Ask Mark

[dalbert02]

I just saw one of your shows where it was 100% educational, from knot tying to how to give a lure some action to how to dress up your trolling rigs. I really enjoyed it and appreciate your efforts. To me, that type of show is way more interesting than just watching someone reel in fish after fish like they do on the other fishing programs. Especially when they go into no details on rod, reel, or bait!

I know you said you do not like to use braid, but one of the knots in your show was about how to tie mono to braid. If I may suggest an alternative that you or perhaps others may like to try. In your show, it was shown how to tie mono around a bimini twisted braid. I have noticed that sometimes this does not work too well when using say 20lb braid and 40lb or greater mono or flouro leader. What I do is make a U shape with the mono. Pull your bimini twisted braid tight so that it looks like a single line. With your left hand hold the mono U shape flat and horizontal. Take the braid, thread from the bottom up into the U. Make several wraps continuing around the U nice and neat. Then start to wrap over the wraps you already made similar to a bimini twist. Then go out of the U in the same direction you came into it. Finally finish by wrapping the braid on itself as you would finish a bimini. I have noticed that this will slide through the guides easier and is nearly 100% strength.

You have taught me plenty over the years and I only hope I could somehow pay back the favor even if it is just a teeny bit.

Thank you kindly for "listening".

-dave

[marksosin]

Dear Dave:

Thanks for your kind words. In each of the last four years, we have done a show similar to the one you saw and it has always been well-received by most anglers. A few still insist that they want to see a host catch big fish, go to exotic destinations, and do things the average angler cannot do. In the 26 years we have been on the air, our goal has always been education and information. Lately, I try to do more and more shows that the average fisherman can duplicate.

I also appreciate your sharing the information on the knot you use to attach a mono leader to braid. It is similar to an expanded version of the No Name Knot that we sometimes use to make this connection with a few extra steps at the end.

Mark Sosin