Spectra Backing Question

[Fishin' Fever]

Quick question for you guys. What are the advantages to using hollow core over solid backing on your reels? Plan on loop to loop slices. Thanks.

[Capt Josh]

We use both, but if you're planning on top shotting with mono then definitely go with hollow core as it makes loop to loop splicing much easier.

Question though, why not just fill the entire reel up with spectra and forget about the mono all together? We use 100% spectra to either the swivel if we're trolling lures, or a 20' fluoro leader connected by a bimini, and then a modified albright to the fluoro for our live bait fishing.

[Snapp]

We use both, but if you're planning on top shotting with mono then definitely go with hollow core as it makes loop to loop splicing much easier.

Question though, why not just fill the entire reel up with spectra and forget about the mono all together? We use 100% spectra to either the swivel if we're trolling lures, or a 20' fluoro leader connected by a bimini, and then a modified albright to the fluoro for our live bait fishing.

So you run spectra through your rigger clips?

[willsurf02]

The advantages of using Hollowcore are 1) Diameter- it still has a smaller diameter than monofilament to give you maximum spool capacity and 2) Strength- The strength of Hollowcore Dacron or Spectra is much much stronger which will allow you to use heavier line when 3) Splicing your leader material. Hollowcore is designed to allow for splicing in monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders and eliminating knots in your line. This allows for your line to run smoothly through your guides without any hangups from knots.

Now when if are planning to use Straight Spectra for backing on a reel then the advantages are 1) Diameter- spectra has an even smaller diameter than hollowcore and mono so you can get even better spool capacity with heavier line. 2) The strength of spectra allows you to use heavier line on smaller reels and use a top shot of various leader materials- mono or fluoro. 3) Castability- Spectra casts amazing!!! If you plan on casting jigs or irons or poppers, then you want to use spectra. It will easily add another 10-25yds to your cast. It slides through the guides much easier than mono. Just use a short leader of only 3-4ft of Fluoro. If you are bottom fishing, spectra cuts through the water and the current and has less drag in the water than mono which allows you to reach the bottom faster. 4) Sensitivity- Spectra is really sensitive and you can feel every movement of the fish, from the bite to the head shakes to the drag screaming runs.

The only downside that I can thin of is the fact that you have to learn your knots or how to splice mono into hollowcore. This knowledge comes with time and experience, but once you've tied a few spectra to mono knots it comes as easy as tying any other knot.

-Will

[Patudo]

What would be the recommended knots/connections for connecting solid spectra to a mono topshot? Smoothness/castability is not as important for my application as strength. Say 100-130 lb class spectra to equivalent class monofilament. Appreciate your advice Josh, Will and others with experience in the field.

many thanks
patudo

[Nauti Natured]

A lot of people dont like to use all braid because of the lack of stretch. It can rip a hole in a fishes mouth and is very unforgiving. A mono or fluoro top shot can act as a "shock" leader to add a little stretch. Or ... a lot of charter captains have now gone to 75% mono and an emergency backing of 25% braid.

For me ... it depends on what kind of fishing I am doing but quite honestly ... if a fish has gone out 1000 yards of mono he aint coming back regardless.

[Nauti Natured]

What would be the recommended knots/connections for connecting solid spectra to a mono topshot? Smoothness/castability is not as important for my application as strength. Say 100-130 lb class spectra to equivalent class monofilament. Appreciate your advice Josh, Will and others with experience in the field.

many thanks
patudo

Uni to Uni is what a lot of people use. I like the albright as well.

[Current Affair]

If the fish dies on the bottom. Alot of people use dacron so if a fish does die, there is a chance to get it up. Im not sure about spectra though, i use straight mono.

Rob

[LuckyDrew]

A bimini in solid spectra to a topshot with a reverse albright connection, or the bimini to a topshot with a loop to loop connection with premade topshots like those Basil makes. Hollowcore is overrated as backing, I personally think the strength of hollow is more inconsistent than its' solid brethren.

Uni to uni is not recommended with single strand spectra, too slippery, especially Powerpro or cortland. If ya gotta use a uni to uni, then double up the spectra with a bimini first, or at least a Roy Rose knot if the bimini is to difficult.

The concept of fishing straight spectra isn't new, and the fear that it isn't forgiving enough isn't new either. The reality is that you need to use a little less drag on a green fish to compensate, but you also have to be diligent to keep constant pressure on the fish, much more so than with mono backing.

[calebw]

We use both, but if you're planning on top shotting with mono then definitely go with hollow core as it makes loop to loop splicing much easier.

Question though, why not just fill the entire reel up with spectra and forget about the mono all together? We use 100% spectra to either the swivel if we're trolling lures, or a 20' fluoro leader connected by a bimini, and then a modified albright to the fluoro for our live bait fishing.

Capt Josh are you using 100% spectra on your reels for targeting the giant yellowfin tuna? Do you have alot of pulled hooks on your giant yellowfin. Here in Morehead City we use main line of 200lb spectra to a 200 yd of 200lb mono then to a small windon swivel and then we crimp our 40ft 200lb fluoro leader for targeting the giant bluefin tuna. We use the long top shot to give us some stretch so when the tuna starts doing his head shakes it does pull the hook or tear a huge hole in his mouth. Are using the 100% spectra to leader on your reals for your big blacks, when they go off jumping and tail walking does your line have enough stretch to so that it does pull the hook.