Drop shot- Braid to Swivel hook?

[primetime]

I have really gotten into finesse fishing this past year and still not 100% confident in my drop shot fishing, and I usually use braid to a swivel hook with a fluoro leader. I like the swivel hooks because I trust my knots better and I tend to shake the bait too much without realizing it, so it helps avoid line twist.

Does anyone think it is better to avoid braid due to the visibility, and is it better to skip the swivel hooks? Any input on set ups appreciated. I like a braid or mono main line, if I use any leader I tie a long one to start the day and just make sure it never goes into the reel. Can you just go straight mono and skip a leader?

Curious to hear what other's do....I don't trust too many knots with Fluorocarbon.

[PitchinJigz]

I use 15lb Daiwa J-Braid to a 7 or 8lb Sunline fluoro leader. I join them together with an Alberto knot, but I'd highly recommend the FG knot. I'm just too stubborn to switch knots. This setup works perfect and has more sensitivity than a mono leader or mono/ fluoro mainline. I haven't broken a fish off yet and with the braid you don't have to worry about line twist a whole bunch. Definitely get rid of that swivel though. It's unnecessary. Learn a good joining knot and you will be golden.

[gulfcaptain]

The amount of mono you're using isn't going to affect the sensitivity honestly.  There isn't much stretch in a 6-8ft piece of mono.  A little but not a huge difference like if you were using it as a main line and had a 30-40yard cast.  Then you're going to loose sinsitivity since you have stretch.  Short leaders you shouldn't have any issues and I use the swiveled dropshot hooks as well just to help keep the bait straight out and can attach different sinker depths if needed with a smaller size line as so if i'm hung up I can break off the weight and not loose the hook.  If it's really clear water, then there is the only reason I'd really stay with FC over mono.

[MDBowHunter]

I use braid also with a mono leader no swivel. I just try and make sure to use the same diameter braid and my leader, it makes tying the two lines together a lot easier. I use a 6# mono leader and 20# braid, if I get a snag this way I only loose the leader and not a ton of line. 

[Felix77]

FWIW ... I use an alberto knot to tie 8lb FC to 15lb Braid.  Once I mastered the knot there was no turning back.  Used a uni to uni knot for a long time with confidence as well.  I also did the swivel thing but I hated casting with that swivel there.  With the knot I can reel it close enough to the hook to get long casts with it which I find helpful in certain situations.

Santa got me some Seaguar Tatsu 8lb for my leader material ... Can't wait to try it.

[BrianinMD]

I think the "swivel" he is referring to is the hooks like the VMC Ike dropshot hooks. The eye of the hook has a wire thru it with a look on each end to tie to. This makes it easier to tie on, and reduces line twist. I use the same type of hooks but run straight flouro. I would avoid using braid to the top line tie in clear water.

Leaders are not that bad, take a look at the Alberto knot for braid to flouro connection. If set on using braid I would personally use a leader tie the flouro to the top hook tie, then take another piece of leader material to the bottom line tie for the weight to attach.

[Felix77]

Good catch.  Just reread.  I actually use the VMC swivelshots with my setup.  No issues.

Santa also got me some Trokar Helix hooks to try.  Similar to the VMCs.

[blckshirt98]

I dropshot a ton and while I have some of those dropshot hooks like the VMC Spinshots, I've always found it to be too much work tying those extra knots (I'm lazy).  Regular hook with the palomar knot and the extra pass through has always worked fine for me.  I've never had a problem with line twist because I use braid with a fluoro leader and I *do* use a tiny Spro Power Swivel to join the braid to fluoro.  I used to use a double-uni but had way too many break issues no matter how carefully I tied it.  If you choose to pass up the swivel when joining mainline to leader, use a better knot than the double-uni.  My usual setup is 8-15lb braided mainline (depending on which setup I take with me), 6-8lb FC Sniper for a leader, and Size 4 or Size 2 hooks, and I nose hook all my plastics.

[Fishin' Fool]

I've just never learned to tie line to line knots and I drop shot out on St Clair alot. I just use straight fluorocarbon 6-8 pound test. Works great! 

[papajoe222]

Prior to swivel hooks, a number of pros would tie braid to a swivel and then add a mono or fluoro drop line from it to reduce line twist.  It's still a good option if you feel the swivels on the hook to be spooking fish (I don't).   Just tie your hook using a palomar knot  somewhere down from the swivel and add your weight.  If you need to break off, you will only be out a hook, sinker and a bit of line.

[primetime]

Thanks for the replies..I was referring to the Spin shot hooks that VMC and Gamakastsu make that have the swivel connected to the hook. I just found that I get less line twist using those hooks, but I notice many people just use a palomar knot through a small drop shot hook and are good. 

I have no problem tying a leader to braid, but I should have made that more clear in the post. I generally prefer the spin shot hooks since I get less line twist in the wind, and I also move the bait way too much at times out of a bad habit which I am working on fixing.

I currently just tie my drop shot to a swivel hook (VMC) with 15lb braid, and usually use 8lb test fluoro, but I think I may try some straight 8lb test fluoro again on a spinning reel and just go the one knot back through for stealth as I feel I may be getting less strikes with the swivel on the hook, it is like using a snap to me which I don't prefer. I know the lines have gotten much better in the last few years, I can't believe how much better Fluorocarbon line has become in just 2 years. I used to be 100% against it at all times, now I like using it for leader and on casting reels. 

I still don't trust the Palamor on Fluorocarbon but I used to use a down shot hook direct to mono before I found out about the spin shot hooks and I just need to stop moving the bait or increase the weight I guess at times...

[MDBowHunter]

i was assuming that you were talking about the spinshots when I said no swivels, I can't stand all the knots either. I tie a 4' leader on at the beginning of the day and re-tie as needed.