Wondering about how all are setting up their open water combos.
For my trolling rods I have them all with braid to a snap swivel which usually is connecting to a bottom bouncer or crankbait.
My slip bobber rods are setup with braid to a barrel swivel to a flourocardon leader with either the bare hook or jig tied direct.
I’m thinking about putting braid to a barrel swivel and flouro leader (tie jig or other bait direct) on my jigging and casting combos.
Pro’s con’s???
I tie direct, line to lure. Sometimes even when I’m fishing Pike.
Braid to swivel to fluro
Braid to mono.
Braid to fluoro tied with an improved Alberto Knot. The times I used a swivel I ended up with a nicked guide and lots of frayed line.
Braid to swivel to fluro
x2
Braid to swivel to fluoro leader/jig. I used a line to line knot for all of May and June, and the line twist absolutely cost me fish. I don’t believe I have a huge loss in sensitivity and am now happily back to a swivel.
As with many things fishing, having confidence is almost as important as the set up.
Braid to fluoro tied with an improved Alberto Knot. The times I used a swivel I ended up with a nicked guide and lots of frayed line.
Same…
Switched to FG knot, little smoother through Micro Guides. All but a couple rods braid as well. Fluorocarbon for clear water and cottonwood season.
Braid to VMC ball bearing swivel to 3 to 4 ft Flouro leader. Can’t always see the swivel when reeling in so I use a bobber stopper as a visual on the braid about 3 in above swivel.
If you insist on using a swivel, I’d keep the leader short so you’re not casting it through the eyes of your rod. Trolling isn’t a big deal, but you’ll tear up your eyes casting it through them.
An Alberto or FG knot would be what you want if running a longer leader and casting.
There’s an easy way to tie an FG, I’ll post it if I can find it again. It’s the way I do it now.
Here’s the video.
Use REAL LEADER MATERIAL, not just fluorocarbon “line”. Also, the heavier it is, the easier it is to use this method, but I’ve done it with 10lb before (just a little trickier)
I think the main argument for the FG knot is that its smaller in diameter than other knots. I agree the body of the knot is small, but when you tie the hitch knots off at the end, that part of the knot is just as big as a lot of other knots out there. And its still a pain to tie compared to the Alberto.
The key on the Alberto is to go back through the loop at the end 2-3 times (thus the “improved” Alberto knot). That last step is in the 20 second video below. Its insanely strong and fool proof that way, I can tie it in 1/3 the time of an FG, which is key especially when you are on the water in wind/waves… or Type A and always in a hurry!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ripjiggen wrote:</div>
Braid to Flouro leader. No swivel. Only rods without braid are a couple panfish rods.Same
X3, I use Seaguar Blue Label on some of my moving lures that are known to get assaulted regularly by pike. Haven’t been snipped once all season.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ripjiggen wrote:</div>
Braid to Flouro leader. No swivel. Only rods without braid are a couple panfish rods.Same
X4 But use a uni knot
Braid to VMC ball bearing swivel to 3 to 4 ft Flouro leader. Can’t always see the swivel when reeling in so I use a bobber stopper as a visual on the braid about 3 in above swivel.
This is an interesting idea…the bobber stop visual. May try this.
These protect the rod tip even better than a bobber stop (a little bigger). Commonly used on Carolina Rigs, but works on swivels too… cheap protection.
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jethro_Baits_Bump-Itz_Shock_Beads_12_pk/descpage-JBBIZ.html
Those are you using a barrel swivel, are you actually reeling the swivel in through the guides? I don’t even think a swivel would fit through my guides unless it was microscopic in size and I had a rod with bigger guides. Not to mention the damage a piece of metal would do to the guides. I could see using a swivel in some situations but not through the guides.
Those are you using a barrel swivel, are you actually reeling the swivel in through the guides? I don’t even think a swivel would fit through my guides unless it was microscopic in size and I had a rod with bigger guides. Not to mention the damage a piece of metal would do to the guides. I could see using a swivel in some situations but not through the guides.
I would not be planning to reel the swivel through the eyes (Spro Power #10…fairly small). Thinking like a 2-3ft leader.
I always use a swivel, shot leader and not reel it up through the guides. But still tie direct 95% of the time.
-J.
I would not be planning to reel the swivel through the eyes
I don’t either but I always do eventually.
I think the main argument for the FG knot is that its smaller in diameter than other knots. I agree the body of the knot is small, but when you tie the hitch knots off at the end, that part of the knot is just as big as a lot of other knots out there. And its still a pain to tie compared to the Alberto.
When I tie the FG, I use one or two hitches and a drop of super glue. Ends up no larger than the rest of the knot and doesn’t unravel.
The Salt Strong video is the best I’ve seen. Have watched hours of their stuff since I started fishing the gulf. But I’ve found, rather than using your pinky finger for the tag end. I tie it to the knob on the reel crank. Then tighten till you get just a little bend in the rod tip. Then you can set it on a table and have both hands to tie the leader on. With aging eyes and arthritic hands. It’s like having one extra hand.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gimruis wrote:</div>
Those are you using a barrel swivel, are you actually reeling the swivel in through the guides? I don’t even think a swivel would fit through my guides unless it was microscopic in size and I had a rod with bigger guides. Not to mention the damage a piece of metal would do to the guides. I could see using a swivel in some situations but not through the guides.I would not be planning to reel the swivel through the eyes (Spro Power #10…fairly small). Thinking like a 2-3ft leader.
Put the braid to swivel to flour leader on today. Reeled into the eyelets about 50 times 😆🤷♂️. Gonna put a bead above the swivel now…
line to lure for me except on one rod for jigging raps and blade baits. line to swivel to a fluoro leader. i use jigging raps ALOT and they really F#@k up your line if you don’t use a swivel.
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