Hollow core mainline

[Fraser Simpson]

Hi guys,

I have seen on the Nomad website that they talk about the use of Jerry Brown hollow core (Line One) spectra as a mainline. The idea being that you can splice a loop into the end of the line and then use a cats paw to attach the twisted leader. I really like the idea as I doubt there is a smoother line termination than a spliced loop.

I have been practicing with a length of the line and it is SOOOOO easy to do - it takes about 20 seconds.

The question is this...as the line is hollow it tends to be rather flat in profile, especially under strain. I guess that this may cause some "bedding-in" problems on the spool and negatively affect casting distance and smoothness. Does anyone have any experience with this product? I am looking at PE8 (100lb) in white. The other bonus of the line is that is half the price of many other braids, and it is 12 strand rather than the 8 strand on most Japanese braids, so it is very subtle.

Cheers guys,

Fraser

[Brandon Khoo]

Fraser, seeing no one else wants to respond, I will but please note the caveat that I have had limited experience with hollow line. There is no doubt that the hollow line is advantageous when you want to form loops. The loop is, unlike a bimimi double, seamless and you can make the loop tiny which I think is a huge advantage.

What I didn't like about the hollow line is that it flattens out and I just don't feel it casts as well. As I don't use loops with my rig, I decided there was no point continuing with the experiment.

[Travis Heaps]

Fraser - if Brandon used a caveat i'll use a super caveat  ...i've used 130lb hollow core once on a nomad reel during a charter for a very brief time - and loved it.  I think the advantages out weigh the loss of casting distance (I personally didn't notice it) and would consider putting it on a heavy outfit if I ever bought one.

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Guys,

I have used Jerry Brown / Tuf line guides choice 130lb Hollow braid on my last few GT trips out to Musandam and Fiji.

The spliced loop has a number of big positives:-
- Very strong connection & very reliable
- No knots whizzing through the guides
- Seems to have fewer wind knots / ring wraps than Varivas (for me anyway)
- Option (if you want) to seamlessly splice in a heavier section of braid / kevlar between your reel line and mono leader - if you feel the need.

So far I can only see one small downside which is that Vs Varivas of equivalent breaking strain you cost yourself a few yards on the cast.

For me the pro's outweigh the cons.  I havn't found any bedding in problems with this braid.  I pack the spool very hard and 130lb braid is reasonably chunky stuff too !

Everyone has there own preference and there are lots of good line / leader connections out there.  This one works for me!

Tight lines    Dave
 

[Neale Bird]

Sounds very interesting... was putting off getting a spool of varivas and now im hearing more and more positive things about this stuff.

on a RF-PF and SW18000 i think the 100lb will suffice

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Neale,

The 80lb and 100lb are made with very fine fibres and there isn't a lot to pick between them diameter wise....so the 100lb casts very nicely. Bagged some nice Cubera's out in Panama on the 100lb a couple of months back.

For GT's I have stuck to 130lb - which is a bit chunkier (made out of courser fibres - so its a bit cheaper too) and gives a bit more security (between my ears anyway !!) if some big fish show. 

I guess the choice depends on where you are fishing.  If you are in more forgiving terrain or really need to push out big casts 100lb will be the way to go.  If its a bit of an arm wrestle or you don't need to cast quite as far then why not use 130lb and give yourself a bit of extra reliability !

Dave

[George Pang]

Hi Fraser,

I have also used JB, TL XP, and varivas.

I have spliced them all to give a terminal loop, but JB is really easy since it is the only hollow line.

As far as casting goes
Varivas slightly better than JB, with JB alot better than XP

JB is a 'soft line' which tends to wind knots a bit, but not as bad varivas.

George

[Jay Burgess]

- Option (if you want) to seamlessly splice in a heavier section of braid / kevlar between your reel line and mono leader - if you feel the need.
 

Glanville was doing something similar while we were at Bugatti... looks interesting.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Hi Fraser,

I have also used JB, TL XP, and varivas.

I have spliced them all to give a terminal loop, but JB is really easy since it is the only hollow line.

As far as casting goes
Varivas slightly better than JB, with JB alot better than XP

JB is a 'soft line' which tends to wind knots a bit, but not as bad varivas.

George

Hi George,

Over 100lb, XP is hollow. I have been splicing 130lb XP for 4 years now.

Jay,

I also run a 250 - 500lb twisted piece of Kevlar or Braid when using ultra-short bite leaders. Better abrasion resistance than simply running straight to the mainline.

L

[Fraser Simpson]

Cheers for the replies. I reckon I will get some and see how I go.

Here is another question, and probably the answers will be purely subjective - If using 100lb hollow core, would you:
  1. Splice in a section of heavier hollow core as an abrasion leader with a short mono bite leader
  2. Spliced loop in mainline cats pawed to a twistie, or
  3. Splice a leader direct to the mainline (PR knot?)

As I said it may come down to personal preference, but if any of you have any experience with any of the options I would like to hear.

Fraser

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Fraser,

I would go for number 1.  Heres a brief description of how I do it...trial and error on my part to get to this so I'm sure there will be other ways of doing this.

Here goes on number 1. of your questions....hope this makes sense !

Step 1 - Take 18 feet of 200lb JB Hollow core and splice 6 feet back into itself.  This leaves you with a 12 foot piece of line - 6ft of single 200lb and 6ft of double 200lb with a neat 2-3 inch loop at one end.

Step 2 - Splice the 6ft single section of 200lb inside your reel-line.  The 200lb should enter the reel-line about 6 inches from its end. Make sure that 3-4 inches of the double 200lb also enters inside the reel-line.

Step 3 - Splice the 6 inch tag end of reel-line inside the 200lb double.

All done.  You are now left with (from the reel forwards) 6ft of 200lb single inside your reel line. 3-4 inches of 200lb double inside your reel-line.  6 inches of reel-line inside the 200lb double.  6 feet of 200lb double ending in a 2-3" loop.

Happy splicing.  If this doesn't make sense have a few beers and try again!!

Dave