Need some line-to-line advice.

[RiskTaker]

Who has some good advice on line to line connections?

After hearing how several well seasoned sword-fisherman prefer their terminal lines, it appears that a heavy duty wind-on leader is a common preference.

Now the part I would like to hear some specific advice on, is the details of attaching the main line(Mono) to the wind-on leader, dacron loop fused into Mono 200#+.

In my case, I have 50 wides, with a small base of 80# mono and 750 yds. of Specctra/Powerpro 80#, and a 100 yd. Kona Wind-on/top shot of 80# monofilament. I would like to attach to this to a 200-300# wind-on.

It seems to me that the simplest method is to make a bimini twist in the 80# mono, to enable a loop-to-loop connection between the Dacron/or/Specctra loop of the wind-on and the loop of the bimini twist from the 80# mono. (But I am thinking to try to make less bulky.)

(Or perhaps a wind-on swivel is good enough; but that does not seem as nice as a nearly invisible junction between lines.)

I was thinking that the line may be much more stream-line by creating a bimini twist, (or other loop), in some hollow core Specctra that could double sleeve over the 80# mono main line and enable a specctra-to-specctra loop to the heavier 25' foot wind-on. This is what I am preferring but I am fairly new to the swordfishing game and have not learned the art of making your own hollow-core Specctra over monofilament yet.

Does anyone have any experience/preference with this combination of line tests, that would like to share their advice?

Thanks in advance for your opinion on this.

RiskTaker

[greg1]

Originally Posted by RiskTaker2

(Or perhaps a wind-on swivel is good enough; but that does not seem as nice as a nearly invisible junction between lines.)

RiskTaker

If you are suing 50's then your max drag probably can't be more than 35 lbs (depending on how you have your pre-set).
An 80lb Spro swivel could be enough, but of your rod eyes will allow it get the size larger.

It may not be streamlined or invisible, but then again swords aren't the pickiest eaters out there.

We use 50ft of 300lb leader tied to a spro swivel tied directly to the main line.

The 50ft is because swords are notorius for gettign wrapped up and breaking off.

The guy that taught me ran a sword boat for 7 years; and as with most commercials cost is an issue. They don't like to spend any more than they have to, but at the same time if it didn't catch fish they wouldn't waste time doing it.

-Good luck.

[Mike]

If you are running mono on your reel, just make a bimini and loop it into the windon about 3-4 times. I'll post an illustration if you would like?

I am starting to get all my reels spooled with hollow core spectra. With the spectra you can make a 100% loop connection with no knots or bimini of any sort. Than you do the same. Loop it into the loop of the wind-on and you are good to go.

I might start fishing a topshot of mono on the reels, but thats about it.

All my connections are 100% strength.

[RiskTaker]

Mike:

I took your advice: I made Bimini twists with the 80# monofilament and looped them to the wind-ons with 4 twists. They look good! (But the hands are sore: I have a more delicate day job.) Being out of practice, I followed a fisherman's guide: http://www.sdhookandline.com/knots/biminitwist.html

Before, I had a basic fishing knot attached to a ball-bearing snap swivel; along with some long mono bait rigs. This rig still catches fish but you need to hand-line the last few feet.... Live.. experience and learn... from the swordfisherman community.

One man's island takes too long to come up to speed, so thank God, for the experiences we can gather, from our community, as well as SFC!

Especially when you want to catch a BIG swordfish!

Balance, harmony, future generations, and enjoy life;

Risktaker

P.S. - Catch a swordfish, 150# or better. LOL

[greg1]

Good luck risktaker,

Like I said I learned from a commercial guy and everyhting they do is trying to simplify. You're probably right as for keeping it as a backup incase you need to re-rig offshore.

Let us know how you do with your new set-up. I may be interested in expirementing.

[RiskTaker]

Hey Adm. Mike:

If you get a really big sword-boat, we can call you Admiral Mike.

One more question about your hollow core main line. I was confused about your previous comment on the loop connection when you have hollow core Specctra as your main line. Did you mean to say you were still doing a loop-to-loop? Please clarify if you don't mind.

If I had hollow core as my main line, I would be tempted to simply insert bare 200# mono into the hollow core and glue the transition. This is not inter-changeable without a snip but I would think that you may not need to change such a configuration. Now that seems like the perfect wind-on connection!

What color hollow core Specctra are you using? Is hollow core any more expensive than regular Specctra and are you using it for your entire main line? I am not that familiar with any differences in quality/performance/price compared to standard Specctra.

If hollow core is any softer to the touch, that would be a big plus alone. When reeling in regular specctra, it can nearly cut you without a glove on. I have noticed that it has a tendency to dig into the spool. When a fish is on it can change the amount of pressure on the fish since it digs in and gets somewhat stuck. I usually assist it to get unstuck so it may not be a big deal. Sometimes I also see some apparent line cross-overs on the spool: it was initially nerve racking but so far they have always worked themselves out. I am going to experiment with winding the spectra onto the reel faster back and forth when there is no load on the line to see if that reduces the affect.

Just as an FYI - Ray Rosher mentioned using white/light colored Specctra on his labelled rods; so he could make some of his length marks by coloring a yard or so with indelible ink pen. I liked that convention. He still used a few wax line marks/2-1/2" reinforcements to provide captive loops and chafe barrier for his quasi-permanent weight attachment location and his quasi-permanent balloon attachment points. ie. 10/20 20/40, arm span units for rod names. So the 10/20 would have balloon marks at 60' and 120' feet, more or less.

I was also curious about and liked the concept of not losing the lead weights. No big deal to detach from marker location when using long-line clips. And to compensate for the fish possibly ripping hook-in-mouth by having that lead-weight on, he would place it a little farther away from the bait, say 40-60 feet. I liked some of his preferred methods and will give them a try and may adopt them as my own style, once recipe tested.

Thanks, RiskTaker

[Mike]

Hey Risktaker,

When using the hollowcore spectra, I make a loop connection by splicing the line to itself to form a loop. Pretty much the same thing as a bimini but no knots. I then just take the main line loop and attach it to the wind-on loop.

I wouldn't change anything you are doing. I love fishing long leaders and handlining them if I have the right crew aboard. I had to go to wind-ons because I am usually with newbies and handlining a big fish might get me in trouble.

The stuff is expensive. Cost me about $275 for a spool of 2500 yards. I got about 1500 yards of 120lb hollcore on my 80's. I still had room for another 500 yards probably.

Ray Rosher has great techniques, especially with putting the weight 50 feet from the bait. Works awesome. I get alot of nice fish hooked good doing that.

Looks like it might be too rough this weekend for us...

Mike

[safetysolutions]

Mike,

I just got a bunch of new reels to go on my new boat. Basicly 4 - 50VSW and 4 - 30VSW, and 1 80W for deep dropping. Can you recommend a high qualiy shop to get them set up? I need the works, wind on leaders, etc. I will travel if needed. I would liketo watch them and learn as well.


Mike

[Mike]

Go to Bobby Boyle. Super nice guy and very very experienced in big game fishing. He is up in lighthouse point.

www.rjboylestudios.com

Bobby will rig your rods for swords right!


Mike

[FinalPoint]

Tek does awesome work too. You can't go wrong with either one. Tek is Jahmussa on the forum I think so you can send him a PM.