[BJay]

Hi guys
A little info
For those that find the mono running line slipping when casting a lot of guys use rubber or splicing compound. Electricians use it to insulate electrical splices or joints. For those looking for the tape you can find it at electrical contractors shop or a electrical wholesale outlet. Cost should run around 5 to 8 bucks a roll. Enough for several guys or several seasons. It leaves very little or no residue on the cork. If residue is left on the cork use alcohol to remove the residue. Myself I use Airflo Braid and don't need it.
Bjay

 

[herkileez]

I grip my slickshooter running line with each hand, running it over the reel to grip above and below, and rarely get any slippage.

 

[BJay]

Holy crap, how do you get both hands coordinated. I have trouble getting one hand to work right. It would be like rubbing your head one way and your belly the other way.
Bjay

 

[gregor 42]

I haven't used the mono running line just yet(although I have it rigged up on a reel to try). I understand the rational with using the rubber tape although like herkileez I wrap the line over the reel and grip it top and bottom. My concern is more with hookups as one is trying to set the hook while holding a relatively slippery mono line. Those things cut so I envision carrying lots of bandaids.
Not to hijack the thread but was interested in other's experiences before I give it a try.

Thanks

 

[Rick J]

regarding setting the hook - typically you will not have loose mono running line unless you are stripping - - when swinging flies you will be casting so the running line comes tight to the reel so this should not be an issue?

 

[Rustybee]

I grip my slickshooter running line with each hand, running it over the reel to grip above and below, and rarely get any slippage.

Yup. Same here. Saw a fella on the river using this method and you know what they say. Monkey see monkey do....

 

[gregor 42]

regarding setting the hook - typically you will not have loose mono running line unless you are stripping - - when swinging flies you will be casting so the running line comes tight to the reel so this should not be an issue?

Thanks Rick for your response.

Actually I do strip or use a hand twist retrieve to speed up the fly especially as the line nears the end of the swing and the fly enters the softer water. I often get takes at this point as the fly straightens out or is on the dangle and this is my concern with a mono running line as anxious as I am to try it. I should mention I'm talking Atlantic salmon here so the takes can be hard.

I suppose as I strip, I would be stripping under the finger of my top hand so I would be able to pinch the line against the rubber on the cork if I'm quick enough. My fear is if I'm not, then the line will inflict it's nasty.

Guess I'll just have to try it and see what happens. I know lots of people love mono running lines so obviously they don't have a problem with setting the hook.

 

[Tyke]

How about a stripping glove or even just a finger stall?

Anybody use these & if so do they help with the grip & offer protection on the hook set when hand lining back?

Regards, Tyke.

 

[twists]

Reviving an old thread.. I'm sure many people are using rubber tape for mono lines by now, but did anyone try the Winn Grip tape or Daiwa shrink tube? Any advantage over simple rubber tape?

 

[Rickbjr]

3m Coban. It's an elastic tape I put on my finger. It's sticky (no residue). "3M Coban - Self-adherent Compression Bandage Wrap is an elastic bandage wrap that acts like a tape, but sticks only to itself. 3M Coban self-adherent bandages are used to secure and support dressings. Coban compression wraps provide even, controlled compression. The 3M Coban latex-free bandage wrap is water-resistant, lightweight and comfortable"

And also known as Flexx-rap. You can check it out at flexx-rap dot com but it's less expensive to buy the 3m Coban - same product.

 

[DryflyBum]

Invariably, when fishing in cold conditions, the skin on my fingers cracks. Almost always my upper line control finger(s) get beat up and I use waterproof bandage tape over regular bandage to cover the cuts. This tape is rubbery, so it has good grip control and stays on all day long even with constant wetness.

When my upper fingers need a rest (damn arthritis) I started switching to lower hand control with line over the reel exterior. It took me a bit getting used to it, but it does work well. I do find (for me anyway) it takes a bit more time to set the cast up with lower hand - your mileage may differ. I tend to get a bit impatient with the process (and myself) taking longer to set up the cast, and favor my upper hand finger control.

I've tried some of the 3M Coban tape too as Rickbjr mentioned and it works good and is reasonably priced. Lastly, I found some half gloves with longer index finger and stripping finger coverage that are grippy on mono. Can always add a bit of shoe goop to your gloves to add some more grip.

 

[Botsari]

The stuff that is usually used for this is also called amalgamated tape, and plumbers use it to insulate hot pipes and things. A very old trick for gripping the running line. I once did the LOWER handle on a Meiser because my wool gloves were slipping on the lacquer when things got wet. I later solved the issue by changing to wool gloves with grippy dots, but I grew to like the look of it a bit - also superstition.:chuckle:

For those of you having trouble griping mono shooting line there is another super simple way, and that is to use a “lock grip”. No tape needed. I actually STARTED using this for all situations out of necessity because my hands are a bit physically messed up, but when using mono occasionally it works wonders. Instead holding the line pressed flat against the cork under your fingers, or as a lot of people do pressing it with just the index finger you can do this: line comes in below your index finger, wraps over your middle finger and around it back under your other fingers as before. In that case the holding pressure is taking mostly by the the fingers, though the pressure against the cork still helps - but no tape needed. When you open your fingers it comes off just as easily as before, though you may have to get used to it. Like everything in life it may take a few tries until you are comfortable. But when you close your fingers and hold that configuration flat against the cork with the loop around the middle finger the pressure from the index and ring fingers on either side will lock the line in place. That is all I use on nearly everything. Works great with light gloves too. If you have great grip strength then you can resort to this only when you need to. The only time I got to the point of implementing the double handed grip is with a 13’ 10 wt surf rod casting overhead with mono, and like I said I have messed up hands. Try it and see if it removes the issue for you.

DryFlyBum, I get issues with my fingers getting cut up too, especially on multi-day trips, but it is alway due to stripping not casting. For me the notch in the first joint of right index finger is the spot - while I switch up casting sides freely I always strip with my right hand. Ouch!

 

[carlosjr]

I used to use rubber tape, and still have it on my rod handle at the upper end. However, I don't use it anymore. I changed my grip to lower on the handle and have noticed fewer blown anchors from my hand positioning.

Anyways, back to rubber tape. I have started to fish the way Ed Ward does and after I make my rock climbers loops with my running line, I'll actually transfer the loops from my stripping hand to my upper rod hand and use my thumb to hold the running line. It helps keep the running line off of the water, shoots better with less drag and your thumb can apply much more pressure! Plus, you still get beautiful cork to look at rather than covering it with tape

 

[Botsari]

I used to use rubber tape, and still have it on my rod handle at the upper end. However, I don't use it anymore. I changed my grip to lower on the handle and have noticed fewer blown anchors from my hand positioning.

Anyways, back to rubber tape. I have started to fish the way Ed Ward does and after I make my rock climbers loops with my running line, I'll actually transfer the loops from my stripping hand to my upper rod hand and use my thumb to hold the running line. It helps keep the running line off of the water, shoots better with less drag and your thumb can apply much more pressure! Plus, you still get beautiful cork to look at rather than covering it with tape

My preferred method is similar - loops always in my upper hand for both right and left hand casting, but I do switch it up under special circumstances such as when the wind is just so, and the loops are getting tangled with the reel. When using the lock grip with a ton of shooting line you pretty much have line between all you fingers but once you get used to it isn’t an issue. At least that way there is one hand whose only job is to hold on!