I want to start using wind-ons on my upper # reels to minimize terminal tackle and braid snagging opportunities.
I'll use 200# mono wind-ons for my mak 20 and 16 that I'll attached to my braid via a cats paw loop to loop knot. I'll direct tie my bombs and jigs to the wind-ons. I'll use 130# mono wind-on on my 40nld2/railrod for daytime jigs or light nighttime jigs. I'll use 100# flouro on my pe 4-8 speed jigging setup.
Can I use 80# mono wind-ons for sinker rigs or should I go with flouro?
How do you set up your reels with wind-ons and what do you use them for?
The PR and FG knots have practically replaced wind-ons for anything but the very heaviest of tackle, in my opinion. If you have hollowcore and can splice a loop you may as well just splice the leader in for a knotless connection, and if you don't have hollowcore than a PR is simpler than a bimini plus a cats paw and you don't have a double and a loop to think about. The single modern use-case for a wind-on I can think of is when your leader is too heavy to be inserted into your hollowcore.
I'm using solid braid so no splicing and I've never tied either of those knots....
Are you buying your wind on topshots.
With solid a Bimini isn't hard to tie and when done correctly it's a very strong knot. I used to tie a Bimini to an Albright to connect braid to mono, bulky but I never had it fail Better knots now
I recently learned the "pinkie anchor" FG for solid braid to heavy fluoro/mono leader. Has worked so far...
L2L is faster on the water and a much lower profile.
Quote from: sciaenops on March 31, 2025, 06:05:12 PMI recently learned the "pinkie anchor" FG for solid braid to heavy fluoro/mono leader. Has worked so far...
The upgrade from that is putting the line thru the first guide and tying on an 8oz weight to the end of the braid. I do the same for light flouro line, just less weight.
PR requires a bobbin but it's probably the best solid braid to leader connection IMO.
Try L2L.