Best way to join 30lb braid to 120lb braid top shot for surf casting

DJP

Sealiner
If you have a couple minutes stitch it.
https://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=107216&forum_id=44&page=1

If you want something slightly quicker use an Alberto knot. 30lb is quite thin and the main thing about braid to braid is to keep the thin braid from cutting through the thicker braid, so might be a good idea just to double up the 30lb for the knot section en trim off the tag end and loop.
 

_zaahid

Member
https://youtu.be/2Oa-v9yT13k

This is the method I use for fg, quick and easy... Take your time with it and make sure it sits tight
 

busanga

Member
I cant find any videos on doing the FG knot from braid to braid. using nylon leader is easy because the Nylon is stiff, but the floppy braid leader.. i dont know how to work that in an FG knot
 

DJP

Sealiner
The first question is however to leader or not to leader when surf fishing. On my 80lb scratching setup I only use a say 1.5m mono leader of 0.76mm Maxima (± given the terrain). This is to save the braid a bit and the mono doesn't wrap that easily around rocks and also helps landing fish i.e. iet's easier to handle the mono. Obviously 80lb is not going to fail casting and takes quite a punch so a leader is optional.
On my light setups, 5-30lb I do the same. I just don't see the sense in fishing light with a longer heavy leader, then you might as well fish with the above setup (R&S fishing specific).

On my medium setup i.e. 15ft rod 40lb braid I still use a leader. And of late I'm not sure why. I think it's because I've been worried that the braid would break casting a 5oz plus sinker? I havent tried it but for arguments sake let's say it doesn't. Imo a 6-7ft mono leader will provide enough abrasion resistance for edibles and it's only if you are catching sharks that you will required something longer and stronger. Plus, even a braid leader will reduce your casting distance, so only a section of mono should work?

So to leader or not to leader when surf fishing?
 

busanga

Member
casting a 6oz sinker with a 15ft rod i will not be risking using the 30lb braid to cast that...if that braid snaps and the sinker hits someone...well enough said. a strong enough leader to wrap just couple times round reel and then i have one less thing to worry about.
 

DJP

Sealiner
30lb and a 6oz won't work but 40lb and a 4oz?
Not all braid are equal Perline Surf Pro 30lb is 0.14mm i.e. PE1 and JDB Ultratech 30lb is 0,23mm i.e. PE2. I woun't try to cast more than 3oz on the straight Perline braid but on the JDB sure you could quite safely cast 4oz...
Crux of the matter is one has to think about why you are using the leader in the first place. Nobody want's to cast sinkers off, irrespective of the outcome. Or worst yet hook a big fish and have to worry about your terminal tackle.
 

Tappit

Member
DJP, I'm to old for climbing reefs and big rocks (so no need for thick mono leaders), I still have braid leaders on my reels, but after they are gone I will only go with maxima ultra green mono leaders, cheaper and as you said, cheaper to loose around the stacks of kelp that is floating in these area's and hopefully it don't tangle up so quickly.

If you want to loose your braided leader quickly, go to betty's bay area, the kelp is all over and its just a struggle to have your line laying still for 5min without been picked up and pulled around by the kelp.

We need a big storm, to get the kelp on the beach.
 

busanga

Member
Did my first FG knot with 30lb daiwa uvf saltiga dura sensor x8 (thin stuff) to 97lb daiwa uvf saltiga dura sensor x8. worked great!

i cheated though and used the daiichi seiko knot assist tool, made it much easier .

Attached pic of the tool i used..
 

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DJP

Sealiner
Cool, first time I've seen that. Would you say the tool is worth it in terms of making it easier/quicker to tie an FG knot?
 

busanga

Member
is easier for me, but then i am an old bugger with two left hands so the tool does all the holding/tensioning for me. No doubt those who have been tying FG alot and have better dexterity and eye sight than me will do it faster their way.

One thing i do like about the tool, is that is is consistent.. here is a tutorial, there are many on youtube. i finish slightly different, i dont do as many half hitches and i finish with a Rizutto knot

Here is a pic of FG with 35lb braid to 80lb Mono



 

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Don Couzens

New member
I happily cast a 5oz no leader on my 14 6ft on 30lb JDB DNA, stuff is super strong but one man's cast is another man's whip, we all do it differently
 

busanga

Member
I happily cast a 5oz no leader on my 14 6ft on 30lb JDB DNA, stuff is super strong but one man's cast is another man's whip, we all do it differently
yes JDB DNA follows USA type specs where 30lb can be easily 50lb ABS. like my Berkley X9 40lb from USA is actually 59lbABS. but if it is real 30lb Japanese spec PE 1.5 (approx 35lb ABS) it would snap casting a 5oz leader...
 

DJP

Sealiner
Out of interest I have been using my 15ft setup with 40lb JDB without a braid leader for the last couple months. I have been using 4-5oz sinkers and small baits, i.e. worms, prawn, mussels etc. and not clipping the bait. Only have a 0.70mm mono leader of ±2m which is just slightly shorter than my drop when casting.
My observations are:
1. I haven't cast off a sinker yet, also haven't broken off, mostly fishing this setup of the beach with maybe some scattered rocks.
2. I get about the same distance as with casting a leader but I'm focusing on casting smoother with a long drop as opposed to forcing the cast. The smoother action helps keep the bait positioned without adding to much latex or loosing half my prawns in the air.
3. The lack of braid leader seems to reduce the drag on the sinker and bait when in the water. I have got away with fishing cone sinkers instead of grabs on a few occasions, not really a scientific thing but I'm confident that you hook more fish using cones/pyramids than using grabs.. that's a story for another thread. Also not sure how much 3-4m of braid leader would ad to the drag, but it does seem to make a difference.

I'll see how it goes a bit later in the season when the clipped baits and lives come out.
 

busanga

Member
Out of interest I have been using my 15ft setup with 40lb JDB without a braid leader for the last couple months. I have been using 4-5oz sinkers and small baits, i.e. worms, prawn, mussels etc. and not clipping the bait. Only have a 0.70mm mono leader of ±2m which is just slightly shorter than my drop when casting.
My observations are:
1. I haven't cast off a sinker yet, also haven't broken off, mostly fishing this setup of the beach with maybe some scattered rocks.
2. I get about the same distance as with casting a leader but I'm focusing on casting smoother with a long drop as opposed to forcing the cast. The smoother action helps keep the bait positioned without adding to much latex or loosing half my prawns in the air.
3. The lack of braid leader seems to reduce the drag on the sinker and bait when in the water. I have got away with fishing cone sinkers instead of grabs on a few occasions, not really a scientific thing but I'm confident that you hook more fish using cones/pyramids than using grabs.. that's a story for another thread. Also not sure how much 3-4m of braid leader would ad to the drag, but it does seem to make a difference.

I'll see how it goes a bit later in the season when the clipped baits and lives come out.
Yes 40lb JDB breaks around 50 plus to 60 lbs so it would work with 4 to 5 oz sinkers no problem. it is USA over (or under depending how you look at it) specced.

In USA they quote some convenient random # like 30, 40 and 50 etc but the braid breaks waaaay above that (ABS Absolute Breaking Strength) this is so the marketing people can say what amazingly strong braid they are selling... is typical USA nonsense marketing....

In Japan they quote the actual diameter of the braid regardless of it s strength and lo and behold their lines are quoted as 37lb or 46lb or 59lb which are the real strengths of the line, so we can make informed buying decisions. not go around asking whether ones 30lb line is stronger than another persons 30lb line... 30lb should be 30lb... my 6feet height should not be taller than someonelse who is 6 feet for eg... But like i say is USA marketing nonsense which is causing all the confusion...

Berkley line take it even further and quotes the diameter of the line in mm 40lb dia 2.5mm then says it is ABS 59lb and PE4... which is it? PE4 or 2,5mm it cant be both...they are absolute measurements of thickness and PE 4 is 0.33mm NOT 2.5 mm .is all complete marketing nonsense.
 
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