Heavy leader dropper loop/knot question

[fishsmith]

Hi Gang,
I just put together 6 cod rigs,
80lb leader
5/0 octopus hooks
2/0 snap swivel
150 lb swivel

2 questions:
1. when I make the dropper loop, is there a trick to tightening up the knots where they slide to meet at the center of the loop along the main line (I need a digital camera).

2. I'm using the fishermans knot for the swivel and snap swivel, is there a better knot for heavy line.

I do wet the line prior to tightening, but these rings on my fingers/hand from tighting the line are deep.

This setup has worked fine in the past, I'd just like to see if there is a better mousetrap out there

Thanks in advance - Jim

[thefishingfreak]

for the dropper loop, use your teeth to hold the center of the loop while pulling evenly appart with both hands.

polimar knots are pretty easy to tie in heavy line, plus they sorta tighten up by themselves in use, that should save your fingers some pain.
mike

[Notaro]

Or use ur toe to maintain a longer loop.

[Diamondwrapper]

You might try this

[MakoMike]

Fish,
It helps if you have three or four hands If you can put the exact center of the dropper loop around something and then pull from the bottom while sliding the knot(s) towrd the center you can wind up with a really neat loop. Use palomars to tie the swivels on.

[fishsmith]

Thanks Guys!!

[Mr. Sandman]

Aren't dropper loops pretty weak knots though?

[fishsmith]

sandman, I think the 80lb test compensates. But I've caught many many pounds of cod/haddock on the same rig.