Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: takrat on December 02, 2010, 09:29:02 PM
-
I've just invested in a couple of spools of Power Pro Spectra Braid. I've got on baitcaster spooled with 15lb for Bass and another spooled with 30lb for Barra/Cod. I have'nt had it on the water yet but early casting checks indicate that it will cast easily with no digging in on the spool. Leaders on both spools were tied with a slim beauty know and there does not seem to be any slippage. Going to Glen Lyon on Monday so I'll let you all know how we go. THis Braid is made in the US and is aa number one seller there. It's cheaper than most of the Dyneema Braids and so far the only other braid I can see that comes close is Castaway and it's twice the price.
JD
-
Power Pro was recently purchased by Shimano.
The things that really determine the spool life and performance of a braid
are the number of strands used in the construction and density of the weave.
Cost comes into it; the finer the denier of the raw yarn the more it costs.
Makers of 8carrier braids - pick of the crop - generally state the fact while
lesser carrier lines divert attentions with other stuff on the packaging...
mortar and not the bricks.
BTW, the Slim Beauty stutters a bit while going through the guides. Moreso as leader sizes
increase. Each little judder sews the seeds of a backlash and for that reason it's not the
best connection to be using with a baitcaster.
-
Hi Harro,
What connection do you recommend for a baitcaster, braid to leader?
Should I use the same when using a spin outfit also?
Thanks for your help. :thumbsup
Regards
Adrian
-
Definitely let us know how you go takrat, my father is going to be there the week after and I might just do a quick trip while he is there (once he finds the fish ;D )
Take a shrimp trap or two and a mono reel for some yella's if the luring is quiet.
-
Hi Harro,
What connection do you recommend for a baitcaster, braid to leader?
Should I use the same when using a spin outfit also?
Thanks for your help. :thumbsup
Regards
Adrian
Knots and rigs are subjective. There's more out there than can be unravelled from a Roman orgy.
A rule that'll help, irrespective of what leader/line connection is used to to keep the latter length to
a minimum....less than a metre.
Trouble can be further reduced by casting with the connection OUTSIDE the tip.
The illustrated connection is one I've refined from the Albright.
It is simple, secure and has a smoother profile.
More pertinant, it can be tied with a double line and illiminates the need for a Bimini twist or kind.
The Bimini really doesn't work in braids and only succeeds in creating a weak spot at the head of the rig.
The main thing with the Harro (a name bestowed by an American based knots jury) knot is to tighten fully and (use nail cutters) trim the tag end flush.
-
:youbeauty Certainly the best leader knot I've used _ "Harro's" certainly more secure than an improved albright & a better profile than a slim beauty
Chris
-
I second that, never failed, easy to tie.
Pete
-
Thanks Harro :yourock
-
Harro,
The bimini, if tied with care during the early stages of the overlay wraps, works a treat. This reduces the weak spot in the head. You'll pull the clothes line over before the line breaks. Contrary, if you tie it fast and tight all the way through the knot's development, one can pop it with as little as a few kilos of pressure- right at the head, as you say.
I've had a few clients now who are proud of your knot. They caught fish on it, so that tripled the satisfaction of your shared knowldege. The young fella from Holland the other day was stoked and never shut up about meeting Rod Harrison.
His smile still lingers.
Stick man.
-
Yes I have gone away from the slim beauty to a bimini and Harro's knot after reading about it here a year or so ago. I particularly like the way it tapers down (if tied right) to add to smoothness in casting and less 'clang' thru guides. That alone sets it apart form the improved albright IMHO..Thanks Harro.
While I still like the slim beauty, I found the slim beauty can, if not regularly checked or not properly tied, come loose due to continually clipping the guides during a cast. I have had this issue, but I suspect its my fault :P
As for Powerpro, I have one reel spooled recently and it lays and casts nice. Yet to test on a fish or in abrasive enviroment.. But for the price point, it seems pretty good value for money.
Cheers Steve
-
I have used power pro for bass fishing heaps and find it more than up to the task. I only ever use 8lb or 10lb for bass though. Don't ever seem to need anything more than that. Cod might be a different story though. I've not got one of those so I can't say.
Harro: Does the loop coming back through the leader gap in step 3 pass through between the leader and the wrapped braid. From the image I would say it does but thought I'd ask. Must be nice having a knot named after ya :P
Cheers Geoff
-
Rod,
THanks for the input on the Harro Albright mate. I always used the improved Albright before but will definately give yours a shot. The mention I gave to using the Slim Beauty was to rate it against the improved Albright, but having cast with the SB I think I'll go back and retie.
Cheers.
JD
-
I have used power pro for bass fishing heaps and find it more than up to the task. I only ever use 8lb or 10lb for bass though. Don't ever seem to need anything more than that. Cod might be a different story though. I've not got one of those so I can't say.
Harro: Does the loop coming back through the leader gap in step 3 pass through between the leader and the wrapped braid. From the image I would say it does but thought I'd ask. Must be nice having a knot named after ya :P
Cheers Geoff
Hafta agree, step 3 is a bit ambiguous and needs re-doing.
But you've got it right, the loop does pass under the original set of wraps.
-
Gotta say I'm still a big devotee to the Knotted Dog leader system and connection. In this world of fluorocarbon leaders being used for everything imaginable because they're invisible (but the bream were seeing 6lb today so I had to drop to 4lb ::) ) I feel like I'm going against the grain by still making them up out of standard leader material and using them for bass, goldens, and cod exclusively. Don't know why, but I can no longer feel comfortable with a single strand leader off a baitcaster. It's by far the most seamless connection I've ever used and I probably will never turn back. Possibly if I venture to the land of Barra but even then I'd probably make up some heavy enough to cope with the task.
In regards to bimini's in braid I'm yet to pop one, maybe I don't fish hard enough who knows, but whilst ever they work for me I'm happy to continue with them.
That said your knot does look good Harro and no doubt it's one many should learn.
Cheers
Stephan
-
To come at the Bimini-less rig from another direction, let me put things this way.
In a balls out situation, say pulling lures off snags if not pulling fish heads, live fish that is -
and the line pops - it'll always be at the Bimini.
Two conclusions to be drawn there.
One - The Bimini is the weakest link in the chain.
Or two - the Bimini has done it's intended task by providing the foundation for the strongest possible
mainline to leader connection.
Take your pick.
-
I have used power pro for bass fishing heaps and find it more than up to the task. I only ever use 8lb or 10lb for bass though. Don't ever seem to need anything more than that.
My bass reels carry 50lb braid (flouro yellow), but only because I dont need my reading glasses to tie knots in it! I've got 6lb in the shed waiting for when I upgrade my reading glasses! Getting old sucks!
-
My bass reels carry 50lb braid (flouro yellow), but only because I dont need my reading glasses to tie knots in it! I've got 6lb in the shed waiting for when I upgrade my reading glasses! Getting old sucks!
I guess there's not a lot of consolation in the sentiment that the older you get, the better you were.
And that geratric credo about pissing when you can, never wasting an erection nor trusting a fart.
There's still hope though for it's purest form - age and treachery still beating youth and skill.
-
Absolutely Harro, it could be seen either way and none are any less correct in all reality. As I said I probably don't fish hard enough (lack of big fish action?) to have a bimini worry me at this point. They're a necessity for me in regards to my choice of leader although I'm sure with a little tinkering knot wise I'm sure there'll be a way to do it with just a single strand. Care to offer up any suggestions?
Oh, while we're on the topic, a mate I work with tinkered with the FG knot the jig and popper boys use these days and although not castable it's by far and away the best knot I've seen. First had watched them break 150lb leader joined to 80lb braid and the knot never failed, the braid backlash from the breakage did draw blood though....