My favorite flourocarbon knot.

Chuck7 · 08-09-2011, 06:03 AM

Folks,
I've tried this knot on my P Line florocarbon and so far have not had any break offs..It's not nearly as difficult as it looks..

It;s the San Diego Jam Knot

http://www.marlinnut.com/knots/sandiego.shtml

Gangly · 08-09-2011, 08:32 AM

I remembered that you mentioned the knot while I was there and so I used that knot to attach a spinnerbait to flouro that I was using as a leader on 30 lb power pro. Snapped the knot clean in half at the lure on a cast that went awry. However, I have snapped this 10lb flouro so many times Im starting to think I got a bad spool. My 20 lb flouro wont break for anything, but this 10 lbs is snapping left and right. Maybe its because i have it as a leader for my power pro and therefore the line has no give....something to think about. I do like the simplicity of the knot though and will use it a few more times to make sure it wasnt simply me that tied it incorrectly or didnt lube it enough. thanks for the link.

Chuck7 · 08-09-2011, 11:57 AM

I've landed a couple of threes on it ..however once I went to 10 pound trilene I stopped using it.Well, I needed an extra rod a couple of days ago so I grabbed my flouro..it doesn't appear to kink up as fast as the mono..no doubt though..I make sure my reels have plenty of drag..even the 40 pound Power pro..reason being..one needs the drag set lightly to keep the stronger lines from tearing the fish's mouths or bending hooks that result in lost fish..

most guys keep the drag screwed down tighly to hoist fish out of the soup..what if the fish is hooked in the inside tissue of the mouth..that no drag crossing thier eyes will rip the fish's mouth . I realized how one doesn't neat an ultra tight drag set when I was gently raking leaves out of the bottom of my boat.I felt a sharp stick and realized I had buried an old rusty 4/0 spinnrbiat hook into my index finger { Costing me 1100.00 to remove. } from then on I realized I've been over tightning my drags..I actually have to check my drag frequently as I notice it does change with the much casting and retriving..everything from my 50.00 to my 150.00 reels.

NEK · 08-10-2011, 09:33 AM

Started using that knot in about 1997 - in 30 lb. mono. leaders for Stripers, and have never had the knot fail. I use it now - on the lighter mono and fluro leaders in fresh water and still prefer it over the others when I have the time to tie it. I still like the Palomar for a good - quick tie though.

Chuck7 · 08-10-2011, 01:36 PM

Gangly...if your line is breaking on that knot I'd suspect your drag is too tight..MOST fishermen over tighten there drag..I can cause my line to break on any hook set..so I adjust the drag accordingly.

Last year I lost a lot of bass while shiner fishing..Most folks feel that if they can pull line out straight from their reel that their drag is set properly..this is not true..they need to have the drag working when the rod is bent...big difference.

Gangly, I'm sure you know all of this..this info is for others as well.

Phil from Maine · 08-10-2011, 04:59 PM

I learned how I like to set my drag from fly fishing.When you hook onto a big fish with the flyrod you have to play them out for a while. That is pretty much a no ifs, buts, or maybes about it. I do not have to play them quite so much on a spinning rod though.

Chuck7 · 08-11-2011, 02:47 PM

Phil,
Can you set the drag on a fly reel? I thought you only had the click click..thing?

Setting the drag ..Totally Embarrssed but I hate to admit all the hawgs I lost not setting the drag properly. fact , I've learned a ton of secrets and strategies on catching bass but it took me..let's see 51 years to learn to set the drag.

Last year Matt and i hooked up into a beautiful bass..biggest hook up of the year..{ Somewhere between 8-10 pounds} We both IMHO lost this beauty for the same reason..Matt had zero drag set..He was using 20 pound Power Pro and after 2 jumps..{ Fish totally exposed..and in net's reach} pulled the hook from it's mouth. } -; the net was tangled up in our spare rods..Big lesson learned there.

At the end of the day I tossed a green pumpkin Lil Betsy Jig in there and the giant bass tore off like a dragster. I did the same thing Matt did..Hey , I'm using braid..why loosen the drag? The fish pulled the front of the 10 foot jon into the water causing water to come into the boat..BIG FISH..then slack..I did the same thing..pulled the hook right through the membrane of the inside of the mouth..Sure..if you got a hook through the jaw of the fish she is caught.but many fish are through the inside of the fishes mouth..

From then on I've been setting Power Pro line like I got 12 pound mono on..The only exception may be fishing a Horny Toad in lily pads..where it's a must to quickly get the bass out before she wraps you up..and even then..I have some give..

Phil..I haven't done nearly as much fly fishing as you but I don't recall a drag on the reel.

I got my new Revo today from ebay..sure enough..brand new in the box..I just filled it up with 10 pound P Line Flourcarbon. I'm taking my little mexican neighbor fishing..He wants to learn how to catch bass. I plan to pitch with him for about 5 hours..Full moon is Sat. so tomorrow should be decent. When he's tired or the sun gets hot we will drift some Carolina or Texas Rigs in some promicing spots..

I noticed Garcia has a new model so I had to get one more Revo . The revo is the best reel I've ever had .Cast nice, drag is nice ..nice light reel if you pitch and flip alot. It' s the cheaper Revo ..the S model. i had the SX and hated it..backlash city.LOL I took it back and got my money back.