What do you want to see?

[Luke Wyrsta]

I'm interested in members thoughts on anything technical or unknown they would like to see explained or more detail in on the forum and on the main website.

For example, i plan to improve the instructions on how to make twisted leaders and other rigs...

Any requests or questions?

Thanks,
Luke

[Cam Foley]

Yes definitely the twisted leaders i have tried with little success ,cant seem to stop the end that you would loop on to the braided double from unwinding.

[aaron]

that would be great luke!!!
ive been haveing the same prob as cam.
 

[Rob Ciotucha]

Cam / Aaron how do you guys get the leader so it twists together? They way i do it, Once i have twisted the leader length up (usualy using a battery drill) i get another person to hold the end thats not fixed.  I then roughly find the center of the leader i form a loop and the leader should start twisting together as the person with the non fixed end slowly moves towards the center.

I have never had to looped end even try to untwist.

Here is a photo of the looped end twisting together.

Cheers
Rob

[Earl Hamilton]

I wouldnt mind seeing some tips for travelling with tackle, there should be a fair bit of experience amongst us .
Setting up and reading fish finders would be usefull to me as well, I havn't a clue with them past looking for lumps, bumps, and fish shapes on the screen (see what I mean!)
Earl.

[Ivan Verhage]

I make my leaders by twisting a length of 100lb penn 10x with a spinning reel, turn the handle 80-100 times. then i get someone to find the middle of the leader and clip on a snap swivle but hold the snap so it cannot twist.then i walk around to where the other side was conected and hold thr reel in place while the other person pulls the line very tight. when the line is tight they hold the swivill end and let the snap spin. i un-clip the snap and tie a knot on the other side, then crinp on bight leader and swivel.

[Rob Ciotucha]

I just tried the way you suggested Ivan and it works well, alot easier then the way i have been doing them.


Oh and sorry for hijacking your thread luke

Cheers
Rob

[David Noble]

Hi Luke / everyone.  Got a few newbie questions here, wonder if you can help?

I'm fine with making up twisties but need a few tips on best ways to finish them off.
eg, twisted leader tied directly to swivel. (is uni knot best?)
twistd leader to single strand mono or Fluro leader (for stickbaits etc and also lighter line classes)

Also do you have any comments on using FG knot on hard fluro leaders?  Does it bite as well as a soft mono would, or is it not recommended? 

Cheers Dave

[Brandon Khoo]

Hi Dave

there is no "best" way for finishing off twisties. It comes down to what you're comfortable with. If you want to tie it directly to a swivel, a uni knot is fine. I prefer to wind the twistie back to create a doubled section which we call a bite segment but that is purely a personal thing. Some of us think that provides a bit more protection from being bitten or rubbed off.

For attaching a single strand to the end of a twistie, you can use a crimp or you can tie the single strand to the twistie. it depends on how heavy the single strand is. If it is not too heavy, you can use a uni knot each way but if the single strand is really heavy (like say 300lb), you may have to use a nail knot on it as it will be very hard to make it bite. I can't get a leader or this size to bite with a uni knot but I know some people who can.

I would not consider using a fluorocarbon leader with any of the knots where you have to tie the braid around the single strand (FG, PE, midknot etc). It is just too hard and you will have trouble getting it to bite.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Yes definitely the twisted leaders i have tried with little success ,cant seem to stop the end that you would loop on to the braided double from unwinding.

Cam,

Have you been able to make one that doesn't unwind yet?

After the initial twists you put in the single strand, when you double, you twist in the opposite direction (reverse to orignial twists).

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers,
Luke

[Luke Wyrsta]

Cam / Aaron how do you guys get the leader so it twists together? They way i do it, Once i have twisted the leader length up (usualy using a battery drill) i get another person to hold the end thats not fixed.  I then roughly find the center of the leader i form a loop and the leader should start twisting together as the person with the non fixed end slowly moves towards the center.

I have never had to looped end even try to untwist.

Here is a photo of the looped end twisting together.

Cheers
Rob

I personally find it much easier and find the twists are much more neater and compact when you use a drill to make the twists from that point on.

IMPORTANT: twist in the opposite direction to what you formed the first twists. Always twist from the same side otherwise twisting can be done in the same direction both times.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Hi Luke / everyone.  Got a few newbie questions here, wonder if you can help?

I'm fine with making up twisties but need a few tips on best ways to finish them off.
eg, twisted leader tied directly to swivel. (is uni knot best?)
twistd leader to single strand mono or Fluro leader (for stickbaits etc and also lighter line classes)

Also do you have any comments on using FG knot on hard fluro leaders?  Does it bite as well as a soft mono would, or is it not recommended? 

Cheers Dave

David,

What Brandon said is correct.

Touching on single leaders attached to twisted leaders - for me, they are used for two purposes.

1. Increased diameter/abrasion resistance for say big poppers
2. Attached as FC because A: less visibility in the water; & B: I prefer to work a stickbait with a single strand for what in my opinion facilitates better action and touch.

As to preferences, i tend to finish my twisties by forming the bite leader as Brandon metioned for say big poppers and pencils or uni-knotting a single strand for stickbaits and sometimes big poppers. If fish are shy, generally tend to revert to twisty/single strand FC shock leader for stickbaits.

None of the cinching knots work on FC i have used. Perhaps in the future there will be a softer and more supple FC available. I never used a full leader made from FC instead opting for a 'bite' leader.

[Brandon Khoo]

I don't think I could afford to use FC for a full leader, especially twisted leaders!

[aaron]

thanks ivan,just tried your way
and thanks luke for mentioning to twist oppisite way on second twist..PERFECT
 

[David Noble]

Thanks for your help guys,

Brandon, I'll be using lighter leaders so wont have to worry about tying in 300lb.  Good to know a uni to uni connection is up to it.
Luke, same idea with using a single FC leader for visability reasons.  Would a few meters of twisted leader for protection and then a uni connection and 60cm of FC shock leader to lure be long enough? I still want the knot just outside the rod tip.
I will be using this same theory for Sydney kingies on lighter tackle aswell as trips to the reef for GT's.

Cheers Dave