shock leaders - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Fishguts · 05-19-2007, 02:37 PM

Looking for a little help here!
I have been tying 50# power pro to a 40# shock leader about 15 feet long and having some problems. what happens is I make my cast and snap, gear gone... I have used a uni-Knot and an albright knot any suggestions?

MikeToole · 05-19-2007, 02:45 PM

This knot has worked very well for me.

http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/...tos_knot.shtml

missing link · 05-19-2007, 05:33 PM

I use a uni to uni, I've seen braid & mono sometimes cut through the mono
try a double surgeons knot that might work
My uni 2 uni is a mono 2 mono knot
ML

rockyroady · 05-19-2007, 06:26 PM

get rid of the PowerPro....bad batch?

Christian · 05-19-2007, 07:17 PM

i used to use the uni-uni
the alberto is way better, havent snapped off anything in a long time with it. and the braid wont cut your mono.

EricM · 05-20-2007, 03:11 PM

I have never had success casting the knot through the guides. I've read the suggestions, followed the diagrams, but at the end of the day, no dice. My solution to my inability to execute what others say can be done has been to shorten up my leader to about 4ft so I don't cast the knot through the guides and if I am going to throw something heavy, I'll tape on a breakaway cannon. Decent workaround, but not a solution.

afterhours · 05-21-2007, 06:52 AM

i use 3' to 4' leaders attached to braid with back to back uni's- no problemo.

Fishguts · 05-21-2007, 07:07 AM

that seems to be my problem as well, clearing the guides without catching them! I agree that this new power pro is troublesome I am consistantly getting what looks like wind knots. I have tried several things to try to remedy the problem, like letting my line out in the current without anything on it including a swivel to let the line spin out, Spro swivels, low casts in windy conditions, keeping the sag out of the line, and on and on all with no avail. I have had power pro on another rod of mine for three years with flawless performance?
I will give the alberto knot a shot it looks like an interesting variation thanks for the tip. does anyone out there have any suggestions about other hybred lines? I fish both conventional and spin, I hav'nt had the guts to throw a hybred on the conventional yet and may never, but would like an option that may be better than power pro

JFigliuolo · 05-21-2007, 07:14 AM

It sounds like your using a spinner. I've never had any luck w/ANY knots passing through the guides w/spin gear.

Pete F. · 05-21-2007, 08:35 AM

What reel
I have had great luck with 20# Fireline on 704s, just do'nt overfill the spool.
overfilling on most reels causes problems in my experience

gone fishin · 05-21-2007, 08:56 AM

It sounds like you are definately using spinning gear. The use of a long leader with spinning gear is usually a problem when you bring the leader back to the spool. The snap off is probably because the knot is catching a guide. I suggest you shorten the leader and use a swivel between the leader and the braid. Also, concentrate on smoothing out your casting motion. Sometimes a snapping motion will cause snapoffs as the line clears the rod.

With conventional gear a long leader is fine. I always run my shock leader back to the reel and a few turns on the spool itself. The Alberto is a fine knot. I have not had snap offs using that knot. It can be used with most any combinations of weight lines. On a couple of reel and line combinations I use 40 lb. PP and a 30 lb shock leader and on another reel I use 65 lb. PP and a 50 lb. shock leader.

As far as other braids go - I have used Stren, Suffix, Fireline, Whiplash, and Power pro. All have their good and bad points I think it is up to the individual to make that choice. Oh - also - I have recently heard good things about the new Berkley braid. There have been many threads about braid. Do a search and you will be totally confused.

Get rid of the cannon and buy a roll of hocky tape. A wrap or two saves the fingers and allows better controll of the cast.

Fishguts · 05-21-2007, 12:03 PM

your right it's a spin outfit that is giving me fits.. I fish with a cabo matched with a St Croix, "my ditch stick outfit, throwing heavy". I usually use 15 feet or so of shock, Could that be too much? I hav'nt had any problems with my conventional using a longer shock leader and could'nt figure why I would have problems with this one. I ended up shortening my leader to about 4 feet last year after I watching 15.00 worth of plug flying half way across the canal last year.

EricM · 05-21-2007, 04:13 PM

Is your line wrapping the guide when you cast, causing the breakoff? Friend of mine kept having that problem so we went back to the drawing board, realigned his guides, and no problem. That was what got us thinking about using the lowrider guides as well- designed so that your braid can't wrap the guide. Also not a bad workaround solution.

ridler72 · 05-21-2007, 06:05 PM

I am interested to see what is recommended. New Power Pro cut's like a knife. I had it part 15lb-40lb flouro/mono like butter using all kinds of knots. After the Power Pro gets a little use and wear I can get it to hold. I feel it's still risky.

Fishguts · 05-21-2007, 08:16 PM

No, no line wrap around the guide's at least that I know of, but who knows, I fish this rod mainly at night. I had someone at work suggest to leave a longer tag on the knot and use a lighter to melt it and then mold the melted line with your fingers to make tapered effect allowing it to flow through the guides more freely? anyone do this? sounds a little risky.