Leader Connection Help

[petecollins]

Ive been a lurker for awile, but thought I would join after learning a few things. Moved outside of OC a few months ago for a new job. Was in NC for awhile, originally from tampa FLA. I have been out a few times and have enjoyed the bluefin fishing in OC, but had a couple questions regarding the bluefin fishing. I am mostly concerned about the wwwwb fishing using an 80, 80lb rod with large rollers.

I noticed alot of people use a direct connect, mainline to a small spro 130lb barrell to a 130lb 30 foot leader. I typically use 130 floro. I use this method also, but get a little sketched watching the swivel back and forth through the rod when a larger fish takes a run and the leader needs to be dumped. On a few occasions fish have popped off typically breaking right at the mainline before the crimp.

I was considering using wind on leaders with the spectra loop. Mainline (100lb diamond) with a double connected by a loop to loop to a 25 ft floro windo on, then a 4 or 5 foot floro end leader attached by a small spro. This would eliminate the swivel coming into the rod. Probably cover the spro with a small squid or something to hide the connection. My main concern is will the spectra in the water decrease my bites, even know it will be 30 feet from my bait. Just wanted to see if anyone does this or has had success doing it. Part of me thinks I should just keep doing what im doing, but increase the drag once I get the swivel on the reel.

Thoughts?

[Sea Draggin]

Keep doing what your doing and transition your rods to big foot guides. They will go right through. Some people will use ring guides, but not me.

[joeksr]

If you go with the wind on and a small spro covered by a small squid 2 things can happen.
In my opinion.
1. A fish will hit the squid and cut you off.
If your trying to hide the swivel and make it look like
something a fish will eat he will.
2. The squid can interfere with the swivel, negating it's purpose.

Hook em up.

[tunakiller 4 hire]

I use the 130 spro then chafe the loops with that black chafe sold at Ake marine I make the loops really small and the leader 60 ft.I dont think that you need a full 60 ft but when the swivel comes on and the fish gets close that long of a leader has less of a chance of coming back off the reel if the fish makes a little run. The wind on makes a big difference in the amount of bites you get here.

[petecollins]

Good idea on the 60ft. I like that idea. The only problem is that in a tournament you got to keep it to 30ft per igfa. I might fish the oc tuna next week. Do you use the spro barells or those heavy inline wind on swivels.

[Bert Rodgers]

When the leader gets on the reel have the angler push the drag to full and the gaff man pull the leader without wraps till the fish is in gaff range.

Bert

[tunakiller 4 hire]

I forgot to mention these are my charter rigs and I also tie a bimini in my mainline then albright 100 ande on the bimini 6cranks of that on the reel then crimp the 130 barrel on. I then can push the heat way up once the 100 get on the reel makes for an easy transfer to the box and you dont have 50 or 60 mainline at the swivel incase the connection does grab a little going back out on a big fish.