- Jan 10, 2010
- 805
- 2,073
- Name
- Rod Lathrop
- Boat Name
- 24' North River Seahawk Hardtop "Sun Dog"
I have seen Sooo Maaany BD threads this year of people who hook 2, 3, 5, or more BFT on a trip only to end in Zing-Pow, Broken Leader, "Chew Through", etc. Lost fish! Often on the first run. Because the line/leader/hook connection didn't hold up to the stress of the fight. I was in this camp 2 years ago, when I went 11 for 14 on the New Lo-An the first day using 30# Seaguar Premier and 30# Blue Label fluoro. I had 3 fish snap the leader, right at the knot. It was a great day, but 2 of the fish I lost felt really nice and ended the fight way too quickly. They broke off on the first run, at way less than the break strength of the leader.
In that off-season 2 winters ago I began learning how to tie better knots, and testing the results. I sucked! Often 30# Seaguar or Yo-zuri would snap, always at the hook, at around 20# of weight; sometimes less! Just to make certain it wasn't the leader material I crimped a few; 30# lift or better every time. Nope, it was the knot strength I was achieving with multiple brands of fluoro leader.
It wasn't until I purchased and tested a softer stretchable fluoro leader, Okuma Soft Steel Fluoro-Stretch, that my knot strength got up to 100%. I have been using this leader for 2 seasons now, without a single zing-pow or leader failure. Understand that I spend most of my fishing life in Oregon, only visit San Diego twice each year recently. I know that the Oregon fish don't stress leaders like the San Diego fish.
So! Here is the challenge. Use your favorite brand of fluoro. Tie your best fluoro-hook knot. See if you can dead lift 30#. Have someone take a picture, and post it here. Simple! Please identify the make of 30# fluoro you are using. Here is a pic of 30# Fluoro-Stretch lifting 30# of lead (15# downrigger ball, 12# downrigger ball, 3# cannon ball). Knot is a 5-turn San Diego Jam knot. Let's see your pics!
In that off-season 2 winters ago I began learning how to tie better knots, and testing the results. I sucked! Often 30# Seaguar or Yo-zuri would snap, always at the hook, at around 20# of weight; sometimes less! Just to make certain it wasn't the leader material I crimped a few; 30# lift or better every time. Nope, it was the knot strength I was achieving with multiple brands of fluoro leader.
It wasn't until I purchased and tested a softer stretchable fluoro leader, Okuma Soft Steel Fluoro-Stretch, that my knot strength got up to 100%. I have been using this leader for 2 seasons now, without a single zing-pow or leader failure. Understand that I spend most of my fishing life in Oregon, only visit San Diego twice each year recently. I know that the Oregon fish don't stress leaders like the San Diego fish.
So! Here is the challenge. Use your favorite brand of fluoro. Tie your best fluoro-hook knot. See if you can dead lift 30#. Have someone take a picture, and post it here. Simple! Please identify the make of 30# fluoro you are using. Here is a pic of 30# Fluoro-Stretch lifting 30# of lead (15# downrigger ball, 12# downrigger ball, 3# cannon ball). Knot is a 5-turn San Diego Jam knot. Let's see your pics!
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