Dave Whitlock's Zap A Gap Splice?

[GoldenStone]

ANY EXPERIENCES with Dave's Zap a Gap line to leader splice? I'm really gun shy to try it but they say it's a good smooth solution.

[WLREDBAND]

Yes, it works really well. But a word of caution, superglue splices fail with age and have a relatively short lifespan, so consistently test your splice each and every time before you go fishing. If you don't test it consistently it always fails at the worst possible time (ie, when you got a big fish on)!!!!

[Ralph]

ANY EXPERIENCES with Dave's Zap a Gap line to leader splice? I'm really gun shy to try it but they say it's a good smooth solution.

I wouldn't suggest it. Zap a Gap has a short lifespan in a flexible and wet environment. Open up any Zap a Gap glued knot or fly and you'll find the inside is filled with white powder - glue that has disintegrated. Use loops or old fashioned nail knots.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Whitlock leader splice worked for me years ago for light tippets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16LbOCF_PqU



For a long time we used the "needle nail knot" where we went through the core first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b-JR039AxY



The welded loop seems to be the top choice now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4AgPqMAfQE

[Bkane]

I’ve used the splice for 20 years and never had one fail. I use leaders 18-20 feet and don’t like the others knots that catch guides. This year I’ve landed three trout over 10 lbs one of which was 16. That splice was over two years old. My splice is slightly modified from Dave’s and is easier. I always stretch the butt section including the splice before I fish and never had a splice fail. I’ve had some come free right after I do the splice when checking the security of the splice.