Mainline terminal tackle question

[emjay]

So I've alway used a swivel clip at the end of my line/leader for all of my rods.

I'm curious - are there other options, and when would you use them?

[yogai]

tie directly maybe? I use a bimini twist to no-name for heavy stuff. Uni to uni for lighter stuff. Don't use a bloodknot, it has 60% strength.

Or for heavy stuff you could do some crimping. Thats what I do for leaders like 80 lb when I'm bridge fishing for big jacks, tarpon, sharks. Get some crimping pliers (not just regular pliers) and some double barrel sleeves. I tie a bimini in the mainline and crimp the big leader around the loop.

[emjay]

any others...

[cygnus-x1]

Since I don't get to tanlge with many big boyz I usually tie them directly to my shock leader / main line with a uni knot. I have not yet attempted a bimini twist but if I get the chance to go after large reds or stripers this fall I may investigate it.

One thing I did this year to reduce twist was making sure I had 2-3 swivels in my terminal rig setup.

1 snap swivel to the shock leader/ main line
1 swivel at the top of the rig
1 snap swivel at the bottom to connect the sinker

If I am fishin for spot/perch or small stuff I usually relax more on this but when I step up to AI or target blues/trout I make sure I have them.

[yogai]

Since I don't get to tanlge with many big boyz I usually tie them directly to my shock leader / main line with a uni knot. I have not yet attempted a bimini twist but if I get the chance to go after large reds or stripers this fall I may investigate it.


You should definitely learn the bimini. LOL it's 2 am and I have been practicing them in my bedroom since 10:00 pm:eek: . I finally just figured it out from comparing and contrasting a dozen different diagrams and pictures on websites. I just tied like 5 in a row perfectly.

These are the ultimate big drum/cobe/tarpon knots. Tie the doubled mainline to an 80lb leader with a Uni-uni or no name and yer set.

[Black Beard]

Getting a sense of dajavue here. Maybe it was another site???

Anyway, a variation on the Bimini became popular in the UK a few years ago for joining mainline to leader (15 - 20lb to 40 - 80lb) when fishing over rough ground and it worked.

However, it is not an easy knot to tie on the beach. So a few guys started messing with a spider hitch in place of the bimini and it works, is easier to tie and for surf fishing and is strong enough for most (please note, MOST) surf applications

I use it for big fish and even for pomps, just make sure the distance between the two knots is kept to a minimum.

This is a link to a series of instructional photo's on my site:

Spider hitch
http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/knot4.html

Spider hitch to leader with uni
http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/knot6.html

BB

[Smashed]

BB- I've been using the spider hitch for years to make dropper loops and bottom rigs and thought I was the only person who used it. Rarely have I ever gotten a slip and the few times that I have I suspect were because I didn't line the loops up properly.

[cygnus-x1]

I am glad someone brought up the spier hitch knot. I know it would work great for a conventional but wouldn't cause havoc on a spinner?

(I know the next question) "boy what in the world are you doing using a spinnin' reel for a big fish on the beach"

(answer) I just started using conventional this year and I can't afford to replace all my spinner combos with conv combos yet ... so I have to deal with it.

Anyway ... so would a spider/bimini cause havoc on a spinning reel?

[Black Beard]

I use a spider/uni combo when I am testing/evaluating spining rods/reels, as long as you keep the distance between knots to about 3- 4in no problems.

The main problem with spinners is when you don't keep a constant, even tension on the line when retrieving or wind in too fast. Either way the profiled roller cannot get rid of the twist, hence the line on the spool is twisted up and the second it gets slack - ie at the release - it pulls of a couple of coils and POW!

Reels only backlash or have a bunch drag off when we take our eye off the ball! BB

[emjay]

Thanks to all again for the feedback. Its great to have so many people willing to share their (sometimes hard won) knowledge.

Has anyone ever just put a loop on the end of their line, and attached your rigs to the loop, rather than a swivel snap? I'm thinking about tying some of my own rigs, and I'm wondering if I wnat the swivel on the line, or on the rig. Sorry if this is a stupid question...

[Black Beard]

Hey Emjay, I use a Gemini Genie link at the bottom of the rig for the sinker and a size 5 swivel at the top. When speed fishing I use another genie link on the end of the shock leader to attach the rig.

A loop is not a good idea, better to use the smallest swivels and clips for the duty intended. For instance, when I chase pomps in Florida with 15lb main line and a 50lb leader I use a no 5 swivel good for 90lb, the genie links are good for over 100lb.

When I fish for redfish and bass I use a 17lb mainline, 75lb shock leader and a no 3 swivel, good for 110lb.

As a rule of thumb use the lightest gear you can safely use and land fish, bearing in mind apart from BIG rays and BIG sharks 17lb Tritanium Plus will land just about anything swimming in clear water.

And finally, from someone who has been making his own rigs for 30 years and written numerous pieces for magazines on the subject, keep it simple! BB

PS - if you want to see some other general knots there are a number on my site: http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/
Just click on the one that takes your fancy, the pictures all have instructions on them. Good luck

[emjay]

I'm a big fan of 17 Suffux Tri too. I'm switching most of my rods (for pier fishing in the Chesapeake Bay) over to it. Casts great off of my 525mag.