mattakfish
2012-12-23 06:16:36
Does anyone know of a less expensive but quality brand of sleeves besides Jinkai? Has anyone tried using blackened copper sleeves for mono....how about double sleeves rather than regular oval?
Salty
2012-12-23 06:47:10
I use fisherman sleeves from North Pacific Net and Twine. Made by Yamamoto.
There are various cheaper ones available thru searching on the net that I have tried but I have settled in on the Fishermen even though they are not the cheapest.
The cheapest thing is to tie a double improved clinch knot in places where that works or a figure 8 loop where that is needed. I still use sleeves to pre make leaders and on bait hooks. I often double up the oval sleeves as then they seldom slip and break. I also flatten the end of the leader so it snugs right up against the sleeve without sliding through.
The long term problem with sleeves is that they start corroding as soon as they are exposed to salt water.
We used to use blackened copper, but it was a lot of work as you had to ream out the ends or they would cut the mono.
mattakfish
2012-12-23 07:28:18
Thanks for the advice...I'll check out pacific net and twine.
Carol W
2012-12-23 17:37:53
I have a knot that tops a sleeve.
I noticed that PN&T has their own brand of hooks now. Anyone tried those yet to see if they are better than the crap Mustad ones?
Salty
2012-12-24 00:08:46
Tom,
Declaring you have it and not sharing is scroogie.
mattakfish
2012-12-24 07:41:43
Carol W. ....whats the knot that tops a sleeve? if you wouldnt mind sharing:)
ericv
2012-12-24 19:07:53
The knot may be similar to what I do when crimping sleeves. As per use, feed the leader through the sleeve, make a loop (for Gods sake don't ask how big of a loop or this thread will get buried in opinions - not saying any of us trollers have opinions - "cough... gag" :mrgreen: ) and thread the leader back through the other direction. I push about an inch or so of leader on through so it is sticking out, then use a lighter to melt the tip of that leader line. With a finger then tap the softened leader end making a flat spot or small knob and then pull it back until it snubs up against the sleeve. Then crimp. I'm guessing the knot achieves the same result but not sure. The lighter method has worked well, takes literally a second or two and helps reduce the chance of the leader slipping back through the crimped sleeve. As noted by others, inspect this area of your gear regularly and renew frequently due to corrosion and line fatigue. Nothing worse than losing a nice fat King(s) to a failed area around a sleeve because one was being too much of a penny pinched and not wanting to shell out money on sleeves (author of this reply guilty as charged - now smarter).
Salty
2012-12-24 21:14:58
ericv,
Christmas tip. You do not need to burn the mono. Not good for you, and leads to burns on fingers. Just take the crimping tool and smash, flatten, the end of the leader. Then pull it snug up against the sleeve. Quicker, you don't have to pick the lighter up, use it, put it down, pick up the crimper, etc. When using the double improved clinch knot I use the cutting tip of the JinKai crimpers to cut the end of the leader right next to the knot. It is not a clean cut like when using clippers and so it will catch before slipping through the knot. When tying a lot of knots I grease the line with a bit of olive or cooking oil. Makes the mono slip easily up into a nice tight knot. I use latex gloves when tying a lot of gear here at home. Tied 200 bugs yesterday without any sleeves. Double improved clinch knot into the hook or swivel and figure 8 loop for the end going to the flasher.
I burned the ends for years. Stopped after the throat cancer diagnosis. Even though there is no known connection.
Off for the last of the Christmas eve shopping. Wish I was in Petersburg for the yule-bucking
Merry Christmas.
mattakfish
2012-12-25 00:46:00
It's been an especially good year for Julebukking...spread out for four days so plenty of time to socialize and feed on lefse, smoked king, shrimp, pickled herring...pizza.....and of course the traditional pastrami on rye at the drug store. Merry Christmas.
Salty
2012-12-25 05:17:06
I think the last year I was in Petersburg on Christmas Eve was 1995.