Loop 2 Loop, vs Splicing Topshots?

[effigy]

I recently had a conversation with Jerry Brown. For those of you who have called him on the phone - you know how he loves to educate you about all things hollow core (and I appreciate it!).

So Jerry says something that I have never seen nor heard discussed. He said that rather than using leaders / topshots with a loop / loop connection, he prefers to splice on the topshot. So instead of a loop on the topshot, he has a straight section of hollow-core...and splices this to his mainline. His reasoning is that....after fighting a large fish, if you want to change a loop / loop connection, the loops are tightened together so much that it is difficult to un-do them without a (needle-like) tool, and without fraying the line. Whereas he can simply cut the spliced-on topshot, and splice a new one on, in less time than messing with the loops.

What are your experiences with changing loop / loop topshots, after the tightening has occured? I thought that if one used larger (200 lb or greater) hollow core for the loop, this wouldn't be a problem.

Is anyone else doing the splicing like Jerry?

Thanks.... !

[afraser]

Someone has done some experimenting and you don't need to go 3 times throung on the loops, just 1 pass is as strong as 3 and much easier to undo. Still 100% strength. See 360tuna.com or streamlineleaders.com. Soooo, easier to do loop to loop.

[fitz01@surewest]

Yes, and it works great. If you take the time to make several of the long wire pullers you can have the leaders threaded and ready to pull onto main line and then you only have to thread the wire through once when the bite is on. Don't discard the pre made wind ons you already have just unpull the loop on the leader and have them wired up and ready to go on the main. Started doing this on my long trip last year and had no problems, by end of trip the guys I was making wind ons for on the boat said they liked it better as well. FITZ

[effigy]

Thanks for the comments guys. BTW Fitz, I see you mention Bodega in your signature; I used to fish out of there. Some good memories (Cordell Banks), and some not-so-good. :-)

[1974jim]

I also do splice, as does Garry Sato, and many, many others.
No issues with getting the legs even, or with fraying after a couple changes.
Clean and easy.
Use 27# wire and it goes quick, even in 60# hollow JB.

[Fyremo]

Just an FYI. Gary Sato is giving a free seminar on his connections at Sav-On Tackle on November 19 from 6:30 to 9PM

[Fishious]

Easy to loosen a L2L after it tightens, been doing it for years. Start with the leader, grab both legs of the loop below the L2L connection with your fingers and snap it straight, hard, between your hands. The leader loop is now a straight line with the main line loop centered and hanging free. This will very often loosen the loops up enough to get them apart with your fingers. If not, grab the two legs of the main line loop and snap it straight the same way, sometimes a couple of snaps is required. I've never not had a L2L loosen up this way.

Then you cut your old leader off across the loop legs, pull the remnant out of the main line loop, and you're ready to put on a new leader. I use two passes through, one pass just doesn't look right to me.

An in-line splice looks more sano, but it isn't stronger,or faster if you know what you're doing with L2L leaders. And you don't have to have all those tools and little crimps handy. I get a kick whenever I see someone trying to change an in-line connection with the boat pitching around and the wind blowing.

[Guyster]

It really depends if you are in a hot bite or not. a L2L is faster and for some reason when I'm changing out it seems like I'm always in a rush. Plus, I really do not like to take my spectra needles out on deck. Just my view.

[kml]

The trip I was just on a guy had a dental pick ground down a bit to get rid of sharp point, that thing worked great for getting the LtL apart. I plan on taking one on my next trip. Very handy & easy.

[fitz01@surewest]

For what we are discussing there is no need for taking any needles or crimps out on deck..Were not serving the leader at this time we are attaching a pre made wind on leader by splicing a section of hollow to hollow via a doubled back piece of wire I can do it in about 30 secs on any hollow above 80. L2L after a fish in my opinion requires a new loop due to spectra vs specta + extreme force on a small L2L knot be it 1-2 or 3 pass connection. You simply cut main line pull in your wind on pull in your main line trim and your done. The wire puller threaded up into the main is the only step that takes any time at all and I can make the twelve to eighteen inch thread in a matter of secs on deck and my entire rig is new again. I fished L2L for a couple of years but IMHO this system is cleaner and faster. Fitz PS Cordell provided several good tuna days for me this year and I hope they open it up to rockfishing again someday.

[1974jim]

Originally Posted by Fyremo

Just an FYI. Gary Sato is giving a free seminar on his connections at Sav-On Tackle on November 19 from 6:30 to 9PM

A must see for anyone looking to learn more about topshots.
Garry's a guy who really gets into the 'zen of long-range' and actually tests these connections head to head.

[eightmd]

Originally Posted by Fyremo

Just an FYI. Gary Sato is giving a free seminar on his connections at Sav-On Tackle on November 19 from 6:30 to 9PM

Exactly where is this? I'm down San Diego way so I probably won't make it since it sounds more north than I probably want to drive. He wait a minute 11/19 is Thanksgiving. That must be a mistake.

I just started using the short topshot and I'm doing the loop to loop. A question about the splice on. Do you just use whatever length of mono or flour and put it into your hollow spectra main line? Do you crimp or glue the connection? Or do you make up topshots with say 20' of mono/flour glued or crimped to hollow spectra and then splice the hollow spectra to a hollow spectra main line. If you do the latter what kind of splice is that?

May be a stupid question but I'm new to splicing.