This month our tips cover the use of braided line like Spectra for Long Range fishing. These tips will help you decide if and when to use Spectra. But first what is Spectra? For those of you who have not seen or heard of Spectra, it is a gel spun braided line. It is a hi-tech version of the polypropylene boat line that has been down sided for use as fishing line. It has almost no stretch, small diameter and does not lose its strength over time unlike monofilament.

    So now, you know what it is. Should you be using it? It depends on what type of fishing you will be doing. It is also depends on your angling skill. It is great for use when you are anchored for fishing the kite or flylinning for tuna. It is best used a backing when you may need that extra hundred yards to slow your tuna. See below for proper braid/mono reel capacities.

    Fishing straight Spectra will not work when making bait. You sure will feel every little tap or tug, but the lack of stretch will cause the mackerel to shake free from the bait catcher. If you do get into a tangle with Spectra you will be in for one hell of a mess.

    I have used straight Spectra for trolling on a private boat and it is great. Just be sure all the trolling outfits have Spectra. Since there is no stretch, fish with a light drag setting. With 80 lb. Spectra use 15 lbs. of drag. Even at that light of a setting you can drive a hook home. But do not be surprised when you rip the lips of some small fish (10 lb. skipjacks).

    Some anglers are also using it for tossing iron. I really do not know how good of an idea that is. Spectra does not cast the same as mono. Trying to cast with it take some practice. It will backlash but it is a different "backlash". If the Spectra coming off the spool stops before the jig hits the water, the jig can come directly back at the caster. So if you are planning to use it for casting be very careful.

    There is one thing that I have yet to mention about Spectra, it is expensive. A 500 yd. of spool 130 lb. Spectra will cost you about 80 to 90 dollars. It is a lot of money to pay out at one time. The good thing about Spectra is it does not "go bad". After fighting those big cows, just reload your topshot of mono, the Spectra will still be fine.

    Spectra also has to be loaded on to a reel differently than mono. Pack the Spectra or another braided line very tight. Zig-zag the line quickly back and forth across the spool width as it is loaded on the reel. Avoid building up the line at the sides of the spool. These tips will stop the Spectra from "digging in" to the lower layers of line.

Spectra/ mono capacities.

Izorline recommends the following:

50 WIDE      130 LB. SPECTRA / 500 YARDS       100 LB. MONO / 175-200 YARDS   

50 REG         80 LB. SPECTRA / 500 YARDS          80 LB. MONO / 225-250 YARDS   

30 WIDE       80 LB. SPECTRA / 500 YARDS          80 LB. MONO / 200-225 YARDS   

30 REG         80 LB. SPECTRA / 500 YARDS         60 LB. MONO / 180-200 YARDS   

Polaris Supreme recommends:

Use 130 lb. Spectra as backing on all reels and a topshot of mono

50 WIDE - 100 LB. MONO      50 REG - 80 LB. MONO      30 REG - 60 LB. MONO   

    As for splicing the Spectra to mono there are two that are being recommended. Izorline uses a BIMINI TWIST on the SPECTRA and an ALBRIGHT SPECIAL to join the MONO to the SPECTRA.

    The Polaris Supreme recommends using a BIMINI TWIST on the SPECTRA and a BLOOD KNOT (16 twists - each side) to join the MONO to the SPECTRA.

I     have tried to tie these knots and well, I just do not tie them very well. Big Jim on the Red Rooster III has tied the Bimini Twist/Blood Knot for me and it has worked great. Charles Tanaka used the Bimini Twist/Albright Special and had good success with the splice on our last 9 day trip.

    In closing I will say the braided lines like Spectra are wonderful for anglers who take the time to learn how to use them correctly. Before you go out and load your reels with it, be sure you know what you are getting into.

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