ATA

Love your way, Going to hit the pawn shop from now on, Thanks for sharring and I hope you can get that Curado 201 next week and see you post the pictures here for us to see.

Yes that was 30lb izorline with 65lb Jbraid.

15 Metanium DC XG, It was my first DC and my best reel ever.

Sorry for your loss, It is very hard to loose a best friend.

I personally have not seen stiffer mono than Ande

Hello everyone, I want to talk about two popular leader-to-braid knots: the FG knot and the PR knot. I’ve spent years tying the FG knot and I’ve recently experimented with the PR knot, mainly because I kept hearing that it’s a good option for saltwater fishing. I bought the PR knot tools and gave it a few tries. When I did a pound test, I found that my PR knot wouldn’t hold as I expected—my knot would slip under load(23lb test). In at least one case I even used a dab of super glue, something I’d never done with the FG knot. After a few attempts, I went back to the FG knot. With the FG knot, after about 20 turns around the leader and a couple of half-hitches, I’ve found it extremely unlikely to fail. I can’t break it in a controlled test, and that’s been my experience for more than seven years now. I’m very comfortable with it, and I trust its strength. This is why I’m surprised when I hear about people switching to the PR knot or buying extra tools for it. I’m not here to knock the PR knot outright—I’m just sharing how things have played out for me. Saltwater season is in full swing here in Southern California, and I’ve seen a lot of chatter and promotions touting the PR knot as the go-to option for saltwater leader connections. I even bought a set of tools to give it a fair shot. After a few tries, though, I didn’t feel confident enough in the PR knot’s consistency for my needs, and I’ve decided to return the tools and stick with what I know works: the FG knot. I’m not against trying new ideas or approaches, but this is what works for me in the field. I’ve attached or will attach some photos to illustrate what I’m talking about. In the pictures you’ll see that my FG knot is roughly one-third to one-half the length of the PR knot, and yet it feels strong and secure. I’d be interested to hear how others see these images and what you think about the relative lengths and the grip you’ve found with your own setups. A few practical observations I’ve made along the way Wrapping and tension: The FG knot relies on clean, evenly spaced wraps and consistent tension as you tighten. If wraps are loose or uneven, a knot can slip under load, especially when the line diameters are mismatched (thin braid to thicker leader). For me, 20 turns around the leader with steady, tight wraps and a couple of precise half-hitches works reliably. PR knot considerations: From my attempts, the PR knot seemed more sensitive to precise execution and line-to-line friction. It felt like any deviation in wrap symmetry or tension could lead to slippage, which was a red flag for the kind of saltwater fishing I do—rocks, structure, big fish, and the real loads they can impose. I also found that the finished PR knot needed more careful handling to avoid any micro-slippage in the field. Glue and finishing: I’ve always tied the FG knot dry and tested it under load before finishing. The FG knot tends to perform well without glue. In a pinch, a small dab of glue on the last few wraps can affect the knot’s feel and how it grips, and I’ve noticed it can make future untangling or retying more difficult if you ever need to redo it quickly. For the PR knot, some anglers use glue or head cement, but that adds a different risk profile and can make untying harder later. Line condition and gear: The condition of your lines matters a lot. Old, nicked, or dirty line won’t grip as well, regardless of the knot. Salt can add a gritty factor if you don’t rinse and dry your gear, so keeping lines clean and dry is important for any knot you tie. Real-world testing approach: If you’re evaluating knots side-by-side, it helps to practice on scraps of your exact line types (braid diameter, leader material and diameter) and to test with a scale or a controlled pull. Note the failure point (knot vs. line) and the amount of load before failure. That will give you apples-to-apples data for your gear. What I’d like from the forum If you’ve used both knots in saltwater situations like Southern California, what have you observed in terms of durability, ease of tying under pressure, and the time it takes to tie each knot correctly? Do you have screenshots or photos of your wraps, tension, and final knot dimensions? I’d love to compare notes on wrap counts, how you finish, and how close your knots are to the leader end. Has anyone found a sweet spot for the PR knot with particular line combinations (specific braid diameters, leader materials, or coatings) that makes it more reliable in saltwater? For those who prefer FG, are there any tweaks you use—different wrap counts, lead-in methods, or finishing techniques—that you’ve found improve consistency in the field? Bottom line For my gear and my fishing style, the FG knot remains my trusted choice. It’s strong, repeatable, and something I can rely on when a big fish is pulling against a rough, abrasive environment. I’m not opposed to trying new methods, but consistency and reliability are what matter most on the water, especially when salt, rocks, and big fish are involved. If you’d like, I can share step-by-step tie-by-tie photos or a quick checklist I use when tying the FG knot for saltwater leaders. And if anyone has a clear, tested comparison protocol for the two knots with the same line types, I’d be keen to see it. Thanks for reading, and I’m looking forward to hearing your experiences and any tips you might have. Please check the pictures and let me know your thoughts. Do you agree with the points I’ve raised, or do you have a different take based on your own results?

That's my knife to open packages 😂, I love those ugly stik knives,, I have one in every truck RV room of house and office.

Awesome trip, Caught two BFT 🐟

Yeah I know it ,right be overkill for bass 😁, Just wanted to share new purchase.

Almost 67lb she caught that, I didnt have her luck, We are going out in couple months so I can try my chance.

Handsome boy, What breed is he? Is he a SARABI mixed?

Almost all the time, Except when working in home with my straw hat and boots and jeans, But even that time, I am wearing my PFG shirts 😅

Just use pwerbait with number 14-20 treble hook with 2-4lb flour leader and use garlic deep and just wait for them to bite. If kids getting bored, spool 6lb line with spinner or rooster tail and let them cast till they catch. Much better to do both together to increase the chance of catching. ill recommended color for your area for you. Also that micetail always catching. If it is cold water and chocolate color use very short leaders and catch them shallow. If water clear and water wormer then use long leader and go deep by casting farther. Good Luck

Just few days back I got the BFS Aldebaran and I didn't pay anything to anyone paid normal price for reel and it gets to my door as usual. Actually I just sent one invoice to one of my Japanese customer and I didn't know if I should increase price or not. It was two $500 items and I gave discount to him as well because he bought two and he is long time customer of my shop LOL. Lets see if they going to charge me anything or not.

I have no idea about Tatula Elite Rods, But I have Pison Adrena and I am not sure if it can get more sensitive than that, So for your application I highly recommend Poison Adrene.

Those are priceless beauties. Good luck

The 22 BFS casted 1gr. I am hopping 2,3gr from this one. Lets see. Going to report when my rod is here. I am still waiting for Poison Adrina BFS rod to be delivered.

It is important, I use 5 gear for X-large swim/glide baits. The rest I use 8 gear which I choose my retrieve speed. The only 7 gear I got was the time that I purchased two metanium 22 DC and I got one of them I 7 gear and I don't think that I do it again 😁. Ill stick to 8.

Starting a new BFS combo, This one going to be American BFS combo. First part is the reel, 2025 Aldebaran BFS DC. A first of the kind BFS reel with DC breaking system. I was waiting for this one over 10 years and I don't think we can have any monster like this one. It is Aldebaran and BFS and DC, Im going to have it beside my bed for long 😁

In my Idea the best reel in Shimano reels is Metanium DC 15. Guys I need to remind you I have about 50 high end Shimano reels and I fish with all of them for years. If you want to have one baitcasting reel, Thats it. In spinning section, Nothing beats the Exsense Ci4( The Ci4 is very important), Again as reminder I have Stellas to Saharas, But Exsence Ci4 is very unique spinning reel.

I am not very experience in bass fishing, I have 10 years of experience and this two helped me catch 15% of my LMBs. That is a lots of bass cotton cordell .5oz and drop to bottom and rip 45 degree very fast is my to go for when I want to catch to show off 😁.

So sorry to hear that, But I/We pray for you and hopefully whatever this is, You heal and I believe you can. Keep positive and I am hopeful that we will hear good news from you.