I am at the age where i want to simplify my specimen fishing. I fish for multi species (mainly river, but also lake). I use rods ranging from 1lb test curves to 3lb test curves .

I want to use 12lb mainline on all my rods (whether using 1lb or 3lb test curve) and 20lb mono hooklengths across the board (primarlily for its stifness/anti tangle).

When using the lighter rods I am thinking i should attach leads and hooklinks with rotton bottoms (primarlily in case of snagging). For example - I am thinking of tieing the looped 20lb hooklink to the swivel with 6lb line when using the 1lb test curve rods and 8lb line when using 2lb test curves.

I appreciate this is nothing new with attaching leads but is it a thing with hooklinks? .... Is there a better way of achieving what i want?

Simplifying, i'm all for that.

First thing i can think of are those c clips which have a stated lbs, that could come close. Swivel, c clip, some sleeve, loop rig to c, sleeve to keep it tight. So you would need 2 clips for 1 and 2 lbs and nothing for the 3 lbs rod, something like that. Haven't tried it myself so could sound better than it actually is

In reply to Post #1
For example - I am thinking of tieing the looped 20lb hooklink to the swivel with 6lb line when using the 1lb test curve rods and 8lb line when using 2lb test curves.

Have I got this right...
You want to tie a rotten bottom from your hooklength to the swivel... surely thats a massive compromise

Only ever heard of rotten bottoms used to drop the lead in the event of snagging

In reply to Post #3
Agreed, ive not heard it done before and perhaps for good reason ?


..... but surely an attached 20lb hooklink to a swivel via a weaker link is no more of compromise than using a lighter breaking strain hooklink?

In reply to Post #4
Sal****er fly anglers routinely design leaders with a ‘fuse' built into them - which mirrors what you are trying to achieve.

It is done for 2 reasons:

1. IGFA rules; they allow 12” of heavy tippet at the hook end, but the mid section of the leader has to be 10kg or lower.

2. Simple tackle balance - If you use 10kg leader on a light rod you simply break the rod before the leader.....IF you pull hard enough.

In your scenario I can't see a great deal of point in fishing a 20lb hooklink and then putting a lighter section in above it -unless you are worried about rod breakage (and coarse anglers don't pull on fish like serious sal****er fly anglers do). I would just compromise and use a lighter hooklink.

Somebody mentioned ‘c' clips - they are really good and I've used them for decades. But I've never thought of using one to connect a hooklink.....

In reply to Post #5
I mainly fish a river so if i have to pull for a break with the 1lb rod im not trying to break the heavy lines. I understand its an unorthodox idea

In reply to Post #1
Surely if you need to put more pressure on the line than you think the rod can handle you'd just handline it?
I can't think of any advantage for incorporating a weaker section above your hooklength.

In reply to Post #7
Exactly this, or straight pull it

In reply to Post #6
I have been in this position far too many times on the river rubble (not typo), so just point the rod at the snag and cup the spool and walk back. The rod is under no stress when you pull for a break.