TAKEOFF
TECHNIQUES
T-SHOTTING
A SIMPLE IMPROVEMENT ON THE BRAID-TO-FLUOROCARBON LEADER SYSTEM
David Swendseid is a details guy . Currently DUO Realis ’ U . S . manager and R & D specialist , Swendseid has worked in product development and promotion in the fishing industry for nearly 25 years , primarily developing Japanese companies in the U . S . market . If you ’ re a fan of the tackle coming out of Japan , then you know that Japanese manufacturers sweat the small stuff . They measure in minute fractions of ounces , design with the most capable computer software , and polish up every last surface .
That attention to detail trickles down to the methods by which Japanese baits are fished and the equipment used to fish them . Which is where Swendseid comes in . He ’ s the guy who helps American anglers adopt new Japanese tackle and , when necessary , apply the new products to the American fishing scene .
Swendseid also possesses a cache of knowledge on the performance characteristics of fishing tackle and has developed systems for maximizing gear performance for a variety of popular techniques , particularly finesse techniques .
One such system is what he calls “ T-shotting .” It ’ s actually a spin-off of a saltwater rigging system called topshotting , where anglers replace heavy tackle and monofilament line with light tackle and thin , high-strength braided line connected to a heavy shock leader .
Swendseid ’ s T-shotting adaptation combines braid and a long fluorocarbon leader on spinning tackle . It ’ s a great way to save money , cast farther and improve landing percentages using light-line techniques such as spybaiting .
By Curtis Niedermier
The Knot
Swendseid prefers the double-unit knot , which is one of the simplest to tie . For best results , he says the fluorocarbon needs to be wrapped around the braid with two wraps more than the braid gets wrapped around the fluorocarbon – nine wraps with the fluoro and seven with the braid , for instance . Swendseid says this helps prevent the wraps from slipping under pressure .
“ The more refined your knot , the better the release on the spool – as long as you make the knot really tight ,” Swendseid says . “ If I ’ m fishing a tournament , I ’ ll drop a little bit of Super Glue on there and let it cure before I put it on the spool .”
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fluorocarbon leader
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Overlap both lines , and form a loop with the fluoro .
Wrap the fluoro tag end around both lines seven to nine times , passing each wrap through the loop .
Draw the fluoro down , but don ’ t cinch . Repeat with the braid , making five to seven wraps .
Draw down the braid . braid main line
The Setup braiD – Fill the spinning reel with braid – up to 30-pound test . fluoro – Tie on about 25 to 35 feet of fluorocarbon in whatever pound-test rating you ’ re comfortable using .
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Lubricate and slide the two halves together . Cinch by pulling on the tag ends , then trim .
22 flwfiShing . com i february-march 2017