Braid, There I said it!

[Don]

I know. Tryin to be funny.

 

[Don]

I hear that but I've not done so yet. What method do you use to sharpen hooks.
I’ve been curious of two things. How deep are the rivers that you catch your Musky I. And how deep are the fish when you hook up?

 

[Don]

For those of you that use Braid with a leader I'd like to know how long of a leader you use for which species. Big Guy in Sellersville said 2'. I've read to use a leader the length of you rod when fishing for lakers. I normally use 2-4' when using a spinning or spincast rod.

 

[Solitario Lupo]

I hear that but I've not done so yet. What method do you use to sharpen hooks.
I’ve been curious of two things.

I just use a hook sharpener. I like this one easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Multi-groove-Fish-Hook-Sharpener/dp/B000B8JDTU/ref=sr_1_10?crid=17MNZBLXAQA5Y&keywords=hook+sharpener&qid=1653437854&sprefix=Hook+shar%2Caps%2C348&sr=8-10

 

[Solitario Lupo]

How deep are the rivers that you catch your Musky I. And how deep are the fish when you hook up?

It’s a creek. That has a dam on it. That’s the fast current goes to say about 20 feet. The Muskie hide in the rocks so I’ll fish to about 10 feet down to 3 feet of waters. That’s just below the dam. Now the creek there’s holes they lay in.

River fishing is harder but the Allegheny river has deep spots but is a shallow river. They swim anywhere from 35 feet deep to 5 feet of water. They like the weed beds and big rocks.

Muskie are funny they can hit right in front of you had one swim on shore inches of water to grab a lure.

 

[Don]

Muskie are funny they can hit right in front of you had one swim on shore inches of water to grab a lure.

Seems to be typical Esox family behavior. They are fun to watch. Pickerel are always up to some antics.

I have numerous of that style hook sharpener built into my tools such as knife sheath, knot tying tool and other. Maybe I'll use them. Certain hook brands are said to be sharper than possible with hand sharpening as they are acid sharpened. Pretty hard to beat.

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Seems to be typical Esox family behavior. They are fun to watch. Pickerel are always up to some antics.

I have numerous of that style hook sharpener built into my tools such as knife sheath, knot tying tool and other. Maybe I'll use them. Certain hook brands are said to be sharper than possible with hand sharpening as they are acid sharpened. Pretty hard to beat.

Don’t be fooled they say there sharp right out of the package and acid or whatever but for any toothy fish should be sharpened right away. I did that my first couple times thought they were sharp and lost fish now when I sharpen them a couple times my hookup is way better.

 

[Don]

Got it

 

[Don]

What know do you use to join floro to mono and Floro/Mono to Braid. I was learning to use the Alberto knot but prefer the multiple surgeon knot. Today I learned of the FG knot and find it pretty darn cool.

Below is my first one. A bit sloppy but very skinny in comparison to the others I nmentioned. It is 40lb Braid to 12lb Big Game.

 

[Don]

How does this Look? Is that slim enough? 40lb braid to 8lb big game.

 

[Don]

40 lb braid to 8 big game

 

[Don]

40lb braid to 12lb big game.

 

[Don]

Lastly 40 lb braid to 15lb mono.

 

[Solitario Lupo]

It looks good but how does it hold.

 

[Don]

Well enough that it breaks! Think it will pass through the guides?

 

[troutspinner]

Looks good, all of em. You’ll feel the tick as it passes the guides if you’re trying to finesse a cast. Otherwise, let it fly!

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Well enough that it breaks! Think it will pass through the guides?

If it doesn’t go through good make them shorter.

 

[HenryDavid]

Why use a leader at all ?

 

[Don]

Why use a leader at all ?

Stealth
Mono and floro are almost invisible. Braid is very visible.
Economy
Mono and especially floro are more highly abrasion resistant than braid. While being easy to replace they can take the beatings from rocks and teeth better.
And the braid is rarely if ever cut all season.

 

[Don]

I’ve heard every length one can imagine for leaders. In a recent YouTube a Pro mentioned using a 25’ leader and that way when flipping the braid rarely comes Into play. Eccentric? Maybe. What length leader do you all prefer?