 |
|
This
version of Steve Morris' Top Shot, Wind-on Leader makes use of
a length of hollow, IGFA line class dacron, to facilitate the
attachment of an extended, heavy monofilament leader, which can
be wound in through the rod guides and onto the reel.
Top Shot dacron splicing needles are recommended for this process
produced by Top Shot Tackle in South Australia. Top Shot glues
are recommended for sealing the splice, but suitable alternatives
include Aquaseal and Pliobond.
Other
materials include a five to ten metre length of monofilament three
to five times the breaking strain of the line already on the reel,
and some hollow dacron line about twice the breaking strain of
the line on the reel. There is room for some variation with sleeve
and leader size, but heavier, or lighter monofilament leaders,
require a compatible dacron sleeve.
You will also need a sharp knife or scalpel for sharpening one
end of the monofilament leader, and loop-gauge or pencil to keep
your loop open. A fine waxed thread, or other strong binding thread
is used for finishing off.
|
 |
 |
| 1.
Take approximately 50 cm of Dacron and fold
it into three as shown. Then mark the dacron a third the way along
its length. |
2.
Put the dacron sleeve aside for the present,
and sharpen the heavy monofilament leader to a point with your knife
or scalpel. |
 |
 |
| 3.
I recommend you use some fine sand paper to smooth out the taper
you cut in the monofilament. |
4.
Having sharpened your leader to a fairly fine
point, insert it into the hollow end of your end-splicing needle. |
|
The
end-splicing needle is to allow you to thread the heavy monofilament
up the hollow dacron. However, with a little practice, you will
probably be able to thread the dacron sleeve with the heavy mono
without using the needle.
|
 |
 |
| 5.
Take up the dacron once more and thread your
loop-splicing needle through the weave of the dacron at your one
third mark. Then thread the eye of the needle with the short end
of the dacron. |
6.
Pull the short end through the dacron so a loop is formed. A pencil
or Loop-gauge is inserted in the loop to prevent it from closing. |
 |
 |
| 7.
Continue to pull the short end, pulling back
the long end so it bunches up Over the short end as shown. Note
that the loop closes on the pencil or loop-gauge. |
8.
Now push the dacron slicing needle, into which
the monofilament leader has been threaded, up the short end of the
dacron so that it holds back the bunched longer end. |
|
As
previously stated, the bare monofilament can be worked up inside
the dacron with a bit of practice
|
 |
 |
9A.
Pull the end-splicing needle right through
until the tapered end of the monofilament leader protrudes. Disengage
the needle and smear the tapered end of the monofilament leader
with glue.
9B.
Draw the monofilament back far enough to completely contain the
glued end. |
10.
Now push the external two thirds of the dacron
right down over the internal join between dacron and monofilament. |
 |
 |
11A.
Pull the dacron end back and smear with glue
at this point.
11B. Then
push the dacron back over the glued section. |
12.
Stretch the leader out really tight using
either a Top Shot Spreader Jig, or other means. |
|
Then,
with your waxed thread, or fine gelspun line, make a clove hitch
on the monofilament just below the dacron, and continue making
a series of firm half hitches back up the monofilament and over
the dacron end.
I
have only illustrated them as open like this so you can see how
the process is done.
|
 |
 |
| 13.
Continue thus until the binding extends a
similar distance each side of the dacron end, over-bind a loop of
thread so you can use it a pull-through to finish off your binding. |
14.
Extract your pull-through, and with it the
tag. Close the binding with firm pressure on the tag. |
 |
 |
| 15.
Use at least one coat of waterproof sealant
like Top Shot Dac Tac, Aquaseal or Pliobond and allow to cure. |
16.
The finished splice should look like this
and pass easily through the line guides and onto your reel. Connection
is achieved by first tying a very short double or end loop in you
main line, then interlocking the loop in the leader with a Loop
& Cross Loop connection. |
| |
