Question-
Name: Terry C
Email Address: tch***@gmail.com
Subject: Saltwater Fishing fishing for all species of flats fish
Message: (1) Do you tie a loop knot to all artificial Lures (Mirr o lures twitchbaits or Topwater ,or Mirr o dines) with or without split rings attached to lures? (never fish live baits)
(2) Do you tie loop knots to all soft plastic lures, with or without jig heads?
(3) Do you use a ball bearing swivel on your line for any of the applications mentioned above to prevent line twist? (2 things I never reel when drag is going and always flip my bail over with my hands) just worried about line twist without ball bearing swivels or snaps.
Right now catch lots of fish but, maybe
i'm missing some because I Tie 15# P-line braid to a 25# fluorocarbon leader Segar premier at the end of the leader I tie a small ball bearing swivel snap to the lure in all applications above.
(4) Do I need to use a ball bearing swivel at all on the line to prevent line twist?
(5) I know with a spoon you need a ball bearing swivel somewhere on the line. Is it best to put the swivel where line to line start or is it better to put a ball bearing snap swivel next to snapping on the spoon. I worry a lot about line twist. I fish Penn Battle 2500 and the new clash 2500 for all my flats fishing.. (I fish two poles)I fish 7'6" St Croix Med and Med Lite fast action poles.
Please answer these question separately so I have your opinion on each one.
Really enjoy the show tape it all the time. Appreciate more detailed on the tools used and lures used on each show and how their rigged throughout the line. Always looked for these answers, but never here them completely answered in detail on the shows. So here you are.
Appreciate you thoughts and again great show.
(Sent via Saltwater Experience Fishing Blog)
Answer-
Thanks for the questions! I will do my best to answer them one at a time. I try hard to not use the words "Never" and "Always". It seems that as soon as I find something that I "Always" do this or that, I learn something new that provides an exception. There are exceptions to most things in fishing and life. So, keeping that in mind...Here goes:
1. Do you tie a loop knot to all artificial Lures (Mirr o lures twitchbaits or Topwater ,or Mirr o dines) with or without split rings attached to lures? (never fish live baits)--
A. I tie a loop knot to alot of artificial lures, but not all. I like to tie a knot that snugs down like a uni pulled tight or an Improved Clinch on jigs and circle hook rigs. However, I do tie a loop knot on most lures like you mentioned. I like the Steve Huff Double Figure 8 for leader over 40 lbs, a Homer Rhode for Braided Coated Wire, and a non slip mono loop for light line. We often fish for fish with teeth with solid wire and I use a Haywire Twist for this application. If I do use the solid wire, I am careful to never use the split ring as the thin wire has a way of finding its way out of the ring.
2. Do you tie loop knots to all soft plastic lures, with or without jig heads?--
A. I like to tie a snug knot on my jigs and circle hooks. I like the Uni pulled tight or a clinch knot on most but will use a Steve Huff Double Figure 8 as the leader gets heavier (40-80 lbs) or a non slip mono loop for light lines.
3. Do you use a ball bearing swivel on your line for any of the applications mentioned above to prevent line twist? (2 things I never reel when drag is going and always flip my bail over with my hands) just worried about line twist without ball bearing swivels or snaps.--
A. I do not use a swivel much for inshore applications. In the old days of spooling every rod with monofiliment, twists in the line were a much bigger deal and we would find occasion to use a swivel. When monofiliment gets badly twisted, it wants to hop off the spool and create a mess or a giant knot. I use almost all braid now. Some people say that braid doesnt get twisted which is nonsense. It gets just as twisted as mono, the difference is that it behaves nicely when twisted. I probably developed a dislike for swivels early in my guide career when, despite asking repeatedly, clients would reel the swivel into the rod guides and then make a hard cast which would pop out the ceramics. As a young hungry guide, having one of your rods disabled is a big deal. I cut those swivels off immediately and just decided I would rather deal with twisted mono. Additionally, I like to have as little hardware in the water as possible which I believe results in a few more bites.
4. Do I need to use a ball bearing swivel at all on the line to prevent line twist?--
A. There are times when I do use swivels though. When shark fishing, I use a swivel between the braid and wire leader. Sometimes the bait spins in the current and that swivel helps but I also feel like it is a stronger connection for me than an albright knot or alberto knot. I also use a swivel when trolling a lure or bait to eliminate or reduce twist. There are many offshore applications that they are helpful and even essential.
5. I know with a spoon you need a ball bearing swivel somewhere on the line. Is it best to put the swivel where line to line start or is it better to put a ball bearing snap swivel next to snapping on the spoon. I worry a lot about line twist. I fish Penn Battle 2500 and the new clash 2500 for all my flats fishing.. (I fish two poles)I fish 7'6" St Croix Med and Med Lite fast action poles.--
A. Some spoons can twist the line badly and a swivel may be very helpful. Just dont reel it into the rod guides. My opinion is that reducing the amount of hardware will get you more bites. I wouldn't really be that excited about using a ball bearing snap swivel above the spoon because I would think that the fish might not like it...but who knows. Maybe they love it. If you are getting bites with it, try without it for a few days or weeks and compare. Go with what you get more bites on.
Vicious braid is our first choice when it comes to using braid.
It also sounds as if maybe you are using mono on all your rods. Have you thought about using braid? Braid behaves nicely when twisted (you dont even notice if it is twisted) and you can cast much farther. I have a BUNCH of knots on our YouTube channel that you can learn to attach leader to braid. It could be a good solution to tie on at least one rod and experiment with no swivels at all. Reference videos below.
Win a Yeti Prize Pack from Golden Boat Lifts!