What knot to use - NCS to fluro

[krissi]

What is the recommended knot to use when joining NCS / american wire to fluorocarbon when making bite traces? I use either an allbright (hard to do on the beach) or 2 figure of 8's. The problem with the figure of 8's is the NSC pig-tails and it can make a big knot when using 150lb + and 1mm fluoro.  Any suggestions on preventing the NCS from curling?

[REEFMAN]

What is the recommended knot to use when joining NCS / american wire to fluorocarbon when making bite traces? I use either an allbright (hard to do on the beach) or 2 figure of 8's. The problem with the figure of 8's is the NSC pig-tails and it can make a big knot when using 150lb + and 1mm fluoro.  Any suggestions on preventing the NCS from curling?

Those are the knots I would use... Albright in Piano wire and Double Fig 8 In coated steel.... check this thread out to stop the kinks in the steel...

http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php/topic,77.0.html

[Nemesis.]

Hmm had this problem before
The pig tailing occurs when you make the 2 figure of 8's. You must make them, but only loosely like below.Then gently pull them as close as possible to one another.Wet the two knots, then grab your mono with your hand, tension the mono figure of 8 but pulling the tag end, then do the same by holding the tip of the wire with a pair of pliers and pulling on the tag end of the wire. Then only do you pull hard on the mono and wire to set the knot.

[krissi]

Thanks Reef and Nemisis - we were also taught another knot to tie hooks with steel; I don't know what it is called.  Holding the hook facing up, you thread the steel through the eye from the top, keeping the tag on the left, bring it from the back and cross over the top of the steel from the left to right, then thread it back through the bottom of the eye - keeping the tag on the right - tension with pliers and wrap the tag to neaten. You can use this knot for swivels too, but its really hard to keep it from "swivelling". I have ground the barb and tip off a hook and nailed it to a plank. I hook the one end of the swivel onto the hook and hold the plank between my feet and then tie the knot.

[Half-Pint]

I use the albright on all my bite traces. From 60lb wire to 120lb my leaders range from .75mm to 1mm and I find it much easier to do on the beach than the figure 8 in steel. I reckon going to 150lb steel on a bite trace is overkill if I need 150lb I'd rather have a full metal jacket

[krissi]

I use the albright on all my bite traces. From 60lb wire to 120lb my leaders range from .75mm to 1mm and I find it much easier to do on the beach than the figure 8 in steel. I reckon going to 150lb steel on a bite trace is overkill if I need 150lb I'd rather have a full metal jacket

Yea, that's true - use 150lb + for my slide traces and then that's full metal jacket as you say. Thanks for the input    I am using the allbright for bite-traces now - my hubby is going on a boy's weekend and will be fishing t/kei, so making traces like crazy 

[Half-Pint]

If its the tkei I wouldn't bother much with the bite traces unless you specifically want to get a small fish for swim bait. Rather stick to FMJ throw baits since you are targeting some beeeg nunus that will eat a bite trace with 1mm leader for breakfast.
Oh and we expect no wait demand a full report on his return!

[krissi]

If its the tkei I wouldn't bother much with the bite traces unless you specifically want to get a small fish for swim bait. Rather stick to FMJ throw baits since you are targeting some beeeg nunus that will eat a bite trace with 1mm leader for breakfast.
Oh and we expect no wait demand a full report on his return!

   will do

[kingslide]

I use two figures of 8 - back to back...
 
Our fishing differs to the fishing in Natal regarding what steel and traces to use...
Our main target is a Bronsie and in the way it bites - 90% of the time you are safe with a bite trace.
 
A bite trace also work well to create more movement in the water attracting the fish's attention fasterl - especially on the days the water colour is clearer.
 
Krissie to make life easy for one self I do the following.
1 I have four biting traces of each of 6/0 + 8/0 + 10/0 in both short traces = not longer than 60 cm. And four traces from 1.00 metre to 1.20 metres - the reason for the longer traces is that we fish from a Mountain side and it is deep there. Some of our species again like the bronsies tend to feed from the mountain in the middle to top section of the water.
2 The same applies with my Full Metal Jackets.
 
The reason for having premade traces is that you do not waste time to get your bait in the water again. And if one wants you get put a little more attention and detail to ones tracess.
 
Hope this helps....
 
 
 
 
 

[krissi]

Thanks Kingslide - I try and pre-make all my traces before a fishing trip. I just love making traces - I find it therapeutic and it builds my gees for a trip (not that it needs building    ) I battle to throw such a long trace (1m +) so tend to keep mine shorter.  There is always such a big debate about steel esp around kob, but I have caught many a kob on a bite trace    I like to have them in my pouch cos you neva know what is gonna snack   

[kingslide]

Krissie like I said the longer traces we use on the Mountain.
 
But a longer trace can also work when a short trace produces no bites - just a thought. When casting a short trace your drop will be longer. When casting a short trace your drop will be shorter...