Braid to leader connection query

[pequa1]

Could have posted this query in general fishing as well, but since we cast our presentations surf fishing, and don't simply drop it overboard, I wondered how many of us prefer to tie with an FG. an Alberto, a blood knot etc, our main line braid to a leader, and how many of us prefer to have a barrel swivel in between. I recently got a longer (11') surf rod and using an FG tied on a four foot leader directly, I do not like the "twang" I am hearing when this tiny knot passes through the rod tip and am thinking about going back to a swivel that remains outside of the guides when casting. I just gotta believe that the twang is representing a few yards of casting distance as well as subjecting tip or knot to wear. ( I definitely use a barrel swivel between braid and fluoro on the yak, at least when changing the rig the first time of the paddle.)

 

[movetheboat]

I use a swivel or Alberto

 

[longcast]

For surf fishing have always used a swivel. And a bigger one than necessary. On the rocks, that is something to grab and drag a fish up especially if I was timing the next big wave. Also nice on the open beach if you can grab the leader in the wash and drag the fish up. Especially in the dark!

 

[longcast]

With the 10 foot stick, 34" leader was about right. I know I used longer leaders with the 11 foot stick, but gave up on that size many years ago.

 

[pequa1]

My new 11' is a medium action for 3/4 oz to 3 oz and others with it say the optimum lure is about 1 1/2oz. ( I haven't done bait and weight or even bought any bait since 2005 or so.) Hoping to be able to cast it over the second wave and when retrieving keep much of the line out of the waves.

 

[pequa1]

I use a swivel or Alberto

Oh, didn't realize you also hit the ocean beaches.

 

[longcast]

My new 11' is a medium action for 3/4 oz to 3 oz and others with it say the optimum lure is about 1 1/2oz. ( I haven't done bait and weight or even bought any bait since 2005 or so.) Hoping to be able to cast it over the second wave and when retrieving keep much of the line out of the waves.

Sounds like you are prepared.

 

[longcast]

For what it is worth, I never really found a noticeable difference from an 11 to 10 foot rod. Except the burning feeling in my arms and back, lol. If fishing a bomber, I put the rod tip down to prevent the waves from grabbing too much. Also backing away from the water helped. I have caught some real good fish with very light lures on big surf days with the 10 foot stick.

 

[pequa1]

I am expecting to be able to cast a light lure with basically a downward pull of my left arm and a snap forward of my right. I always have a pack of salonpas patches just in case, lol.

 

[Kona]

Barrel swivel , 5’ of 60 floro on the rocks 4’ of 40 on the open beach. 11’ Lami M

 

[longcast]

Barrel swivel , 5’ of 60 floro on the rocks 4’ of 40 on the open beach. 11’ Lami M

5" feet to give you a longer leader to grab or abrasion resistance banging along the rocks? Both?

And 50 fluoro rocks, 40 fluoro beach. Bay, smaller rod, 30 flouro.

 

[pequa1]

thanks Kona and Longcast. Tied some 4' 40lb fluoro leaders last night sans dropper loops. I get keeper weaks and fluke off the kayak on teasers but thinking about it, only torture schoolies with teasers off the beach. They reduce my distance as well which is why I went to a new rod in the first place. I did go with a barrel swivel to connect to my 20lb braid. As others have said the swivel will catch some weed before it reaches my lure, maybe adding another few feet of "catchability" to my retrieve.