Jerry Brown vs Blackwater on my Avets

[mstr fish]

Was wondering if any one is using these or one of? Looking for the pros and cons of the hollow spectra. What has got my attention (not the price ) is the fact that you can join it to your top shot with no knot which should be easy enough for me to do (I think). I got to talk to the guys from Blackwater at the Fred hall show and they showed me the connection. For me it was impressive compared to the Power Pro (which is going in the trash) and the izor (no knott) I have on my MXJ's. What I am looking to do is this. I am going on a Tony Reyes trip in May and I need to fill some reels. What would you do and why?
2 Mxj's flylining (topped with 20-30)
1 JX 6/3 For tossing iron (flylining?) (40 topshot)
1 HX for the troll and dropper loop (60 topshot)
Thanks for your input and time......................................fish:dun no:

[mcrae]

I would keep fishing Izor because it's cheaper. With the pound test your fishing it is not like the knots get huge anyway.

[dtf]

If your just starting, go with the best. JB Line one hollow is the easiest spectra to work with when you are splicing, loop to loop, inserting mono, etc etc. YOU WONT BE SORRY.

[iconpyro]

JB Hollow is great. No doubt about that. I just ordered about 3000 yards of 60 lb hollow spectra from Jerry Brown, pocket damage was $400 and I got a free tshirt from them. This though is going to spooled on the following reels

1) SX
2) MXJ
3) JX
4) LX/2
5) Saltist 20TH
6) Saltist 30TH
7) Saltist 40TH
8) Saltist 50TH

Yes I am going all hollow just because I like the fact that the line connections are smooth. Is this overkill? maybe, but now I just make a bunch of topshots in my spare time and I am good. Also I never ever will have to swap out the line, just clean it. I do not know how easily izorline 60lb hollow core splices, but the JB stuff is smooth. I love splicing it already. I didn't think I was going to buy this stuff, but making the serves is quick and when you need to switch out its so fast.

I had trouble at first working with hollow core, but now I've got the process of making servers packed down pretty well. Don't go throwing the powerpro away, you can use it to cinch down the serves. I had about 600 yards of 30lb powerpro that I just use for that now.

If you send an email to the Jerry brown staff with the reels you want to fill, they actually have a measurement of how much yardage can be on the reel. I gave him a list of reels with what line class I wanted, and he came out with the measurements.

[mstr fish]

Originally Posted by iconpyro

JB Hollow is great. No doubt about that. I just ordered about 3000 yards of 60 lb hollow spectra from Jerry Brown, pocket damage was $400 and I got a free tshirt from them. This though is going to spooled on the following reels

1) SX
2) MXJ
3) JX
4) LX/2
5) Saltist 20TH
6) Saltist 30TH
7) Saltist 40TH
8) Saltist 50TH

Yes I am going all hollow just because I like the fact that the line connections are smooth. Is this overkill? maybe, but now I just make a bunch of topshots in my spare time and I am good. Also I never ever will have to swap out the line, just clean it. I do not know how easily izorline 60lb hollow core splices, but the JB stuff is smooth. I love splicing it already. I didn't think I was going to buy this stuff, but making the serves is quick and when you need to switch out its so fast.

I had trouble at first working with hollow core, but now I've got the process of making servers packed down pretty well. Don't go throwing the powerpro away, you can use it to cinch down the serves. I had about 600 yards of 30lb powerpro that I just use for that now.

If you send an email to the Jerry brown staff with the reels you want to fill, they actually have a measurement of how much yardage can be on the reel. I gave him a list of reels with what line class I wanted, and he came out with the measurements.

"Making the serves is quick and when you need to switch out its so fast." Can you explain further what you mean by "serves"?

At the show it was made to seem pretty simple as far as connection goes. I was told to insert my top shot of my choice in about 4-5 ft into the hollow and fish. No need for any knot or anything else. Is this true with your experiance?

Also for topshots what do you prefer for lengths and use?

Thanks you for your time........................fish

[Steve K]

You must have wandered off before catching the rest of the story. The point of entry of the mono into the spectra needs to be clamped down using one method or another. Some use an overhand knot, I like that for 25, 30, and 40 lb mono. Then there are the Sato Crimps with the specially made pliers that go with them. It's a system, crimp and glue. Or you can serve that connection.

Check the Blackwater site and the Sato site for details.

Blackwater International - The World's Finest Fishing Line - Home Page
Blackwater International - The World's Finest Fishing Line - Tech Tips - Introduction

Sato Crimp and Winder - Unique Products For the Serious Angler

Sato Crimp and Winder - Unique Products For the Serious Angler - Pro Crimp Kit

Poke around for Tech Tips, FAQ, Reference Materials. That will keep you busy for a while.

I'm not so sure about the claim that Blackwater is the "Wolrd's Finest Fishing Line." I've been very happy with every yard of Jerry Brown Hollow that I've spooled up on my reels. The 80 lb is the easiest to work with because of the tighter weave. I also use some of the less expensive 80 lb Berkley Big Game Hollow but only for backing. It's nice and smooth and splices easisly and I fill the reels with it and then splice on some of the JB Hollow.

Lots to learn about spectra. In addition to the hollow lending itself nicely to making connections to mono and fluoro, it's spliceable, allowing you to cut out a damaged spot and then splice it back together, no knots.

[hucklongfin]

For the MXJ's just use Izor 50# solid and tie on the 20-30# mono with a Tony Pena or Uni-Uni. Save the hollow for the big stuff.

[jpfilippi]

Originally Posted by hucklongfin

For the MXJ's just use Izor 50# solid and tie on the 20-30# mono with a Tony Pena or Uni-Uni. Save the hollow for the big stuff.

yes what he said, then this gets you fishing, and you might learn more and change your mind later.

[Outthouse]

Originally Posted by jpfilippi

yes what he said, then this gets you fishing, and you might learn more and change your mind later.

What they both said. I have Izor 50# on my MXL and I use the Bob Sand's knot. It is small, stream lined and strong. I think the Bob Sand's knot is a variant to the Tony Pena knot.

[Keta]

Here's how I've done mine,
MX's and SX's I have 40lb Izor solid,
JX's and HX 60lb JB hollow with 50' of 80lb spliced on to the end
EX4/0's 80lb JB hollow with 50' 130lb spliced on to end
EX30 100lb JB hollow with 50yds 130lb spliced on to end
SDS's 130lb JB hollow with 100' of 200lb spliced on to end
Penn 50SW 130lb JB hollow with 100yds of 200n spliced on to end
Penn 70 #1 1200yds of JB 100lb with 600yds of 130lb spliced on to the end
Penn 70 #2 130lb JB hollow with 200yds of 200lb spliced on to the end.

[sdangler]

Originally Posted by mstr fish

"Making the serves is quick and when you need to switch out its so fast." Can you explain further what you mean by "serves"?

At the show it was made to seem pretty simple as far as connection goes. I was told to insert my top shot of my choice in about 4-5 ft into the hollow and fish. No need for any knot or anything else. Is this true with your experiance?

Also for topshots what do you prefer for lengths and use?

Thanks you for your time........................fish

Crimps, overhand knots, serves, etc are used to keep the spectra (when slack) from backing up and off of the mono/flouro topshot. Some guys just glue as well but I would keep an eye on it if I did it that way.

It's your call but I serve everything 30# and over for my topshots and have not had a failure to date. I have the Sato crimp system and have used it and it works fine. I have done the overhand knot and it works too, just a lot of bumps over the roller guides under load. Swifty's new connection system is cool but I have not fished it yet.

Basil and Branman serve so I do too. That's enough advice for me. I believe that Blackwater has a whole tutorial on serving. It's not hard just takes a little practice.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

[mstr fish]

Originally Posted by Steve K

You must have wandered off before catching the rest of the story. The point of entry of the mono into the spectra needs to be clamped down using one method or another. Some use an overhand knot, I like that for 25, 30, and 40 lb mono. Then there are the Sato Crimps with the specially made pliers that go with them. It's a system, crimp and glue. Or you can serve that connection.

Check the Blackwater site and the Sato site for details.

Blackwater International - The World's Finest Fishing Line - Home Page
Blackwater International - The World's Finest Fishing Line - Tech Tips - Introduction

Sato Crimp and Winder - Unique Products For the Serious Angler

Sato Crimp and Winder - Unique Products For the Serious Angler - Pro Crimp Kit

Poke around for Tech Tips, FAQ, Reference Materials. That will keep you busy for a while.

I'm not so sure about the claim that Blackwater is the "Wolrd's Finest Fishing Line." I've been very happy with every yard of Jerry Brown Hollow that I've spooled up on my reels. The 80 lb is the easiest to work with because of the tighter weave. I also use some of the less expensive 80 lb Berkley Big Game Hollow but only for backing. It's nice and smooth and splices easisly and I fill the reels with it and then splice on some of the JB Hollow.

Lots to learn about spectra. In addition to the hollow lending itself nicely to making connections to mono and fluoro, it's spliceable, allowing you to cut out a damaged spot and then splice it back together, no knots.

I did not wander off as I was real specific and interested in the connection to the mono. But you are absoultly right. I contacted JB via e-mail and they were quick to respond with a whole lot of great information. Thank you so much for your insight and the links you provided. I have been reading them slowly but surly. No that these things have been brought to light am wondering if I will be able to learn enough to use the hollow before my trip or just skip the hollow for now? I am pretty new to the salt stuff so thanks for all the patience......................fish