How tight do you twist your twists on your twisty leaders?

[Chris Webster]

Hi Guys,

I hear different things from different people.

I have seen some twists so tight they are quite hard to attach to the mainline.

Thoughts?

Chris

[Andrew Poulos]

Mine are quite tight, and just enough of a loop at the end to thread the braid through. I make mine using a drill , so they come up nice and tight.

[Ross Smith]

       
       I used twisted leaders until l was shown the PR knot, it is easier to make, all you need is a bobbin,
       now l wouldn't bother with twisted leaders, if you get busted off its usually the braid/main line that gives
       and you have to tie a new bimini to your braid then attach the pre made twisted leader.

       With the PR knot you do it all in one go using a single strand of heavy leader that ties directly to your
       braid using the bobbin by the time you tie a new bim and attach it to your twisted leader with a cats
       paw etc you could have tied two PR knots and l find the PR runs through the guides smoother.

       Look up the PR knot on the net and see for yourself, twisted leaders do however give you 2 strands of
       leader material in the leader the PR only gives you one.

       Cheers

[Warwick Joyce]

Chris, I no longer use twisted leaders but when I did I liked them fairly tight. Usually around 1.5 twists per inch.
I found the more twists the more stretch you will get, a twisted leader can act like a massive spring.

I have also seen twisty's that are only just twisted to the point where they might as well not be twisted at all
You are right about them being hard to attach to the mainline! A simple cats-paw made hard!

[Callan Wallace]

Chris, I use twisted leaders all the time and you are right, some of them get so tight that you can hardly thread the braid. I think that is a little too tight. I twist up 100lb and I like the loop to be about 1cm long. That way it is easier to attach the braid. As for speed of leader replacement on the boat, a quick short bimini and the loop to loop connection takes about 2 minutes. I always have a swivel and split ring already attached to the twisted leader. I store a bunch already made up in a small round margarine container ready to go.

[Michael Gordon]

Bearing in mind how popular twisted leaders were in GT popping a few years ago can those that don"t use them any more give some reasons why please?

[Warwick Joyce]

Hi Michael, for me going away from twisted leaders was for increased strike rate in heavily fished area's. I still normally carry one or two just in case the unstoppable are about.
I also don't see the need for the extra abrasion and shock resistance of a 130lb twisted vs a 200-300lb single (in my area anyway).
On the flip side, a bit further north into shoalwater bay a twisted may prove to be a necessity

[Mark Harris]

Bearing in mind how popular twisted leaders were in GT popping a few years ago can those that don"t use them any more give some reasons why please?

Twisties were in my mind a complicated solution to a simple problem.  It is just much simpler fishing with a single strand leader.

[Peter Morris]

Bearing in mind how popular twisted leaders were in GT popping a few years ago can those that don"t use them any more give some reasons why please?

Michael,

I was a huge fan of twisted leaders and used them very successfully.
That was until my bimini caught around my stripper guide and completely tore it off......so I gave them away and only use single strand with the FG knot now.

Far easier system all round without the worry of a double catching on one of your guides.

Pete

[Michael Gordon]

Thanks guys,nice to hear someone elses viewpoint.I am trying to make the switch from twisties to single strand myself.I just need to get a bit more confident tying that FG knot & I will be sorted.

[Ross Smith]

I also found that where l joined the bim to the twisty using a cats paw, this connection would at times get caught in the frame of the tip guide as l reeled in line to get ready for the next cast. Especially when l used a hard leader material to make the twisty. Maybe my connection needed some refining but l will now stick to the PR knot as l have had no such problem with it.

cheers Ross

[Stu Hardy]

IS anyone using JB hollow and a simple splice instead of a PR of FG knot for a single strand leader?

[Ben Yeo]

IS anyone using JB hollow and a simple splice instead of a PR of FG knot for a single strand leader?

Hi Stu,

Yes, I use both actually. But normal rig is JB 80# hollow and 130 Mono inserted. Solid braid into the hollow at the other end.

Almost completely seamless and cast like a dream.

Downside, more time consuming to make and therefore need to spend time preparing leaders at home.

[Ross Smith]

How long does it take to make a JB hollow splice from start to finish ?

[Ben Yeo]

How long does it take to make a JB hollow splice from start to finish ?

Well it really depends on proficiency, tools and practice.
Used to take me about 20-25 mins (yes I am meticulous and anal when it comes to knots - lessons learned  ) now It takes 10-15 mins

The tedious part is tying the nail knot serve and synching it till it compresses and turns translucent while maintaining the mainline and mono under significant tension ( i use about 20Kgs of tension). Having the nail knot sit over the JB as close to the point where the mono enters without getting onto the mono at all. I tie 2X15 turn nail knots bak to back for added insurance.