Top shots

[SkeeterRonnie]

Basil Pappas sells "wind-on" topshots that are very good quality. I dont know his website.. might try googling it.

Learn how to "pull a loop" in hollow spectra. its very easy after you do it a couple times. connect them together with 5 turn "cats paw".

[SpecialK]

Originally Posted by SkeeterRonnie

Basil Pappas sells "wind-on" topshots that are very good quality. I dont know his website.. might try googling it.

Learn how to "pull a loop" in hollow spectra. its very easy after you do it a couple times. connect them together with 5 turn "cats paw".

I think I can see how to pull the loop through now.
What is the "ideal" sizes of mono/spectra topshot for YFT?
Is it ok to use mono and spectra of the same breaking strength? It seems that bigger mono would increase the fingercuff effect but make it harder to thread.
I think i will try and make some. I'll just tie one up to some weight and try to lift them off the floor to test strenth i guess.

[fishr1989]

Charkbait has a new kit for connecting the topshot to hollow spectra. It was designed by Gary Sato and involves inserting the mono into the spectra and then crimping it where it comes out. It looks really smooth and is a lot less bulky than a knot.

Sato Custom Tackle

[xs_tackle]

Originally Posted by SpecialK

. . . I just don't really get how this chinese finger cuff thing works that well... Are there companies that sell these topshot leader pre connected to the braid? . . .

Nothing to worry about. Many of us who now make our own topshots began by buying ready-made. Like gravity, the finger cuff thing works even before you understand it and when you're not thinking about it.

Who sells 'em? Lotsa places. Who makes'em? Basil Pappas (see http://www.bhptackle.com/), an avid angler and a regular contributor to this and many other fishing boards--and a guy who has been generous to show many how to make their own topshots. You could also look at Tournament Cable Co. (see http://www.tournamentcable.com/pgs/); and, there are other manufacturers of topshots using the technology. I think most, if not all, the boats of the San Diego long range fleet will make topshots to order during trips.

Perhaps the most important test of the reliability of chinese finger cuff style topshots in heavy duty fishing service is the repeated use, year after year and boat after boat, of such topshots by the San Diego Long Range fleet.

[SpecialK]

Wow i have learned so much in a month I almost forgot I posted that...haha

Since the last time I have looked in this post I have ordered hollor braid and made some of my own mono topshots to try out. I had lots of luck with the first round. I was able to break the mono before the finger cuff let go. I few replies from others and on other forums helped me understand how to make them...
Thanks!

[xs_tackle]

Originally Posted by SpecialK

. . . What is the "ideal" sizes of mono/spectra topshot for YFT? . . .

Some choices are driven by the specific fishing setting. For YFT in the Gulf, it's common to see topshots from 60#-130#; and, when 200# tuna are biting, the San Diego boats urge 120-150# topshots (but not while fishing the kite, which may call for heavier topshots or none at all). What size braid to put with which mono or FlC line size is fairly straightforward--use the smallest braid diameter which allows you to work easily with the mono.

Obviously, the breaking strength of the line selected for a topshot is influenced by the size of the bait, the size of the targeted fish, whether you're on your own marlin cruiser or a head boat with 2-3 dozen others and personal choices about how you like to fish.

The preferred lengths of topshots are also driven in part by personal choices (the fashion has ranged from 100 yds down to 10 yds), but also by considerations such as how deep the fish is likely to be when he's straight up and down at the boat and how much mono you may want to buffer the fish's head shaking at the boat.

How much mono you insert into the braid seems to vary from 3-6 ft.

All the above assumes you're using hollow braid--splicing solid core to hollow-core is a slightly different matter.

[fishr1989]

What do you think a 400lb topshot would be like for a shark rig? Instead of the shock leader to eliminate a crimp and swivel connection to the mainline?

It would only be about 20' or so in case the shark rolled in the line it wouldn't get to the braid.

[gman]

I use some of basil's windon 550 mono shark leaders that then connect to my wire leaders. They come with a great aussie swivel. He even makes wind on cable leaders that are coated in plastic for sharking.

check out his site or give him a call

bhp tackle

[fishr1989]

Originally Posted by gman

I use some of basil's windon 550 mono shark leaders that then connect to my wire leaders. They come with a great aussie swivel. He even makes wind on cable leaders that are coated in plastic for sharking.

check out his site or give him a call

bhp tackle

thanks for the info! What reels are you using for your shark fishing?