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Buyer's Guide
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Super Line Buyer's Guide - Page 5

Super Lines: Is It For Me? (continued) - By Pescador

Here are some examples of other knots that are recommended for rigging super lines:

Palomar Knot: The Palomar Knot is a knot that boasts 100% of the line breaking strength when tied correctly. This knot is used for attaching the super line to terminal tackle, such as hooks and lures. Because of how slippery many spectra lines are, many simple knots such as the regular clinch knot (also known as the fisherman's knot) can slip and untie itself. When tied correctly, the Palomar will not slip. Step 2 may also be omitted for an easier version of this knot. It takes practice, but when you become proficient in tying this knot, it will be invaluable to your arsenal. (Click on the picture for a larger version.)

Secret Knot: This knot is what I call the “Secret Knot”. I don't know if there is actually a name for it, but I have not seen it anywhere on the web. I learned this knot from an employee at one of the tackle shops that I frequent. He informed me that it was developed by some deckhands that were getting tired of the spectra lines cutting the monofilament and fluorocarbon lines they were using for leaders and top shots when using the Uni to Uni Knot. It is incredibly simple to tie, and I have not had any problems with it since I have started using it. And it has worked well with lines of the same and different diameters. It also passes through rod guides very easily.

WHAT NOT TO DO

• DO NOT attempt to cut super lines with your teeth. Use sharp scissors (Fiskars ® scissors like the ones kids use in school are recommended by many manufacturers).

• DO NOT attempt to snap off snagged lines with your bare hands. You can cause serious injury to yourself. If you must break the line, wrap it around something thick and hard like a dowel or metal pipe a few times and use that to pull it free or break it off.

• DO NOT set the drag on your reel to the super line’s breaking strength if your reel is not designed to handle it. Set your drag to the WEAKEST part of your system (reel capability, leader size, backing size, main line size).

• DO NOT set the hook too hard. There is little or no stretch in super lines, so you may end up severely injuring a fish you intend on releasing, or you can rip a hole in the lips of the fish big enough for the hook to just fall out with a little head shake. Use a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader for added shock absorption from the hook set if you can’t stop swinging like Bill Dance. Or you can select a rod with a softer action to absorb some of the shock.

• DO NOT use super line as your main line when fishing on a sport boat with other anglers, unless ALL OF YOU are using super lines. You will make a lot of people mad if you cut their line while they have a fish on. And it will be a waste of everyone else’s fishing time if the crew has to spend the rest of the day looking for the expensive anchor that your line sliced off. Yes, it has happened.

So that’s basically it. There are some other things that I did not include, but if you read the article thoroughly, you should be able to answer it yourself. But if not, feel free to email me your question and I will try to answer it to the best of my knowledge. I would also like to take the time now to give a special thanks to Scott Throop of ARC (American Rod Company). A lot of the information found in this article came from him. Without his knowledge of super lines, this article would not have been as thorough as it is. Now, I ask you the question…. Super lines: is it for YOU?