T-Shooting

[raisinrat]

Guys and Gals I want to share with everyone a line setup I have started to use this season and I am really like how things have been going with so I thought I would share with everyone. Its called T-Shooting. I have used it with Spybaits, Neko Rigs, Ned Rigs, Swimbaits and a few other things. I see myself using it more and more. Check out the video if you have any other questions on it let me know I will try to answer them for you.

[t-bone]

So if I understand this correctly, it's a braided setup with a really long (20-30ft) flouro leader (instead of the normal couple feet)?

The benefits are casting distance and getting some stretch when playing out the fish at the boat?
What about line twists? Are you seeing that in the flouro?

[FrickerDude]

I have been doing this with a hand full of my set ups to reduce the cost of buying flouro.  Works pretty good, the only thing that I don't like is depending on the rod and the guides it can wear on the note.  So make sure to keep an eye on that.  I use it on my flippin rods, jig rods and etc.

[DeanV]

 I tried doing this on a heavy jig rod, but micro guides and 17# fluro to braid knots don't seem to get along well. 

I thought it was called top shotting though.  I just call it a long leader.

[djkimmel]

Yes. Originally called top-shotting by the spybait anglers. It does seem to help casting distance. I had a rod set up that way Wednesday at St. Clair for my spybaiting and I was casting noticably farther. I think that's the primary benefit. I don't have any microguides so I can't comment on that.

I've been using the Crazy Alberto knot lately with good results. I have had 2 knot failures on shorter leaders. One I suspect I nicked the connection when I was trying to clip the loose ends off real close. The other appeared to that I somehow hit the knot against a hard part of my inflatable lifejacket when I cast splitting the knot. So the knot may be susceptible to coming apart if hitting a hard edge in the wrong spot. Still have a lot of experimenting to do with variations but so far easier and faster to tie right than the FG knot.

Someone else had suggested the Surgeon's knot which I've never been a fan of. When I tried it while t-shotting I had issues with that knot burning my thumb almost every time I cast?

[DeanV]

On spinning, I have been doing the seaguar knot.  No failures so far.  About 200 bass without retieing the leader connection. 

[djkimmel]

I don't think I've tried that one yet... isn't it similar to the Surgeon's knot? So many knots I may be thinking of something else.

[raisinrat]

Yes. Originally called top-shotting by the spybait anglers. It does seem to help casting distance. I had a rod set up that way Wednesday at St. Clair for my spybaiting and I was casting noticeably farther. I think that's the primary benefit. I don't have any microguides so I can't comment on that.

Top Shotting uses a hollow braid which is a saltwater deal. For this you are using a solid braid. But yes basically the same.

[DeanV]

IIRC, the surgeon knot is like a double overhand knot.  The seaguar is making a loop, spinning it 3 times, and putting the gage end through.  Easiest knot I have tried for leaders.   Rich Zaleski uses it and that is the reason I tried it. 

[djkimmel]

Always liked Rich Z! Many years (decades) ago when I was doing a little freelance outdoor writing on the side I sent him a letter about how much I enjoyed his (more advanced in my opinion) writing and got a real nice, long letter back! Always appreciated that very much! I probably still have that letter somewhere in my archives...

I looked up the Seaguar knot and got reminded how it works. The only thing I would see is for t-shotting you are using a really long leader (30, 40, 50 feet) and you'd have to pull all that through the loop which would be a little awkward.

I may give it a try for just short leaders but it also looks like it is probably a larger knot than the pretty skinny knot I get with the Crazy Alberto. I like that the thinner knots don't tend to 'burn' my thumb as much when I'm thumbing the reel on a long, hard cast. That's what I really liked about the FG knot - very slender that you almost don't feel or notice it. Just trickier to tie correctly. Especially in a rocking boat.

[DeanV]

I tend to have a hard time getting complicated knots to lay down nicely.  The Seaguar is a little fat, I agree with you on that.  It is the only leader knot I have had zero failures with though, but I have not tried a lot of different ones.

Rich Z is the man, imho.  I think his articles for In-fisherman are the best ones they have published.  I think he has influenced my fishing style more than any other fisherman. 

[djkimmel]

Especially today, many anglers have no idea the impact he has had on the sport! No doubt! I still keep an eye on him frequently through Facebook.