A question about knots..

[williamstrav]

I am constantly researching the strongest knots on the web, at work lol Which doesn't always work out since so many people have done different tests. What are some of you guy's go to knots? Recently I've been using the FG knot the most. It seems to be very strong and I am liking it but isn't that fast to tie. I can also tie a bimini pretty good but I'm not sure of what knot to use to finish it with. I am referring to using braid as a mainline and a heavier mono or fleuro leader material by the way. Also when tying knots with braided line do you double the braid? Any input would be helpful. I'm just trying to learn the fastest/strongest knots so that I can add them to my arsenal. Thanks guys.

[cvstrat]

I'd argue that the overall winner in the fast/strong braid-to-mono is the uni to uni knot. I use it exclusively up to about 50lbs fluoro. It's never let me down, even on very big fish.

In extreme cases you run the risk of the braid cutting into the leader. This could happen under high drag pressure, explosive runs, and when using lighter braid. This is when it helps to have a compression style connection, which will distribute the pressure over a larger area than say a uni knot could. When I'm fishing 80lbs leader for example, I'll use a red phillips knot. It can be tied super fast and will hold strong once you get it down. A small dab of super glue can go a long way on this knot to prevent slippage, especially when you're first learning to tie it.

[HJared]

If I really care about a knot holding under pressure I'll spider hitch the braid to double it then tie a double uni with the mono or flouro. This is if I'm trolling or something or for my vertical jig know where it's not a little snapper that's going to be pulling on it. So far so good. More recently iv been doing a Bob sands.

[swordfish]

While I will not impose what I do on anyone and honestly it comes down to preference... I am a firm believer in the Uni to Uni as well as uni to everything really... I currently fish 50lbs braid and tie on 80 lbs leader... If you lay the line right, give the braid side 7-9 twists and 4-5 on the leader side, lube it (read spit) and clinch it down so they sit well, you will have zero issues... I straighten out so many hooks when I catch bottom on my jigs lol! They're VERY strong hooks too. I almost always get my lures back using them. Also, honest to God, I don't have a single instance where I can remember the knot failing... Most of the time frayed 80 lbs leader does me in when I lose fish. I have the bad habit of not swapping out my leader and fishing it frayed.

Also. I learned the Uni to Uni from Boatless himself back in 2007... It has been so good to me that I never bothered to learn anything else.

-Swordfish

[krash]

MPO, I sue lighter braid 10-20 pound test (advertised rating on the box) to 15-20-25 fluro leader.
Braid is terminated in about a 6' Bimini, which is connected to the fluro using a Uni to Uni connection.. the terminal tackle is a simple loop knot if attaching a lure or jig, or an improved clinch knot if its a hook.
These connections serve me very well and I can't even remember the last time I had a knot fail me.

[gdm phil]

I use a UNI to Uni knot, Victor can give his thoughts on my knots I tie. you know its a strong knot when your 100# fluro pops before the knot breaks. I have yet to have any problems with any fish with this knot. its quick easy and anyone can do it

[Kingofthesea]

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I'd argue that the overall winner in the fast/strong braid-to-mono is the uni to uni knot...............It's never let me down, even on very big fish.

I guess "even on very big fish" can end up being somewhat subjective huh? I remember when you whipped this pig down on Long Key. I swear I thought those uni knots were going to explode.

All kidding aside, cvstrat is actually the one that turned me on to how cool tying knots really is. First thing I notice when I'm fishing with a serious angler is always how deftly they tie perfect knots. Gotta know knots

[Rare]

Bimini to a loop to loop wind on leader

[DragonFire]

This an ongoing debate that will never end Knots IMHO are a personal thing in other words learn knots that YOU can tie without having to
go thru a seminar each time you tie one... Also use the KISS tech when learning different knots...

Remember not all knots fit all fishing trips...I use different knots when i'm offshore and use other knots when I'm inshore... when i'm at home
getting my setup ready... I tend to use high tech knots...(just for show at times heh heh) but they do hold and hold well...

When i'm on wet rocks fishing a jetty at night I use knots that I can tie without needing light and I can tie it fast and get back to fishing...
It needs to be kept as simple as possible, say you get into a feeding frenzy and the bite is crazy, but then you get broken off... are you
going to try to tie a BT or any of those other high tech knots..... keep it simple and get back into the game...

and here my take on "Super Glue" learn to tie a knot "Right" and you will never need super glue...don't forget glue creates Heat and that's a bad
thing on Mono line...I have seen lines snap in a heartbeat, when guys came out and put super glue on their knot> because they read it somewhere
fishing has been around for Yearssssssssssssss.... and super glue was never needed....... just saying

[williamstrav]

Remember not all knots fit all fishing trips...I use different knots when i'm offshore and use other knots when I'm inshore... when i'm at home
getting my setup ready... I tend to use high tech knots...(just for show at times heh heh) but they do hold and hold well...

When i'm on wet rocks fishing a jetty at night I use knots that I can tie without needing light and I can tie it fast and get back to fishing...
It needs to be kept as simple as possible, say you get into a feeding frenzy and the bite is crazy, but then you get broken off... are you
going to try to tie a BT or any of those other high tech knots..... keep it simple and get back into the game...

Thanks for the input guys. I agree with DragonFire. I'm gonna tie the fancy knots at home and stick with the uni knots for the frenzies. Right now I am liking the FG knot and the Bimini to Bristol knot.

[LINESIDER]

uni-uni line 2 leader and rapala loop on jigs n lures.. those are my default knots i could tie in the dark with my legs tied...

[Miami_Chris]

I use a surgeons loop to a Bristol knot 90% of the time. Other 10% I use a Albright. Both knots I do wraps up and down. My knots rarely if ever fail (happens to everyone), and when they break, it's at the hook.

Fancy knots, wind on leaders, and all that stuff are great and all, but I just feel like it's completely uneccessary for most of the fishing we do here in Florida.

[cvstrat]

Lol kots my longarm strategy clearly did not pay off there

[swordfish]

Lol kots my longarm strategy clearly did not pay off there

LOL its all about the angle... Its funny though, my buddy and I were talking the other day... SOOOOO many long arm fishermen out there... Claiming 50" fish. A 34" fish, longarmed can look huge. It is all in good fun though!

-Swordfish

[Rare]

I like wind on leaders when jigging. If Im near a wreck I put 80lb or 100lb. Nice and smooth through the guides with a loop to loop. Kind of fishing we do here can change depending where are you going and what are you are going to target. A knot is only as good as the person who ties it right. Most of them jigging guys loves the PR knot.

[linh]

I used the fg knot yesterday for the first time and handled 20lbs of drag perfectly fine. To bad the reel took a poop on me.

[williamstrav]

I used the fg knot yesterday for the first time and handled 20lbs of drag perfectly fine. To bad the reel took a poop on me.

Yeah, I really like the FG knot. It's super slim and seems to be really strong.

[Rare]

I used the fg knot yesterday for the first time and handled 20lbs of drag perfectly fine. To bad the reel took a poop on me.

The stella?

[linh]

It was a accurate pitbull 600nn. I can't jig with a spinning reel. Let me tell you it was real fun pulling up an aj in 300ft of water with the drag slipping lol

[MrEnigma]

I love knots. I've experimented with a whole bunch. I like to use San Diego jam, especially for thicker mono. Uni to uni for connecting line. Palomar for braid to tackle. Spider hitch for making a chicken rig (dropper knot will tend to squeeze the line and cut it off). Trilene is another good one for terminal tackle if you are in a rush.

[Rare]

It was a accurate pitbull 600nn. I can't jig with a spinning reel. Let me tell you it was real fun pulling up an aj in 300ft of water with the drag slipping lol

Who caught the wahoo?

Dont tell Herb about what happened to the accurate...nah, go ahead and tell him. He is always giving me hell about my avet.

Guess who's back?
http://www.fishonmag.com/new-daiwa-2015-saltiga/

[cvstrat]

Protip: Use a loop knot on all of your circle hooks when fishing live bait.

[linh]

It was a accurate pitbull 600nn. I can't jig with a spinning reel. Let me tell you it was real fun pulling up an aj in 300ft of water with the drag slipping lol

Who caught the wahoo?

Dont tell Herb about what happened to the accurate...nah, go ahead and tell him. He is always giving me hell about my avet.

Guess who's back?
http://www.fishonmag.com/new-daiwa-2015-saltiga/

I wish we got the hoo on a jig but the mate decided to troll on the way in. I started reeling it in but didn't like fighting the fish with the rod in the holder so I let my buddy take over.

lol. My Accurate 500n has never gave me a single problem. The 600nn I used was brand new. I think I am going to take it down to t & r tackle so they can check it out.

[HJared]

i used a wind on leader with a single loop to loop connection yesterday with a bimini. hooked up to some monsters, got cutoff by a big wahoo and my chain yanked by some donkey ajs but the knots held, when it broke i was down to the end of my spool and had drag extremely tight.

does anymone make their own windon leaders or too much hastle?

[linh]

Use a double loop to loop. I never had it fail me. Even when i first started making windons that weren't perfect in my eyes. They never slipped. They are a little time consuming but I make a bunch of them when I have nothing to do.

[HJared]

Do you need splicing needles and hooks?

[linh]

I use the needles but if you don't want to spend the money you can use the wire method.

[HJared]

what lb dacron should i use for 80 lb flouro leader?

[linh]

I don't use dacron... I use Jerrry brown hollow 80# or 100#.

[HJared]

ok thanks, is spectra superior to dacron? i see its way more expensive