the need for a swivel in a handline

hey, this may be a bizzare forum topic, but humour me, please.... for my sanity

 

my wife will only fish with a handline, and does it very well.  is there an absolute need for a swivel between the main line and the leader? or would a double uni knot be sufficient?  I am thinking about just reducing the number of connections in the line to reduce the chance of breakages or swivels giving way.  the 80lb main line will have a running sinker clip and teardrop or bomb sinker, tied to a 100 lb leader which will be tied to a no 8 circle hook.  to be used in shallow water in shark bay (less than 12 metres)

 

in the past have used a paternoster rig with success, but just trying to simplify things in the shallower water.

 

input from old timers especially appreciated!!!

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Fish! HARD!


grantarctic1's picture

Posts: 2546

Date Joined: 03/03/11

Add a clip

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:24

With a big handline, i tie a good quality clip ( 200lb ) to the main line. This allows me to unclip the rig and store the hanline without getting it all tangled up .

Then i can clip on any rig i want quickly. If you make a paternoster rig with heavy trace ( 100lb + ) just tie an overhand double at the top of the rig instead of a swivell. Then use the loop to attach to the large swivell clip on the handline.

Hope this helps , Cheers Grant

 

Posts: 912

Date Joined: 23/07/10

 Anything that reduces twist

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:25

 Anything that reduces twist in line is a big plus, so a swivel would be beneficial.

Yewiefish85's picture

Posts: 792

Date Joined: 02/01/11

not an "old timer" but why

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:29

not an "old timer" but why not just tie a dropper knot directly on the 80lb mainline and loop the circle hook on, tie an overhand knot on the bottom to loop on sinker, shouldn't really need 100lb leader if using non-offset circles, super simple (only 2 knots), i rig up this way fishing for black jew in Hedland with 300 lb handline, i can re rig in about 2 min if i get bitten off making it quick and easy

Cheers Yewie

Posts: 6454

Date Joined: 08/08/11

don't have a problem with

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:33

don't have a problem with twists?

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Fish! HARD!

Posts: 6454

Date Joined: 08/08/11

that's what i've done in the

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:31

that's what i've done in the past.  but a patenoster rig is a pain in the arse to stow on the boat. that sinker bit just gets in the way all the time. (ps grant i have your sinker moulds to return.  Hopefully this week).  just wondering if, without a swivel it will get to twisted and tangled? 

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Fish! HARD!

Man Overboard's picture

Posts: 957

Date Joined: 16/01/10

Hey Randall, if you're

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:34

Hey Randall, if you're fishing for snapper, big snapper that is, go a running sinker to a swivel then leader. When you get the bite, let him run with it ( like a dhuie ), before you set the hook. Normally 1 good run then he will pick up the slack again. Forget the paternoater with handlines in shallow.

Yewiefish85's picture

Posts: 792

Date Joined: 02/01/11

haven't had a problem with

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:34

haven't had a problem with line twist without swivel even with quite large sharks twisting and turning on the way up but thats with 300lb that is quite stiff

grantarctic1's picture

Posts: 2546

Date Joined: 03/03/11

On the clip

Tue, 2012-02-28 22:35

I aways use a swivel clip on the main line, then with a swivel on the sinker its the same as a normal rig .

If youve got a few minutes when you drop by , i'll show you a few rig's i use.

Posts: 6454

Date Joined: 08/08/11

what knot do you use at the

Tue, 2012-02-28 23:04

what knot do you use at the top end of the leader that attaches to the clip?

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Fish! HARD!

grantarctic1's picture

Posts: 2546

Date Joined: 03/03/11

Double overhand

Tue, 2012-02-28 23:30

Double overhand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1q_mUXOGHw 

I use the same knot for the sinker. Also only use it with heavy mono trace , it can reduce the breaking strain of the leader up to 50%.

So it's not the best way to attach a trace, but it's quick and easy , when used with 100lb + trace it has not failed me yet .