Power Pro to Fluorocarbon knot
 

I just rigged a new spinning reel and rod with some Power pro and picked up Fluorocarbon for leader material to try and be a bit more "professional" this season to try and help my odds out. I used Spiderwire in the past, but always tied it directly to a swivel or steel leader.

I primarily use this rod/reel from my boat, and curious as to what knot to use to connect the two lines and how long of a leader I should make. My main concern is having a knot that hangs up in the guides when casting.

Double Uni? Blood?

Thanks

Albright if you choose to not use a swivel...imo

I went swivelless for a bit... Line twisted up like a BASTAGE on the casts...

For just about all my braid-to-mono/fluoro connections I use an Albright w/ Lock, then a small dab of Zap-a-gap for good measure. Never had a problem with that combo aside from once with 2#fluoro.

However, with most of my leader connections, I prefer to use to use an 80# Spro Power Swivel as a connection point.

90% of my rigs from bare spool to fish go:
Mono backing, braid connected via albright with lock, 80# spro swivel, 5-6' leader, breakaway clip.

So what is the recommendation? Braid -> swivel -> fluoro direct to lure? Braid -> fluoro -> snap/swivel?

I don't know how long a leader I should use, but I can't see having a 6' leader if it, or a swivel won't fit through guides easily.

I go braid -> swivel -> leader -> snap.

I suppose you could go
braid -> leader -> snap-swivel.


NEVER run the swivel through the guides!!!

I don't like snap/swivel combos so I use the former.

I think the general consensus is braid -> swivel -> leader. Whether you tie direct or use a clip is your choice.

I don't know about in the Hingham area, but just about any shop on the Cape should carry them. All the usual suspects around the Canal have them - Red Top, Canal B&T, Charlie's, etc.

I like a fair amount of line out when I cast, that's why I use the 5'-6' length. I wouldn't go below a 4' leader to avoid having the fish rub against the braid.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess my biggest question/concern is leader length. 4' seems long to be casting on a 6-7' rod used on a boat. I guess it is time to adapt.

braid -> swivel -> leader -> breakaway clip it is. Just ordered both sizes of the clips.

On the other hand, it doesn't matter how long the leader is if it screws with how effective you personally can fish. If you're more comfortable with a shorter leader, I'd go with a shorter one.

My philosophy so far has been, "Thank you for the advice. As soon as the way I do things fails, I'll try your suggestion."

If it ain't broke for you, don't fix it.

Clearly something is broke.. not catching nearly enough fish. :tm: I finally gave in and decided my usual rod was too light to actually muscle any decent fish in, and went a little heavier. Figured I'd re-examine my way of doing things while I was at it.

lesson learned for me in going from surf to boat was that my leaders needed to be much shorter. My average leader now on the boat is around 24"-36".

why is that?

because I have a t-top and with a 4-5 foot leader I have a better chance of hooking the top or if casting sidearm, hooking a passenger. :hihi:

Plus, I am higher up than in the surf so with a fish on, the line is not dragging so much over rocks due to the angle, thus a shorter leader works out fine

ahh I see.

Exactly why I had concerns of 5-6' leader. The T-top is great most of the time, but fly fishing has become near impossible with 2 people and some angles.

I also thought about the higher angle and thought I'd start with a 2.5' leader.

I find I can go 3' in the Yak also, MUCH more forgiving landing fish IN the water vs. dragin them to shore. So far, I've only had 1 breakoff in the Yak, and that was from a piss poor knot.

If want to use a long leader, for example for targeting tuna, the slim beauty knot is great for connecting power pro and flouro. It goes through guides easily too.

For connections, I go braid to mono leader (alberto knot) to coastlock snap swivel for the boat; substitute a breakaway clip for the surf.

I think the leader length would depend on the length of the rod. A 6 foot leader on a 7 or 8 foot rod would be difficult to cast from a boat (in my opinion); especially if using a swivel. From the boat for casting plugs I would go less than 3 feet; varied based on the length of the rod.

just tie the braid and leader together using an alberto's knot, less terminal tackle that could fail you and one less knot that can fail.

my set up...braid>uni to uni>3 ft flouro leader>breakaway clip. I find a 3 ft leader is sufficient for my needs. I re-tie a new one on everytime I go fishing or if it is looking shabby. Running the knot through the guides is probably bad for both the guides and the knot. Also interferes with casting!

I am not sure if you like to use a net or lip grip, but the longer leader in the boat really can help with landing fish. Powerpro can slice like a knife

Regarding leader length. In a casting application, the leader should never be longer than the amount of line you want from the tip eye for casting. Otherwise, you're pulling the connection point through the tip eye (not good for distance). However if the connection point has to go through one or more guides, use a knot (not a swivel).

In non-casting applications (trolling) the leader (or top shot) can be much longer and depending on the guides you can use a standard swivel, wind-on swivel, or knot.