Hollow Spectra

[Scott Maybury]

Ok brains trust, here is another question

I am a terrible knot tier, i mean, really bad

I am interested in the idea of using a hollow spectra (like the jerry brown) and splicing in my mono leader, mainly for popper casting, but maybe also for jigging (does anyone know if the jerry brown has any colour markings at all, like a blue line every 10m etc?)

My question is....what are the catches? I assume there must be some, or more people would be doing it...or is it just that for anyone who can tie a decent knot, it is quicker to tie knots? I expect the splicing will be a bit tricky at first, but it doesn't look THAT complicated....

[Brandon Khoo]

I would respond to the question except that I can't get comfortable with the idea of including myself in some brains trust ............... 

[Scott Maybury]

Awwwww come on Brandon, you are one of the brains I trust the most on these issues!

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Guys,

I use 130lb Jerry Brown hollow or Tuf Line Guides Choice hollow for my GT casting.  I don't splice the mono into the braid though (makes it tough to change leaders).  I simply splice 6-8 feet of the hollow braid back into itself (or "brains trust" needed - splice in a length of 200lb braid...already spliced into itself !!!!).  This leaves you with a nice small loop to cats-paw to your twisty.

The advantages of this system are 100% strength and nothing to catch in the rings on the cast.  These braids also seem fairly resistant to wind knots and tangles.  The only slight disadvantage I can find is that Vs Varivas pound for pound they are bigger diameter lines so can take a couple of yards of your cast....but then again the hollow braid seems to result in fewer rod ring wraps than Varivas ...

I still use Varivas + PR knot for my jigging becuase of the finer diameter.

Hope this helps.  Drop me a line if you want to know more about splicing.  Its not the easiest thing to get across without showing someone....but I'll do my best.

Dave

[Brandon Khoo]

Scotty, my suggestion would be that if you're a terrible knot tier to practice till you're a good knot tier. As David alluded to, splicing the line isn't the easiest thing to do and if you can tie a competent knot, you'll find this is probably much faster.

The advantage of the hollow braid is that you can splice a tiny loop, smaller than you can ever tie a bimimi double. It is also almost perfectly smooth - no bumps whatsoever and even smoother than a FG knot. You then simply catspaw the loop and the twisted leader. I don't know of anyone who creates a wind-on leader approach with the mono although I suppose you could do that. I've never tried it so I don't know.

The disadvantage is the hollow braid is not as fine as the solid braids and it also feel quite flat. I've experimented a little with it and what I've found is for equivalent poundages, the solid lines I use cast considerably better.

Some people go to an enormous amount of trouble with this rig - they use mainline of about 130 or 150lb hollow braid which they then splice a length of 200lb hollow braid and then they form a loop to a length of kevlar and then to a short mono leader. When I compare this to Kenji Konishi's one minute PR knot, it does seem like a lot of trouble. I could say the same thing about rig used by Kozo Okubo which looks very fussy as well - but each to their own.

[Doug Mcleod1]

Hi Scott
No Jerry Brown does not have any markings at all.
In answer to your splicing questions , it is not that difficult to do With a bit of practice & the correct equipment IE: loop needles & pipe needles.
You can use the end loop system if you want, but you can also use 80- 100lb hollow main line and simply make up leaders of 60-300lb mono, using 130lb hollow & the Chinese finger trap method (same system as making a wind-on leader) but with no end loop, just leave about 5 feet of spectra as a tag end to splice back into your main line using a loop needle. Splice your 130lb into your 80lb and its done , I would however suggest making up your leaders before a trip as this can be a little time consuming , but with a little bit of practice the splicing can be done as quickly as some knots I have seen.
This method will give you as close to a 100% connection as you can get & no knots at all.
As brandon says , each to there own , but if you don't like tying knots it's certainly a good option.
It works for me

[Dave Foyle]

Hi All,

I find the splicing pretty quick - like all our knots / connections its all about being practiced in your choice.  If you are good enough you can do anything reasonably quickly.

I do carry a spare spool with loop spliced in so I'm good to go if I need to change the lot in a real hurry.

Tight lines   Dave