I suspect that I might be about to admit to heresy here, in attaching something novel to a line, but this is something which occurred to me last time I fished, and which seemed to work well. I was fishing a team of three buzzers using droppers tied with three turn water knots. As usual, I was getting the odd tangle, particularly when the wind got up. I know this could be reduced by improving my casting technique, but it was still an irritation.

Looking at the tackle, it occurred to me that the main cause of the tangles was the tag ends on the water knots. I'd clipped them as close as I dared, but there will always be a little barb of nylon waiting to trap any errant leader, and once it is trapped the inertia of the flies will do the rest. It seemed to me that if I could protect the tag end, I could eliminate a lot of the tangles. So, I tied it up again, this time sliding a 5mm length of silicone tubing down over each knot.

It definitely reduced the tendency to tangle, and it didn't seem to put the fish off. I need to test it more, and I think it could be done even better with something which can be streamlined - a blob of some kind of rubber based cement instead, perhaps.

Am I to be burnt at the stake?

I see where you are coming from but why not just cut the tag end flush ?? With 3 turns in the water knot and pulled up wet and nice and tight I cant see cutting flush is an issue . I do this and have had no problems with knot slip or failure ( YET )
The knot will break before it ever comes undone or slips .

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

Like it!

Aquasure takes bloody ages to cure so not really practical for bankside use. Maybe that stuff that cures in UV would be better?

May I suggest a modification, if you made a small hole in the side of the tube you ought to be able to thread your dropper through it (before attaching the fly obviously), thus assisting in keeping it at an angle to the main line and further reducing tangles.

I suspect the ever curious Trout will nip at them but the odd 'line bite' would be fair exchange for regular birds' nests.

Where did you get the silicon tubing?

SharkeyP

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Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

If you really find the need to do this may I suggest shrink tube , it will do a very neat job .
scroll down to the fox stuff as they do the smallest one .
https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/carp-fish...e-c-1_144.html
It shrinks down to 0.4 mm

__________________
Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
__________________

Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

.....You will also elliminate the need to waste good money on expensive Fluorocarbon, since you won't need it's "see thru" properties when putting such a highly visible addition on yr leader so close to the fly

Also, don't forget the effect on the casting properties of the leader that would be introduced. A similar solution is also available in the form of the plastic "cast connectors" :

http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/...ureflash/1968/

I'm always a bit reluctant to remove all of the tag - maybe just a confidence issue.

The tubing I used is sold for coarse anglers - should be with all the carp gear, although there is even finer stuff used by match anglers for the fine wire stems of pole floats. I thought it might do for sleeving braided loops, but it was too tight.

I though about trying to poke it out the side at 90 degrees, but I think the slicking down of the line parallel to the leader helps any loops slip open rather than catching. I'd probably use it with a blood loop, though, to get a boom effect like that.

Hi Folks.

If you are going to use shrink tube, why not use the clear stuff.

Also that fox stuff seems expensive to me at £2.99.

clear shrink tube
Supplied in 1 metre lengths at less then half the price of the fox stuff.
Shrink ratio 2:1
Shrinking temperature +80ºc
Excellent flexibility and insulation
Excellent flame retardent properties
Temperature range -55°c to +125°c
UL approved
1.6mm is the internal diameter before shrinking
Purchase more than 1 length and it will be supplied in one continuous length
Weight per 1m length: 4grms


Regards.
edd.

feel free to blow this out the water as i've not tried it.

What about a little lick with a match or lighter.
Would this fuse the small tang into the knott.
Works with rope ends.
Will try it when i get a mo, and report back.

D

£0.59 per meter

http://www.heatshrink-online.co.uk/h...eatshrink.html


edd.

Steve, nothing will reduce tangles as much as consistent casting. Overdoing the cast is the singlemost common cause of tangles... overstretching, battling the wind too hard and trying for that extra yard. Have you noticed when conditions are exactly as we want them and we only have to flick a 20 yd cast how we can fish all day without any tangles at all?

Having said that, you're right, the tag end does have alot to answer for, and as Sweeny says, there shouldn't be a problem with cutting flush... then maybe some of that knot glue stuff?

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Too much Saturn, not enough Moon.

Buzzers 2012


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