"top shot"

[guitartom]

I've been fishing fire line for the past 5 years or so. Usually I use a 6 foot flurocarbon leader attached with a nail knot or blood knot. I use it for everything from fluke* blacks* stripers* cod ect. I'm looking for a new reel and I keep reading about using a top shot of mono. These guys are talking about using the braid as backing and mono up front. What's the use of the braid ? Isn't the point to get the thinness and less stretch of the braid as your main line?

Thanks

[cowkiller]

I dont think they are using the braid as backing.Like you said most guys use a 6-8 foot piece of mono attached by an albrite or nail knot. Thats why its called a TOP SHOT.:thumb:

[gimmesalt]

They seem to do this in California more. I bought some reels there so I looked through their forums to try to figure out what they are doing.
The mono "topshot" which can be even 100 yards or so is what you really fish with. The Braid backing is to get extra line capacity. This way you can fish a smaller reel and still have the capacity of a larger reel. They like to do this on their long range tuna trips.

[Quanman]

A little mono on the reel first so the braid doesn't slip. I like fishing with about minimum 20' of mono topshot after the braid for 2 reasons mainly. 1) fishing wrecks and rock piles for the abraison resistance. 2) fishing on a PB getting untangled is much easier and if I have to cut off and retie no big deal* I would hate to lose the braid* $$$$.

Remember* braid has no stretch. Those guys in Cali. can get into some pretty big YFT and need plenty of give in the line. Not to mention can you imagine a bunch of guys in a mad dog bite getting all tangled with braid. :eek:

[gimmesalt]

The "CA recommendation" for the reel I bought was 300yd 65# braid with a topshot of 125 yd 40# mono (read on a CA forum). Say it was good for school tuna* I think they mean tuna under 100#. So there would be plenty of topshot to give some shock absorbsion. (I could be wrong* only guessing based on what I've read)