New line on reels

[Andrew P]

Andrew mentioned using it a few posts back, but he uses 80 pound test braid!! If you use braid, I agree with you, 30-40 pound is more than enough.

I sure did. Otherwise you do have to do the mono top shot which really wouldn't work so well for Hali. 30-40 lb just doesn't stay in the clip without it. The leader keeps the honest sportsmanship, especially since ALL the give either has to come from either the leader, rod or skills. I certainly don't reef my fish in. I often just leave the reel on my peetz 9' salmon rod, clip on a spreader bar and down for hali. good combo setup...That's just my take on it.

 

[Big Green Machine]

I sure did. Otherwise you do have to do the mono top shot which really wouldn't work so well for Hali. 30-40 lb just doesn't stay in the clip without it. The leader keeps the honest sportsmanship, especially since ALL the give either has to come from either the leader, rod or skills. I certainly don't reef my fish in. I often just leave the reel on my peetz 9' salmon rod, clip on a spreader bar and down for hali. good combo setup...That's just my take on it.

Do you use this for trolling Salmon too?

 

[barkerfam]

I run 25#. Seems like more than enough. I don't usually use leader as I run the flashers off the dr balls. Use squid devils to get action on hoochies. When I do use a leader I run 30. Change reel line every other year.

 

[Andrew P]

Do you use this for trolling Salmon too?

Yes; dr, leader(20-40lb depending on lure), flasher, lure, bait, etc. and for Hali on spreader bar.

 

[Sr SQ]

I'm with Andrew on this one, I use 130# JB hollow with a 30yrd 30-40# top shot of mono depending on where/what fishing I'm doing.
I use the 130 hollow for a few reasons........

Mainly to fill the real with less line because our conventional style mooching reel or 4" fly reel like the Islanders simply hold too much line.
I end up with 300yrds between my top shot and the braid and have never needed more.

Hollow allows me to have a knotless transition from mono to braid that is 100% strong so I dont have to worry about that failing.

As mentioned the thicker braid holds better in the clips, most cases I clip on to the TS anyway plus the 130# is pretty much bullet proof and likely never need replacing in my lifetime.

If I gnarl a top shot up its a simple cats paw loop to loop connection and reel a new one on.

I started using braid over 10 years ago and it was a big learning curve, before top shots I used solid braid like fire line straight thru and found with inexperienced anglers many fish were lost (took a couple years to realize how important the stretch is) but then once I started running a sacrificial top shot all was good again. However I just hated hearing the Bimmini clicking thru the guides and always worrying about it failing (although it never did) so when I learned about the hollow braids I was excited to try them. Its been 6-7 seasons now and I'm never going back to peeling off 500+ yrds of mono to freshen up the line on 1/2 dozen reels (over 3000 yrds into the garbage) every few years.

Just how I skin a cat.

 

[Theb55]

I'm a convert to the fluorocarbon leaders. They don't stretch so hook ups are much better, especially when your line stretches. There are probably a lot of "right" combinations out there. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[fshnfnatic]

I'm with Andrew on this one, I use 130# JB hollow with a 30yrd 30-40# top shot of mono depending on where/what fishing I'm doing.
I use the 130 hollow for a few reasons........

Mainly to fill the real with less line because our conventional style mooching reel or 4" fly reel like the Islanders simply hold too much line.
I end up with 300yrds between my top shot and the braid and have never needed more.

Hollow allows me to have a knotless transition from mono to braid that is 100% strong so I dont have to worry about that failing.

As mentioned the thicker braid holds better in the clips, most cases I clip on to the TS anyway plus the 130# is pretty much bullet proof and likely never need replacing in my lifetime.

If I gnarl a top shot up its a simple cats paw loop to loop connection and reel a new one on.

I started using braid over 10 years ago and it was a big learning curve, before top shots I used solid braid like fire line straight thru and found with inexperienced anglers many fish were lost (took a couple years to realize how important the stretch is) but then once I started running a sacrificial top shot all was good again. However I just hated hearing the Bimmini clicking thru the guides and always worrying about it failing (although it never did) so when I learned about the hollow braids I was excited to try them. Its been 6-7 seasons now and I'm never going back to peeling off 500+ yrds of mono to freshen up the line on 1/2 dozen reels (over 3000 yrds into the garbage) every few years.

Just how I skin a cat.

I've been interested in the hollow core braid for a while now.I know the mono topshot is somehow threaded inside the
hollow core itself to create a knotless connection. How is this accomplished? Some sort of special needle or something?

 

[Sr SQ]

I've been interested in the hollow core braid for a while now.I know the mono topshot is somehow threaded inside the
hollow core itself to create a knotless connection. How is this accomplished? Some sort of special needle or something?

Yes, I use the Daho hollow splice needle, you will need a bowstring serving tool as well, the loops are spliced with a piece of thin hard SS wire leader.
BHP tackle has all the tools and instructions on their website.
Blackwater also sells a great hollow core line and has some good info on their website.
In a nut shell you splice a loop in your mainline - splice a loop in a 10' piece of appropriately sized braid in wich you thread your mono 6' into the opposite end with the threading needle - serve the end - cats paw loop to loop the top shot to the main line, and your done.
I have found if you keep your eyes open on the different forums and ebay you will find the line substantially cheaper occasionally, I have filled some of my reels with hollow for less money than a solid like PP would have cost.

 

[fshnfnatic]

Thanks for the info,SRSQ. I'm definately going to look into this. I can think of many applications for this type of setup!

 

[jeffywestcoast]

30 LB Maxima ultra-green is all i have ever used and never had a problem with it, re-spool with fresh at the start of every season.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Maxima leader material will never make it into my tackle box again. Lost three nice fish to broken leaders on one side of the boat using maxima, while not losing a single fish on the other side when using berkely big game

 

[Dogbreath]

Maxima leader material will never make it into my tackle box again. Lost three nice fish to broken leaders on one side of the boat using maxima....

Old product definitely-seen that with different brands.