this isn't all about personal preference, think safety. Before you even consider using spectra to Yo-Yo, take it from me, I almost cut off the tip of my left thumb while guiding the line back on the reel when a big Yellowtail slammed the jig. The spectra cut though my thumb almost down to the bone. When I gaffed the fish, I'm not sure who was bleeding more. I love spectra for bait, but I will never fish the heavy iron with it again.

Im with Josh on this one. I have worked on a sport fishing boat for 3 years and have seen my fair share of split thumbs while yo-yoing. this happens because you never know when that monster is going to hit and you never know what that monster will be. so i would recomend strait mono for yo-yoing and spectra for bait.

You can always take the spectra off, wrap it around old mono filler spool, coffee can, whatever. Put it on another reel, when you need it. I pulled hook on YT on straight spectra, my buddy swears by straight for surface Iron, he feels sets hook right away.

I use #40 mono, YOYO, and surface. All of my jig reels have 1/3ish spectra backing, then the rest mono. I never see the spectra, when fighting a fish, the spectra basically makes it so, I use less Mono when re-spooling.

chris

does anyone use a levelwind, like the new saltist, for yo yoing?
just curious... seems like a good idea to me...but ima rookie

Levelwind is just one more thing to break when you have a lot of torque on the reel form a big fish.

first thing that will break**

The level wind is ALWAYS the first to go. I've had a few blow up on big rays.