Thoughts on this Line setup for this Rod?

[TotalNoob]

I am getting ready to tie a leader onto my braid main line which is backed by 12 lb mono (uni knot there) on my baitcaster. The braid is 30lb (.28mm diameter). I use a 35x wrapped FG junction knot.  This is basically how I set up my main spinning combo this past Spring but I've been getting used to a baitcaster this year (using just mono) and am setting this one up with the above specs. 

 

I typically now will tie on a 10lb fluoro leader (.30mm diameter). For the FG knot (which I have found to be incredibly thin & smooth with zero failures) the line diameters should be similar. 

 

My two concerns are:

 

1) The line rating on the Rod. The rod is a 6'9" MH/F (Veritas) with a recommended line rating of 12-20. Rated for 1/4 to 1oz lures. 

2) The "heft" of my leader line. I use a lot of jerkbaits and I've found using too heavy a line has an adverse effect on their suspension. I identified 10lb fluoro to be a great line for virtually of the main jerkbaits I throw. 

 

Now, the reason I chose the MH over M rod was because of it's rating to be able throw heavier/longer jerkbaits (and farther). I fish a reservoir from shore so I'm trying to put a setup together that will aid me in covering as much water as possible. But now it appears I'm in the pickle of having too light a line for the rod rating yet bumping up line ratings will have an adverse effect on my presentation. 

 

Being quite new to some of the finer details of rod/lure/line/reel specifications, I don't quite know what to do here. I've got the 30lb braid spooled up and when I went to grab the 10lb fluoro leader was when this issue dawned on me. 

 

Could the rod itself break the line on a hookset or a cast (or any event that loads the rod)? Is that the concern as far as the rod ratings go? I know that (from reading other threads and information out there) most semi-serious or serious anglers seem to view rod ratings as generally just a guide and a lot of folks are comfortable going out of bounds for whatever reason. 

 

Should I be okay putting this together as is or are there concerns I should consider? Any/all feedback appreciated. 

[MickD]

I don't see any issue with your setup.  There is absolutely no risk in using lighter with respect to damaging anything.  Any line on any rig can break if the pull exceeds its strength.  You can protect the line with your drag.

 

I really don't know where the manufacturers get their recommended line ratings.  I've heard it relates to the dead lift capability of the rod, but I'm not sure.

 

Recommended lure weights are pretty good indicators of power.

 

You ask if the line (I think you mean the 10 pound test leader) could break on a cast or hook set.  Yes.  On a cast, especially with the heaviest lures you are using. On a hook set, probably.  Pay attention.  If it turns out to be real, just go up on leader test-there is no difference in casting distance with different leader pound tests.

 

Just go fishing and then react to any issues that turn up.  They won't be damage to the rod or reel.  

 

By the way, how did you end up with 35 weaves on the FG?  Seems excessive.  I'll bet only about half of them are working to grip the leader.  Cut one of them apart and see if the leader is "kinked" for the full 35.  I would like to know what you find if you do it.

[TotalNoob]

23 minutes ago, MickD said:

You ask if the line (I think you mean the 10 pound test leader) could break on a cast or hook set.  Yes.  On a cast, especially with the heaviest lures you are using. On a hook set, probably.  Pay attention.  If it turns out to be real, just go up on leader test-there is no difference in casting distance with different leader pound tests.

Mostly I'm referring to the potential for the rod to possibly break or weaken the line cast after cast after cast OR on a hookset that loads the rod abruptly (or a cast that loads the rod a abruptly). But I guess the braid wouldn't be at risk of breaking regardless of the load to the rod.

 

I wouldn't have concerns moving to a 12lb leader and feeling better except that the suspending jerkbaits I mostly throw (main purpose of this setup) suspend differently (or move to a slow sink) with even the bump in line from just 10 to 12lb. Honestly, even 10lb isn't ideal (8lb is) but 10lb does seem to be okay as far as the suspension effect the line has on the jerkbaits.

 

On the FG knot wraps is just because I read that for smaller diameter lines some extra wraps are recommended beyond 20. So I was was doing 30 and then one time I was thinking to myself "well I'm already at 30 on this thing might as well add a few more while I'm here". I don't have any reason to think the extra wraps make a difference I just typically tie it once prior to heading out and figure adding some extra wraps can't hurt. 

[fishnkamp]

First the Veritas rods run a little heavier in power than the say so I would not worry about the rod here. As for a leader  you could run P Line CXX moss green line in 8 pound test ( same diameter as your fluoro) it will have a breaking strength of around 16 pounds. That stuff is strong.  See how a 6 foot leader of that works, if you need to drop down to 6 pound test.

[MickD]

Regarding the "extra" weaves on the FG.  I have noticed that the FG isn't as reliable on lighter leaders.  I've been doing 20-22.  The problem I notice is that the braid half hitches come loose when snapping swimbaits off the bottom, so doubt if extra weaves will affect that.  A drop of super glue works well.  thanks for the info

[TotalNoob]

6 hours ago, MickD said:

Regarding the "extra" weaves on the FG.  I have noticed that the FG isn't as reliable on lighter leaders.  I've been doing 20-22.  The problem I notice is that the braid half hitches come loose when snapping swimbaits off the bottom, so doubt if extra weaves will affect that.  A drop of super glue works well.  thanks for the info

Yea .. not to derail my original issue here but regarding the FG knot... I'm not exactly sure what classifies as "lighter" leaders but I've been using the FG to go from 20lb braid to 10 and 8lb FC. Literally not one single issue, it's almost unbelievable. When I snag and have to break, 100% of the time the palomar knot at the end of my leader is the failure point. On one amazing late April night earlier this year I landed 2 wiper, a couple dozen 16-17" walleye, and a 9lb/30" walleye using the same FG knot. I have zero doubt that FG knot would have been good for multiple sessions but I like to retie for confidence every session. 

 

As far as the half hitches coming loose, that did concern me as well when I was first tying it. My paranoia led me to do two half hitches and then a small uni to finish it off. The uni's thickness did stand out against the slimness of the rest of the knot but I otherwise had no issues with it. When I got comfortable with the knot and my confidence in it was solid, I stopped adding the small uni at the end (but continued doing 30-35 wraps). But this is for the above stated line applications, I couldn't speak at all to throwing heavy swimbaits and what not.

 

Edit: Here's my tied 35 wrap FG from 30lb braid to 10lb fluoro. Goes right down into the spool (and out) with zero issues. We have finicky Walleye in this res in addition to Bass so learning a solid junction knot to connect fluoro to braid was important to me once I started taking fishing more seriously. I guess so much for not derailing my own thread ha ?

 

 

Edited July 30, 2018 by TotalNoob
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