Mono Topshot To Dacron Splice Questions

[Out-Station]

Got myself some 24kg dacron and now converting my 50's to dacron + 60m 50lb mono topshot rigs. Never done any spicing, essentially i followed peter pakula's instructions, splice is about 12 foot long, 3 bindings top centre and end. I'm using platypus low stretch mono (its what had). Upon putting the splice under load (about 18kg's of drag) i saw some the dacron sleeve develop some small amounts of slack basis the mono stretching within the splice under load then compressing back. Overall seems strong but i have a couple of questions.

1. Can the slack in the dacron problem be eliminated, note i did my bindings with the splice under load? any tips appreciated??

2. Platypus low stretch is a low diameter line, 50 pond is about the same diameter as regular 30 pound. Would i be better to go to a conventional thickness mono (say momoi) for a better splicing strength (ie better grip) and maybe a more hard wearing topshot??

Running tiagra standard 50's on fully rollered 24kg short levers. Dacron is marlin orange spot ex melton tackle US.

Any advice from those in the know much appreciated??

Scott

[Smithy]

The only splicing I have done involved going say down a foot inside the dacron, back out and back in a few mm, back down a foot then out and in again and so on for a metre or so then a whip finish on the end. Worst case I have seen people on the net (Roddy Hayes) advocating just a loop to loop connetion although a cat's paw would be better than a straight loop to loop.

[Stuart]

You need to shott the mono up the Dacron at least 2 meters. Sorry about this Smithy, but should never take the mono out and then back in at all. It weakens the join by the amount the mono has been spliced outside the Dacron. The Dacron clamps tight around the mono the more it is pulled. Taking the mono outside the Dacron then back in again defeats the purpose. Many people use to it that way 20 years ago including wind on leaders. The thinner the mono the further you need to shoot it up the Dacron. For 37kg I run it up around 5ft, greater surface area, 24kg around 6ft and 15kg around 7ft.
It’s also critical that after you shoot the mono up the Dacron you then chase the Dacron back down the mono in order to tighten the weave back up. Most people I know miss this very important part of the construction. Once you have chased the Dacron back down then you need to whip the Dacron and mono. I make such a whipping tool if you want to have a look at one? It’s important that whip this part with enough tension as not to cut the mono, around 100 grams of pressure is all that’s needed. You want at least 20mm on both sides of the join. Another trick although not entirely needed , is to run wax over the join. I will find some photos and post them up.



Stu

[Out-Station]

Smithy, Stu, thanks for the info.

Stu, my splice is 4 meters long, up the guts, no ins and outs, i recon its fine, just concerned that the mono is to thin for a lasting grip under load, particularly when the whole shebang is wet in the water. Time will well i guess. I tested it on hard running trampoline in the backyard and all good, used that knot glue on the bindings so should be ok i think.

Scott

[Stuart]

Most fall apart because they simply are not made under tension. 4 meters is a long way and I cant see it coming out...ever. Keep your mono top shot short. I run no more than 50 meters so I can garner the full potential of the dacron. Mono stretches around 15 to 20% and Dacron around 1.5%. So running a short top shot means less stretch and even at 50 meters this will still give you around 5 meters of stretch. I know plenty of people that run dacron then top shot with 200 meters of mono meaning you now have 20 to 30 meters of stretch, talk about a waste of money on the dacron.

Stu

[Horse]

Probably a silly question but why would you use Dacron in place of something like Jerry Brown Hollow Braid? Its thinner and stronger.

[Out-Station]

Horse, i'm running marlin brand hollow spectra, its thinner diam pound for pound than mono and pretty good stuff, i looked at the jerry brown, that stuffs the ducks nuts i recon but the budgetery constrains came intp play, bloody expensive that jb hollow core.

[MudRiverDan]

I bought some JB a year ago from CharkBait, was comparatively cheap, but the postage was blown out.
Seems they have some other product now and it looks reasonable priced and available in a bigger range of sizes.

Not sure but they seem to have dumped JB and now sell this product only.

Dan

[Smithy]

Go with what Stu said!

[Stuart]

Hollow spectra is about the best on the market but the biggest advantage is it wont rote. The down side is you really need a glove with a good finger pad so the line wont cut you to the bone when you feed the line back and forth across the spool. Its also 4 times the price of Dacron. If I could warrant the cost, hollow spectra is all I would use. I just purchased a truck load of Dacron line from the states and finished spooling my reels up. I use a metal lathe to help control the spool feed and I wind the line on under a ton of pressure. Spectra and Dacron need to spooled on the reel under a hell of a lot of pressure. If you cant get the pressure on tight enough then I recommend you over fill the spool and then next time your out in the boat run a few hundred meters off the spool and then wind it back on, see how hard that is.

[Midnight]

Sounds like you are along the right track Scott.

Stu's advice is all good.

I would go the Jerry Brown hollow braid too if it wasn't for the cost. Nothing wrong with good quality Dacron

Cheers,
Myles

[Callop]

have a look at www dot ################# dot com

[Callop]

paulus just fishing

[Callop]

Paulus is a good bloke. Give him a ring. He is very helpful and usually up for a chat

[NIZ180]

I was just shopping on Charkbait for some Jerry Brown hollow & from reading some of the articles came to the conclusion that the Cortland C16 was a much better made product. I guess time will tell once I get a chance to use it.