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Old 09-25-2018, 10:45 PM   #1
Hpwatson
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Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

I come from a skydiving background and we used soft shackles for a number of things including attaching harnesses to parachutes. Soft shackles are extremely strong rigging options and are also easy to disconnect. When rigged with fully back-braided spectra they have enormous tensile strength. They are also used to connect sails to masts on sailboats.

I'm thinking soft shackles would be an awesome addition to a floatline setup, particularly as a breakaway where the shooting line and bungee connect to the floatline itself. They are basically weightless and much less bulky than a steel shackle or tuna clip. They are also way stronger than any tuna clip.

Does anybody use these on float setups? I'm heading on a tuna trip soon and plan to use this as my breakaway, I'll post back my results. They are available online for about $25 for 30,000 lb breaking strength but that's way overkill so I made my own from some standard spectra for much less money.


How to rig it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH66tGsWv_Y
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Last edited by Hpwatson; 09-28-2018 at 09:33 PM.
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Old 09-26-2018, 02:45 AM   #2
Mikel_24
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Truth is that I never heard about it! I know about knots (climbing and sailing) but I don't know if I would trust my life (Skydiving!) to a soft shackle. Not for the breaking strength, but for the chance of it opening.

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Old 09-28-2018, 04:00 PM   #3
Behslayer
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

We use Soft Shackles.. but just a length of 3000lb Dyneema tied double ended in an Overhand knot, but that's a cool idea there. I love to see adaptations from other tried and true spots brought into our relatively new sport.
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Old 09-28-2018, 06:46 PM   #4
Hpwatson
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Cool, yeah I really think they have a place in spearfishing. The photo I posted isn't really how it's done, I need to post my own to show what I'm talking about. Basically the knot in the dyneema has a gap below it, and you pass the loop through the gap THEN over the knot. That way it really can't come undone.
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Old 09-28-2018, 08:58 PM   #5
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

I'm interested in seeing your version.

Thanks for sharing.
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Old 09-28-2018, 09:30 PM   #6
Hpwatson
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco View Post
I'm interested in seeing your version.

Thanks for sharing.


I updated the original post and showed my way of doing it. This is the most secure way to to rig it and it is still easy to undo.
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Old 09-29-2018, 12:37 AM   #7
2fishin2
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

My Roisub uses soft shackles. @ first I couldn't understand why instead of steel but, after using a while I like them. Simple, no noise. I did away with floatline shackles right after circa 2 years ago.

I tried to replace my shooting line clip with one....it works no problem but a clip has a swivel feature which keeps line straight where soft shackles do not. Also I use the clip to tap on my gun to attract fish.
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Old 09-29-2018, 09:20 AM   #8
Hpwatson
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Quote:
I tried to replace my shooting line clip with one....it works no problem but a clip has a swivel feature which keeps line straight where soft shackles do not. Also I use the clip to tap on my gun to attract fish.
Interesting, so would you recommend using them on your shooting line or not?
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:40 AM   #9
2fishin2
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hpwatson View Post
Interesting, so would you recommend using them on your shooting line or not?
I normally use a stainless snap swivel between shooting line an shaft line. You can use a soft shackle (I tried) however it will not allow for the line to untwist as with a snap swivel.

Soft swivels are definitely the way to go for numerous applications in spearing.
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Old 09-29-2018, 02:19 PM   #10
Behslayer
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

I hadn't heard of this happening before on a 40lb fish.. I think it may have been left open. The story was something about reel line tangling on the swivel..

anyways.

Looks like a great idea. What is that line you are using? Dyneema Hollowcore what lb?
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Old 10-02-2018, 06:51 AM   #11
Mikel_24
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hpwatson View Post
I updated the original post and showed my way of doing it. This is the most secure way to to rig it and it is still easy to undo.
NOW it makes perfect sense. I will try it as soon as possible.

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Old 10-02-2018, 08:34 AM   #12
Hpwatson
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2fishin2 View Post
I normally use a stainless snap swivel between shooting line an shaft line. You can use a soft shackle (I tried) however it will not allow for the line to untwist as with a snap swivel.
That's a good point. Do you think the swivel on the float line plug is enough though ? Or you would prefer a swivel there and also a snap swivel?
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Old 10-02-2018, 08:35 AM   #13
Hpwatson
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Behslayer View Post
I hadn't heard of this happening before on a 40lb fish.. I think it may have been left open. The story was something about reel line tangling on the swivel..

anyways.

Looks like a great idea. What is that line you are using? Dyneema Hollowcore what lb?
Yes hollow core dyneema. I believe this is the thinner one but either one will be strong enough because the soft shackle is fully back-braided
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Old 10-05-2018, 09:45 AM   #14
Diving Gecko
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

I've made a few for the attachment point at the handle and onto the floatline, and will probably do more in the future. I like the simplicity and how quiet they are - no metal clanging against metal.
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Old 10-05-2018, 10:44 AM   #15
Hpwatson
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Re: Soft Shackles for floatline rigs. Anybody use them?

My thoughts exactly, cool to hear of somebody else using them.
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