Surprised some people have never heard of this before. Braid with a mono "topshop" is super common in Socal Saltwater fishing. Glad some more people can find out about this. The braid last for years and you can always put it on a other reel to use the braid sitting at the bottom of the spool that has never seen daylight or water. Instead of electrical tape try using finger tape. Leaves less residue and is nice and grippy.
I know it brother!!! Very common on the West Coast, especially on long range trips. It’s not very common here on the east coast and totally unheard of in the freshwater world. It serves beautifully for Striped Bass gear in fresh and salt. Thanks for the comments brother!!
Hey Mike, Great ideals there. I really like the black tape because I have had trouble in the past with the line slipping. You hit me at the right time because I am getting ready to reline some rods. Thanks man!
Just received a pair of Penn jigging combos from Wally World for $79 bucks to do some Sebastian fishing next month on vacation. Your tips are much appreciated!
Great idea! Electrical tape is awesome tip. Thanks. I do the exact opposite of what your doing for my Largemouth flipping/pitching rods. Since braid is expensive, I set up my bait casters with mono first, and then about 25 yards of braid. Since I want strength and no stretch when flipping jigs into heavy vegetation, it works out and saves a lot of money in my particular application.
Ive been racking my brain trying to figure out how much 10# mono backing to use to get 150 yard spool of braid to fill my 4000 size reel. I bought a good line counter. I could use some help with the math
Thanks brother!! It’s an Accurate Valiant 400. It’s a custom color. TEAM OLD SCHOOL BLACK AND BLUE. Amazing reels, we’ve been using Accurate reels for 14 years now and they are insane. You will love them! The Fury is just as evil and a bit cheaper. Here ya go Accurate Valiant 400 amzn.to/2WPEqB5 Accurate Fury Reel 400 Regular amzn.to/2XTvZZK
As usual, great tip Mike. Will this work with a spinning reel as well as a baitcaster? Also I usually stay away from mono. However, after watching your videos where you talk about rocks cutting braid, I am reconsidering mono. The only problem (and this has happened several times) is that I try to set the hook, and the mono gives too much. I wind up missing the hook set, and losing the fish. Is there something I can do to remedy this problem?
Yes sir! I do this with spinning reels as well. I normally don’t do it with baitcasters since they don’t hold that much line to begin with. (But I HAVE done it on the much larger bait casters) When you are using braid, are you fishing with live/cut bait or artificials? If you’re using bait, are you holding the rod when the fish strikes or is it in a rod holder?
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS usually I am using live or cut bait. I am just starting to learn how to use artificial baits. Most of the time I keep the rod in a rod holder.
Matthew White In that case you definitely want to use mono and a soft slow tip rod. Use straight eye circle hooks one size larger than what you normally use in a J hook. Keep reel locked up in the rod holder. Not free spooled. Our hook-up ratio is higher with this combination than ANY other we have EVER used. When fish strikes just start to crank without removing the rod from the rod holder until rod fully loads. Never yank to set the hook and you will NEVER go back to J hooks. Don’t be surprised if you hook 10 out of 10 strikes most of the time. I LOVE these hooks. amzn.to/325i8xC Avoid Gamakatsu at all cost! If you STAY with braid and stiff tipped rods the fish will drop the bait too soon. Check out this circle hook video I did a while back. th-cam.com/video/ftPU4soUf3g/w-d-xo.html I think you will really like this method. Let me know if you have any other questions brother. 😁👍👍
I have a question, I love saltwater pier fishing and I want to start using a bait caster like the one this guy was using in this video. What type or what baitcaster should I look into or buy for saltwater pier fishing?
I really like the . amzn.to/2JRdpaN. Or. amzn.to/32vBlc4 They are made for saltwater and have great cast controls on them. They are a bit pricey though. If they are out of your range look at ABUs lower end reels, I have used them in saltwater and they do fine.
amzn.to/2XOFZ6b This one has a tension knob and will cast for miles, but it doesn’t have magnetic control so it takes a little time to master but will put cast any other reel. It does have a tension knob if you need it though.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I really want this one can you tell me if its any good? Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 6601 Baitcast Reel. Im a left handed so it's hard to find Round Casting Reels.
If you never use the braid, why do it? Braid is much more expensive than mono. Fill the entire spool with mono. At changeover, pull off some of the mono, uni-knot the new mono covering the knot with electrical tape, and fill the spool. You will always have the backing you say you never use. I know you are to smart to let a big fish spool you.
You’re right, I could probably go either way. Just because I never get down to the braid, doesn’t mean it can’t happen. That extra capacity let’s me use smaller light let reels. We fish with planer boards a lot where we let over half the spool out before the fish strikes. Although I’ve never got down close to the knot before I want to be prepared. You never know when someone might leave the drag a bit too loose at strike when a 60 hits 😛😛 thanks for the comment brother.
3 or 4 wraps of the braid and a cinch knot and theres no need for tape. Guys claim salt will get under tape and corrode the reel spool- haven’t seen it, just read about it
I appreciate the feedback. I’ve actually done up to 6 knots, criss crossing the spool and although it’s rare I’ve STILL had the line slip in extreme cold weather when the spool shrinks. Not many guys fish all year so they don’t see a problem. I haven’t seen any corrosion under the tape. Newer spools now have a texture in them to eliminate braid slip.
Does this work with braid straight to an aluminum spool? What exactly is the knot you tie? I have gone around a spool a dozen times with multiple uni knots and it will all eventually slip. Might be a month later, but on a cold day it will slip. That spool shrinks and it’s over.
There is a reason why you dont see many pros or others doing this. Braid is expensive. More expensive then mono. What you will see alot is folks putting cheap mono on reels and then putting braid on so they dont have an entire reel full of braid (which is expensive). I am baffled as to why anyone would do as you show in your video...............
To add capacity so you can use smaller reels for big fish. If your reel only holds 100 yds of 30lb mono you can increase capacity to 130 yards or more by using 30lb braid as backing and 30lb mono as your top- shot. 30lb braid is 1/3 the diameter of 30lb mono so using both you will have more line capacity than using only mono. It’s called stacking. Even if you never get down to the backing during normal conditions it’s nice to see an additional 30yds of braid should a big fish strip all of your mono out. I’d rather see backing than an empty spool. Braid is also no longer expensive. I use several brands that are the same price as mono.
Your timing is perfect. I’m getting ready to load my 6 new reels and will load line this way. Thx Mike!
Awesome!! 👍👍🙏🙏
Surprised some people have never heard of this before. Braid with a mono "topshop" is super common in Socal Saltwater fishing. Glad some more people can find out about this. The braid last for years and you can always put it on a other reel to use the braid sitting at the bottom of the spool that has never seen daylight or water. Instead of electrical tape try using finger tape. Leaves less residue and is nice and grippy.
I know it brother!!! Very common on the West Coast, especially on long range trips. It’s not very common here on the east coast and totally unheard of in the freshwater world. It serves beautifully for Striped Bass gear in fresh and salt. Thanks for the comments brother!!
Hey Mike, Great ideals there. I really like the black tape because I have had trouble in the past with the line slipping. You hit me at the right time because I am getting ready to reline some rods. Thanks man!
1811bruce Love it!!! Thanks for the comment brother!! 😁😁👍👍
Just received a pair of Penn jigging combos from Wally World for $79 bucks to do some Sebastian fishing next month on vacation. Your tips are much appreciated!
Awesome!! Shoot me some fish pics!!
Mikesmedley9@gmail.com 👍👍
Awesome!! Shoot me some fish pics!!
Mikesmedley9@gmail.com 👍👍
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Heading to Florida 11/15 to fish the inlet. Let's see what happens and thanks sharing yours tips with use newbies
Great idea! Electrical tape is awesome tip. Thanks. I do the exact opposite of what your doing for my Largemouth flipping/pitching rods. Since braid is expensive, I set up my bait casters with mono first, and then about 25 yards of braid. Since I want strength and no stretch when flipping jigs into heavy vegetation, it works out and saves a lot of money in my particular application.
ABSOLUTELY!! We do the same thing with our jigging reels and larger baitcasters. 👍👍
I'll be spooling an old jigmaster penn, I'll be starting with dacron and I'll be using this tape step first. Really cool idea
Thanks brother.
Great tip on saving fishing line. I do a lot of salt water fishing and this tip is great 👍👍
Thanks Benjamin!! I’m glad you like it brother!!
What brand of reel is that. I like it.
Ive been racking my brain trying to figure out how much 10# mono backing to use to get 150 yard spool of braid to fill my 4000 size reel. I bought a good line counter. I could use some help with the math
Never thought of using electrical tape to help inside the spool. Thanks for the idea.
Sure brother!! It’s tried and true. 😁
what reel are you using for this video, looks very nice
Awesome tip Mike! What reel brand is the blue one ? Looks real nice
Thanks brother!! It’s an Accurate Valiant 400. It’s a custom color. TEAM OLD SCHOOL BLACK AND BLUE. Amazing reels, we’ve been using Accurate reels for 14 years now and they are insane. You will love them! The Fury is just as evil and a bit cheaper.
Here ya go
Accurate Valiant 400
amzn.to/2WPEqB5
Accurate Fury Reel 400 Regular
amzn.to/2XTvZZK
As usual, great tip Mike. Will this work with a spinning reel as well as a baitcaster? Also I usually stay away from mono. However, after watching your videos where you talk about rocks cutting braid, I am reconsidering mono. The only problem (and this has happened several times) is that I try to set the hook, and the mono gives too much. I wind up missing the hook set, and losing the fish. Is there something I can do to remedy this problem?
Yes sir! I do this with spinning reels as well. I normally don’t do it with baitcasters since they don’t hold that much line to begin with. (But I HAVE done it on the much larger bait casters) When you are using braid, are you fishing with live/cut bait or artificials? If you’re using bait, are you holding the rod when the fish strikes or is it in a rod holder?
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS usually I am using live or cut bait. I am just starting to learn how to use artificial baits. Most of the time I keep the rod in a rod holder.
Matthew White
In that case you definitely want to use mono and a soft slow tip rod. Use straight eye circle hooks one size larger than what you normally use in a J hook. Keep reel locked up in the rod holder. Not free spooled. Our hook-up ratio is higher with this combination than ANY other we have EVER used. When fish strikes just start to crank without removing the rod from the rod holder until rod fully loads. Never yank to set the hook and you will NEVER go back to J hooks. Don’t be surprised if you hook 10 out of 10 strikes most of the time.
I LOVE these hooks.
amzn.to/325i8xC
Avoid Gamakatsu at all cost!
If you STAY with braid and stiff tipped rods the fish will drop the bait too soon.
Check out this circle hook video I did a while back. th-cam.com/video/ftPU4soUf3g/w-d-xo.html
I think you will really like this method. Let me know if you have any other questions brother. 😁👍👍
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I really appreciate it.
Matthew White ANYTIME!!👍
I have a question, I love saltwater pier fishing and I want to start using a bait caster like the one this guy was using in this video. What type or what baitcaster should I look into or buy for saltwater pier fishing?
I really like the . amzn.to/2JRdpaN. Or. amzn.to/32vBlc4 They are made for saltwater and have great cast controls on them. They are a bit pricey though. If they are out of your range look at ABUs lower end reels, I have used them in saltwater and they do fine.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS do you have any suggestions for round casting reels for saltwater pier fishing?
amzn.to/2XOFZ6b
This one has a tension knob and will cast for miles, but it doesn’t have magnetic control so it takes a little time to master but will put cast any other reel. It does have a tension knob if you need it though.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I really want this one can you tell me if its any good? Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 6601 Baitcast Reel. Im a left handed so it's hard to find Round Casting Reels.
I don’t like those reels for saltwater.
Team Old School.....Fish on
CRANK CRANK CRANK CRANK!!😛😛
Corrosion under the electrical tape over time (salt)?
I have never seen corrosion personally. You would think there would be some, but I haven’t.
What kind of reel is that
It’s an accurate valiant.
nice one dude
Thanks Brah!!! 😁😁👍
If you never use the braid, why do it? Braid is much more expensive than mono. Fill the entire spool with mono. At changeover, pull off some of the mono, uni-knot the new mono covering the knot with electrical tape, and fill the spool. You will always have the backing you say you never use. I know you are to smart to let a big fish spool you.
You’re right, I could probably go either way. Just because I never get down to the braid, doesn’t mean it can’t happen. That extra capacity let’s me use smaller light let reels. We fish with planer boards a lot where we let over half the spool out before the fish strikes. Although I’ve never got down close to the knot before I want to be prepared. You never know when someone might leave the drag a bit too loose at strike when a 60 hits 😛😛 thanks for the comment brother.
3 or 4 wraps of the braid and a cinch knot and theres no need for tape. Guys claim salt will get under tape and corrode the reel spool- haven’t seen it, just read about it
I appreciate the feedback. I’ve actually done up to 6 knots, criss crossing the spool and although it’s rare I’ve STILL had the line slip in extreme cold weather when the spool shrinks. Not many guys fish all year so they don’t see a problem. I haven’t seen any corrosion under the tape. Newer spools now have a texture in them to eliminate braid slip.
If you go around the spool 3 to 5 times and do A uni knot and slide it down it will not slip on you no tape at all
Does this work with braid straight to an aluminum spool? What exactly is the knot you tie? I have gone around a spool a dozen times with multiple uni knots and it will all eventually slip. Might be a month later, but on a cold day it will slip. That spool shrinks and it’s over.
Look up hardlife bait and tackle on TH-cam and you see what i am talking about
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS look up hardlife life bait and tackle on TH-cam
james lara Have you done this on aluminum spools?
I use aets lxs mxls and sxs all i raptor
Series i have jerry brown hollow core braid them and no slipping at all with a 40 pound Topshop Of suffix
I fish with mono only
There is a reason why you dont see many pros or others doing this. Braid is expensive. More expensive then mono. What you will see alot is folks putting cheap mono on reels and then putting braid on so they dont have an entire reel full of braid (which is expensive). I am baffled as to why anyone would do as you show in your video...............
To add capacity so you can use smaller reels for big fish. If your reel only holds 100 yds of 30lb mono you can increase capacity to 130 yards or more by using 30lb braid as backing and 30lb mono as your top- shot. 30lb braid is 1/3 the diameter of 30lb mono so using both you will have more line capacity than using only mono. It’s called stacking. Even if you never get down to the backing during normal conditions it’s nice to see an additional 30yds of braid should a big fish strip all of your mono out. I’d rather see backing than an empty spool. Braid is also no longer expensive. I use several brands that are the same price as mono.