Nanofil users

[jeffmonument]

For you guys that use it.  Does anybody use it w/out a fluro leader?  I hate having to add a leader to my main line.  thanks!

[Huntindave]

FWIW   I use nanofil, am quite happy with it and have never used any sort of leader while using it.  I tie direct and have not noticed any decrease in catch rate because of it.  Personally, I see no need for a leader.

[yoopermjm]

I use it without a leader. Would seem to defeat the purpose of it, it's pretty small. That's the only problem I have with it, sometimes its so hard to see I have trouble tying on a jig. Prefer mono.

[Vex-Um]

I use a leader.  Mainly due to the fact that I generally fish very clear water, so colored line stands out and undoubtedly effects fishing biting percentages. Make sure to use a STRONG knot with the nanofil as it is pretty slick and needs to be reinforced a bit.

[TCubed]

I have fished it with and without a leader and haven't really seen much difference. I like not having one just because nano is such a string line with such a small diameter. I think the small diameter sometimes makes up for the white color.

Nick

[MN Bassfisher]

It depends on what you're targeting, what type of lures you're using and the clarity of the water you're fishing. I tried tying direct in CO fishing for trout with small spoons, I caught 1 and the person next to me with mono caught 8. There was no doubt in my mind that the trout could see the line in the clear waters we were fishing.

If you're fishing anything other than a spoon or aggressive (any finesse) tactic I would avoid it.

The easiest knot for me for tying a leader to braided line is an Alberto Knot. I used to tie the uni to uni knot but never was able to tie it quickly or efficiently.

[yoopermjm]

Thanks for this alberto knot diagram. I tried several times to make that knot, but never had a diagram to show me so clearly.

[ejdelvo28]

Is Nanofil no-stretch or is it more like a mono in terms of flexibility?

[DrewFlu33]

I've always heard that knot called the "Albright Knot."  I use it to tie backing to fly line in fly fishing applications and it's very strong there.

Simply because there's no way I could tie the Albright or Alberto with line in the diameters I use for ice fishing, I use a different knot to tie leaders that's much less labor intensive that I learned from some tuna fishermen in Ocean City, Maryland.  It's called the "J-knot." 

EDIT note: I've gone as small as 1 lb fluoro attached to 2 lb braid and never had it slip.  I also used it successfully with 2lb fluoro attached to Nanofil, though I've only ever purchased 10 lb Nanofil due to its tiny diameter. It's just easier for me to work with in bigger sizes, and it's nice not to have to worry about it breaking. I always use a leader with "superlines" anyway, due to their visibility under water (whether that matters or not is probably up for debate, but it does in my mind) and propensity to break very easily when nicked by a wayward tooth.

I actually made a .gif for the J-knot if anyone's interested:

 
Blue is the leader, while green is the main line.  Basically you just overlap the two by a couple inches and do all the "tying" with the tag end of the main line and the entire leader.  Start with a simple overhand knot, pulling the tag end of the main line and the entire leader all the way through without cinching it down.  Do a second overhand knot across the opposite side of the loop you've formed, again pulling the main line tag end and the entire leader through.  Finally, do a third overhand knot on the same side of the loop as the first one once more pulling the main line tag end and entire leader through.  Wet it, cinch it down (carefully if joining mono or fluoro with braid as braid will burn mono or fluoro in any knot joining the two), and trim tag ends.


Hopefully that made sense when paired with the illustration.

Is Nanofil no-stretch or is it more like a mono in terms of flexibility?

It's extremely no-stretch.  It's very much like braid, but seems to be a little smoother.

[bigredonice]

I use nano fill and fireline out in the salt for stripers and fresh for largemouth, jigging walleyes, and jigging lake trout.   I always pair it up with a leader, simply because fused superlines are not good at resisting abrasion damage.

for applications where I knot the two lines together, I am a huge fan of the alberto knot.    Once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature.   It also has a very slim, guide friendly profile, and is insanely strong.    We use the same knot to attach our 100lb flouro leaders to 80lb power pro when chasing bluefin tuna.

[DrewFlu33]

Actually, looking at the illustration again, that knot is different than an Albright.  They look very similar, but are decidedly different.  That one is easier than an Albright, though I still think I'll stick with my J-knot. 

[SirCranksalot]

I understood that Nanofil wasn't good in cold weather---something to do with abrasion IIRC.

[MN Bassfisher]

Actually, looking at the illustration again, that knot is different than an Albright.  They look very similar, but are decidedly different.  That one is easier than an Albright, though I still think I'll stick with my J-knot. 

The Alberto is quicker for me to tie in the Albright. I use it bass fishing too and have never had problems of it failing so I'm confident using it ice fishing too.

[MN Bassfisher]

Is Nanofil no-stretch or is it more like a mono in terms of flexibility?

Nanofil is basically a variation of braid and is no stretch.