Advice From the Pros - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Billy V · 08-06-2009, 11:07 AM

I'm no expert either, but here is my 2 cents.

As has been stated above.

Use straight 65 lb spectra, and connect a 3-4 ft fluro leader with a small 90lb.or 100lb. swivel to make the connection.
(I sometimes use 80 spectra just because it is slightly larger and easier to tie.)
-----------------------
Spectra will last for years, but if it smells like mildew then change it out. A quick rinse with fresh water keeps it in good shape.
------------------------
San Diego Jam Knots on Everything.
15-20 turns on the spectra, and 5 turns on fluro.
-It very easy to tie spetra with this knot, it dresses itself nicely.
The same goes for the fluro.

-If you are not completely satisfied with ANY Knot's appearance, or the coils aren't laying Juuust Right, cut it off and retie.

bender0240 · 08-06-2009, 12:39 PM

I'm also not an expert but I recently did some tests on knots of Fluoro(20 lb) to Spectra(65lb). The uni to uni knot with 5 twists on fluoro and 10 twists to spectra(like the guy at Dana Market suggested) failed every time. The spectra sliced thru the fluoro like butter. By far the best connection was the Tony Pefia Knot. When I first looked at how the knot was tied I thought their was NO WAY it would hold, but when I tested it it never broke at the connection. Very impressive knot. Still though, I went and got some connector rings at squidco. I trust my knots way more (I use uni knots) but the Palomar Knot and the San Diego Jam knot are supposed to be the best. Although it's been suggested to me to put a long leader of clear line like you had, I just can't see the purpose of that since the spectra rarely sees the water. 4' to 10' leader seems to be the most practical for our type of fishing to give the spectra a chance to cut the kelp

Ben

B Slate · 08-06-2009, 03:34 PM

If it broke at the knot it was because of a bad not.
I use thirty pound spectra on almost all of my reels and it held up fine.
You can bump up to a higher pound test and it will cut through kelp better
but it won't cast and handle as well which is fine if you only use the reel
to troll with. I like my top shot to be shorter than the rod for casting.
Remember to retie your rig once in a while so theres no kinks that can lessen the strenth of your rig.
As for knots i always use the uni to uni because its simple and it has held up for me.

peguinpower · 08-06-2009, 04:57 PM

Here is another way how the connection can be done.

http://www.charkbait.com/article/spectra.htm

kurt · 08-06-2009, 05:35 PM

Straight 8lb mono. I never get broken off in the kelp. Just spooled.

08-06-2009, 03:34 PM	#3
B Slate Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: La Verne Posts: 92	If it broke at the knot it was because of a bad not. I use thirty pound spectra on almost all of my reels and it held up fine. You can bump up to a higher pound test and it will cut through kelp better but it won't cast and handle as well which is fine if you only use the reel to troll with. I like my top shot to be shorter than the rod for casting. Remember to retie your rig once in a while so theres no kinks that can lessen the strenth of your rig. As for knots i always use the uni to uni because its simple and it has held up for me. Last edited by B Slate; 08-06-2009 at 03:40 PM. Reason: spelling

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08-06-2009, 11:07 AM	#1
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	I'm no expert either, but here is my 2 cents. As has been stated above. Use straight 65 lb spectra, and connect a 3-4 ft fluro leader with a small 90lb.or 100lb. swivel to make the connection. (I sometimes use 80 spectra just because it is slightly larger and easier to tie.) ----------------------- Spectra will last for years, but if it smells like mildew then change it out. A quick rinse with fresh water keeps it in good shape. ------------------------ San Diego Jam Knots on Everything. 15-20 turns on the spectra, and 5 turns on fluro. -It very easy to tie spetra with this knot, it dresses itself nicely. The same goes for the fluro. -If you are not completely satisfied with ANY Knot's appearance, or the coils aren't laying Juuust Right, cut it off and retie.

08-06-2009, 12:39 PM	#2
bender0240 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 118	I'm also not an expert but I recently did some tests on knots of Fluoro(20 lb) to Spectra(65lb). The uni to uni knot with 5 twists on fluoro and 10 twists to spectra(like the guy at Dana Market suggested) failed every time. The spectra sliced thru the fluoro like butter. By far the best connection was the Tony Pefia Knot. When I first looked at how the knot was tied I thought their was NO WAY it would hold, but when I tested it it never broke at the connection. Very impressive knot. Still though, I went and got some connector rings at squidco. I trust my knots way more (I use uni knots) but the Palomar Knot and the San Diego Jam knot are supposed to be the best. Although it's been suggested to me to put a long leader of clear line like you had, I just can't see the purpose of that since the spectra rarely sees the water. 4' to 10' leader seems to be the most practical for our type of fishing to give the spectra a chance to cut the kelp Ben

08-06-2009, 04:57 PM	#4
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	Here is another way how the connection can be done. http://www.charkbait.com/article/spectra.htm

08-06-2009, 05:35 PM	#5
kurt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: 2 inches above sea level Posts: 503	Straight 8lb mono. I never get broken off in the kelp. Just spooled.