Connections ?!?

[MarkR]

I was recommended the following braid-->shock leader--bite leader--> popper connection by a well known local angler:

Braid-->Shock Leader = Ever reliable FG

Shock leader-->Bite Leader = Twisty (shock leader crimped and twisted back on itself for approx. 20 to 25cm...see pics!

Bite leader-->Solid Ring = Double loop around solid ring then crimp

Anyone out there has used this set-up? Comments?

Thanks!

[Makaira]

Hi Mark,

Looks interesting. My only comment is for mono, try to use aluminium sleeves instead of copper / brass; & vice-versa when crimping multi-strand wires. Using the CORRECT size sleeve is also of utmost importance to alleviate the chance of failure. And for the mono, burn a "bulb" on the tag end before crimping ... if you know what I mean.

Best regards,
Makaira

[MarkR]

Hi Mak,

I do read you loud and clear on sleeve choice...but I bought those copper/brass sleeves from a shop owner/angler who recommended me the rig!!...he says his Japanese angler friends use these Yo-zuri sleeves for their rigging of mono...I did point out that Aluminum sleeves were the standard choice for mono rigging but oh well!! Shop owner is no novice at rigging trolling skirts either!!!

[Juan]

Mark,

so your setup will be different from Chris's? Nice setup though.

Best of luck for the upcoming trip!

[MarkR]

Hi Juan,

Yep, diff from Chris's...Chris does a full twisty all the way, bimini joins the twisty...guess u already know...i don't like to do so much home work

[Juan]

Mark,

Your setup can still be prepared as spares for standby right? Only to do the FG knot at the leader end if required...?

Looking good...will give it a try myself given a chance.

If kiasu, can do a double crimp at twisted end hehe

[MarkR]

Yes, can prepare in advance...but the twisty bit can be done quickly in under a min...FG will take more time to complete...if u think about it, quite similar to Okubo's connection but in place of the 400lb bite leader, the shock leader 170lb is twisted back on itself...i tried tying to the gate and pulling with all my strength...seems to hold up quite well!

[ChrisT]

Looks interesting Mark. Let's try it out next week and see how it fares. I'm still using the yozuri sleeves and has held up so far. But as Makaira mentioned, burn a bulb for additional security.

[Narc]

Mark,

How stiff is the twisted portion?
I see the whole setup doesn't have a swivel, without any movable joint, will that affect anything?

[Makaira]

Mark,

How stiff is the twisted portion?
I see the whole setup doesn't have a swivel, without any movable joint, will that affect anything?

Great point Narc!! Perhaps the solid ring can be replaced by a swivel / splitring setup to take care of the inevitable line twist?

[Vinz]

Great point Narc!! Perhaps the solid ring can be replaced by a swivel / splitring setup to take care of the inevitable line twist?

This configuration of setup have been used by myself and a few frens for about a yr..

We tried it in Padang, Christmas Island and Andaman last year..

Well, the lazy method is to have ur regular braid to shock leader via a FG and crimp the twisted bite leader to ur shock leader.. This allow easy change of bite leader if required without having to tie the FG again..

The bite leader is kept at 3ft or less and the twisted portion is 2ft.. This is then crimped onto the shock leader.. Setup does not affect casting as the whole crimped connection is outside the rod tip when casted ( I like to have abt 3-4ft of line outside the rod tip when casting, help to stabilize the popper and aid in the swing)

Have tried both the connection with and without the swivel..

I use a swivel on my heavier outfit meant for Chugger (They are usually more buoyant and not affected by the addition weight of the swivel and crimped sleeves)..

Will change the swivel for a solid ring when I'm using a stickbait or pencil setup.. I noticed using a big swivel may upset the balance of the lighter lures and caused some to sink (eg, pencil and smaller poppers).. Thus a solid ring is a better choice..

Sometime I do without the bite leader and just used the simple braid to shockleader to get the best possible action out of my lures..

Only used Aluminum sleeves on all my mono crimping..

Have been advised to cut and re-tie the braid and FG connection everynight especially if U have fought 2 or more big fish in the day.. Personally have not have such luck, but was told the mono shock leader may weaken if U have been constantly pulling fish after fish..

Hope my little contribution helps..

[MarkR]

RE: Swivels for popping

Trend seems to be solid ring only and no swivels...Okubo lagi best! No solid ring, no split ring, tie direct to wire loop on popper!...but he has 7 rods so no worries with lure changes!

[MarkR]

Mark,

How stiff is the twisted portion?
I see the whole setup doesn't have a swivel, without any movable joint, will that affect anything?

Twisted portion not very stiff...compared to using 8ft+ twisted leader the entire length...

[MarkR]

and crimp the twisted bite leader to ur shock leader.. This allow easy change of bite leader if required without having to tie the FG again..........This is then crimped onto the shock leader..

Vinz,

How do u do this part? Re: Crimping? I would think you now have 3 end strands of mono leader to crimp...use 2 sleeves and alternate bite leader ends to different sleeves?

[Vinz]

Vinz,

How do u do this part? Re: Crimping? I would think you now have 3 end strands of mono leader to crimp...use 2 sleeves and alternate bite leader ends to different sleeves?

Hi Mark,

Apologise if I confused U.. Look at it like two different part..

1) The main - braid to shock leader

2) The twisted bite leader

Connect the two together with a crimped sleeve.. That's all..

So, the end result is ur braid connect to shock leader via FG and ur shock leader connect to ur twisted bite leader by crimping them together with a sleeve..

I hope I didn't make it more confusing.. ha ha..

[Popper]

bro,

Have coaching lesson boh??

Carls Jr burger meal . . . onz lah. haha . . . .

[Vinz]

bro,

Have coaching lesson boh??

Carls Jr burger meal . . . onz lah. haha . . . .

Hey bro,

Dig me har... Sld be U imparting all ur big tuna techiques to me man..

Carls a wonderful place to catch up, esp with the babes watch ard..

ke ke...

[Juan]

vinz,


possible to show a photo of how your connection between shock leader and twisted leader?

[th2x]

Hi All,

May I know is this twisted leader a necessary must for popping?
Or can we make do without it? Just our regular shock leader would be suffice?
Thanks much!

Cheers!
th2x

[Narc]

Hi All,

May I know is this twisted leader a necessary must for popping?
Or can we make do without it? Just our regular shock leader would be suffice?
Thanks much!

Cheers!
th2x

The twisted leader is not a must, but it is preferred in certain location where monster sized GTs are known to lurk. It offers additional insurance against line breakages when a monster sized fish is on the other end of the line. It is the preferred rig of most if not all serious and professional GT fisherman.

I've been a lazy angler and so far have been using single strand leader rigging for GT popping. I have had my share of breakages but so far have gotten away satisfactorily as my fishes were all small.

[th2x]

The twisted leader is not a must, but it is preferred in certain location where monster sized GTs are known to lurk. It offers additional insurance against line breakages when a monster sized fish is on the other end of the line. It is the preferred rig of most if not all serious and professional GT fisherman.

I've been a lazy angler and so far have been using single strand leader rigging for GT popping. I have had my share of breakages but so far have gotten away satisfactorily as my fishes were all small.

Thanks Narc, guess i would have to practise tying and casting with this twisted leader then.
Cheers!
th2x

[Makaira]

Thanks Narc, guess i would have to practise tying and casting with this twisted leader then.
Cheers!
th2x

Hi thx2,

Those twisted leaders are very easy to make once you get the hang of it

As far as casting with them, it's simply casting as per normal, no special technique required. Just make sure you do not wind the crimped sleeve past the tip as repeated "aggressive" contact of the metal sleeve with the SIC ring when we cast the popper may result in damage to the tip.


Best regards,
Makaira

[mastercaster]

Hi Mark,

Apologise if I confused U.. Look at it like two different part..

1) The main - braid to shock leader

2) The twisted bite leader

Connect the two together with a crimped sleeve.. That's all..

So, the end result is ur braid connect to shock leader via FG and ur shock leader connect to ur twisted bite leader by crimping them together with a sleeve..

I hope I didn't make it more confusing.. ha ha..

Yup , I'm confused as well about the single mono (bite leader) direct a to twisted mono leader connection with a crimp or barrel sleeve ... 3 lines to join or crimp ... 1 from the bite , 2 from the twisted = 3 ..... any way to get a pic or a better description please ?

[Giant-Todak]

Almost the same method. I have mine like this, mainline to shockleader via FG knot, create a loop and crimp, the loop to loop connection to the looped end of the twisted leader, the end of the twisted leader, is again twisted over the swivel.

Another way i do it is, to have a full twisted leader, with a single 300lb strand bite leader. Mainline is bimini to create a double, then loop on to the looped end of the twisted leader. The twisted leader is then connected to the single strand with a simple 3 turn uni to uni knot.

Check out the nomad website, they have a video section showing just how to connect the twisted leader to the mainline and the single strand to the twisted.