Nail Knot "Nub" Connection Status, October 2009

It is time to get ready for the 2009/2010 long range trips. I hope the COWs show up in big number soon. (The Q-105 got some at the Hurricane and Rooster is heading there right now.) In case some of you are thinking about mono to spectra connections to use on these trip, here is the latest data on my “nub” connection that uses spectra nail knots (see my earlier posting for the concept of my “nub” and nail knot connection.)

I have spent over 6 months developing the strongest way to install the nub on the mono. The final result is that you can put 174# of tension on Izorline 135# First String mono before the nub will start to slip on the mono. This is key to an effective nub and it is also the reason that you can use my connection multiple times.

More testing at Izoline showed me that my nub connection is a 100% connection without the Chinese finger trap. To test this on a real fish, I asked Brian Sims from the Royal Star (April 2009 tagging trip) to test some special connections that had virtually no Chinese finger trap insertion of the mono into the hollow spectra. Brian (and the Royal Star crew) landed 6 tuna in the 100# to 150# class as well as 15 sharks on the same connection. The connection started out with 45 ft of Izorline 135# mono and Brian fished and re-fished it until there was 4 ft of mono left. He had similar results with two other special wind-ons with no Chinese finger trap. This on ocean testing validated to me that my Izorline lab testing results were correct. Bottom line is that I can make a nail knot nub connection that is 100% strong and can be used multiple times without the Chinese finger trap holding mechanism.

Please keep in mind that using my nail knots alone is a very risky situation, as it has no room for error. (Like a flying trapeze act without a safety net.) If any part of the nail knots were not installed exactly right, the connection may slip. If anything damages a critical part of the nail knot while fighting the fish, the connection will probably fail. Knowing how each part of my connection behaves under all conditions is necessary to design a very effective connection system. My design approach is to know what the contribution of each part is and whether it is a primary or secondary contribution.

So what does this mean to my connection? It means that the insertion of the mono into the spectra is for margin of safety. I have previously found that between 6 and 12 inches of insertion (for 135# Izorline mono into 200H Izorline spectra) is a 100% connection. The problem with only inserting 12 inches is that with most other connection techniques, the loading and re-loading of the line will induce a small amount of slippage from each re-loading of the line. This is one reason why you may end up having less than the required 12 inches of insertion and that is why most riggers use between 3ft and 5 ft of insertion. With my “nub”, I preclude all creep type of slippage on re-loading and so if I start out with 12 inches, I end up with 12 inches. Sorry to get carried away with my microscopic observations but this observation was what drove me to come up with the nub. I still recommend that everyone use between 2 ft and 3 ft of insertion to provide 200% to 300% margin of safety.

Right now I am working on how to reduce some of the excess margin of safety so that my connection can be made quicker. Sorry, but this is not just the simple act of shorter insertion length. I am evaluating some faster nail knot installation techniques.

Come join me on one of my long range trips and your can ask questions, ask about my latest findings and try out one of these connection that I can custom make for you. (You tell me how you fish and whether you plan on re-using the connections more than once.) I am running the Accurate Reel sponsored 10.5-day trip on the American Angler (Jan 5, 2010). I am trying to clear my calendar at work so that I can be on December 11, 2009 Izorline Red Rooster 3 trip. Check with the Red Rooster office.

Thanks for reading about the latest on my nail knot nub connection,

Gary Teraoka

American Angler 5-Day (July 27 - Aug 1, 2009)

I was on the annual Harry Yamada/Roger Kuramoto 5-day trip (July 27 – Aug 1, 2009) on the American Angler, skippered by co-owner Brian Kiyohara. This trip is made up mostly of passengers from a charter group that formed many years ago. These guys really know how to fish and the results reflects the skill of the anglers combined with the skill of the American Angler crew to locate the fish.

We went straight to the southern end of Guadalupe Island and fished for the larger yellowfin tuna. We were able to put 100 of the 40# to 70# YFT in the RSW that first afternoon. Pretty good for a half day of fishing. Each of these large YFT were gutted and gilled before being placed into the 29 deg. RSW. My parents, family, and friends continue to comment on how Sushi quality the tuna was.

On the second day at Lupe we put another 100 YFT on the boat by noon. With plenty of the big YFT in the RSW we left the southern end and fished for yellowtail near Latitude bay. We were able to land 100 yellowtails in under 2 hours. The biggest yellowtail was 34# and landed by our chef Paul.

On the way to the southern end of Guadalupe, Kub Ito was trolling with the right stuff (wired mediun black and purple Yo Zuri). Kub landed a big wahoo (60# class) and graciously donated it to the galley for dinner. Thanks Kub, it was delicious.

After the successful YFT and yellowtail catching at Guadalupe, we wanted to try for bluefin tuna. At our evening family meeting we found out that we were going to fish off-shore tomorrow for bluefin and albacore.

Andy Cates (Red Rooster3) shared a school of YFT and BFT with us. We landed around 20 of the 30# - 40# BFT. On the last day of fishing, most of us were not looking to keepanything, but you know how that goes. We had a mix of small YFT, good size BFT, small yellows, and some dorados. (Photos of Roger in the orange slickers with his BFT; Dr. Ben Kawata, John Liu and Dr. Mike Uyeki with nice tuna.)

The jackpot fish were all caught at Lupe. I was fortunate to have a 105# YFT bite my bait while using the newest Accurate boss reel (BX2-500). I used 65# Izorline spectra and 25 ft of Izroline 40# fluorocarbon. Tony (the Harley ridding big boy) Contreras had a 71# YFT for second and John Liu was a close third with a 70# YFT.

This annual trip is always fun to be on due to the fishermen playing jokes on each other but always working together to land every fish hooked. We had very few hooked fish lost due to tangles and attribute this to the effectiveness of the “controlled free spool” that is used on the American Angler (no tension, no cut off lines). The crew has always been very good at locating fish so it is not surprising that we had such a great fish count. This trip is on the American Angler schedule next year at the end of July 2010. Thank you to Harry Yamada and Roger Kuramoto for doing a great job organizing this trip every year (All photos were taken by the American Angler camera.)

American Angler Long Range Trip

The 2009 Accurate sponsored American Angler trip left Point Loma at 6 PM on Jan 5 for 10.5 days of the most beautiful weather that I have ever experienced on a long range fishing trip. By leaving in the evening the logistic of the traveling time works out that we get to fish 6 days at the lower banks above Cabo San Lucas, in search of the large Yellowfin tuna. Accurate Fishing Products supplied 40 ATD and Boss two speed reels along with Cal Star and Seeker rods for all passengers to use during the trip. All reels have either Izorline, Blackwater or JB spectra so the passengers are only responsible for the top shot on the outfit(s) that they borrow.

With generous prizes provided by Accurate, Izorline, Pelagic, Smitty Belts, Baja Fish Gear, Yo’s Custom Rods, Salas Lures and Fishing Videos, I started giving away prizes to all passengers from the very first night. These included 6X Jr Salas Jigs for all, 2009 Calenders from Fishing Videos for all, Accurate T-shirts for all and gift cards from Baja Fish Gear for all. Izorline provided a 2KG spool of 135# blue First String mono for all the passengers to use and is the perfect mono to make top shots for the 2-speed Accurate reels. This is the line you want to be using for the best chance of successfully landing the 200# plus yellowfin tuna. In addition, we held drawings for Pelagic hats and shirts, Izorline spectra and XXX line, Accurate upgrade reel handles, and some very special mono/spectra rigging tools.

I usually have a Daily Derby prize for the biggest fish, but I wanted the passengers to be able to use some of the prizes on this trip so I awarded some Daily Derby prizes before the fishing began. Jim Stein won a set of hollow splicing needles donated by Smitty Belts. Dr. Corey, Burak, Feliz Weaver, Jim Hart, Joe Gigliotti and Ted Williams were the lucky winners of Pelagic gloves.

On the morning of the 3rd day, we arrive at the upper end of the 300# bank. It didn’t take long for the crew to spot “blackies” that were holding big tuna. Skipper Brian Kiohara put the boat in position and the rest was up to us. The big fish results for the first day was Ted Windham 232#, Jeff Price 240#, Jim Hart 196# on a Accurate 30, Harvey Rosen 124# on a Accurate 50, and Jim Stein 185#. We also boated two wahoo (one with a pink Salas 6X jr).

On the 2nd day of fishing, we woke up with fish under the boat. Randy Rich landed the first tuna before sunup. Dr. Corey Burak landed the big fish for the day, which was 267#. Corey also landed a 182# YFT using a Blue/White Salas 6X jig and 60# Izorline mono. Thanks to crew member Bobby (aka Bubbles) for giving Corey a hand with the less than minimum standard equipment on that fish. Ray Coombs landed a 137# kite tuna and Fred Best had a 140# kite fish.

The next day skipper Brian put us on a lot of fish but it was real tough to get a bite. Dan Spiegel landed the biggest fish of the day (126#) and won the Daily Derby prize of a Accurate Boss reel. Fred Best landed a 114# for second best of the day.

On the 4th fishing day, we anchored up on the Morgan Bank to try for some of the more nominal size tuna. We all hooked and landed several of the 30# to 100# tunas and had a great time. Jeff Price had the big fish for the day (100# YFT) and won the Daily Derby of a $50 certificate towads a custom rod from Yo’s. Dan Speigle used a dropper loop to land several Tan Grouper and a outstanding 43# yellowtail.

On the 5th fishing day, it was back to Lucitania bank looking for the giants. Now we were fishing with the Royal Star. Together both boats were able to get on schools of Cows that were blowing completely out of the water. Unfortunately they were chasing schools of squid and did not pay much attention to our choice sardines or mackeral. We did manage to get a few Cows to make a mistake. Joe Gigliotti 180#, Joe El-Deiry 227#, Joe Cribben 174#, (at this point I was going to change my name to Joe) Dan Spiegle 208# and Felix Weaver 279 (the largest fish of the trip). Since you can only win on Daily Derby prize for the trip, Joe El-Deiry was the winner of a 2-speed Boss reel. Boy was Joe a happy camper.

On the last day of fishing, we decide to spend one more day trying to catch a fish of a lifetime. We saw Cows jumping out of the water all over the place. Even as close as 10 ft from the boat. At one stop, we all dropped in as Captain Brian slid the boat to a stop with a big heard of Cows jumping out of the water on the port side and crossing right over our baits. The two lucky anglers were Ron Volmer and Randy Rich. Scott Wolf hook the last fish after the smoke cleared. Large fish for the day went to Scott Wolf where he won Pelagic wear for the Daily Derby.

In summary, we landed 6 Cows and 9 big fish between 100# and 196#. The biggest fish for the trip was landed by Felix Weaver using a ATD-50W that was one of the loaner gear provided free on this trip. Everyone learned something new about fishing for the big tuna and the cooperation between the passengers was phenomenal. Many passengers that signed up by themselves had new friends when they walked off the American Angler 10.5 days later. We all had a great vacation and caught some big fish. I have to commend the American Angler staff for the fantastic job they did on; finding fish, line untangling, individualized big fish mentoring and delicious meals/snacks. Hope to see many of this years passengers next year as well as new passengers looking for a good time and a chance to use Accurate fishing products to land a fish of a lifetime.

Gary Teraoka
Accurate Pro-Staff

"Nub Connection" Test Results

This is a follow-up to the “nub” connection that I described in my last blog. In this blog I will provide the test results of the “nub” connection that I have so far. Since this mono/spectra connection design is primarily for large mono, the test results are based on Izorline 135# First String mono connected to Izorline 200# hollow spectra.
I recommend that you insert the mono into the hollow spectra 5 feet (others use 3
feet with success, but I use 5 feet because it has been very successful for me). I made
up five test specimen connections with way less than 5 feet of insertion
(due to the limitation of the testing machine.) I tested
these five specimens on the same Izorline test machine that is used for the knot-tying contest at the Fred Hall show. In all five tests, the “nub” connection was a 100% connection with either the spectra or mono breaking. The breaking loads ranged from 170# to 196#. The spectra broke in four of the test, but in all four tests, the spectra broke where it was anchored to the test machine. On the test where the mono broke, I ran the load up gradually until I reached 183# and then stopped the test machine. As the mono stretched, the load reduced down to 140#. After 1 hr and 20 minutes, the mono broke d
ue to the necking down from the stretching over time.

The photo with the lavender background is one of the test

specimens. Notice the black mark on the mono. That was the point on the mono that was at the top of the red nail knot before being pulled. This indicates how much stretch the mono goes through (under 183#
of load). The wrinkled spectra between the dark green and red nail knot is an indication of how much more the mono stretches than the spectra. This also indicates that if you have more than one nail knot on top of the hollow spectra, at least one of them will have to slip to accommodate the difference in stretch between the mono and the spectra. This may indicate that you only want to use one nail knot (or crimp) on a connection. I am still evaluating this affect to determine if it is advisable to use more than one nail knot on the outside of the spectra.

As further verification of the “nub” connection, Accurate Pro Staff, Leo Reihsen tested a prototype “nub” connection on the Red Rooster 3 June Heat trip sponsored by Accurate. I installed this connection on an ATD 50 reel. Leo hook around 15 sharks and in his impatience he cranked the sharks to the boat with the reel drag at full (he did not care if anything broke, as it was not a tuna). Leo mailed the connection back to me and you can see what it looks like in the green background photo. Note that the connection looks very

similar to the test specimen with the wrinkled spectra. This connection did not fail. Leo replaced it because he did not understand the wrinkled spectra.

In an attempt to make further improvements to the “nub” portion of the connection, I have made tests that show the nub can hold between 40# and 100# of load. These loads are driven by the fact that the mono necks down at these loads. I have successfully tested four gluing approaches for the nub that can maintain a non-slipping grip on the mono when the mono is loaded and stretched to 177.5# (mono broke).

Given all of this data, I believe that the nub system is showing promise as a viable system for connecting mono to hollow spectra. I will continue to do lab testing at Izorline and can not wait for the fall to do some ocean testing when the long range boats go down to “the Beach” looking for Cows. I will be on the following Accurate sponsored trips: Red Rooster 3 on Dec 12 – 22 and American Angler Jan 5-16. I will be happy to share detailed information on the connection with you on any of these trips. I will also be happy to make one of these connections for you to try and would love to hear what you think. Each of us will have to decide what we think works and what we are capable of using/installing. I am trying to provide you my data so that you can make your own evaluation without having to do all the testing and data collection. (The on-ocean testing is a lot more fun than the lab testing,

Thanks for looking at my blog,
Gary Teraoka

The "NUB" Connection System

This connection system uses a series of “nail knots” made from solid spectra.  It was created for the heavy mono (1

00# to 200#) to spectra connections used on the San Diego Long Range trips that target large yellowfin tuna (200# Cows).  It 

starts with the typical monofilament inserted into hollow spectra but uses a nail knot instead of a crimp or serve. The nail knot can be installed on a

ny size mono connection.

This connection differs from other connections with a unique feature that I call a “nub”.  The “nub” is simply a nail knot installed on the mono (red nail knot in photo).  When the mono is inserted into the hollow spectra, the “nub” should end up 3 to 6 inches inside the edge of the hollow spectra.  Therefore, the “nub” is inside of the hollow spectra.  The primary nail knot (green nail knot in photo) is then installed on the hollow spectra/mono just to the side of the “nub” and provides the same clamping function as a crimp or serve.  If there is any slippage of the mono inside of the hollow spectra, it will be limited because the “nub” moves with the mono but the “nub” can not move past the primary nail knot on the spectra. 

 

In all the mono insertion type connections (as well as my “nub” connection), the principle holding mechanism is the braided hollow 

spectra squeezing down on the inserted mono when it is tension.  (The same principle as the Chinese toy that locked your fingers together when you tried to pull them apart.)  The longer the length of insertion of the mono, the larger the gripping strength of the hollow spectra.  I would recommend approximately 5 ft of insertion length.  The crimp or serve only acts as a clamp on the end of the hollow spectra to ensure that there is tension in the hollow spectra.  It is not intended to have enough clamping strength to hold the load of the connection. 

When you hook a large fish, the mono stretches (elongates) and becomes smaller in diameter.  When the mono becomes smaller in diameter,

 the clamp may not provide enough tension in the spectra and that is when the mono can start to slip inside of the hollow spectra.  In my connection design, the “nub” (red nail knot in photo) is locked onto the mono and if the mono starts to slip through the primary nail knot (green nail knot in the photo), the slipping mono is stopped when the “nub” (red in photo) runs up against the primary nail knot (green in photo).  This is the unique feature of this connection design.  The “nub not only assures adequate tension in the hollow spectra, it also provides additional holding force to add to the holding strength of the hollow spectra squeezing on the mono. The “nub” would provide the same benefits for a crimp system however I could not install the “nub” and a crimp on the same connection.  That was the motivation to perfect the nail knot as the new primary clamp.  As a result, I have a connection system that is also smaller in diameter and very inexpensive.  Currently, it takes me between 1 and 1.5 minute per nail knot (2 or 3 nail knot per connection).

To finish off the connection I install a third nail knot at the end of the hollow spectra (yellow in photo).  It acts as a back up to th

e primary nail knot (green in photo), and it does a really good job of cleaning up the end of the hollow spectra.  I glue the primary nail knot and the “nub” with swifty glue and the connection is ready to fish.

I am still testing this system as this system is very new.  I tested just the primary nail knot (without the nub) and successfully landed a 215# YFT.  This connection was tested on the Accurate sponsored Red Rooster 3 June Heat trip.   It landed both big tuna and many sharks.  (I am waiting to see the connection that is being mailing back to me.)

Currently I am using a inexpensive “special tool” to tighten the nail knots.  The photos of the nail knots with the tag ends not trimmed are nail knots that have not been pulled tight.  When pulled tight the nail knot turns shinny and darker in color.  When the connection is glued, the “nub” (red nail knot) shows clearly through the hollow spectra.

I have most of the details for this connection worked out, but there is always the fine details

 that can make the installation even smoother and faster.  If you are interested in the details of this connection system consider joining me on one of my next scheduled fishing trips.  I am on the pro staff for Accurate Reels and Izorline and will be the chartermaster or pro staff representative on the following trips:

 

Jul 4 – 8                Searcher                     Izorline Sponsored

Sep 6 – 9             Islander                        Izorline Sponsored

Dec 12 – 22        Red Rooster 3             Accurate and Izorline Sponsored

Jan 5 – 16, 2009    American Angler     Accurate Sponsored

This connection system was devised for 200# class tuna fishing.  I also have a scaled down version for use on under 60# line.  Both 50# and 40# connections were successfully tested on Wahoo and small to mid size tuna.  You can not feel the connection go through the guides.  The lighter connection version would be ideal for the 5-day Guadalupe island trips when fishing for 100# YFT that requires a long cast to soak a sardine 100 yds from the boat.

 

Hope you catch your fish of a lifetime,

Gary Teraoka

I want to thank David Choate for looking at my new connection, however he is not involved with the testing of this connection.  The error in the FishingVideo posting is my fault and I apologize for the error.

Who Is Gary Teraoka

I am a aerospace engineer with a passion for San Diego Long Range style fishing.  This season I have several trips planned on long range boats that range from 3 to 5 days in the summer and a couple of 10 day trips in the fall/winter.  I am on the pro staff for Accurate Reels and Izorline products.

I am a equipment fanatic and am constantly trying to improve on the rod/reel/line combinations for specific applications.  I will pass on to you my thoughts on the combinations that I use.  I am also currently testing a new alternative mono to spectra connection design.  My latest connection system involves using nail knots, made from small diameter spectra, which takes the place of crimps or serves.  The unique feature of my latest connection system is what I do to the mono under the spectra.  I am currently in the process of testing this system.  I will be posting directions on how to install this connection system.  The primary application is for big mono (over 100#) however I do have a version of this system for small line (40#) that would be ideal for the long cast, 100 yd soak style fishing at Guadalupe Island that can yield 100# YFT.  My system is very economical as it costs about 4 cents a connector.