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I noticed that most people use single strand instead of 7 strand. Does anyone still use 7 strand for Kings or Spanish. If so, what weight test. The reason I ask is because I still have some 7 strand. I don't mind getting some single strand, if there's an advantage.
The thinking is that at any weight single-strand is thinner than equivalent stranded. Color of wire is also an issue in visibility, and much 7-strand was not colored back when I was young and dinos still lived. The balance issue is that the clearer the water, the thinner one must go, but thinner leads to more bite-offs. This is why when spanish are picky some go to floro/mono because no bites are worse than occasional bite-offs. So start spanish leaders at 20-25 and go up/down from there. Start 40-50 for kings.
I've heard from old timers about taking a foot of 98lb 7-strand and unwinding it for a spanish leader from each strand but i think that was making do to save money, not a secret strategy.
For kings would that be 40-50 lbs fluro or wire?
Mono will not work for kings, they will bite though it like butter.
I use 27# single strand for kings. I like short leaders, 6-8", with a 50# matte black swivel and a 2x or 3x #4 treble.
For Spanish, 40 or 50# mono is fine.
Single strand
..avoid crimps
..able to smell hooks
..smaller profile
..super cheap
But
..easy to kink after 1 fish
..sometimes becomes frustratingly difficult to wrap back and put into the bag
7strand
..easy leader creation
..resilient/springy
But
..easier to cut off, even wire can be cut
..little more $$
..larger profile
Pick your poison. Both work or they wouldn't sell it.
Lot of friends I know use 30lb seven strand AFW in the camo color. However, this spring I was cut off several times by both Kings and Spanish. I do think single strand is a little stronger but I mostly use seven strand.
I prefer 7strand, but will use single short leaders for spanish with the new jigs.....allows for great desired action vs mono leader??.....always looking for something better
Continuous improvement! !!! :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by ironman172
I’ve used the 90# strands unraveled to make Spanish leaders. They hold up to a few bites and even caught a 11# King on one, but that was luck it didn’t break. It’s not done for cheap but for thin, strong leaders. The wavy ones work best for some reason. I like em when the big Spanish are biting thru my floro when fishing small ly.
Past years I have caught 75 spanish on 1 store bought 18lb south bend leader and gotcha(multiple day limits till lost)....didn't seem to matter all the curls it had (that seven strand seems to get after 1 or a couple fish
Tying and going to try titanium leaders again (that I already own the wire)....cut easy when tried before??? So quit using it, making more 7 strand king leaders, almost used up what I made several years ago (3- 30ft spools):D
Ironman, do you use 7 strand or single strand on something like an x rap. How about a Gotcha.Quote:
Originally Posted by ironman172
I prefer 7 strand for both, don't fish the gotcha's much anymore or even throw the xrap but on occasion,Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Boy
Jigs mostly for spanish and with the new style , this past spring testing with them a quality control local found single strand wire gave the best action and I agree and will use that the most now along with 7 strand till it gets coiled up....been making short leaders in both ,in different lbs and mostly short ones....another testing fall trip with them
Kings is 7 strand.....really just personal preference
Just curious how do you attach the 7 strand to the main line when using a gotcha?
Barrel swivel ....either direct to the lure or with snap swivel. ...compressed sleeves at both ends....some tie figure 8 knot
I was going to ask that same question. If you use the snap swivel at the lure do you use a barrel swivel on the crimped end for your line? Also how long overall is the leader?
Thanks,
Prospector
Always a barrel swivel to the line (smallest I can get) snap at the lure is for ease of changing till lost(both barrel/snap & just snap)....I have put wire right to the lure ,but not to often for storage reasons
Over all for these past ones fit in a sandwich zip lock bag 6in or less....some are shorter if I mess up sleeving and have to cut the leader again (due to unraveling wire)....never have had a sleeve fail yet on any leader made....compressed with needle nose pliers (back towards the handle for better leverage)and a strong grip (that I am loosing)
This is again a trial with different types of wire & snaps , none of which might give desired action, or maybe all will???
Got it! Will make some up for the trip. We’ll talk about that crimping method at the pier. As a retired electrician with some 50 years experience there’s always another way.
Thanks for the info!
I'll Look forward to it, I'll most likely have extra's, and stuff to make more....just easier here in the basement verses a darker condo with bad lighting.....don't like doing it on the pier taking up room at the picnic table with the wind.
For kings I use 30# Sevenstrand, 14" to 16" long with as small a barrel swivel as I can get away with, 80# Spro, I think, and #2 3x treble. I tie direct to both with fig. 8 knot---hate snaps, and crimps are just one more thing for other fish to snap at and cut you off. I have no problem with single wire, but I can tie a figure 8 knot a whole lot quicker than I can a haywire twist and barrel wraps.
For Spanish, I use mostly 50# mono, but will go to 10# or 15# sevenstrand at times.
Question, never tied a fig 8 knot with wire, but doesn't it tighten down similar to a palomar or other knot....a loose connection at the lure allows it to move more freely (natural) as pier#r advised me/ Tater on the jigs and wire (in that case single strand)
I always used mono leader with the spear head jigs(looney) and spanish but that was jerking and letting them fall....mono didn't allow for the side to side action as the wire did fishing the new style jigs....like a properly tuned gotcha side to side (not all out of the package work right)....
Do you use this figure 8 knot?Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
https://www.google.com/search?q=figu...w2Jo_jR71DkLM:
Or this one?
https://www.thefisherman.com/index.c....AicG7BEj.dpbs
Or the one that is like a hangman's knot, but with only two or three loops. Somebody posted this one a few months ago with a video showing him tying it by going around his forefinger and thumb three times.
Or maybe this one?
Figure Eight Tarpon Loop Knot - Fly Fishing Knots Video Instructions
I formerly tied the one like a hangman's, but the two loop can slip and the three loop is not very compact, so I switched to the first one.
I'm still a bit uncertain as to which is best, but I don't think the last one would work very well with 7 strand.
Single strand I went straight to the jig, and line making a small loop then haywire twist .....only did one in the spring till lost, and time consuming to make it right...but then I am not experienced with single strand or haywire twist....but gave great action to the jig
I have beat this horse to death....sorry
I use the second knot. Quick, easy and compact. Never yet had one come untied.