Sinker has now turned my Top Shot question into another question

Okay, I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask a question, which will further implicate what a rookie I am....What is a "Top Shot"?

Prior to answering, let me say, I went onto YouTube last night and after reading several references here on the NWKA Forum (my favorite resource). I understand (or think I do), its a length of Mono or Florocarbon tied onto the end of your braid. So, am I to further understand the following: From the reel is your backing, then your braid, then a "Top shot" then your leader? I went with a backing because my Braid was only available in a 150 yd pony spool and I wanted my reel spool to be fuller.

And the logic with adding mono/floro after your braid (and despite the additional drag) is that if you have to break it off or it does so due to snags, abrasions, big ass fish, its better to lose some Mono/floro and terminal tackle, than your Braid? I know how I want to, or intended to run my set up for Dino's, but its about to change if adding a "Top Shot" is the way to go.

One last thing, another assumption on my part is the mono needs to be of a lighter test/poundage than the braid, so the mono/floro breaks first, but how much less, like #50 braid down to a #30 mono/floro "Top Shot" or maybe #40 mono/floro?  Thanks.

You've got it right----top shot is the mono attached to the braid.  50# braid with 20 or 25# mono is about right for salmon, if you're fishing in Tillamook go with 30#.  And tip your mono with a quality Sampo ball bearing snap swivel and you can then attach a sinker, jig, or whatever.   How to attach?  Quick and dirty and minimally effective is uni-knot to uni-know.  Best is Bimini twist on the braid, and improved Albright on the mono. That will give very close to 100# line strength, and with  a little practice you'll be able to tie that combo.  If Kalli-allthumbs-type can do it, so can you!!

So what is the recommended length of the topshot?

So what is the recommended length of the topshot?

  Good Question, Sir. Hopefully some of the "Experienced" anglers will chime in with a plethora of answers for us.

Here's a video of a method for adding a topshot to hollow braid without bulky knots. Way cool!



Using this method the topshot can be much longer since it will slip smoothly through the eyes of your rod and your sinker slider if you want to let the leader drift back.

So what is the recommended length of the topshot?

It depends on what you're looking to accomplish while adding your topshot.  One thing I've done in the past when fishing out on the ocean is have about a 20 ft. topshot to tie jigs off to.  I liked it for a couple of reasons.  It made break offs easier when I hung up on a rock and also gave a little bit of shock absorption to the line.  The line I use for topshot also is easier to tie knots with than power pro.
I've recently started using high-vis line for bass fishing.  I add about a ten foot top shot on that so the line doesn't spook the bass.   

So what is the recommended length of the topshot?

It depends on what you're looking to accomplish while adding your topshot.  One thing I've done in the past when fishing out on the ocean is have about a 20 ft. topshot to tie jigs off to.  I liked it for a couple of reasons.  It made break offs easier when I hung up on a rock and also gave a little bit of shock absorption to the line.  The line I use for topshot also is easier to tie knots with than power pro.
I've recently started using high-vis line for bass fishing.  I add about a ten foot top shot on that so the line doesn't spook the bass.

Oh, I'm sure Bass will be added to the list in a few months. For now, the topic of adding a TopShot was brought up because of guys fishing with 50-80lb braid and it being a potential health risk if you got snagged. Nobody wants to leave 100 yrds of braid in the water or wherever it chooses to break. Both, for the environmental reasons as well as future safety/potential snags for others and losing that much could be the end of a trip. So, adding TopShot came up and I didn't know what that meant or was uncertain until last night, looking it up on YouTube. Then, because there's so much talk and plans for Sturgeon right now, the question is, How much do you add? Obviously when Mr Beasty Dino wraps your line around a snag, he's not going to care if its braid or mono, but it might help or serve as cheap insurance if it works.

A much easier way that I use is to just use a high quality swivel like a spro and attach about 2/3 of the rod length of mono for the leader.  I could see needing more leader material for something like oversized sturgeon but for most applications, 4 to 6 feet of leader material has been sufficient.

I suppose if the fish are super line shy, you may want more than the 4 to 6 ft but then you do have to take care that you tie a good small knot that minimizes friction going through the guides.  Without a good small knot, it makes it hard to cast and if the knot is in your guides when a fish takes off, it can hang up and either break the line or snap a guide off.  But for fish like halibut and sturgeon, I think its fairly common to use 100 to 200 pound dacron so they aren't very leader shy. 

Another reason to use a mono topshot is for the stretch to cushion your hook set, particularly when targeting softer mouth species.