hey guys... need help here... I think I did right but I still need your input
I recently spooled my fathom 40 reel with JB solid braid 80#
I used some 60# mono as backing really tight, I put 2 complete layers of mono really tight around the spool thinking it will help the fill the reel with 300yd of braid, but at the end 1/4" of the spool is empty, I again made al albraid special knot and filled with 60# mono but it took like 30-40yds of mono.
some could say its ok, but I like to fish with short mono leader 4-6ft
I see two options:
1. take all the line off the reel and put the mono that was on top as backing + 5 more yards, this way I know now it will add enough line as backing to help the the rest 300yds of braid to fill the spool completely.
2. cut almost all the current long mono leader and leave just 6yds, that will leave me with just 300yds of braid, this sounds like a good plan but I just can stand the 1/4" gap of of "emptyness" of the spool.
3. since I have a second spool of new 80# braid I can take out all the braid, and attach +- 80/100 yds of braid to the mono backing and then with uni to uni attach the rest of the 300yds of braid.
what would you do?
if recommended I have 80# dacron that I can use as backing necessary.
I would do number 3 if it were my reel, especially if you use it offshore. I like to get close to 400 yds. of line capacity as you never know when you will hook a freight train.
How abut another option, say number 4. Remove the mono topper you have now and attach more spectra. Use a spectra to spectra knotless connection to give you 100% of the spectra's breaking strength and splice in the the amount on top of the spectra you have on the reel now to fill it up to where you want it. Then you just add the length of topshot you want.
I'd go with #3 as well.
Hmm,
Mark you would go with removing the braid and attaching more on the bottom using a uni to uni? Interesting
I would think it would be easier just to add more spectra on top using a knotless connection. Splice in some more 80 lb on top of the 80 lb already on the reel and you have no knots, you don't need to remove the 300 yards already on the reel and you have 100% of the spectra's breaking strength.
But that's just me....lol
That's assuming he has some hollow to splice it with and can open it up and get the solid in. A couple overhand knots to secure it? Serve it? Sato crimp it? Tac Glue it? For a connection that'll probably never see the light of day a uni-uni is probably all you'd need. Hell, I'd be fine with the 1/4" at the top so that I don't have to be all that careful with keeping the line level. BTW, my HX Raptor has 500 yds of 80# with a uni-uni connection 300 yds down. I've never seen it since I tied it. I use a short leader of 50-60# on top and have 1/4" of space if I wanted a topshot rather than a leader.
Thanks for your input Mark and I see your logic but if the spectra he has is hollow on the reel and if the has hollow to splice in then to me a knotless connection makes good sense. I say this because if there is a failure in the conections attaching the two spectra lines for me I'd like to have it as close to the fish as possible and not down as close to the spool where more drag pressure is because of the lines diameter on the spool being smaller.
The best solution in my mind would be to remove all the spectra and add a spool of 500 yards onto the reel or as close to it as he wants. I did not see that the other spool of spectra he has was solid spectra and I made a assumption is was not, kind of like you made the assumption it was.
Opening hollow spectra is not that hard but inserting the spectra to make a knotless conection may need a latch needle but it is not a must have. JB 80 hollow is a 16 strand carrier if I remember correctly, or at least the 80 I bought many years ago was. Jerry Brown's 80 lb was smooth for inserting needles, wire or mono/fluoro but was a little harder to open in the first place.
For me a hollow to hollow connections makes good sense, then again if both spectra lines are indeed hollow. If the other spool of spectra he has is solid I'd still go with removing all of the spectra and adding strait hollow all the way through or.
I'd use the 300 yards I took off the reel and put it onto another reel or I'd splice in a smaller spool of 80 JB hollow. Jerry does sell smaller spools like 100, 150 and 300 yards of his hollow spectra.
His post said he has 80# solid JB. Hollow would be a different discussion. As you suggested, best bet would be to start over so there's no connection. But he already has the additional spectra so there you go.
Wow thanks for pointing that out I totally missed it.
Solid to solid I guess at the bottom is ok but for me I'd add a section of hollow on top. You can add hollow on top of the solid and still have a knotless connection. This would allow you to either tie on your topshots or if you wanted go a bit more stealthy.
Again thanks Mark I missed the soild on the reel stuff.
Solid to solid braid is best option and I would put the 100yd in the back. Use a quadruple surgeon knot, Super easy and prove very strong for braid to braid connections.
I fill all my reels back to front, it is a bit of a schlep but once you have done it refilling is a breeze. They all get 200m of mono topshot and however many meters of 40-50lb braid backing to ensure they are filled to the brim. So with the empty reel, I use a line meter to put 200m nylon on, then join to braid and fill it to the brim. Then using an empty line spool, strip the line off with a drill, then, using another empty spool, strip it from that spool as well, then simply wind on again and the braid is at bottom with guaranteed 200m nylon on top every time. For a Torium 30 it is usually around 200m 0.55mm nylon and 500-600m of braid. It allows space for a thick 1mm leader of around 9m. This way, when the mono is toast, I simply strip it off, rejoin the new mono with a catspaw (stitch loop in the braid) and fill the reel, Now I get 3x fills out of a 600m spool of line and my reels are always full to the brim. I don't bother with nylon backing, I have never had the braid slip.
double layer of flex wrap, spectra straight to the top, short topshot of mono or fluoro.
Quote from: alantani on January 16, 2015, 05:55:19 PM
double layer of flex wrap, spectra straight to the top, short topshot of mono or fluoro.
X2. If you don't want to fill the reel with Spectra put Dacron on the spool then the Spectra.
if you don't want to unspool the 60#, I would do a step fill. I would splice the 80# spectra on top of the 60# spectra and fill to the top. You would get about 175 more yardage. Additionally, when the fish is close to the boat, you will have stronger line to pull the beast in at slightly higher drag setting...this can be effective when the fish is tired and you just want to crank that baby in.
Then add your 6' top shot.
Like Alan and Lee, I always wrap some flexwrap on the spool then tie on the spectra. No mono backing. Never had any slippage with this method and you eliminate an extra knot and get a few more yards of spectra.
wow thanks guys for the many options and opinions, well, just few clarifications :
1. I really dont want to get a spool of 500yds of 80# spectra, to fill the reel with no knots, I dont have more reel to fill with 80# braid if I take this 300yds out and get a new spool of 500yds.
2. the 60# top leader is MONO, no braid, I though 10-15 yrds would fill the rest of the spool but it didnt it took 50-60yds (not my style), although some might like this way.
3. all my braid is solid, so no Chinese finger knots available for me.
4. I would prefer to keep my braid on 80#
after your opinions and my lines available I think the option #3 would be the best.
Quote from: steelfish on January 16, 2015, 07:54:17 PM
wow thanks guys for the many options and opinions, well, just few clarifications :
1. I really dont want to get a spool of 500yds of 80# spectra, to fill the reel with no knots, I dont have more reel to fill with 80# braid if I take this 300yds out and get a new spool of 500yds.
2. the 60# top leader is MONO, no braid, I though 10-15 yrds would fill the rest of the spool but it didnt it took 50-60yds (not my style), although some might like this way.
3. all my braid is solid, so no Chinese finger knots available for me.
4. I would prefer to keep my braid on 80#
after your opinions and my lines available I think the option #3 would be the best.
I'm sorry, I don't think I understand your Option 3 would be best. There are many effective methods to splice solid braid. Loop to loop by creating a loop knot, like a bimini, in both 60# and 80# spectra and join loop to loop. You can also go with a Uni-Uni or Seaguar knot. My method is taking a short piece of hollow braid. Threading the solid braid in one end of the hollow braid then coming out about 6" from the end then tying a nail or uni knot. Then take a short pieced of solid braid then tie another nail or uni knot where the solid braid enter the hollow braid to keep it from fraying. Then repeat on the other end. Knots are small and minimal in bulk to allow free flowing though the guides. If you need a short section of hollow braid, I'd gladly send you some. You really could do it with a 2 foot section of hollow braid.
Bryan, I don't think he will have a problem splicing solid to solid with a well tied double uni with a dab of CA glue. He is using 80 lb spectra on a Penn Fathom. Even if the knot was at 75% the breaking strength is still way more than that reel could handle. No need to complicate things.
:D I like complicated....makes me feel valuable. hahahaha
Quote from: alantani on January 16, 2015, 05:55:19 PM
double layer of flex wrap, spectra straight to the top, short topshot of mono or fluoro.
what other material to use instead of the flexwrap?
seems like the flexwrap (dupont) is only available for construction purposes in big packages $100 bucks or more and I dont need more than 1-2ft for some reels.
I was hear that electric tape could serve the same way but I have never used it before, my normal method to avoid havind my braid from slipping on spool is to use 10ft of mono line first them tie the braid line enough to fill the reel and use the topshot of selection.
I just ordered the FTH 40nLD2 to use instead of the FTH40 SD (just sold it) and now I will use a 500yd 80# braid spool and thinking to try out any other spooling method from what I normally use.
thanks in advance
fathom reels hace a ear/hole/thingy in the spool to tie the line directly, I have never feel secure using that thing, have you guys use it? any comment on using it and forget about any other method?
(http://pennfishing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FATHOM-LEVER-DRAG-2SP.jpg)
Flex wrap is finger tape to keep from getting spectra cuts or bass thumb.
The little hole thingee is fine. If it ever comes to that with a fish on you are done regardless. Its just to prevent line slipping and not waste capacity or cause corrosion issues (tape can do this).
Don't worry about a little extra space on top, use it for optional long mono top shots for trolling (like a solid 50 yards of 60-100#). This is a shock leader to keep you tight to a big fish and trolling heavy line will save you break offs. Trolling is hell on connections and a little extra meat in your line will make a difference. Never met a fish line shy for a trolled lure as far as I know.
For most trolling I go 50 yards of 100# to a 500# Snap Swivel to attach the last leader for the trolled lure which will be 100-200-400# depending on the type and size of fish targeted. Maybe as light as 50 yards of 60# for Sierra but no lighter.
Buena Suerte ;D
Quote from: johndtuttle on April 12, 2016, 09:45:23 PM
The little hole thingee is fine. If it ever comes to that with a fish on you are done regardless. Its just to prevent line slipping and not waste capacity or cause corrosion issues (tape can do this).
thanks buddy, I think your right, in this reel I will use that spool line attaching thingy, if Penn engineers put it there it must be for a good reason, right?
I plan on use topshots or 80# when trolling on heavy rocky structure and 60# for yoyo and bait.
gracias compadre
x4 for the flexwrap - never had it slip. Leave a long tag on your spool knot for extra security. Tacglue hollow splices are working well for me - no knots yippeeeee!
For flexwrap alternatives try this - cheap as chips:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-2155-Rubber-Splicing-Tape/dp/B001CGVEXS/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1460536659&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=self+almagamating+tape#Ask
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 13, 2016, 08:40:57 AM
For flexwrap alternatives try this - cheap as chips:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-2155-Rubber-Splicing-Tape/dp/B001CGVEXS/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1460536659&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=self+almagamating+tape#Ask
I have 3-5 rolls of this same tape since few years, the one that bonds itself when stretched, but hesitant on using it before on the spool for any chemical reaction with salt, materials on the tape that make it fuse and aluminium on the reel or maybe I just paranoid and anal with my toys, thats why I played on the safe side of using 5-8ft mono as anchor
I've been using it for several years no probs so far :-\
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 13, 2016, 09:22:52 PM
I've been using it for several years no probs so far :-\
cool, thanks I will considerate this option when I finally get my hands on the reel