Best way to mark depths on mono?

[toshobiko]

I have been using50# waxed rigging floss and it doesnt stick. When I`m reelin in the line and level winding with my thumb it moves.I could just pull up my thumb and let it pass but when I`m reelin in a fish,I dont want to worry about movin the floss.There has to be a better way. When I get a fish on a ballon it moves the floss too. I keep adding floss but I cant have all that bulk on my lines.I dont know the make of floss I have but I tried two different kinds.Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Relentless33]

Don't use floss

[Nick C]

Wax thread... do about a 1/2 long secontion of half hitches... then make a small loop... then do another 1/2 section of half hitches. I use ply bond glue(I get it at the fly fishing shops) to help coat it and make it last longer

[Relentless33]

Or you can count every time, for example if an arm length is 5 feet and you want a bait 100 feet down...you count 20 arm lengths and you are set

[Tunachaser]

Originally Posted by Nick C

Wax thread... do about a 1/2 long secontion of half hitches... then make a small loop... then do another 1/2 section of half hitches. I use ply bond glue(I get it at the fly fishing shops) to help coat it and make it last longer

Nick's on the $ - a couple drops of superglue works too

[Relentless33]

Tunachaser: Were you the boat out there last night that was called for a few hundred times throughout the night?

[rollin]

I used to do it that way R, but us old guys get tired after a few drops. I wouldn't mark my line with any glue, some glues weaken mono over time. I use 20lb mono tied to the desired depths. If you have a downrigger handy it makes the job much easier, use the DR to strip off 50ft at a time and it even counts for you. Half hitching to the mainline as Nick said, then a 3-4inch loop, (not really a loop but straight next to the mainline as to go through the guides smoothly), finished with another 8-10 half hitches and the trimmed close.

Won't move at all, goes through the guides easily even under drag, doesn't take away any strength, you just feel the knots going through your fingers when letting line out - no need to even see them, and you can use the double lines to tie on balloons at various depths.

just my .02

R

[Relentless33]

That seems like it ould be the best way, not the downrigger way because we don't have one but the small mono loops tied on

[Nick C]

Good idea! I use the down rigger too to as my line counter :lol:

[SANDRA D]

use a line counter

[SANDRA D]

rapala sells one with a light hold in hand count line out 20bucks

[Flatsfish B]

I use wax loops like stated, I also have a line counter, both rapala ones broke the first night, the shakespear one with no light seems to work better!

[JupiterSailfish]

I use rod building thread in different colors like someone once told me . I put this Hard Head Fly Finish stuff I use on jigs onto it and it keeps it there. I think I'm going to use super glue or something cause it keeps pulling apart.

[Another Grand]

Originally Posted by JupiterSailfish

I use rod building thread in different colors like someone once told me . I put this Hard Head Fly Finish stuff I use on jigs onto it and it keeps it there. I think I'm going to use super glue or something cause it keeps pulling apart.

This is the best way I have found as well

Btw.....how are you finishing the wrap that is why it is pulling apart......I was finishing with half hitches at first. It kept unraveling so I switched and did it just like rod, pulling the thread back under with another loop of thread. Havent had a problem since.

[toshobiko]

Thanks for the input. I had a Rapala line counter and the first two times I used it it kept getting stuck at the 9 foot mark, the third time I used it it was done,sounds like they make crap!

[andy moyes]

If you are making loops with wax line it is always best to use a series of half hitches. I like to do about twenty and then form the loop and continue with about twenty more. Super glue or zap is not good for mono as it is a cyanoacrylate, wich generates it's own catalyst heat and actually melts the plastic that it fuses. I don't like the line counters when i am setting out bait and really don't like rubber bands on my line. I you want to be ready when you get there , the best way in my opinion is to use the wax line and use telephone wire to connect your balloons , leads etc. It is always in the same spot. Also mark your reels with a piece of tape and the depth on it in permanent marker. This way you know what rod is what and if a reel has a problem you will also know wich one it was. I like to use a wheel that i made that is three feet in diameter on a base and has a handle to turn. This way you know how many feet you have exactly because not everyone has the same length arms! If you have problems with the wax drying out you can always keep waxing it and it will last a long time. You can buy the wax at shops like L.M.R T ackle in ft laud. Count your line out before you leave the dock and save alot of time setting and pulling as well as clearing when hooked up.....Andy

[Relentless33]

Good to have you back Andy I can learn an abundance from you

[JupiterSailfish]

Originally Posted by Another Grand

Btw.....how are you finishing the wrap that is why it is pulling apart......I was finishing with half hitches at first. It kept unraveling so I switched and did it just like rod, pulling the thread back under with another loop of thread. Havent had a problem since.

Thanks Johnny. Deffinetly will have to try that out. :salut:

[Flatsfish B]

I also dont like having 5 wax loops on each reel, right now I have 3 50's and marked as follows.

Tiagra short bent butt marked at only 350 (deep tip) and can let a few more or less feet out on any night.

TLD straight butt- marked 150-250 (either shallow or deep float)

TLD short bent - About to put new line and will be marked at 100

[Relentless33]

Not to derail, but what is your preference on a short bent butt versus a straight butt?


Thanks
Jr.