Tuna on Spinning Gear - Question

[iguana1]

Hello,

I am planning to try the Run & Gun for BFT this year for real. I messed around a bit with it last year. I have two spinning set ups w/ 80 lb JB Braid. Last year I had them rigged with wind-ons via loop-to-loop connections. This is a bit ugly going through the guide and chafes heavily when casting.

I would appreciate any info on how guys are making this connection in a way that does not interfere with casting. I thought about a short leader (less than 4') but wasnt sure what that would do for the bite. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Seth/Gecko

[Tunaman40]

You might want to try JB hollow core and splice your leader directly into it. (Chinese Finger cuff) and serve it where the leader enters the HC. The distance that you run the leader into the HC is a matter of preference. I have seen some people run it only a foot or two and some people run the leader 7 or 8'. For a spinning application I would imagine that you would want the least amount of "splice" running through your guides. If you want to use short leaders then I would recommend using Fluorocarbon as tuna can be line shy.

[AlloyToy]

went to the BFT seminar last weekend. One of the speakers was Capt. Terry Nugent www.riptidecharters.com He does mostly tuna on spinning gear type fishing. He does his braid to fluorocarbon connection with a triple surgeons knot, and said he's never had one fail.

[captdom]

I too use the surgeons knot, double or triple. If needing to tie in a hurry, I will go with an albright, with extra wraps...never had a failure on either. I always carry superglue, helps to put a dab on the albright, coats the knot nicely.

I use a 4-8 foot shot of flouro, doesn't seem ot bother the tuna at all....

[AlloyToy]

Dom,

50# braid & 50# Fluorocarbon?

[captdom]

Dom,

50# braid & 50# Fluorocarbon?

50# or 65# braid, and 40#-90# pound floro depending on conditions and size of fish..

I use lighter drags, especially on the light floro, but had a few fish saw through the lighter floro, chaffing is an issue, so go with the heaviest you can, without ruining the action of the smaller poppers and plugs you will sometimes be throwing.

I am sure you got some killer knowledge at the Hooked Up seminar, Capt. Terry is one of the best, and great at sharing his hard earned knowledge.

Did you get any "secret weapons" to the troll bite out east from Stew?

[Tuna Meltdown]

Seth I too attended Terry's (Riptide) seminar last weekend in Hyannis and He has had great success with the triple surgeons knot. It is easy to tie. Small profile that goes trough guides easy. He has not lost a fish due to this knot failing. I am going to try th 80lb. Shimano wind-ons to start the season but if I have the same problems you are having I'm going to use the triple surgeons knot. What is the name of your boat. Maybe we can help put one another on the fish.

[wrap-check]

I've been using the uni to uni for several years now and have never had a failure (straightend a hook or two, but that knot has held). I did try that triple surgeons last season, and it held no problem as well.

50 lb braid with 50lb flouro leader has worked well, I would watch going up to the 80 flouro, that stuff is really thick, and will take alot of action out of your lures.

[Fin Addiction]

I used to use back to back unis, triple surgeons but graduated to a *slim beauty knot....I use 40lb braid and 50lb floro....The nice thing about the slim beauty knot is that the tag end of the floro points away from the guides on the cast for a very smooth cast. Just remember to use a couple feet longer leader than the tuna you are casting to....For most school tuna I use a 7' leader. Haven't had a slim beauty knot fail yet....I also use it for all my vertical jigging rods where I tie 80lb floro to 65lb braid.....I could never get used to windons for casting....

[AlloyToy]

50# or 65# braid, and 40#-90# pound floro depending on conditions and size of fish..

I use lighter drags, especially on the light floro, but had a few fish saw through the lighter floro, chaffing is an issue, so go with the heaviest you can, without ruining the action of the smaller poppers and plugs you will sometimes be throwing.

I am sure you got some killer knowledge at the Hooked Up seminar, Capt. Terry is one of the best, and great at sharing his hard earned knowledge.

Did you get any "secret weapons" to the troll bite out east from Stew?

It seems the big interest was the BallyHoo on a planer combo. They said numerous times in the seminar that this was a top producer to the East last fall.