Braid Top Shot Over Mono

[slabslinger]

Hi guys and girls,

I've used braid before but not on my own gear. So bear with me.

I have some 125yd of 14lb braid which I plan to topshot over some mono. My question is does the mono i'm going over need to be 14lb or is it good, bad or indifferent to have it a little stronger.

At the moment I have mono spools of 6lb, 10lb, 15lb, 30lb, 40lb & 80lb.

So was thinking to back it with 30lb mono, or should i just stick with the 15lb?

Mostly targetting jews on the beach and have a 2nd heavier outfit, of 30lb mono with 40-80lb leader. However regular by catch include salmon, tailor, bream, and assorted sharks and rays, if that helps with your advice

Cheers in advance,

Slabslinger

Edited January 11, 2010 by slabslinger

[gretsch]

It doesn't really matter in my humble opinion. I would just use something similar like 12-15lb mono.

There is probably not much chance of catching species which will pull 125 yards off your spool so it really doesn't matter. My main concern would be making sure the braid doesn't dig in to the mono backing.

[hooklineandsinker]

i usaully have a 10% braking strain allowance when it comes to braid top shots if it was me

with the 15lb braid have have 17 to 20lb mono backing just in case the mono snaps when you have a descent fish on and shes getting past your braid top shot

as for your 30lb braid add 10% to the mono braking strain as well

thats what i do

hope it helps

mike

[slabslinger]

Thanks for the replies Cephalapod & hooklineandsinker.

I'm all spooled up and almost ready to go.

Couple of other related questions if anyone can help.

I've tried to set the hooks on a big fish using braid before and lost him with the braid snapping like a rifle shot. How am I meant to set the hooks, compared to using mono. Perhaps I tried to set too early as he was on his main run *shrug*

Also I plan on buying some fluorocarbon leader. When attaching it to my braid as a leader, am i better off with a swivel or just something like an albright knot.

Slabslinger

[slinkymalinky]

Thanks for the replies Cephalapod & hooklineandsinker.

I'm all spooled up and almost ready to go.

Couple of other related questions if anyone can help.

I've tried to set the hooks on a big fish using braid before and lost him with the braid snapping like a rifle shot. How am I meant to set the hooks, compared to using mono. Perhaps I tried to set too early as he was on his main run *shrug*

Also I plan on buying some fluorocarbon leader. When attaching it to my braid as a leader, am i better off with a swivel or just something like an albright knot.

Slabslinger

You can set the hooks like with mono but you only need to lift the rod a much smaller distance because there's no stretch. If your line is breaking like that, there's probably a problem with your drag. Either it's set to hard, or there's some 'start up' inertia (sometimes a drag can be fine once it's moving but getting it started can require more force).

What sort of reel are you using and when did you last service the drag?

I strike really hard using 1lb Crystal Fireline because it's so hard to bury a hook with so little drag. In fact, the drag 'squeals' on the strike but I've never broken off on the strike yet.

Cheers, Slinky

[gretsch]

Thanks for the replies Cephalapod & hooklineandsinker.

I'm all spooled up and almost ready to go.

Couple of other related questions if anyone can help.

I've tried to set the hooks on a big fish using braid before and lost him with the braid snapping like a rifle shot. How am I meant to set the hooks, compared to using mono. Perhaps I tried to set too early as he was on his main run *shrug*

Also I plan on buying some fluorocarbon leader. When attaching it to my braid as a leader, am i better off with a swivel or just something like an albright knot.

Slabslinger

No worries dude.. that rifle shot sounds weird!! How hard are you striking? Just relax and set the hook firmly but carefully. As Slinky says, same as mono but not as hard.

I never tie my braid to terminals. It just seems wrong and I don't reckon the knots last long with sinkers bashing against the braid.

Learn the Slim Beauty leader knot. It is the only one I use and it is very reliable. The Albright, whilst popular is a cranky knot and only works well if tied absolutely perfectly where as the Slim Beauty can tolerate some imperfections which happen frequently when tying in the field.