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Connecting droppers to your longlines

5K views 30 replies 11 participants last post by  toolmaker 
#1 ·
How do you do it? I envision tying a bunch of loops on my longline (evenly spaced) and then just clipping the droppers on as I let out the line. Make sense? But I need some ideas on how to tie the loops. Or give me some feedback on what you do.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I think almost everyone who clips the droppers to the main line as they are put out will tell you to use the clips that attached directly to the mainline. I wouldn't tie loops in your mainline if you are going to add droppers as you go. If you want to permanently have the droppers on the mainline, then there are a few different knots and techniques you can use without using clips at all.
Dan
 
#5 ·
I tie knots in my mainlines spaced about 6-8 feet apart. I have never found a clip that will not slip on a line, at least not when you pull the whole stool behind a boat to reset.
 
#7 ·
the long line clips the waterfowlers use for their decoys spreads was designed for Long Line Fishing for large fish like swordfish and tuna and marlin......the fishermen on those rigs would have miles of long line rolled up on a 10 ft dia spool. they would pay out line and the hands( workers) would grab a 4-5 ft section of line with a monster hook and bait on one end and the long line clip on the other. they would squeeze the clip and put it on the long line( also called the mother line) and it would go off the back of the boat into the water...and the boat would tow around this huge long line for days with thousands of baited hooks. the fish would bite and hang on and eventually die . 200 lb, 400 lb, up to 1000 lb fish!!! they would not pull the long line clip off!!!

that is how strong the long line clips are....if used properly and matched to the line they were desined for.

the tool
 
#8 ·
100' 5/8 main line, droppers 3' long x 3/8" diameter diamond braid, bow line knot tied to the decoy lead, bow line knot tied to the mainline, pulled taut, electrical tape to hold it in place on the main line, .69 cents/roll and holds like iron. I've dragged them around behind my truck to see how well they hold their place. No problems. 12 slot bags and you are good to go.........JMO
 
#9 ·
don novicki said:
100' 5/8 main line, droppers 3' long x 3/8" diameter diamond braid, bow line knot tied to the decoy lead, bow line knot tied to the mainline, pulled taut, electrical tape to hold it in place on the main line, .69 cents/roll and holds like iron. I've dragged them around behind my truck to see how well they hold their place. No problems. 12 slot bags and you are good to go.........JMO
Am i gonna be the first to say wow.....thats some heavy duty mailine....

my dammmm anchor line isnt that thick!!!!! I could tow my truck with 5/8th dia line!! that line has to weigh 25 lbs alone

how many lines you got like that??

the tool
 
#10 ·
toolmaker said:
don novicki said:
100' 5/8 main line, droppers 3' long x 3/8" diameter diamond braid, bow line knot tied to the decoy lead, bow line knot tied to the mainline, pulled taut, electrical tape to hold it in place on the main line, .69 cents/roll and holds like iron. I've dragged them around behind my truck to see how well they hold their place. No problems. 12 slot bags and you are good to go.........JMO
Am i gonna be the first to say wow.....thats some heavy duty mailine....

my dammmm anchor line isnt that thick!!!!! I could tow my truck with 5/8th dia line!! that line has to weigh 25 lbs alone

how many lines you got like that??

the tool
This.

Are those for hunting King Eiders in the Bering Sea?
 
#11 ·
Big line doesn't tangle easily. I tried a lot of setups over the years and this is the best IMO. I leave 25' blank on each end to which I attach a 5'lb window weight to each end with a bronze 3/4" eye clip. I then run 1 dozen G&H super mags over the remaining 50' of line which gives me about 4' spacing between dekes. I got tired of clipping and un-clipping all the dekes after every hunt so I attached them with the electrical tape. Now I got no worries and like I said they don't come loose. Try it you'll like it. And yes I'll bet the dam thing could take on the bearing sea........One last thing. I use 10lbs of weight per line. It may seem like overkill but I'd rather have plenty of weight so the dekes stay in place than have to go out every so often to reset the rig.... The G&H super mag Bills are painted black......
 
#12 ·
don novicki said:
Big line doesn't tangle easily. I tried a lot of setups over the years and this is the best IMO. I leave 25' blank on each end to which I attach a 5'lb window weight to each end with a bronze 3/4" eye clip. I then run 1 dozen G&H super mags over the remaining 50' of line which gives me about 4' spacing between dekes. I got tired of clipping and un-clipping all the dekes after every hunt so I attached them with the electrical tape. Now I got no worries and like I said they don't come loose. Try it you'll like it. And yes I'll bet the dam thing could take on the bearing sea........One last thing. I use 10lbs of weight per line. It may seem like overkill but I'd rather have plenty of weight so the dekes stay in place than have to go out every so often to reset the rig.... The G&H super mag Bills are painted black......
is the water a constant 10-12 feet deep where you hunt?

i hunt water from 5 feet deep to 35 feet deep...and 25 foot to the first decoy wont cut it.....id be floating a 5 lb weight off the bottom with the first 2 decoys for sure in the deeper waters....thats without current!!! add current in 35 feet of water and I need 100 feet of line before the FIRST decoy and I need 10 lbs of anchor!!

for you guys who hunt the same exact condition all the time...you really are lucky

the tool
 
#13 ·
deepest spot is approx. 22-23 feet, usually hunt over less than that say 12-16',I also have 20 foot extensions that I can add to the mainline should the need arise.I have many window weights ranging from 5-10lbs. they all have a spring clip and a solid steel 2'ring attached that I clip to, makes it real eazy for hooking/unhooking the mainline. If I new how to post a picture I would do it, but I'm old, and bad with the computer......
 
#20 ·
Shade said:
Wobbling Wings Waterfowling said:
Im young so i dont have the most money.. i htink i might take the 3 inch if i am ABLE to use them. Il do the extra work just to save a few bucks!! lol
5" clips are $0.65 each at marine supply stores.
I was going to post that as well...but I am pretty sure you have to buy 100, or at least 50, to get that price.

some guys hunt places thhat they never wear gloves!!!

the 3" would be fine for those guys

the tool
 
#21 ·
Shade said:
Wobbling Wings Waterfowling said:
Im young so i dont have the most money.. i htink i might take the 3 inch if i am ABLE to use them. Il do the extra work just to save a few bucks!! lol
5" clips are $0.65 each at marine supply stores.
Oh i had no clue... i was comparing prices of the Doctari clips man. I wonder if i have a marine supply store around here. Il check into it.

Thanks,

WWW
 
#22 ·
toolmaker said:
Shade said:
Wobbling Wings Waterfowling said:
Im young so i dont have the most money.. i htink i might take the 3 inch if i am ABLE to use them. Il do the extra work just to save a few bucks!! lol
5" clips are $0.65 each at marine supply stores.
I was going to post that as well...but I am pretty sure you have to buy 100, or at least 50, to get that price.

some guys hunt places thhat they never wear gloves!!!

the 3" would be fine for those guys

the tool
I don't know about ordering online.... But I am 30 minutes from Seattle so I just go down there. $0.65 each whether I buy one or 100. Check out Seattle Marine Supply. Comes up when you google it. They have a ton of different clips, but I just checked and the ones you want are the only one they sell at $0.65. Stainless... NOT galvanized.
 
#24 ·
Wobbling Wings Waterfowling said:
Wait so are they the ones i want?
5" or longer......stainless steel only!!

if you can ask ...ask for the thinnest wire size...so they are easier to squeeze......but in any case get the longest clips with swivls you can fine..

make sure the eye on the end of the swivel is large enough for your dropper line.

I think they make the snaps( another word for long line clips) with wire that is .118 and .125 and .135 dias!!!

in the longer lengths.....

the 3" long long line clips are only about .062 wire dia( the material they are made out off)

it really is hard to find the ideal long line clips...but 99% of them work fine......

the tool
 
#25 ·
X 2 on what "the tool" said. Except the swivel makes them more expensive and while they do make things nice.... They aren't a necessity. You can do just fine without them. I think Seattle Marine sells the 5" clips w/swivel for $0.89 each or something close to that.
 
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