[Bellyups]

The target is 200 plus pound YFT. I think I will have a beefy enough rod, but I am looking for input on the leader. I will use 80-100 pound braid for the mainline, stella 20000 FA, and I am thinking a 90 or 130 pound windon. Is that strong enough leader? Also, I can cast farther if the leader is short--say 3-4 feet (in such a case, no knots will pass through the guides). Do I need a long mono/flouro leader as a shock leader and to prevent the fish from cutting braid?

Thanks, Scott

 

[Sea Crappie]

Scott,

IMO you need a full 14-16ft leader (enough for 2-3 wraps on the spool) and a minimum of 130lb test. I've seen so many large tuna that get tail wrapped that I'd be very nervous about not having a leader that's longer than the max length expected for the fish.

I've had too many leaders on 100-130lb tuna come back frayed along the whole length of the fish, even if they were never tail wrapped.

 

[etan]

Scott, go to the allcoast boards and read up on leaders. They catch more big tuna than anyone. Use loop to loop leader and no knots. Why do you want to use a spinner for 200# fish?

 

[Minnow]

Etan,

10ft 100lb or 150lb Wind on is leader and loop to loop for me.

Now days there are tons of people want to catch 200lb yft on spinner lol, my self included.

 

[Guest]

etan.........its just a challenge. catching a 200lb tuna on a popper or jig is something new and very exciting. once you catch a tuna on a jig or popper, you dont want to fish with bait.

 

[Bellyups]

Thanks guys! I have been using loop to loop 130 pound windons with about 15 feet of leader (Sea Crappie, I learned this from you on the big E). I will stick with it.

Nate, we will have our chances with 2 speeds and traditional tuna roller rods. Like Bret said, it is a seperate challenge and for me (and I am sure for you too), I love the cast , strike , hook up , first run , and challenge of popper fishing. Much of that experience is loss with a fish caught on the troll.

 

[etan]

I agree about the windon leader. No spinner for me on big fish, I want a 2 speed and the rail. I'm too old for that macho stuff! I've caught lots of tuna on spinners but I won't be using one if there are big fish around. If I hook a big one on a spinner I do have a harness ready but I'll still get my axx kicked and will probably loss it. I won't hand it off though!

 

[gman]

Varivas shock leader 130 minimum more like 150. Or fishermens stealth leader in the 150 range. atleast 10-12 feet enough to wrap spool several times and leave about 3' outside the rod.

Keep in mind these guys in Panama use much heavier when slow trolling skipjacks. The fish wont ever see your leader with a popper

 

[gman]

wind ons on a spinner are a taboo for me I dont use them. negatively affects your casting because of heavy connection IMHO

 

[Sea Crappie]

wind ons on a spinner are a taboo for me I dont use them. negatively affects your casting because of heavy connection IMHO


Agreed 100%, for spinners a midknot or p-r knot is only connection I use.

 

[Sportfisherman]

I use 100 lbs. mono leader + 12" heavier fluorocarbon " bite " leader , this bite leader is crimped on both side , splitring to the eyelet of the lure and knot to the mono leader .

Jon .

 

[gman]

the concept is great but the thickness of the transition creates lag and friction while casting which screws up distance

 

[Bellyups]

wind ons on a spinner are a taboo for me I dont use them. negatively affects your casting because of heavy connection IMHO

Glen, for me, I always have knots catching the guides. What size guides and tips are on your rods? My rods taper to 12s.

 

[gman]

Glen, for me, I always have knots catching the guides. What size guides and tips are on your rods? My rods taper to 12s.

This is going to sound really stupid but I am a gear geek, I have no clue what size the guides are LMAO

 

[Bellyups]

This is going to sound really stupid but I am a gear geek, I have no clue what size the guides are LMAO

LOL.

I will build the rod and then play around casting the Page Ranking, midknot, and windons and go with what works best. I may make my own windons, as JB hollow is very limp and thin walled, which should help casting a windon. I would also know exactly how strong my connections are.

This may sound crazy, but I wonder if you used some form of wax or lubricate on a windon/leader, it may cast significantly further.

 

[fathom]

Scott,

Forget using floro, it's much too stiff at 130 # .

I used 170 varivas and found little distance sacrifice. In panama distance is not as critical as night casting in the Gulf. The fishermans stealth gman suggest is also one of the super soft Japanese leaders that is easy to tie. Good luck on finding them though as A.P.S. is sold out of both.

 

[Sea Crappie]

Glen, for me, I always have knots catching the guides. What size guides and tips are on your rods? My rods taper to 12s.


Scott,

For all my heavy stuff it's a 40mm stripper guide down to a 16mm tip top. Also, when you say the knot hangs up, do you mean a midknot?

 

[Sea Crappie]

If you can't get Varivas or Fisherman, go with clear Jinkai. I use all three and there's not much difference at all.

 

[Bellyups]

Scott,

For all my heavy stuff it's a 40mm stripper guide down to a 16mm tip top. Also, when you say the knot hangs up, do you mean a midknot?

Thanks John. Your top is a 16, so I guess your smallest guides are 16s too?

Ksong tied a midknot or PR knot for me and it was a 2 inch stiff knot that eventually worked its end loose. I lost confidence in it and changed over to my windons. I thought the stiff 2 inches of the know was worse than a windon, but maybe I am wrong.

 

[gman]

LOL.
I wonder if you used some form of wax or lubricate on a windon/leader, it may cast significantly further.

sounds a little funky to me LMAO, I wouldnt want anyone walking in on me while Im applying KY on my leader ROTFLMAO