Cat Tip of the Day: No Knot Leaders

[SteveD]

Most of the cat guides on Santee Cooper Lake in South Carolina use mono leaders when drifting or trolling for cats. I’ve picked up a couple of good videos that demonstrate their equipment and techniques and plan on applying those tactics to the St Croix this next cat season. I’ve had good success drifting and with my I-Pilot Terrova trolling motor I’ve got the right equipment to apply some of the South Carolina trolling techniques to Minnesota catfish.

It is the middle of winter so it is time to start prepping for next spring’s cat season. I’ve decided that I want to try out some fluorocarbon leaders for trolling for cats so this is a good time to get that project done and over with. I’ve never claimed to be an expert with knots but I cannot tie any type of good knot with that fluorocarbon leader material and I am only using 40# test fluorocarbon. I plan on tying up 40 lb and 60 lb fluorocarbon leaders so the knot situation had me stymied on how to proceed. I had no confidence in the few knots I tried and it took me forever to tie them.

I decided to look into making leaders using crimping materials and see how that would work using fluorocarbon. I did your normal google searches for connection sleeves and crimping tools to see if that would be cost effective and to find out how the actual line connections are done. I found a good HSOforum that described the basic techniques and equipment

I bought the Malin single leader sleeves in the 30-40 lb mono size and the 40-60 lb mono size and the Offshore Angler Mini Double Sleeves in the 60 lb test mono size. The single leader sleeves come 50 to the pack and the double sleeves come 100 to the pack.

You can find connection sleeves at most of the big outdoor stores by searching on-line. You may have to look in the Saltwater equipment departments as this technique is fairly common in saltwater fishing. I ordered some connection sleeves from Bass Pro Shops because their information generally matched up the sleeves to the size mono you want to use. Cabela’s also offers sleeves in their Saltwater catalog. I also bought one of the better, more expensive crimping tools (cost about $28) to insure that I would get good crimps at all my connections.

I’ve made up about a ½ dozen leaders so far and it has been easy and quick. I tested them for breaking strength and all the connections held up with no problem. I’m much more confident in those connections than I am with the knots I tried to make. One of the websites I was on recommended doing two crimps per connection to insure a strong connection. They also recommended melting the end of the mono or fluorocarbon at the last connection just enough so that it fits snug right against the leader sleeve. I’ll give these leaders a good test this next season.

[blakeb]

Wow Steve great way to adapt off-shore tactics to cattin'

is there any way to test this against a tied leader, like knot wars does on tv?

What is the price per rig using 4 sleeves?

Are you using a swivel with a clip to attach the cat snell to your mainline?

One more question could an untie able knot be had by tyeing a braided line to a swivel and apply superglue to said knot?

[SteveD]

BlakeB - In response to your questions:

Question: What is the price per rig using 4 sleeves?

Answer: The prices of sleeves vary considerably by the sleeve maker and where you buy them. The sleeves I bought on-line from BassPro Shop were Malin single sleeves and they sold for $3.50 for a pack of 50 which is about 6 to 7 cents per sleeve. The Off-Shore Mini Double Sleeves were 100 sleeves for $4 which is about 4 cents per double sleeve. Today I stopped at Thorne Bros and bought some Mason Double Sleeves and they were quite a bit more spendy selling for $6 for a pack of 36 which is about 16 cents per sleeve. Thorne Bros recommends using double sleeves when using 40 to 60 lb fluorocarbon to get the strongest connection. I don't think you would have to double up on sleeves with the Mason Double Sleeves - they look like they will make a pretty strong connection if crimped right.

Question: Are you using a swivel with a clip to attach the cat snell to your mainline?

Answer: I use a size 14 brass barrel swivel with a Size 5 Duolock snap off my mainline. That way I can change leaders quickly and easily.

Question: One more question could an untie able knot be had by tyeing a braided line to a swivel and apply superglue to said knot?

Answer: I'm not sure I understand your knot question. I think you are concerned that your knots may come untied over time or from line pressure. I've never seen that happen to any of my knots. I use PowerPro line and always use a palomar knot to tie to my swivels - I've never had a palomar knot fail or come untied so I don't worry about trying to make an untieable knot. To be honest with you - I think you would have a hell of a time untying a palomar knot after it is tied and snugged up. I always just cut the line if I want to break that connection.

[blakeb]

thanks steve,

regarding my last question, you nailed it but now that i think about it i havent had a knot in my power pro braid slip. so while a dab of superglue wouldnt hurt it is overkill.

however i think that this cat tip will help me out as i have noticed my knots in heavy mono slip before line failure sometimes.