Topshot length...

[jurelometer]

... except that UHMWPE is 0.94 grams per cubic centimeter.  There are 1000 cubic millimeters per cubic centimeter so that would be 0.00094 grams per cubic millimeter. Water is 1.00 gram per cubic centimeter and saltwater is 1.03 grams per cubic centimeter so UHMWPE is slightly buoyant.  Nylon has a density of 1.14 to 1.15 grams per cubic centimeter so it slowly sinks.  In practice, the differences are not enough to notice because the difference is completely overwhelmed by the weight of any terminal tackle. 

The differences in drag due to line diameter is another matter.

Aargh.  I should have remembered  that. Good catch!  Thanks.   I will update my post.   The basic points mostly don't change: braid has the least effect on bait movement because it has less mass and less drag. It won't float a live bait.  Fluoro has enough density that a long enough section will contribute to pulling a live bait down.

But I think that the effect is more than just  friction.   Since nylon is essentially neutrally buoyant,  the additional mass per meter in nylon over braid may not effect the force it takes for the bait to to tow the  the leader once it is in motion, but it does effect momentum, so any change in velocity or direction will take more effort.

I'll correct it shortly.

-J

[Jim O]

Topshot length does vary with technique.  I have been using a 50' topshot of mono on my heavy jig outfits.   According to some San Diego skippers, the mono acts like a shock absorber.   My medium heavy (80) bait outfits also get a 50' topshot.   I saw an interesting video put out by Phenix and Eric's tackle out of Ventura a few years ago.  It discusses fly lining.  My 20-30lb setups now have a longer mono topshot, about 150 ft.   Braid tends to float, and can cause a bit more drag on the bait.   Bomb setups use a very short topshot, so you don't bring the knot through the guides. Surface iron: I use straight mono, easier to undo tangles and I am used to casting it , also cheaper to respool.   

How heavy is your mono for surface iron?

[CI_Seawolf]

Long range trips, 40 lb, local yellowtail/ barracuda/ bass, 30lb

[MarkT]

If casting a sardine, the length of the cast is rarely relevant. Better to spend time picking a bait that will swim for you and getting it in the water. Swinging for the fences just results in a stunned bait that won't swim for you and doesn't present itself as good eats.

[Jim Fujitani]

If casting a sardine, the length of the cast is rarely relevant. Better to spend time picking a bait that will swim for you and getting it in the water. Swinging for the fences just results in a stunned bait that won't swim for you and doesn't present itself as good eats.

I went on some LR trips that had a seasoned veteran female fisher that spent time picking her live bait, then gently dropping it down to the water alongside the boat and letting her bait swim out and down on its own.  She always came back to the docks with as much fish as she wanted and often caught larger fish than her spouse, who casted his bait out away from the boat.