Heavy Tuna rig setup question

[DenaFisherMan]

Hey everyone,

So I have my 3 heavy nighttime jigs (350-500g) with upgraded split rings and hooks. I made 200lb mono crimped 1-2 foot leaders attached to each with a barrel swivel on the end that would connect to my main line.

My ask of the pros here is coming out of my reel is 100lb braid, what should my set up look like before I tie or connect to that barrel swivel connected to my jig.

1. Braid to a solid ring to a split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel) If yes what knot would I use
2. Braid to split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel) If yes what knot would I use
3. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot, then tie mono/fluoro via a knot to my barrel swivel (what knot would I use if this is the way)
4. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot, then tie mono/fluoro via a knot (what knot?) to solid ring to a split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel)
5. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot, then tie mono/fluoro via a knot (what knot?) to split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel)
6. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot crimped onto swivel.

I would really appreciate some wisdom. I was leaning towards #1 or #4 as I can easily swap rigs if needed, I've just never tied braid straight to a jig/rig and especially not at this level of strength needed.

 

[westcoasttuna]

I run a top shot of 100lb mono on my night -time tuna set up. I crimp onto the swivel. I don't like the way my knots turn out on line that heavy.

 

[DenaFisherMan]

that's a good point and another option, will add that in.

 

[MikeC.]

a little confused say example 1

why woukd you tie to a solid ring, then connect split ring, then to swivel? why not braid to swivel, that is an option. why do you want to use so many rings ?

 

[DenaFisherMan]

The logic in my head is I'm always hesitant to tie directly to a split ring due to thinking the line would end up pinched against the opening ends of the split ring and with enough force maybe break my line.

I don't know if that's the true and I agree lots of chrome involved trying to make best decision based on feedback.

 

[MikeC.]

yes, for senario 1 you can tie direct to
your swivel and have no rings

 

[hucklongfin]

Braid to mono to jig leader. Jig leader has a swivel at the top and a solid ring at the business end. Attach jig with a split ring. Just change jigs with split ring pliers.

 

[Desert fishing]

I tie direct to swivel no split ring. with a bimini twist or a double san diego. Swivel to Jig split ring raited at 250 to 400 pounds

 

[DenaFisherMan]

Braid to mono to jig leader. Jig leader has a swivel at the top and a solid ring at the business end. Attach jig with a split ring. Just change jigs with split ring pliers.

Braid to mono to jig leader. Jig leader has a swivel at the top and a solid ring at the business end. Attach jig with a split ring. Just change jigs with split ring pliers.

That makes sense and is what I should have done, thank you! Im guessing you crimp at your mono to jig leader connection?

 

[hucklongfin]

I crimp at both ends of the jig leader. I tie the mono to the swivel.

That makes sense and is what I should have done, thank you! Im guessing you crimp at your mono to jig leader connection?

 

[Pitchinwedge]

Yet another chap gearing up for the biggs that are still on vacation. Anyone caught one yet?

Just tie your braid directly to the leader via FG. No swivel needed, and definitely not the barrel swivel in your picture.

 

[Jlmuncie]

Not in the question but I like a longer bite leader than 1-2 feet in case of a tail wrap.

 

[kuyamonster]

You're fine with the advice and suggestions already given on your connections. But you may have a little re-work ahead of you. I think a 1-2 foot leader is too short. I prefer 3-4 foot of 200 lb mono, depending on the blanks action/recoil. Gives you that right amount of stretch during the battle as well as when the BFT is in death laps and decides on one or two more head shakes when he sees the boat. Some rods are heavy and stiff tipped, hence the "broomstick" moniker...

 

[kuyamonster]

Not in the question but I like a longer bite leader than 1-2 feet in case of a tail wrap.

Beat me to it...

 

[909MARIO]

When going with any heavy setup you do not want to compromise. Ditch the FG Knot. Connect your braid to mono using hollow braid with a loop served on the end so that you can add a wind-on leader. Wind on leaders are attached loop to loop and the mono in the leader is served inside the hollow braid so it is basically a 100% connection and you do not lose any line strength. If your reel is spooled with Solid braid you can still add a section of hollow on the end. I use a 16 strand hollow braid that is metered. It is the Toro Tamer line from Charkbait. Never had a failure with it and I was able to add 400' of the metered braid to many of my existing reels that had white braid.

Why use 20' of mono? It gives me some added shock absorption when I need it most. Most fish are lost right at the boat. Hooks get pulled. The mono helps absorb head shakes and has more chafe protection than braid. Mono is cheap and if it gets chafed it usually is in the last 20' of line. I can swap out leaders quickly if needed.

You can have several wind-on leaders and they give you the advantage of being able to quickly swap out your leaders if they are damaged or if you want to change line class. I prefer about 20' of mono to a 2.5' section of heavy bite leader. The mono is a wind-on leader. That leader is tied to the bite leader with a Trilene knot. The bite leader has a swivel on top and is made with 250# line crimped to the swivel. On the other end of the bite leader I have a solid ring, The bite leader is crimped to the solid ring. The assist hooks are attached directly to the solid ring. I attach the jig with a split ring. The split ring is also attached to the solid ring. Thats it. Good luck. Video below is Ali making and explaining Wind-on leaders.

 

[TurboT2]

Hey everyone,

So I have my 3 heavy nighttime jigs (350-500g) with upgraded split rings and hooks. I made 200lb mono crimped 1-2 foot leaders attached to each with a barrel swivel on the end that would connect to my main line.

My ask of the pros here is coming out of my reel is 100lb braid, what should my set up look like before I tie or connect to that barrel swivel connected to my jig.

1. Braid to a solid ring to a split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel) If yes what knot would I use
2. Braid to split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel) If yes what knot would I use
3. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot, then tie mono/fluoro via a knot to my barrel swivel (what knot would I use if this is the way)
4. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot, then tie mono/fluoro via a knot (what knot?) to solid ring to a split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel)
5. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot, then tie mono/fluoro via a knot (what knot?) to split ring (split ring then connects to my barrel swivel)
6. Braid to a mono/fluoro leader via fg knot crimped onto swivel.

I would really appreciate some wisdom. I was leaning towards #1 or #4 as I can easily swap rigs if needed, I've just never tied braid straight to a jig/rig and especially not at this level of strength needed.

View attachment 1486050

I didn’t see anyone comment on this about your picture but if you use assist hooks up top, you want your hooks connected directly to the crimped leader loop end itself by the split ring. Not like in your picture. In that setup you are pulling the jig eye by your bite leader and then pulling the hooks with the jig eye in between. It also allows the jig to be used as a lever to potentially let the fish spit the hooks.

Once you hook up, the jig doesn’t matter and is just along for the ride and if anything happens to that weaker metal jig eye you will lose the fish. The most important connection is the bite leader to the hooks, not to the jig.

I like Owner Ultra #9 or #10 split rings personally for my knife jigs with two Mustad HD white flash assist hooks in 5/0 or 7/0 (depending on jig size/length) on the bottom of the jig only. In that configuration the bite leader gets connected to the top of the jig with an Owner Ultra split ring and the hooks to the bottom eye with a second Owner Ultra split ring. The reason I only use hooks on the bottom of the jig is from seeing fish come in sideways from long jigs with top & bottom hooks, hooking the fish in the mouth and in it’s side. When foul hooked in the side like that 50 pounders take the time and effort of 150 pounders to get to gaff.

Tight lines!

 

[Sailing La Reina]

For your consideration (Note: The 200 lb. leader is about 4’ long. The knot I use to tie the braid to the swivel is a 9 wrap double San Diego knot with a round turn through the swivel eye, finished off with 3 half hitches). It has never failed.

 

[hucklongfin]

For your consideration (Note: The 200 lb. leader is about 4’ long. The knot I use to tie the braid to the swivel is a 9 wrap double San Diego knot with a round turn through the swivel eye, finished off with 3 half hitches). It has never failed.
View attachment 1511744

I crimp the fluoro leader to the swivel with a sold ring crimped at the bottom. Split ring on the solid ring to attach the jig. I don’t ever have a split ring on the fluoro… and you do it twice.

 

[Sailing La Reina]

I crimp the fluoro leader to the swivel with a sold ring crimped at the bottom. Split ring on the solid ring to attach the jig. I don’t ever have a split ring on the fluoro… and you do it twice.

True. I have considered it a possible weakness, but to date it has not posed a problem. I inspect my leader after each fish and do not see any wear on the fluoro. I also use a sleeve on my crimped fluoro. If it ever does fail me in the future, I’ll make a change. So far, so good.

 

[rubberneck-man]

+1 on the wind-on. If using solid braid as your main line tie a bimini twist on the end then loop to loop wind on leader with 20-30 foot mono. From there just use a quick rig sea bouy swivel that has a second welded ring on it. Then some 200 lbs assist cord doubled up for 400lbs and some shout Kudako hooks and custom make the length of the assist hooks. Very little furniture involved and fairly cheap.