Fluorocarbon Line

[Frank]

I started using the line this year and am having problems with knot failure. I wet the line before tying and use a palomar knot. I'm wondering if a special knot is required or is the line a problem. The other thing I noticed is that when you tie a simple overhand knot in the line and test the line strength it has very little compared to my regular line. I'm looking for advice. I'm a Canadian who fishes walleye in NW Ontario.
Regards: Frank

[crash]

I use just a regular Trilene knot and never had any problems. Wetting the line should help, Maybe its the polomar knot screwing it up?

[Gunga Din]

I don't think it's the knot. Just wet the line before cinching it tight. And use saliva rather than water as it's a better lubricant (just ask Dr. Ruth!). The friction caused by cinching knots tight with fluorocarbon line weakens it. So reduce the friction and the line retains its strength.

[RANGER]

I had a thread on a post last week about this. I, as many of us do, tie my own harnesses. I had the same problem and I use the Palomar. What I have resorted to is using a Q-Tip and mineral oil on the knot. Works really nice and the mineral oil washes away easily.

On the boat - I put a Q-Tip that has been placed in mineral oil in a plastic perscription bottle and leave it in the tackle box. If I need to tie, on the water, it's handy.

RANGER

[Jim/UT]

I use fluorocarbon very sparingly, only on clear waters where it should provide an advantage. I have too high a percentage of knot issues to use it full time. Saliva in a pinch, tie underwater when I can. Nothing perfect yet, think I'll try the mineral oil idea.

[Neal/CO]

I used a Fireline/Floro leader combo all ice fishing season without a single failure. I used a cinch knot to tie on my jigs and back to back uni knots to connect the fireline to the Floro. This season plus several years of fly fishing with Floro, have me convinced I get alot more strikes. That said, I would never use Floro for anything but leaders.

[crash]

NEAL!!!! where you been? Hows the season going? That leadcore/streamer trick worked great!! 5lb Brown and a 10lb Laker so far, give me a hollar sometime.

[Neal/CO]

Hey Crash, glad to hear that worked for you. I especially like to use that method when everyone else is trolling hardware and flashy gear. We used to troll our streamers right thru the rocks at Pathfinder and really put the hurt on the Browns. If you snag up its no big deal, all you lose is the streamer, not a six dollar Rapala. I tie my own streamers and it is not unusual to lose Half a dozen a day.

[Gunga Din]

Care to repeat the tip??

[Neal/Co]

Simple but deadly. Find rocky areas in 20 to 30 feet of water that drop straight off into the channel. The 25 to 30 foot randge is usually where the thermocline sets up in early summer. We have always found fish holding in the rocks, right on the break. Troll lead core line 1 to 1/1/2 mph right across the tops of the rocks with big streamer flies made with rabbit fur. Your fly should be dragging and bouncing off the rocks. You will lose streamers, but I have several very effective patterns I can churn out every evening, quite easily. Give your rod a pump every ten yards or so. It also works on suspended Rainbows out over deep water. I have some pictures I took at Pathfinder that will attest to its effectiveness.

[Jim/UT]

There was an article written about 20 years ago about doing this for lakers and browns on Flaming Gorge. Leadcore and rapalas, troll slow, pump it forward, tightline it back. Rocky dropoffs 40-90 feet in March-June. 30+ fish over 30+ pounds for 1 guy attested to it's effectiveness. This sounds very similar and a whole lot more cost effective. Bunny zonkers (or whatever you wish to call them) make a heck of a minnow imitation. Sounds like you have adapted this for rainbows/browns/cutts. I can't wait to try this on Strawberry come June!!! The big ones have always been hard to find in the summer there.

[Neal/CO]

Thats all a Night Leech is, ( a Bunny Zonker, with one major twist). I use Cactus Chenille for the body. It undulates and vibrates on the pull and will outfish a mylar body Zonker everytime. I started tying them for night fishing, but they are deadly when used with the leadcore during the day.