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I've never really targeted Spanish or blues, but will be down on the east side of Perdido Pass in mid September. I will have plenty of spoons, jigs, and plugs to toss at them. Two questions:
I have a bunch of 50lb flouro. Should I use that for a leader or go straight to wire for the September fish?
Second, should I even waste time trying to catch Spanish/blues from the beach there?
I asked this question recently. I was advised to skip fluoro and wire, and use 20#-30# mono for my leader. This Oct. will be the first time for me to target Spanish in the surf, so I am excited about that.
I advise 50# mono for blues and Spanish. I've tried 30#, holds up for one or two fish, but not much longer.
I would head straight to the pier, much more likely to get into the fish than from the beach.
Do straws help in any way to protect the leader from a Spanish bite? This is new ground for me to plow, and wish to succeed as best I can.
I'm with CarlF on the 50# mono, both on my bubble rigs and lures. Pier#r says to sometimes use just a few inches of 10# or 15# Sevenstrand right at the lure.
You can cover a lot more water fishing from the pier than from shore for these species. They aren't always within casting distance from the beach.
50# is what I will purchase. I want to skip the swivel. My big rig is 10# mono. I have been using Uni knots, and Blood knots for this. They work fine for lines sharing similar diameters. I am not sure what knot would work for 10# main line to 50# mono leader, or if there is a good knot for this. Have a wide assortment of swivels in various sizes, just anal about wanting to tie direct. Is this something I need to get over, and just get with the program, or are there knots I could use? Bear in mind, with my skill set, I struggle with knots.
I carry heavier mono and wire. I've lost a lot of lures with mono but sometimes you can't buy a bite with wire. Sometimes they don't seem to mind the wire. I just use the lightest single strand I can get away with.
I would suggest you try using Red Phillips Knot. When you use this, always use the overhand knot on the line with "bigger" diameter and the smaller line always do the uni tying.Quote:
Originally Posted by bodebum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAbXaGYaaIo
- I have used this also to tie both main braid line to a AFW 7X1 Steel Leader wire.
While you can catch spanish and blues in the surf in Sept I would suggest that anyone that wants to catch a number of them in Sept to try the pier The problem you will have then is keeping them off your hook I'll be out there and I have every lure plug bubble rig spoon etc that a spanish has ever thought about biting and I'll be glad to assist anyone that wants to get I on the fun particularily you bodebum You re like a kid at Christmas Meet me on the Pier when you come and I'll make sure you have you have a spanish experience you'll never forget
I am grateful to you, DAN, for your generous offer. My sweet and lovely wife, Carolyn, has wanted to fish the pier again, after a long absence from it. I may not be a great student, but I have tried to remain teachable.
Bam, Traxxx. That is terrific. I will practice that starting in the morning. I thank you.
I have another couple of knots to share for those who's not familiar.
For tying a hook to ,the AFW 1X7 stranded, steel leader line or leader line to a lure: It's called the Davy Knot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NTVZAZ0xQA
-And, for those who like tying hooks and lures using loop knot , for a more life like movement, my favorite is the Non Slip Loop Knot below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MGTgvAvm64
Tight lines and screaming drags to all!
Yeah, that Davy and double Davy are within my skill range. It seems like simplicity as an art. I have used the loop knots for hooks when fishing live minnow; it is a fine knot. Really good videos, and I thank you.
When I tie my bubble rigs, I make a large loop at the top, thread a bead over the loop & snug up against the knot that formed the loop, then a bubble. Tie my mainline directly to the loop, no swivel for them spanish to swipe at.
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4093&stc=1
Bodebum. I've tried them all. Spanish and Blues will bite through almost anything. when the bite is hot. I will use 27# wire tied to the extremely small black swivel about 3' long. Seems to hold up better and last longer. Otherwise use 50# mono tied directly to the line and check it often for tooth marks. Works best but, doesn't last as long as wire and works better when things are slower. Never had much luck with fluorocarbon. Cheapie 50# works for me. And no, a straw won't save the leader. The problem strikes will always end up ahead of the lure, (straw).
Good fishing...
In the early 70s my buddy Tom had this brain storm about fishing heavy mono for kings since they could not see that as well as steel leader.
So he got some 100 pound test clear mono and we made king leaders.
It worked like a charm the next day as we watched a king circle the LY under my float.
Finally the fish grabbed the bait and ran off with it.
The float went under, the line came tight and ... NOTHING.
That's right literally nothing on the end of the leader.
That king had bit through 100 pound test mono as easy as we could with a knife.
Not to be proven wrong, Tom continued to fish with his mono leader for a while until another king grabbed his bait and ran.
The result was ... another cutoff.
They severed that 100 mono like a knife through hot butter.
After that day I make mine wire, please ;-)
Sure mono has its place in my box and I often use 30# or 40# clear mono to protect from spanish teeth.
But even large spanish (over 2 pounds) have much more cutting power than key chains.
And the harder we pull the deeper they cut into the mono.
I have learned I get fewer cutoffs (especially in the fall) with a 3"-4" wire leader (27# or less) than any length or weight of mono.
Thank you guys. Always more to learn than one might imagine. Since I am the one tying knots and rigs for my sweet and lovely wife, it seems to be in my best interest to get this done right, you know?
Nights spent sleeping on the porch can be a bit 'chilly' in October ;-)
Me and my wife has been fishing here for more than five years now and she still ask and demand me to setup and tie rigs for her...and whenever she's not lucky on my rig, I always get a bad stare...if not blamed...I guess that's why Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus? :D
Carolyn outfishes me anyway, it is just the way it is. But, I make it all happen!Quote:
Originally Posted by Traxxx
Pier#r---how do you fasten that short wire leader to your mono? Swivel? Specialty knot? Magic spit?
Hey Traxxx, the Red Phillips knot is great! Easy on my limited mental ability, since the uni was something I have been using; thank you for sharing. I also like the fact that it did not call for magic spit, which is rare on Sand Mtn. lol
Magic spit only works when chewing Gorilla Glue Gum ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
I opt for the ever popular Haywire Twist!
Though I must admit I have even tried the Albright Special...
http://miamifishing.com/wp-content/u...ht-special.jpg
Thanks. The Albright knot and I have not gotten along too well recently. The knot thinks I'm working it too hard and takes a vacation without notice.
If'ya can't tie good knots,just tie lots of overhands. Worked for me when I was a child.
I have to ask or I am going to die from curiosity; Haywire, I wonder, what is your mono line to wire leader knot of choice? This matters to me as I will try it.:-)
A very small tangle from braided line will hold forever.
Accidental knots are the strongest there are; but impossible to intentionally tie!Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
I use 6" of 29# solid wire on my bubble rigs as Pier#r suggests. Hardly ever have a cutoff. I use 20# - 30# mono for the rest of the rig, not for strength, but the stiffness of the line helps prevent wind tangles. I use a very small black swivel on each side of the bubble with beads for noise. Then about 2 ft. of mono tied to the wire using an albright knot. I tie a Norman Speed Clip to the end of the wire with a haywire twist. The Speed Clip allows me to remove the hook in order to replace straws or tubing without having to re-tie.
That looks cool. Would a weighted float act the same as a bubble on that type of set-up? Or, why is the bubble preferred?
I've never tried a weighted float. I would guess the bubble float is preferred because it is clear and the fish's attention is drawn to the bright colored straw instead of the float. The weight of the bubble float is also adjustable, depending on how much water you put in it. I have also seen colored bubble floats, but I always use clear because I would think you would get a lot of cutoffs due to fish hitting the float instead of the straw. I normally catch more spanish with a fast steady retrieve, but have also seen people using popping corks do well too.Quote:
Originally Posted by bodebum
Tato uses a weighted float with great success---catches almost as many as I do.Quote:
Originally Posted by bodebum
Tying mono to wire is where I'm having a problem. I tend to use a small swivel so I can get cut off in style.
THE UNI LEADER KNOT
1. Tie a half hitch in the leader and thread the main line.
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...s/uniknot1.gif
2. Pull the hitch tight, then tie in a five turn Uni Knot.
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...s/uniknot2.gif
3. Tighten the Uni Knot, pull the two halves of the leader knot together and trim.
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...s/uniknot3.gif
Shock leader rule
For every ounce of lead that you cast, multiply by 10 and convert to Ibs.
Leader length should be 5 times around reel, up-to the top of the rod and back to reel.
I've had great success with the yucatan knot:
Wired2Fish - Fishing How-To Guides, Tips, Videos, Tackle Reviews and More - SCOUT Front Page
Or do as Lou does ,use a length of broomstick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
[QUOTE=Traxxx;97139]THE UNI LEADER KNOT
1. Tie a half hitch in the leader and thread the main line.
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...s/uniknot1.gif
2. Pull the hitch tight, then tie in a five turn Uni Knot.
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...s/uniknot2.gif
3. Tighten the Uni Knot, pull the two halves of the leader knot together and trim.
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...s/uniknot3.gif
John G. has suggested this knot on an old post. I have used it for a few years now and this knot hasn't failed me yet! Very easy to tie.
I think I will try that. I'm getting tired of breaking bubbles against the pilings and I seem to be too dumb to adjust my retrieve.Quote:
Originally Posted by usa
Will the uni leader knot work with any size single wire or is it more specific to certain sizes? Thanks
The uni leader knot is best for mono main line to a heavy mono leader. I use an albright knot for attaching a wire leader to mono main line. I have a small spring loaded clamp with rubber coated jaws attached to my cart to hold the wire while tying the albright knot. Hard for me to tie without a third hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubleyaker
What do you guys use for leaders when fishing with lures for Spanish? When I was down at the pass a few weeks back, I hooked into a couple of good ones (one on a Rat-l-trap, the other on a Gotcha), but they cut my 30# mono like butter within a few tugs. I can totally see using 50# mono or wire with bubble rigs, but I'm not sure what the solution is with normal lures.