Offshore reel spooling/top shot

[nmc02]

I recommend spooling your reel w braid, then splicing an end loop to connect your wind on leader connection...loop to loop. Best way in my opinion.
https://youtu.be/kfSSWesJNcY
https://youtu.be/UIWayrUgDtc

https://youtu.be/2u584MgOvrE

[nmc02]

Also, if you are using 80 lb braid....better off using 100 lb jb hollow, as it is smaller diameter than all other 80.

[Capt. Debbie]

Curious. Never understood this set up for tuna,

If the top half of your spool is all strechie mono you are essentially fishing with mono 90% of the time. Aside from spending extra money on expensive backing braid.. why bother?

I've heard the opposite set up which made more sense.

Cheap backing on the innermost spool. On top of that is your braid. Then the top shot is only about 50 yards of mono. That way the mono at the hook conceals the line and the braid does the real reel-in work.

The deep backing is only filler.

What's the advantage in this 50-50 with expensive braid kept underneath on the inner spool unused?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

Curious. Never understood this set up for tuna,

If the top half of your spool is all strechie mono you are essentially fishing with mono 90% of the time. Aside from spending extra money on expensive backing braid.. why bother?

I've heard the opposite set up which made more sense.

Cheap backing on the innermost spool. On top of that is your braid. Then the top shot is only about 50 yards of mono. That way the mono at the hook conceals the line and the braid does the real reel-in work.

The deep backing is only filler.

What's the advantage in this 50-50 with expensive braid kept underneath on the inner spool unused?

A lot of the need for braid is line capacity on smaller reels so when the fish hits and wants to spool you, you have more capacity since braid takes up less space on the reel and gives you more capacity. The need for mono serves 2 purposes, as a shock leader and your ability to leader the fish when it's close since braid will cut your hands.

Other benefit is mono is easier to see than braid in your spread so you can see how trolled stuff is laying out there in your spread.

Lastly braid does not doesn't degrade over time like mono does so all you need to do over time is change your mono top shot.

[shrimpman steve]

What Gerry said

[Ol Pedro]

Mono is easier than braid in tangles.I don't know how many times that I have come close to losing a Finger in a multi-fish tangle. Mono is also forgiving when fish are close and get squirrelly. Straight braid jigging no problem. Just a piece of floro, modified Albrite, and the jig of your choice.

[Jsnake4444]

Originally Posted by John D.

I have been using Basil for almost 20 years and never had an issue. That being said, there is no substitute for good communication Re when you needed the reels by and his communication to you as to when they would be done by. As I am sure you know, Basil’s business extends well beyond NJ as he does a ton of work across the US and even some global business I think. And this is his busy season. I usually send him or drive over my stuff in the spring as I know sending him stuff after July would be almost impossible to meet a tight deadline. If he was rude to you, there is no excuse for that but I have never had that experience with him and his work has been flawless and timely for decades with me.

Sorry you had a bad experience and best of luck with your upcoming trips.

John

I have given him my business for a cpl years and I also send him reels during our offseason. But when it’s your job and you deal with the whole country there is in all honesty no downtime. He could of not sent me a shipping label or just explained that he was too busy. But I would say 3 weeks and still not touching my reel then getting short when a paying costumer calls him is unacceptable in my world. It’s not like he does it for a free. His services are definitely priced at a premium and one would expect good service. I have received numerous private messages telling me that people have had the same experience with him but they don’t want to say it publicly because they have no other options. Your results may vary but I want other options for my money. Thanks

[Jsnake4444]

Originally Posted by Ol Pedro

Mono is easier than braid in tangles.I don't know how many times that I have come close to losing a Finger in a multi-fish tangle. Mono is also forgiving when fish are close and get squirrelly. Straight braid jigging no problem. Just a piece of floro, modified Albrite, and the jig of your choice.

I agree that’s why I usually prefer 150 yards of mono top shot

[Pennsy Guy]

Originally Posted by Ol Pedro

Mono is easier than braid in tangles.I don't know how many times that I have come close to losing a Finger in a multi-fish tangle. Mono is also forgiving when fish are close and get squirrelly. Straight braid jigging no problem. Just a piece of floro, modified Albrite, and the jig of your choice.

^^^That and I think all PB's require X number yards mono top shot bait fishing (chunking)...

[Capt. Debbie]

Why not 50 yards of mono an the rest braid. You're not very likely to get tangles 500 feet from the boat.

Also boat side 50 yards of mono top shot is plenty to be a shock absorber and easier to hand line in.

Again.... why several 100 yards of mono topshot instead of just 50 yards? And the the rest be braid ( as much as you can afford) to the backing of cheap "stuff"?

Originally Posted by Jsnake4444

I agree that’s why I usually prefer 150 yards of mono top shot