spectra to flyline connections

fishdontcare · Apr-07-2007, 09:39 AM

Morning all,
Seeking your suggestions on applicable knots for connecting spectra backing to flyline. Any difference for fresh water as opposed to salt, line weights, etc.
Thanks, Mark

IdahoSaltAdict · Apr-07-2007, 09:54 AM

Spectra breaks very close to its designated line weight, as does fluorocarbon. Mono breaks at significantly higher pressure than its set weight class. So knowing that should prompt you to have spectra that is quite a bit higher weight class than the mono you plan to use. That is, unless you want to be breaking your spectra off rather than your mono.

Since it is so thin, I never use less than 50# spectra, but I also do not use less than 12# mono or a 400 size reel.

Knots? Albright, always (60# and under). Spectra makes too small of a knot with itself for me to feel comfortable using the uni-to-uni, although many people use that knot successfully.

PowerPro - Catch The Power!

IdahoSaltAdict · Apr-07-2007, 10:02 AM

..

Clouserhead · Apr-07-2007, 08:47 PM

40 turn Bimini with doubled loop. 50 lb Spectra is a must. Albright will bite into the flyline and you cant change lines without cutting something. Bimini just sounds hard it really isn't.

Randy

**Orca** · Apr-07-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoSaltAdict

Spectra breaks very close to its designated line weight, as does fluorocarbon. Mono breaks at significantly higher pressure than its set weight class. So knowing that should prompt you to have spectra that is quite a bit higher weight class than the mono you plan to use. That is, unless you want to be breaking your spectra off rather than your mono.

Since it is so thin, I never use less than 50# spectra, but I also do not use less than 12# mono or a 400 size reel.

Knots? Albright, always (60# and under). Spectra makes too small of a knot with itself for me to feel comfortable using the uni-to-uni, although many people use that knot successfully.

PowerPro - Catch The Power!

What the hell does this have to do with fly lines??

BiggestT · Apr-07-2007, 10:03 PM

Bimini on the spectra backing; braided loop on the flyline and connect loop-to-loop.

Here's a link on creating braided loops on flylines:

There are several methods of making and attaching loops to fly lines

Have at it and ignore the poster talking about mono to braid whatever connections.

fishdontcare · Apr-08-2007, 05:45 AM

My main question here is for connecting 5wt/8wt freshwater flyfishing applications. I believe Bruce uses 30# Spectra as backing on some of these weights.

IFSteve · Apr-08-2007, 08:28 AM

If you are talking 5-8 wt freshwater applications, why would you want to use spectra? 20# micron is all you need. The advantage to spectra is two fold.

1. A lot higher backing capacity over dacron or micron. So what, in these line weights, even an 8 weight, you are not targeting fish that are ever going to run you more than 100-150 yards. 30# Spectra does give you about 20% more capacity over 20# dacron. Your reels should have plenty of capacity for the fish you plan to tangle with.

2. Spectra is a lot thinner so there is less drag in the water when a fish makes a huge run and you have a ton of backing out there. Go back to #1 above, this just isn't an issue in freshwater, even if you are talking king slamon you rarely ever have that much line out.

Spectra is great for the salt (and maybe the larger freshwater stuff like for large salmon and steelhead), but in for 95% of freshwater applications I don't see the need or value. It costs more and is much trickier to deal with for knots (not that its hard, just harder).

Steve

PS - I'd be interested to hear from Bruce on this. Do you really use spectra for your freshwater rigs and if so is it becuase you already have a ton of it for using in the salt or do you really see some big advantage?

TheShark · Apr-08-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishdontcare

My main question here is for connecting 5wt/8wt freshwater flyfishing applications. I believe Bruce uses 30# Spectra as backing on some of these weights.

Bruce is on the boat -
I will send him your question and get his infor for you

fishdontcare · Apr-08-2007, 03:39 PM

Thanks for yor help Shelly.
According to the Nautilus fly reel manufacturer (I have a 5 & 7) you can get approx. "60%" more backing on over Dacron. From what I've read here and Bruce's info. on BFH the LTC @ Pyramid can make you a believer. I emailed the "king" awhile back after reading the info. on BFG and he replied that he uses spectra. I know he knows more than I do so thought I'd give it a try on a reel. Couldn't hurt anything. Might be a savior sometime and I agree it could be overkill. I just want to use the right connections and not weaken the flyline.

IFSteve · Apr-08-2007, 05:22 PM

certainly nothing wrong with using spectra. But if you do make sure that you take great care in your connection. When I went flyfishing on the Shogun two years ago on a trip hosted by Trey Combs he did a couple of my connections for me. I had done two with the method from Blanton's website (posted in one of the earlier replies). Trey thought that is fine but for big tuna and marlin he uses a much more secure method which even after watching him do two of them, no way I could begin to do it. But man was is it strong.

The one key thing Trey passed on when using spectra. Choose whatever connection you want to use but make real sure that you do it perfectly. The problem is with the flyline core and the thin spectra. Problem is that in a loop to loop connection the spectra actually cuts through the line. Now again we were talking big game stuff so for freshwater not as critical.

Good luck.

mojo · Apr-09-2007, 07:24 PM

Get some 20# gel spun backing. It's a little more $$ than dacron but stronger, smaller in diameter so you'll also get more on than dacron. No special knots either. No need for Spectre.