Skunked

[FullFlavorPike]

I'm a lot better at knots than I am at fishing :P

The dropper loop ought to be the weak point on a dropper or reverse dropper rig, not the braid-topshot knot. Pretty much all the complicated braid-leader knots seem to be equal in at least someone's eyes. One guy swears by albright, another by FG. Everybody's tests differ.

With properly setup drag it shouldn't be an issue anyways. I just replaced the stock drag on my TLD15 with carbontex washer. The old one had been sticking and costing me hookups...to the tune of three farmed fish in forty minutes a little over a week ago. It basically went from 3lbs directly to infinite, especially when a fish took a fast run. Even the best knots couldn't handle that. I feel much more confident now. Would like to test it out in the real world now that the living room test is locked in.

[Murray]

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

I'm a lot better at knots than I am at fishing :P

The dropper loop ought to be the weak point on a dropper or reverse dropper rig, not the braid-topshot knot. Pretty much all the complicated braid-leader knots seem to be equal in at least someone's eyes. One guy swears by albright, another by FG. Everybody's tests differ.

With properly setup drag it shouldn't be an issue anyways. I just replaced the stock drag on my TLD15 with carbontex washer. The old one had been sticking and costing me hookups...to the tune of three farmed fish in forty minutes a little over a week ago. It basically went from 3lbs directly to infinite, especially when a fish took a fast run. Even the best knots couldn't handle that. I feel much more confident now. Would like to test it out in the real world now that the living room test is locked in.

Lost a fish today per dropper loop failing. Braid to fluoro no problem. Failure occurred at knot that creates the loop. Worked ok several weeks ago but not today. Kelp (did not feel real thick) may have added to the problem but not sure. Dropper knot on 50 lb fluro looks pretty ugly imo. Have heard negative comments about using 3 way swivel(weak) but starting to think it may be worth a try. Anyone know of a high quality 3 way swivel that will handle la jolla size fish? Also seems like bigger fish are deeper than surface models but just guessing.

[alanw]

I read an article not too long ago where a captain gave up on the dropper loop and instead uses a spider hitch or bimini twist to create a big loop, then cuts the loop 1/3 of the way to end up with a long end and a short end which can then be made into either a dropper or a reverse dropper depending on which end he ties the hook and sinker to.

[Geno Machino]

Originally Posted by alanw

I read an article not too long ago where a captain gave up on the dropper loop and instead uses a spider hitch or bimini twist to create a big loop, then cuts the loop 1/3 of the way to end up with a long end and a short end which can then be made into either a dropper or a reverse dropper depending on which end he ties the hook and sinker to.

I all ways use a spider hitch for my dropper loops, unless I'm fishing straight rockfish.
The old dropper loop knot will fail every time on big fish...learned that years ago - the hard way.

Geno

[theluckypig]

Originally Posted by Geno Machino

I all ways use a spider hitch for my dropper loops
Geno

ditto

[Fish Taco]

I know there's a bunch of different braid to mono knots out there, but I was taught this one by Alberto Knie when I lived in New York a few years ago... yes, this is his knot and he developed it many years ago. It tightens on itself like one of those Chinese Finger traps we used to play with as a kid... has never failed me yet... a great knot. Google it and you'll see a video of him showing how to tie it... "Crazy" Alberto is known famously on the East Coast and has the respect of many fisherman around the world... he knows his sh*t...

- Ken

[govomit]

This is the same knot Fishin"Boobs"Phil linked to above, and AKA "RP knot" mentioned as well. Only difference is the number of twists - 5x vs 7x. Amazing how this thing works! Did couple of tests and the leader breaks below, not at the knot. It's hardly a "knot" in the first place... I'd call it a great "solution".