How To Set Up Your Drift For Night Time Swordfishing

  

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Nighttime drift setup for swordfishing
• Boat positioning and drift control techniques
• Deep drop rigging and line management
• Bait selection and depth targeting
• Electronics, lights, and safety considerations

Make a Basic Milk-Jug “Glow Jug” for Night Swordfishing

  

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• DIY glow jug setup for night swordfishing
• Milk-jug rigging and modification steps
• Light sources and glow-in-the-dark options
• Offshore deep drop fishing applications
• Visibility, deployment, and line marking tips

Hawaii Fisherman Shows How To Connect A Monofilament Line To A Hollow Core Line

 

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Connecting monofilament to hollow core braid
• Fishing line splicing techniques from Hawaii anglers
• Wind-on leader and loop connection methods
• Strength, smoothness, and knotless transitions
• Offshore big game rigging best practices

Splicing Hollow Core Braid

 

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Splicing hollow core braided fishing line
• Loop-to-loop connections and wind-on leaders
• Tools and techniques for clean splices
• Strength retention and knotless connections
• Applications in offshore and big game fishing

In this video, Pauly Luwaii breaks down one of the cleanest, strongest ways to rig an 80 wide big-game reel: splicing your monofilament top-shot directly into hollow core braid. If you’re still tying bulky knots to connect braid to mono, this is why the hollow core splice is such a game changer—especially when you’re targeting fish that expose every weak link in your system.

This isn’t “rigging for Instagram.” This is rigging for the moment a fish is dumping line, the drag is heavy, the rod is pinned, and your connection is the only thing between you and a heartbreak story. When you’re fishing 80 wides for tuna, marlin, swordfish, or any true big-game scenario, you don’t get to hide mistakes. That’s why this splice method is such a valuable skill to learn—and why you’ll see serious crews and experienced captains build their systems around it.

🌊 WHAT PAULY SHOWS IN THIS VIDEO
Pauly keeps it practical and focused. He shows:

✅ How to insert mono into hollow core (the splice method)
✅ How to create a smooth, low-profile connection that runs through guides better
✅ Why this connection is stronger and more reliable than many knot options
✅ How this helps your top-shot hold up when a fish is dumping line and you’re under heavy drag

If you’re newer to hollow core, the “magic” is that the braid is hollow like a sleeve. When mono is inserted inside it, the braid grips it using a finger-trap effect. Under tension, it tightens even more. Done correctly, it’s incredibly secure and very streamlined.

🎯 WHY HOLLOW CORE + MONO TOP-SHOT MATTERS ON 80W REELS
An 80 wide isn’t a casual setup. It’s built for pressure. When you’re fishing heavy drag and big baits, you want a system that behaves predictably under load. A hollow core splice helps you get there.

Here’s what changes immediately:

1. No big knot bump going through guides
   Knots work, but big knots are bulky. They click through rollers, slap through guides, and can hang up at the wrong time. A proper splice is low profile and smooth, which means it feeds cleaner, especially if you’re clearing the deck, repositioning, or winding a fish close.

2. Less chance of failure at the connection under heavy load
   Knot strength can vary a lot based on how it was tied, how it cinched, if it burned, and what kind of mono you used. Splices—when done right—are extremely consistent. Under heavy drag, consistency matters just as much as raw strength.

3. Cleaner line lay + better capacity on the spool
   On big reels, everything builds on everything. A bulky knot can create a high spot, which can cause uneven line lay, especially after long fights. Hollow core backing also gives you better capacity due to the smaller diameter, and the splice connection doesn’t add a big “lump” in the middle of the spool.

4. A big-game system you can trust when it’s go-time
   Confidence matters. When you know your connection is clean and strong, you fish better. You push when you need to push. You don’t baby the fish because you’re worried about a knot.

🧠 WHY NOT JUST RUN STRAIGHT MONO?
A lot of anglers grew up on straight mono, and it still works. But braid backing + mono top-shot became popular for real reasons:

📌 Braid gives you massive capacity and strength for its diameter
📌 Mono gives you stretch, shock absorption, and better handling on deck
📌 Together you get the best of both worlds

The mono top-shot acts like a built-in buffer. Big fish surge. Boats rise and fall. Hooks shake. The stretch helps keep pressure steady and reduces pulled hooks. The braid underneath gives you the yardage and strength to survive long runs and deep battles.

🔧 WHAT MAKES THE SPLICE METHOD DIFFERENT FROM A KNOT?
Knots are external connections. They create a “hard point” where stress concentrates. Under heavy load, any weakness—imperfect cinch, friction damage, tag end slippage—can show up fast.

A splice is different. It’s an internal connection where the braid grips the mono over a long insertion length. Instead of one tight bend doing all the work, the load is distributed along that splice section. That’s why it’s such a reliable connection for heavy tackle.

Also, from a practical standpoint, the splice doesn’t catch in guides the way a knot can. That might sound like a minor detail until you’re in a real fight and you need smooth, uninterrupted line travel.

⚔️ WHEN THIS REALLY PAYS OFF
If you only ever fish smaller species, you might not notice the difference. But the moment you’re fishing true big game, the splice starts paying off immediately:

🐟 Long runs where the fish is dumping line fast
⚓ Heavy drag settings where everything is under max strain
🌊 Rough conditions where the boat is lifting and dropping your pressure
🛥️ Tight maneuvering where you’re winding and repositioning constantly
🎣 Battles where the connection ends up near the guides more than once

This is exactly where knots can become a liability, not because they’re “bad,” but because they’re bulkier, more variable, and more prone to imperfect execution.

🧵 TOP-SHOT LENGTH: WHY IT’S A REAL DECISION
There’s no one perfect top-shot length. What you choose depends on:

✅ Target species (tuna vs marlin vs swords)
✅ Fishing style (trolling, chunking, live bait, kite, deep drop)
✅ How much stretch you want
✅ How much abrasion resistance you need
✅ Your crew’s preferences for handling and leadering

Shorter top-shots give you more direct connection and maximize braid capacity. Longer top-shots give you more stretch and a larger “working section” of mono that can take abrasion and sun exposure before you need to replace it.

That’s why this is such a good comment question: people run wildly different lengths based on what they’re doing, and it’s useful for everyone to compare.

🔥 SMALL DETAILS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Even if you don’t consider yourself a “rigging nerd,” the small details matter when you’re splicing and building big-game setups:

✅ Keep everything clean and organized (mess leads to mistakes)
✅ Use the right hollow core size for the mono you’re inserting
✅ Make sure your insertion length is long enough for the load you’ll be putting it under
✅ Smooth transitions = better line travel and less wear
✅ Build it the same way every time so your results are consistent

This is why videos like Pauly’s are valuable. You can read about this stuff all day, but watching someone do it cleanly makes it click.

🎥 WHO THIS VIDEO IS FOR
If you’re running 80 wides—or moving toward that class of gear—this is a foundational rigging skill. It’s for:

🎣 Tuna guys who want a system that holds under heavy drag
🧿 Marlin anglers who want clean line travel and solid connections
⚔️ Swordfish crews that need reliability when the bite finally happens
🛥️ Anyone building serious offshore tackle and wanting to eliminate weak links

And even if you don’t fish 80s yet, learning this now makes every future setup easier.

👇 COMMENT BELOW
What are you running for your top-shot length on your 80Ws?
Also—are you splicing hollow core to mono, or still tying knots?

#FishingVesselSpotter #PaulyLuwaii #biggamefishing #hollowcore #topshot #monofilament #80wide #offshorefishing #tuna #marlin #fishingrigging.

Everything You Need To Know About The Avet JX Series

 

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Overview of the Avet JX Series reels
• Lever drag system and strike-to-full drag control
• Two-speed and MC (magnetic cast control) options
• Marine-grade aluminum construction and corrosion resistance
• Line capacity, drag power, and offshore performance
• Model variants (JX G2, Raptor, MC versions)
• Use cases for tuna, bottom fishing, and big game species
• Durability, smoothness, and maintenance features

Everything You Need To Know About The Avet HX Series

 

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Overview of the Avet HX Series reels
• Two-speed lever drag system and gear ratios
• Heavy-duty construction and marine-grade materials
• Line capacity, drag power, and offshore performance
• HX, HXW, and HXJ model differences
• Use cases for tuna, marlin, and big game fishing
• Durability, corrosion resistance, and maintenance features

Everything You Need To Know About The Avet EX Series

 

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Overview of the Avet EX Series reels
• Heavy-duty offshore and big game fishing performance
• Construction materials: CNC aluminum and stainless steel
• Lever drag system and dual-speed gear options
• Line capacity, drag power, and model differences
• Use cases: tuna, marlin, and extreme saltwater fishing
• Durability, corrosion resistance, and maintenance needs

​5 Tips On Camera Equipment For Fishing

  We put this article together for fishermen who are looking to invest in camera gear to take better fishing pictures.  ​I

Key Topics Covered in This Article

• Choosing cameras for fishing environments
• Waterproof and rugged camera gear
• Mounting and stabilization techniques
• Battery life and storage planning
• Capturing action shots on the water

days it was all about what fish you had on the dock.  Nowadays many fishermen show off their releed fish using social media such as instagram and facebook, youtube and by blogging on the . Photography is not rocket science at least for the photographer.  This is becoming more and more true as advance technologies make our cames better and better! 

#1 Keep Yor Camera Gear Safe

Fishing is notctly a camera friendly environment.  If you are on land there is sand to worry about. Offsho

re there  salt water spray threatens to corrode your camera equipment. Since most of the best cameras are not water proof. If you are going to invest in a good camera you should also invest in some good camera protection. 

Below is a video of what one of these cases looks like and it explains every single feature.  The video was excellently put together by "AFK Technolog

This pelican case costs $59.99 which is a small investment to make to protect your camera gear that can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.​

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Many fishermen have been getting into filming with drones and have gotten some epic footage​. Actually some people have been using their drones to do the actual fishing​.   Most drones are not water proof. Even if they are most are not scratch proof.  Pelican makes cases for drones as well. 

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This case for protecting your drone is a little bit more expensive than a case for a regular drone at $119.99, but HECK so is your drone!​

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# 2 Get A Water Proof Camera

You don't need a fancy DSLR camera to get awesome fishing pictures. Some anglers have found water proof cameras excellent to Take bother underwater pictures and videos.  Nowadays the newest smartphones are also waterproof.  There are excellent innovations for fishermen.  

Fujifilm makes an excellent waterproof camera for just $129.99.  Skip all of the equipment ^^^ and jump straight into the water with this thing.  below is a video posted by "Kevin Breeze that does a full review for this Camera: 

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Fujifilm makes an excellent waterproof camera for just $129.99!​

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# 3 Ditch The Hunky DSLR Camera For An Excellent Point & Shoot

Ditch the hunky DSLR camera for an excellent point and shoot camera.  Nowadays these cameras can shoot both pictures and videos and you can stick them in your pocket.  

Sony makes an excellent camera with 18.2 megapixels and 30X zoom.   Below is a video review of this camera put together by "Gauging Gadgets".  We have rated this camera as the BEST CAMERA FOR YOUTUBERS & BLOGGERS. 

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We have rated this camera as the best camera for fishing Youtubers + Bloggers​

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# 4 Use your Smartphone 

Nowadays smart phones are literally surpassing most cameras in their capabilities.  The latests Samsung phones and Iphones have insane picture taking abilities.  

With Apps Like Instagram You Have Photoshop Like Filters Already Built Into The App

Many photographers spend hours looking at lighting levels in photoshop to come up with the perfect look for your photo.  Now all you have to do is literally to scroll through filters. 

Some Phones Take 4K Video

The best phones out there are taking 4K video.  Yea they literally can take the best quality video that Youtube accepts.  Just good luck getting a file that large off of your phone. 

You Can Supe Up Your Phone To Act Like High Performing Camera Gear

Accessories like this 4 axis handle gimbal stabilizer can help you capture movie quality video with your phone.  Insane huh?  This thing is only $99!

Below is a video review put together by Youtuber "Curtis Judd".

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This gimball literally turns your phone into a movie quality camera for only $99.00.​

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#5 Light It Up!

If you are fishing for fish at night.  If is often hard to get a good picture or video.  Light that sucker up!

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Check out the lightpack! Below is a video posted by Youtuber "Indy Mogul" on the Sunpak. 

Light it up for only 15 bucks!​