[tunacrazy]

I haven't used spinning gear for poppers, and I was wondering what some of you guys feel works well. Do you use a short leader to allow the connection to be already thru the eyes of the rod, or a longer leader so the mono/floro is on the spool to make it easier on the casting finger? also albright knot, uni/uni for the spectra to mono connection, is either of these knots prefered? Thanks Bruce

 

[Minnow]

I use about 3-4ft of 80lb leader.

 

[etan]

I do the same as minnow using a uni to uni connection. However this last trip I used loop to loop with only about 10' of 80# mono topshot. I make my own topshots so its easy to do.

 

[bighead]

I like the uni-uni for this connection, IMO the albright is too fat of a knot. The lenght of the leader depends on a couple things for me. The size of the leader or the size of the rod tip eye. If the leader is too big or the eye to small it tends to catch when casting. In this case about 3' is good. If the connection is such that is can pass through the eye without catching I like about 10-12'. It's easier on the finger to hold the leader while casting than the braid.

 

[tunacrazy]

I made a trip to the area lake this morning and made a few cast with both short and longer leaders onthe spinning rod, I found that the shorter leader for myself seem to be a little easier on me and eyes of the rod, also not the chance of the mono to spectra connection picking up loop of line off the spool. I do agree that the uni-uni knot would be best knot for pass the guides connection. Thanks for the input, stilltring to figure out what works and do not. Any other info would be great. Thanks Bruce

 

[gman]

I use a uni to uni or and enough to go around the spool a couple of times

 

[Bret]

I too, like the uni-uni and a short leader.. be sure you are proficient at tying them before you get the fish of a life time on.. I had some failures early on and have since gotten better at tying them.

 

[jig]

I do about 2ft 60lb flouro leader with a worm knot to 65# spectra. Zero failures to date. I have yet to lose a tuna due to knot or leader failure, and I have caught my share. So I am very comfortable with 60# flouro, and I think it helps me get bit more. But (and it is a big one) I have yet to break the 100lb mark. If I lose my first tuna over 100lbs due to leader failure, you can bet I will rethink it.

 

[Uncle Russ]

I love the Albright know, mainly because I know how to tie it well and it has worked for me in my limited offshore experience. But bighead is right about how fat it is, and I only use it with very short leaders completely outside my rod-tip. I have two Calstars, one with a very big tip and the other not so much. The Albrights consisting of 80 # fluoro/65 pound braid work well with the former, but not worth a damn with the smaller tip.

Russ

 

[gman]

Uncle Russ, I casted a souls yesterday while fishing for bluefin although I didnt fight a fish on that specific rod I have no doubt it would perform flawlessly. sweet rod I hope it catches you some fish

 

[newman]

Hey TunaCrazy, I will show you a VERY strong, compact, and SUPER EASY knot for connecting spectra to mono and the San Diego knot for tying the mono to the popper at the cabin or on the way out on the GEM 07.

 

[Uncle Russ]

gman: Sorry to drag this up after so long, but I've been off the board for a while. Did you cast the 90HH or the 90H? I guess I'm glad I chose the heavier rod but sometimes I think...hmmmm, maybe I could cast 1/2 a mile with the H model. It's all moot because I don't think I can afford both, especially when every time I go out for tuna I wuss out and use chunk and live bait.

Russ