Best Knots for Texas Rigged Baits (Funny)

[Big Blu]

 Guys,

I rarely post, but I had to put this question out there for Jason. I was blessed with the opportunity to drive from Alabama to Lake Fork, Texas and spend the weekend with Jason and his family. We were fishing from the bank Saturday morning and he lost a 6-8lb Toad due to a bad knot on the hook set. The fish rolled up and in-hailed the 4.5" Big Foot. He tried to tell me it was a Bowfinl. I personally have never seen a bowfin with a HUGE white pearl belly. So, lets help him out with some knot suggestions.

On another note, Jason is a great person with an awesome family. I sincerely appreciated the opportunity. I will certainly visit again. Word to the wise if you ever go and fish with Jason, make sure the plugs are in the Kayak and take snacks with you.

Sincerely,

Big Blu     

[Jason]

     

The truth is in the post!

http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=765.msg4249;topicseen#msg4249

Jason

[andrewlamberson]

Where you using fluorocarbon or braid?

I had a LOT of issues with fluorocarbon hook sets until I learned to back my drag off so that it goes off every hook set. Fluorocarbon has significant issues with breaking on the hook sets if the knots are anything but exactly perfect. Of course I could just learn not to set the hook so dang hard....but it appears you can't teach an old dog that new trick!


Can a bowfin bite you off ...like a Northern Pike? I've only caught one...nasty looking little teeth....

"Warming up" into the upper 40's by Thanksgiving...so I'll be on the river Thursday and Friday.

[Jason]

Where you using fluorocarbon or braid?

I had a LOT of issues with fluorocarbon hook sets until I learned to back my drag off so that it goes off every hook set. Fluorocarbon has significant issues with breaking on the hook sets if the knots are anything but exactly perfect. Of course I could just learn not to set the hook so dang hard....but it appears you can't teach an old dog that new trick!


Can a bowfin bite you off ...like a Northern Pike? I've only caught one...nasty looking little teeth....

"Warming up" into the upper 40's by Thanksgiving...so I'll be on the river Thursday and Friday.

I was using flouro.  I've had problems with this and have backed my drag off with good results.  The problem I sometimes have is I'll slide my thumb over on the spool and won't let the drag do its job.  This is probably what happened.  We were basically watching the action of the bait, and out of nowhere there was a good size flash of white and a whack.  At this point I don't think I was thinking real clear and just reacted.  Boom, a gorilla hook-set, probably on slack line, wouldn't doubt if I had my thumb on the spool.  All the little things you shouldn't do.

Good thing it was just a Bowfin.   

[andrewlamberson]

I blame those on Gar....but Bowfin would work too!!!

[pjmcla]

Breaking lines on hooksets or short lines is a "specialty" of mine. I have
about mastered all the ways to break a line with 25 feet ( or less )
line from the rod tip to the bait ( vertical fishing ).  Try a 1 oz. spoon 20 feet from your rod tip getting HAMMERED by a 25lb striper with a full head of steam.  Or Hooksetting into a cable, 18" log, misc; or a very ticked 40 lb plus Blue or Flathead.  
Here is my take. Flourocarbon has almost no stretch.  Great for feel.  It also is slicker than nylon 6-6.  Knots are more of a problem.  Presure breaks are another. Jason; did you look to see if you had the dreaded curly que end of your line.  If you did; it was your knot.  If it was a "clean" cut it was possibly a bowfin.  If it had a small half curl; you did a gorrilla set with a too stiff rod.  The BEST knot for Flourocarbon is the Improved Uni-knot.  The linked knot - go through the hook eye twice before tying the hangman' noose part. Seven line passes for Flourocarbon.   Slobber before chinching.  The San Diego Jam is good if you go through the eye twice as well.  I like the Fishin' Fool as I have tied it for twenty five years now.  Was called the Improved Uni-Knot back then.
 http://www.netknots.com/html/fish_n_fool_knot.html

[figueira]

I use the San Diego Jam for a few yetrs now with minimum problems .
I also use the albright knot to link braid to fluro.
Most of the times if the knot brakes with fluro is because of a bad knot you need to make sure that is not over laping it self