MichaelCopeland Posted July 21, 2017 Posted July 21, 2017 The main rod I use, because it's easier to carry just one around the lake on foot along with my backpack tacklebox and icechest for my drinks and lunch, is starting to get too low on line, from changing lures. The line I use is spectra braid. My question is, is it ok to connect more braid to the braid I have on there? If so, is a uni to uni knot good for that? I've tried a uni to uni knot to connect more mono Trilene XT to it, but somehow it keeps getting all jacked up. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, if anything at all. I've seen the FG knot, but it looks like it would take me too long to even try, not to mention messing up lots of line in the process.. lol. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Quote
Dens228 Posted July 21, 2017 Posted July 21, 2017 I haven't done it but I'd think it's ok. I think the best thing to do is add enough line that only the new line (after the knot) actually gets cast, so don't just add 10 feet for example. In a post about how often to change braid in this forum someone posted about not replacing the entire spool of braid. 1 Quote
Jon G Posted July 21, 2017 Posted July 21, 2017 Just respell more braid and start using a leader so you won't ever run out of braid on your spool 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted July 21, 2017 Super User Posted July 21, 2017 You want to make sure that you have removed enough old braid that you won't run into the connection knot. You could also take the line off, and add backer. A Uni to Uni connection is fine. A blood knot might be easier, and that would be fine too. 1 Quote
MichaelCopeland Posted July 21, 2017 Author Posted July 21, 2017 I went ahead and just respooled some new braid on late last night, because I went fishing this morning. I kept the line I took off because it's still good just not enough to fill a spool. If I try anymore leaders, it's either gonna be with some of the braid leftover from what I took off or try to afford some flourocarbon line. I'm about done with mono. It stretches too much for me to deal with for now. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted July 21, 2017 Super User Posted July 21, 2017 42 minutes ago, MichaelCopeland said: I went ahead and just respooled some new braid on late last night, because I went fishing this morning. I kept the line I took off because it's still good just not enough to fill a spool. If I try anymore leaders, it's either gonna be with some of the braid leftover from what I took off or try to afford some flourocarbon line. I'm about done with mono. It stretches too much for me to deal with for now. What would be the reason for using a leader made from braided line? Quote
Super User MickD Posted July 21, 2017 Super User Posted July 21, 2017 Mono stretch is not a problem when you are using it for 4-6 feet of leader. If that is your mono stretch problem, I just don't understand. The uni to uni knot is very easy when you get practiced, so I suggest you sit in front of the TV and tie a whole bunch of mono/FC leader material to braid. You will be surprised how easy it is when you "get it." The FG for braid to braid is something I've never considered or tried, and it is not an easy knot for many people. It is the smallest knot, so the line catching on the connection knot would probably not be an issue. Thinking long term, I'd buy enough new braid to fill the spool (you can minimize the amount of braid required by using just about anything for backing to partially fill the spool) then add mono or FC leader material, and as mentioned above, you will not be shortening your braid by cutting off lures and tying on new ones. You will shorten the leader, which can easily be replaced when it's too short. Contrary to a lot of beliefs, mono and FC are not that much different for stretch, and both stretch significantly more than braid. But when used as a leader, it is not at all too stretchy. 1 Quote
MichaelCopeland Posted July 21, 2017 Author Posted July 21, 2017 6 minutes ago, Scott F said: What would be the reason for using a leader made from braided line? Not really sure. I'm still new to the bass fishing and not even totally sure of the full purpose of a leader. I've heard of using one from braid to mono or flouro, from flouro to mono, from flouro to lighter flouro and even mono to lighter mono. The first bass I ever caught was on a Carolina rig going from 20lb mono to 20lb mono leader. So I just thought it can't hurt to try braid to braid leader. I could be wrong though. My problem with the stretch is, when tying on to the swivel for a Carolina rig, when I go to ensure a secure knot it stretches the main line leaving kind of a spiral in it. For some reason the knot doesn't get secure enough by just pulling the tag end. I have to pull the main line some otherwise the knot loosens. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted July 21, 2017 Super User Posted July 21, 2017 15 minutes ago, MichaelCopeland said: Not really sure. I'm still new to the bass fishing and not even totally sure of the full purpose of a leader. I've heard of using one from braid to mono or flouro, from flouro to mono, from flouro to lighter flouro and even mono to lighter mono. The first bass I ever caught was on a Carolina rig going from 20lb mono to 20lb mono leader. So I just thought it can't hurt to try braid to braid leader. I could be wrong though. The reasons that guys (not me) use leaders is A. They think bass are line shy and if the bass see the line they won't bite so they use "invisible" fluoro leaders. B. Fluoro leaders are more abrasion resistant than braid. C. Stiffer fluoro won't wrap and foul hooks as easily as the softer, more flexible braid. C. The added stretch of mono or fluoro leaders will provide some shock absorption. Using braid for any of these reasons doesn't make sense. I'm of the type that uses braid all the time and never uses leaders because; A. I don't believe bass are line shy. B. I don't have problems with abrasion. C. Even though my braid does foul sometimes, the added knot going through my guides is not worth the benefit of reduced fouling. D. I don't need shock absorption. A braided line leader will not solve any of the issues some guys have have using by using braid as the main line. 1 Quote
MichaelCopeland Posted July 21, 2017 Author Posted July 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, Scott F said: The reasons that guys (not me) use leaders is A. They think bass are line shy and if the bass see the line they won't bite so they use "invisible" fluoro leaders. B. Fluoro leaders are more abrasion resistant than braid. C. Stiffer fluoro won't wrap and foul hooks as easily as the softer, more flexible braid. C. The added stretch of mono or fluoro leaders will provide some shock absorption. Using braid for any of these reasons doesn't make sense. I'm of the type that uses braid all the time and never uses leaders because; A. I don't believe bass are line shy. B. I don't have problems with abrasion. C. Even though my braid does foul sometimes, the added knot going through my guides is not worth the benefit of reduced fouling. D. I don't need shock absorption. A braided line leader will not solve any of the issues some guys have have using by using braid as the main line. The only time I use a leader is for a Carolina rig, other than that, I'm going straight braid from now on. I agree, I don't think bass are line shy either. The 2lb+ bass I caught last Saturday was on straight braid in pretty clear water. Not crystal clear but not very stained at all. Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 21, 2017 Super User Posted July 21, 2017 All braid on surface and swimmers, spinners, places where I am not likely to get hung up Braid to FC for Anything that touches bottom my home lake is granite heaven and I am always loosing terminal tackle, and it is easier to break off FC 1 Quote
MichaelCopeland Posted July 22, 2017 Author Posted July 22, 2017 45 minutes ago, NHBull said: All braid on surface and swimmers, spinners, places where I am not likely to get hung up Braid to FC for Anything that touches bottom my home lake is granite heaven and I am always loosing terminal tackle, and it is easier to break off FC I'm gonna look into possibly getting flouro. Just gotta find some I can afford. It seems to cost as much as or more than braid around here though. At least from what I've seen so far. Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 22, 2017 Super User Posted July 22, 2017 11 minutes ago, MichaelCopeland said: I'm gonna look into possibly getting flouro. Just gotta find some I can afford. It seems to cost as much as or more than braid around here though. At least from what I've seen so far. Tackle Wearhouse is your friend......I found tarsus to be the most user friendly, but is the most expensive 1 Quote
MichaelCopeland Posted July 22, 2017 Author Posted July 22, 2017 1 hour ago, NHBull said: Tackle Wearhouse is your friend......I found tarsus to be the most user friendly, but is the most expensive That's an online place right? Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 22, 2017 Super User Posted July 22, 2017 6 hours ago, MichaelCopeland said: That's an online place right? Correct Quote
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