Blackfish leader shy?

[MVP]

No right or wrong answer here. It comes down to what your are use to and confident in. Stelli fishes 50 pound Ande mono on his reel. All of his rigs are tied with 50-lb test ande leader and up from their when fishing in MD. Puts on a 12 ounce sinker and he is good to go regardless of condition. He knows exactly how his rod reacts on the bite with this set up as that is what he is use to and catches just as good or better than most.

[jmurr711]

Originally Posted by MVP

No right or wrong answer here. It comes down to what your are use to and confident in. Stelli fishes 50 pound Ande mono on his reel. All of his rigs are tied with 50-lb test ande leader and up from their when fishing in MD. Puts on a 12 ounce sinker and he is good to go regardless of condition. He knows exactly how his rod reacts on the bite with this set up as that is what he is use to and catches just as good or better than most.

rumor has it he catches only dogfish now

[hookset]

Starting this year I switched from using braid with a #50 topshot then #40 leader material to tie my hooks, to now using straight mono #30 with #30 leader material for hooks! I have to be honest I noticed that roll more fish now then with braid but for what ever reason I feel the tog bite so much better! Maybe I'm gaining sensitivity by having less knots in the line or maybe they don't notice the line because it's thinner! Whatever the reason I'm gonna stay with mono and lighter line!

[HDMarc]

I'm reading a lot of good responses here and it seems that everyone has one or more setups for catching tog that they're comfortable with regarding main line types, top shot lengths, leader material, what pound test they're comfortable with, etc. The main topic of Bulletbob's post was whether or not tog are line shy and if there's an advantage to using flourocarbon leader material at the hook versus mono. I have switched to using flourocarbon for my rigs as recommended to me by guys who swear by it and produce fish, but I have seen some big tog taken on straight mono by fishermen as well. Is it worth it to spend the extra dough on the flouro, or is using mono at the hook just as effective?

[jmurr711]

I had always heard that when flouro gets chafed it gives off a shine underwater? is that true or an old wives tale?

[Capt. Lou]

Originally Posted by jmurr711

I had always heard that when flouro gets chafed it gives off a shine underwater? is that true or an old wives tale?

Old wives tale for sure ! Some monos do conduct light I'd worry more about that then anything with fluoro !

[Joey Dah Fish]

I must say this is the most informative thread I have had the pleasure of being part of. Thanks guy I still need someone to explain to me the right bite. What it consists of cause I a swinger baby

[Joey Dah Fish]

Originally Posted by HDMarc

I'm reading a lot of good responses here and it seems that everyone has one or more setups for catching tog that they're comfortable with regarding main line types, top shot lengths, leader material, what pound test they're comfortable with, etc. The main topic of Bulletbob's post was whether or not tog are line shy and if there's an advantage to using flourocarbon leader material at the hook versus mono. I have switched to using flourocarbon for my rigs as recommended to me by guys who swear by it and produce fish, but I have seen some big tog taken on straight mono by fishermen as well. Is it worth it to spend the extra dough on the flouro, or is using mono at the hook just as effective?

I'm not sure but I will tell you Friday when I hopefully see you on the Mimi or Sat at the PUOSU I have been fishing 40lb mono getting a good bite for the most part but losing hooks and sinkers. I just tied a bunch of new rigs yesterday with 40lb flouro so I can see what I prefer I think the flouro will be better for a number of reasons. One less hook loss. Two more abrasion resistant. Three considering its a little stiffer less tangles to main line and will keep bait further from the sinker. Then again these suckers are in my head I need to figure them out. Any help would be appreciated. I've only fished for them for a few years. I'm getting better but I still haven't dialed it in. I would like to have some explain to me the right bite. I pretty much seeing at everything I'm a swinger baby!!!

[jmurr711]

Originally Posted by Joey Dah Fish

I'm not sure but I will tell you Friday when I hopefully see you on the Mimi or Sat at the PUOSU I have been fishing 40lb mono getting a good bite for the most part but losing hooks and sinkers. I just tied a bunch of new rigs yesterday with 40lb flouro so I can see what I prefer I think the flouro will be better for a number of reasons. One less hook loss. Two more abrasion resistant. Three considering its a little stiffer less tangles to main line and will keep bait further from the sinker. Then again these suckers are in my head I need to figure them out. Any help would be appreciated. I've only fished for them for a few years. I'm getting better but I still haven't dialed it in. I would like to have some explain to me the right bite. I pretty much seeing at everything I'm a swinger baby!!!

why i like Mono with the braid you feel ERRYTHING but the mono you know when to swing

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by jmurr711

why i like Mono with the braid you feel ERRYTHING but the mono you know when to swing

Interesting observation there Murr.... With my style of fishing (cant resist swinging at most everything) I might have to string a pole up with mono and give it a shot. Either that or like Alex said, make my top shot longer.

I guess I could try and be more patient if I'm using braid but somehow I don't think that's going to work out too well.... I just can't help myself

Great thread going here.... Very informative, except of whatever comes off Joey The Fishes keyboard