Alternative to wind-on leader

[mike1010]

Also a Bimini/Bristol knot fan.

[knife]

Thanks to everybody.
Hello Dominick, is a pleasure to hear you!
Your lure is always in my fishing bag but this year I did not make offshore trips to swordfish and for large tuna works only the drifting....

[Keta]

Most knots in heavy line are bulky and need large guides to pass through.  Have you considered using 5' topshots so the knot never enters the guides?

I'm still a loop to loop  fan, low profile and easy to change out a topshot.

[knife]

Sorry Keta,
"topshot" is a new term for me, I have no idea how it's done.....
Can you help me?

[Keta]

Topshot is just a leader on top of the braid, a wind on is usually a long topshot.  Most of my reels have super short topshots, 5-20 feet (2-6 meters).  For trolling I use 100' (32 meters) though.

If you keep your topshot/leader shorter than your rod or long enough it seldom comes off your reel any good connection knot will work, I usually use a uni to uni for 50# and under if having to use a knot.  Over 50# and most knots start to get large.

[Keta]

I'm assuming you have braid (spectra is one)  on your reels.

[Rivverrat]

Of all the braid to mono knots I've tried the strength & ease of tying this one along with its ability to pass through
the guides is unsurpassed. Times I have tested it I've found it breaks at a point higher than the line rating when wet.

The pic is 80 lb. Toro Tamer, hollow braid tied to 60 lb.
Big Game. Tied properly I have been able to cast this with knot passing through guides well over 25 times with out any worries. Need to leave a bit of the braid tag end sticking when you cut it.