Dropshot Braid - Leader Knots & Use of Crazy Glue Questions

[spinnerbation]

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a knot to use while attaching a Fluorocarbon Leader to a swivel that won't catch in your guides while casting? A lot of people are suggesting I should be using a braid - swivel - floro setup for Dropshotting. I am looking for something that I can trim the tag end as close to the knot as possible without sacrificing knot strength. Because it's the tag end that catches.

On that note I still want to use the double uni joint for other applications. What are your thoughts about using crazy glue? I've had mixed results and not sure if I am using the wrong stuff at times, tying my knots improperly or something else. Because when it works it works great, when it doesn't, it's like I have 2lb test on.

I have been told certain kinds will actually diminish the integrity of the line or the knot but not sure if this is true or not?

Ideally what I'd like to see is a type of glue or even a fast dry epoxy that builds up a smooth "beaded coat" around the knot. But I wouldn't even know where to start, does something like that even exist that's ideal for floro?

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[bigjc]

I love this stuff: Fishin' Glue with Brush Applicator, available at BPS.  I use it mostly when using swimbaits, but anytime I want to glue my soft plastic to the jighead this is what I use.  Would probably work well on knots also.

JC

[Manxfishing]

I had a year were I broke allot of leaders right at the knot all on the hook set
And then I started to glue the uni to uni knot for braid to Fluro
I just used the cheap super glue. Put a drop on there and then smoothed it out with my fingers
Running a swivel wasn't a option with the Micro guides
What I've learned is
Take your time tieing the knot, And make sure it's wet before clinching it, and loosening the
drag. There's been no reason to glue for the last couple of years

[djkimmel]

Am I reading this right that you want to use a swivel THROUGH your guides?? That would be hard on the guides I would think. Just don't reel the swivel that far up using a shorter leader would be my recommendation. You'll have to retie more often but the components will be stronger. I use Palomar knots for everything too by tying on the leader to the swivel first and then tying the swivel and leader to the main line. When I use a swivel.

I often now just use an FG knot and tie direct. So far I'm loving the FG knot. Harder to tie and longer to tie right but I have not had one fail yet with various line sizes from small to big poppa (flipping, power techniques).

[fiker]

I do it like Dan does.

[AMSDJS]

I agree that using a swivel is not a good idea, not that I've risked trying it on my rod guides. I've been using braid to fluorocarbon leader on both spinning and baitcasters and have tried all but the FG knot. The best knot I've tried so far is the crazy Alberto knot - the one that wraps braid both up and down the leader. Just make sure to pass the braid tag end through your loop the same direction. And as mentioned, make sure to wet the lines with lots of spit before cinching down tight. Never tried the Crazy glue thing but might give it a try one day soon. I have found out the hard way that one needs to re-tie their braid to leader after a half day of constant casting. For dropshotting I find it's not necessary, at least for me since I mostly pitch a DS.

I have heard that the FG knot is stronger and goes through guides easier but no way are my 57 year-old eyes going to tie that on the water in high winds.

[Rangerman]

Using the double Uni and super glue, works great. Be quick smoothing the glue on the knot. Love the Lock-Tight Glue Gel. Bottle keep the glue usable many months. Be real quick smoothing the glue with fingers

[spinnerbation]

Thanks Guys! Took the time to learn the FG knot this weekend. Takes just as long to tie a double uni but the FG is smaller and should be stronger from everything I've read about it.

Thanks Dan, someone else asked me the same so I won't be using a swivel. I never use short leaders so I always have the connection come up through the guides. If they will bite a bait on a 2-3' leader then why wouldn't I just use straight braid the way I see it.

But if clear line is needed to make them bite I always have 10-15' leaders so they can't see my braid, I spend less time tying leaders for re-ties, and the longer leader should be stronger as a whole than shorter one in the long run.

[dartag]

For fun this spring I tied my drop shot directly to the 8 lb braid.  Made no difference in bed fishing.  Even caught a lot of cruisers doing it that way.  Normally I use a swivel with 2 feet of Floro.  Don't have to reel it into the guides.   

[6 lb Smallmouth]

I made the switch over from straight fluoro to a braid and leader this year.  I resisted so long because I am knot-challenged.  From everything I read, the FG knot is the way to go so if you mastered it you are good to go.  I am using the Seaguar knot and I have not had a single knot fail this year and I have caught enough 4 lb smallmouth and a 5 to have total confidence in the knot moving forward.  I had tried the smallest Owner swivel and it was too big going through the guides. 

[DeanV]

I started using the Seaguar knot too.  All the other joining knots, especially the FG knot are ridiculously complicated. Seaguar knot has been fine on Nanobraid (sufix) so far.  Using it with a 6 lb leader and so far have no issues.

[spinnerbation]

I learned the FG from this video. Maybe it's just me, but I thought it seemed pretty straight forward and easy. I can tie one in under a minute using this guys method:

[djkimmel]

I don't have to retie the FG knot very often so far so it works for me. I watched that same video and use that method at home. Haven't had to retie it in the boat hardly ever. Haven't ever tried the Seaguar knot.

[spinnerbation]

Have a question about fishing current and areas with lots of snags / breakoffs. Even with the FG Knot I am still vexed with the problem that the knot is always just a tad weaker than the line itself.

So if I get hung up, since I use the "indestructible" Palomar Knot when tying my hooks 90% of the time, the weakest link consistently becomes the leader knot where I break off.

I am not even sure I know how to address this other than to just keep using straight Floro in areas with lots of snags. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can continue using braid, but not tie a new leader every time I get hung up?

[djkimmel]

Try straight braid around snags and see what happens a few times. Or go with straight fluoro if you can't try that.

[DeanV]

Used 10 lb nano braid and 10 lb Maxima braid to 8lb Sunline Super FC sniper as a leader.  I never retied the leader knot.  Fished about 12-15 hours this week and caught about 120 bass.  No break-offs, only retied the lure on one time since it was a little scuffed above the knot before the last 10 or so bass.  Seaguar knot for the leader to braid connection.  I am sold.  Last year I was using Nanofil and I did have some connection knots break.

I did watch that video also on the fg knot. That does not look too bad to tie.  I will need to try it sometime.

[spinnerbation]

So I tried a little experimenting with the FG in different line sizes with mixed results.

The braid I am running right now is Spiderwire Stealth in 15, 20 & 50 lb on both Spinning and Casting outfits. My leaders are all Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon and P-Line Floroclear in 6, 8, 10, 12 & 15 lb depending on the application.

I've had no trouble whatsoever tying the FG with 15 and 20 lb braid for anything with a 6 - 12 lb leader. However the knot keeps slipping when I tie with the 50 lb braid using the 12 & 15 lb Trilene 100%. Doesn't seem to slip using the Floroclear though.

I am 100% positive I am tying it correctly, but it still seems to want to slip and I have no idea why! Very frustrating to say the least. Because it's the larger LB test knots that cause the most issues so I was hoping that would show me the most benefit using the FG.

I might try tying the knot using some of the Sunline FX2 I have left over from last year to see if that makes a difference. I like using the Stealth in 50 LB, but maybe it's not a "leader" compatible braid.

It does feel a bit waxier than other braids. That could be all it is I suppose. Just it makes zero sense that it only slips on the heavier line of the same braid. You'd think the smaller diameter of the same braid would be more apt to slip. Has anyone else experienced the same issues?

[Waterfoul]

What are you using 50 lb braid for?  Flipping?  I'd forgo the leader if that's the case.

[spinnerbation]

What are you using 50 lb braid for?  Flipping?  I'd forgo the leader if that's the case.

I don't use 50 for it's strength unless I am flipping / punching where that's a factor. I mainly use 50 on all my casters because it manages the best on my casting reels.

When I tie Leaders with 50 braid as my main line it's for Deep Cranking, Topwaters, and Spinnerbaits in clear water mainly. But I will tube with it as well using a 12-15 lb leader.

I like the match line diameters when tying leaders. IE - 50 lb braid = 12 lb diameter for 10-15 lb leaders & 15 / 20 lb braid = 4 / 6 lb diameter for 6-8 lb leaders etc.

For me line diameter plays just as much if not more of a factor for various reasons than just it's strength alone. My drag is always set to 8-12 lbs unless I am punching anyways, so I will never reach a "50 lb" tensile pull on those rods.

[Dan]

On more than one occasion my traveling partner and I experimented with and without a fluoro leader when fishing for smallies with tubes. We did not notice a difference with straight braid and braid with a fluoro leader. As for 50 lb. braid, that's what I also like on my bait casters for many applications. I've always felt that the size of the line isn't a fish see it thing. I do think that as you go down in pound test your mono and fluoro leader becomes more flexible and consequently your bait has more action which gets you more bites.