I agree with MattMiller, defintely take the time to learn the bimini to gt, especially at those line poundages. once you get the hang of it, its a piece of piss, its much stronger then double uni and also goes through your guides easier.
at least get the bimini down pat, opens up to a lot of high quality knots. took me a while to learn it, but now i can tie one in 3 minutes without looking.
The improved albright is a little easier, and will cast through your eyes no worries. Thats all i ever use, and iv never had it break at the knot. Oh and btw, if your gonna use leader, make sure its flurocarbon, makes a HUGE difference, Berkley Vanish is your best bet ;)
Gt knots aren't that hard, just gotta get someone to show you how to do it. Might be a few steps but easy to do once you know how.
Having lost at least two good fish and one reaaaaallly good fish to that bloody useless fricken knot, I'll never use one again in braid. Well I didn't like them before because I put some scale to them but even more so now to the point of replacing backing knots. They really suck for strength. Worth testing to see. I've used scales or a tub of water (weigh with bathroom scales after).
An Albright is a much better knot and still easy to tie. Not quite as strong or good casting as gt though, but pretty good on strength (except for lighter lines where you have to tie it perfectly which isn't easy). If you have a bimini you can also do a deckie knot. Lastly, if you're going to do a uni make sure you at least double the braid first.
the uni knot is a good knot. But the 'back to back' or 'Double' Uni knot has been proven to be a little unreliable and breaks at well below the use lines breaking strain.
There are better/more reliable options out there but I guess it depends on how much you expect from your gear and how hard you fish it.
We use the FG knot ourselves on bigger heavier lines ie 80lb for lock up fish and when casting knot needs to go through the guides easily. As for a general reliable knot the double uni is easy/good/proven.
buddy if you can tie a uni stick to it, my back to back held up today for 2 spaniads 20lb mono to 60lb mono leader nothing at all wrong with that knot just the people tieing it!
For mono to mono like you were running its ok, but its a different story with braid to mono. No point sticking to a crap knot just because you can tie it though :p. Havent tested out a lot of mono to mono knots, will have to break out the scales and see how they hold up (tested a fair few terminal and braid to mono knots though).
Does doubling the braid improve the uni to uni (braid / mono) knot to any degree? What generally fails, the braid or the mono? I suspect the braid probably cuts the mono?
Yeah, definitely does help. Usually its will fail at the braid/mono connection at the braid. its possible to cut the mono with the braid on light lines, but because its a 'constrictor' knot, its more so the braid cutting itself. I was mostly testing strength, not break points, so may have to go over it again to be sure.
Seeing where they break is an easy one to test as you dont need to measure anything though.
Try it out and see what it breaks at, you might be surprised, even if you tie it well. Check the strength of the braid first if you can for a baseline though.
Whether theres nothing wrong with it depends if you're happy with sub 50% knots. Most fishing you wont put more than 50% of pressure on your line, so even crap knots can catch some big fish (after all, the line pull is limited by the drag). Different story when your really pushing your gear or need to put the brakes on.
I can tie a Bimini semi blind, and the GT isnt that hard, but when you are out on a boat when the bite is on (I tie all rigs on the boat as visitors know little and the boss is as blind as a bat for knots --- great cook though!!!!!).
With a double Uni to braid and leader, and I strongly recommend fluoro because the briad can bite into it a little for extra strenght. I use four turns in the mono uni, then up to 10 turns in the braid. If you go lower the strenght drops dramatically.
I believe that it is stronger than an Albright or improved albright if tied correctly, with slobber to tighten. ANother trick which takes a few seconds is to drop some superglu to the braid side, and then it will never slip.
I think the failures with braid is because braid is slippery sucker line, and can simply pull through, but with enough turns it will hold 90% off the breaking strain off the braid at its higher rating, ie not the stated line class.
I have done a shock drop test with 30lb braid to 40lb mono, double uni with 20kg weight dropped from the roof, the line tied to a post. The braid broke from the sudden shock, the knot held fast. Its not often in fishing you are going to get that shock and then you are in for some fun as it would have to be a big marlin etc.
Comps no way!!! Bimini to GT all the way, but as I am no PB aimer, just a fishing lover the double Uni is easy as pie, fast to tie, and a winner in all but the most demanding conditions.
Neels
PS Casting from a boat we rarely do, but when we have the slices out around tuna they are pre-rigged with Bimini to GT because they do cast better.
Braid is slippery, but thats not the main problem with knots. Obviously knots are harder in braid because it can slip, but nearly all braid knot failures will be a snap, not a slip. The main problem is braids very thin diameter and very high breaking strength. For knots in almost any material, the 'radius of turn' can be very important. I.e. make the line go in a tight turn and it weakens dramatically. Braid, being so thin for its strength can put huge amounts of force into tight bends and this is why it breaks so easy. Hence why you need care with knots to pick the right ones (always the strongest for me!)
so strong. Its more important to not let the coils overlap than the actual tight turns, hence tying it correctly. I am not talking about the elite fishers, I am talking about the average guy who just wants to fish. On FWA when Steve Correia was on he always tied double Uni's, and he is no slough fisho. Hlokk its just easier to master than Bimini's and GTs etc for the average fisho.
Well, depends whether you want to go the easy knots or the strong knots. Its really up to the fisher in question and its their decision.Though, usually when people ask for better knots they mean stronger :p. A 50% knot will be fine 99% of the time (as your drag is 1/3rd or 1/4). Personally I dont like knots that are just adequate 99% of the time (because that 1% could mean a fish of a lifetime). It only takes a little bit of time to tie a far superior knot, then you're safe in the knowledge you've done the very best you can and when you hook that fish of a lifetime, you've got the best chance of landing it (whether you get spooled or need to put the hurt on it by thumbing the reel). Also useful from a practical point of view because with a strong braid to leader knot, with a lightish leader often you can tie it to snap at the terminal and get all your leader back (so that extra minute of tieing can save you time in a hot bite when you bust off, and you'll bust off less often).
Biminis dont actually involve tight turns if you look at how they're formed. First of all the double part of the lines twist around themselves in a helix, then the outer wraps are wrapping around 2 twisted strands, which means they're getting bigger turns. Where those turns start, there is not a tight turn either. The locking knots might be tight turns, but they dont carry much/any load, just for stopping it unravelling.
If I was near ellenbrook, i'd be happy to show you how to do it. The bimini is easy if you have the right technique. I do mine on the rod and put the rod in a rod holder, then I put the loop over the reel handle and tighten, that way you have two hands free. What you do is push one hand up the inside of the double and keep the tag end tight. It will then start spinning around by itself and you just have to guide it. If it doesnt spin, open the double wider/move your hand up. After a couple of practices you should get it. Just keep pushing the loop up (i.e. have your hand or finger inside and move it up).
A cop pulls over a woman and starts writing her a ticket. She bats her eyelids and says "I thought you didnt give tickets to pretty ladies". Without missing a beat the cop replies "You're right, we don't"
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
or 50 pound braid to 60 pound
or 50 pound braid to 60 pound mono leader
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Personally
I use it or an improved Albright in lighter strength braid say under 20lb. But anything over that no way.
Bimini to GT is my proven option.
Johnyy_Boii
Posts: 328
Date Joined: 20/04/09
I agree with MattMiller,
I agree with MattMiller, defintely take the time to learn the bimini to gt, especially at those line poundages. once you get the hang of it, its a piece of piss, its much stronger then double uni and also goes through your guides easier.
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
how long should the leader
how long should the leader be?
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
dude i am unco i cant do that
dude i am unco i cant do that knot
give me an easier one
Leemo
Posts: 3712
Date Joined: 22/02/07
at least get the bimini down
at least get the bimini down pat, opens up to a lot of high quality knots. took me a while to learn it, but now i can tie one in 3 minutes without looking.
bludgin' since 94'
Mitch Keys
Posts: 83
Date Joined: 27/01/11
Albright
The improved albright is a little easier, and will cast through your eyes no worries. Thats all i ever use, and iv never had it break at the knot. Oh and btw, if your gonna use leader, make sure its flurocarbon, makes a HUGE difference, Berkley Vanish is your best bet ;)
Soft plastics + Light Gear = Big Fish + Big Fun
--Marine Biologist (UWA), Worked at BCF for 3.5yrs--
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Where do you get
Berkley Vanish in anything over 30lb?
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Gt knots aren't that hard,
Gt knots aren't that hard, just gotta get someone to show you how to do it. Might be a few steps but easy to do once you know how.
Having lost at least two good fish and one reaaaaallly good fish to that bloody useless fricken knot, I'll never use one again in braid. Well I didn't like them before because I put some scale to them but even more so now to the point of replacing backing knots. They really suck for strength. Worth testing to see. I've used scales or a tub of water (weigh with bathroom scales after).
An Albright is a much better knot and still easy to tie. Not quite as strong or good casting as gt though, but pretty good on strength (except for lighter lines where you have to tie it perfectly which isn't easy). If you have a bimini you can also do a deckie knot. Lastly, if you're going to do a uni make sure you at least double the braid first.
botti
Posts: 106
Date Joined: 24/04/10
UNI KNOT
Mate the uni knot is a great knot and ive landed some big fish using it
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Your right Botti
the uni knot is a good knot. But the 'back to back' or 'Double' Uni knot has been proven to be a little unreliable and breaks at well below the use lines breaking strain.
There are better/more reliable options out there but I guess it depends on how much you expect from your gear and how hard you fish it.
If you find it good then why change i guess?
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Agreed. A uni knot for
Agreed. A uni knot for terminal tackle is a good knot. Back to back with braid involved and its a different story.
Spinnerak
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 03/04/10
I always tie improved
I always tie improved albright knots, hard to get at first (perfectly) but are very handy, can be tied in a minute and have never lost a fish to it.
Subway cookie is the best burley
Briansharque
Posts: 42
Date Joined: 05/01/10
Try FG knot, it is pretty
Try FG knot, it is pretty strong and easy to make one and no friction when you do casting. There are tutorial in youtube try search for it.
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Oceanside Tackle
Posts: 2803
Date Joined: 23/07/09
Knots....
We use the FG knot ourselves on bigger heavier lines ie 80lb for lock up fish and when casting knot needs to go through the guides easily. As for a general reliable knot the double uni is easy/good/proven.
Shaun
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stilly
Posts: 341
Date Joined: 10/08/09
stick with the uni
buddy if you can tie a uni stick to it, my back to back held up today for 2 spaniads 20lb mono to 60lb mono leader nothing at all wrong with that knot just the people tieing it!
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
For mono to mono like you
For mono to mono like you were running its ok, but its a different story with braid to mono. No point sticking to a crap knot just because you can tie it though :p. Havent tested out a lot of mono to mono knots, will have to break out the scales and see how they hold up (tested a fair few terminal and braid to mono knots though).
Alan James
Posts: 2248
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Doubling the braid
Does doubling the braid improve the uni to uni (braid / mono) knot to any degree? What generally fails, the braid or the mono? I suspect the braid probably cuts the mono?
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Yeah, definitely does help.
Yeah, definitely does help. Usually its will fail at the braid/mono connection at the braid. its possible to cut the mono with the braid on light lines, but because its a 'constrictor' knot, its more so the braid cutting itself. I was mostly testing strength, not break points, so may have to go over it again to be sure.
Seeing where they break is an easy one to test as you dont need to measure anything though.
stilly
Posts: 341
Date Joined: 10/08/09
sorry edit
20lb braid to 60lb mono trace nothing wrong with a uni
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Try it out and see what it
Try it out and see what it breaks at, you might be surprised, even if you tie it well. Check the strength of the braid first if you can for a baseline though.
Whether theres nothing wrong with it depends if you're happy with sub 50% knots. Most fishing you wont put more than 50% of pressure on your line, so even crap knots can catch some big fish (after all, the line pull is limited by the drag). Different story when your really pushing your gear or need to put the brakes on.
crasny1
Posts: 7008
Date Joined: 16/10/08
I agree with the double Uni being a great knot for the awerage f
I can tie a Bimini semi blind, and the GT isnt that hard, but when you are out on a boat when the bite is on (I tie all rigs on the boat as visitors know little and the boss is as blind as a bat for knots --- great cook though!!!!!).
With a double Uni to braid and leader, and I strongly recommend fluoro because the briad can bite into it a little for extra strenght. I use four turns in the mono uni, then up to 10 turns in the braid. If you go lower the strenght drops dramatically.
I believe that it is stronger than an Albright or improved albright if tied correctly, with slobber to tighten. ANother trick which takes a few seconds is to drop some superglu to the braid side, and then it will never slip.
I think the failures with braid is because braid is slippery sucker line, and can simply pull through, but with enough turns it will hold 90% off the breaking strain off the braid at its higher rating, ie not the stated line class.
I have done a shock drop test with 30lb braid to 40lb mono, double uni with 20kg weight dropped from the roof, the line tied to a post. The braid broke from the sudden shock, the knot held fast. Its not often in fishing you are going to get that shock and then you are in for some fun as it would have to be a big marlin etc.
Comps no way!!! Bimini to GT all the way, but as I am no PB aimer, just a fishing lover the double Uni is easy as pie, fast to tie, and a winner in all but the most demanding conditions.
Neels
PS Casting from a boat we rarely do, but when we have the slices out around tuna they are pre-rigged with Bimini to GT because they do cast better.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Braid is slippery, but thats
Braid is slippery, but thats not the main problem with knots. Obviously knots are harder in braid because it can slip, but nearly all braid knot failures will be a snap, not a slip. The main problem is braids very thin diameter and very high breaking strength. For knots in almost any material, the 'radius of turn' can be very important. I.e. make the line go in a tight turn and it weakens dramatically. Braid, being so thin for its strength can put huge amounts of force into tight bends and this is why it breaks so easy. Hence why you need care with knots to pick the right ones (always the strongest for me!)
crasny1
Posts: 7008
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Then why is a Bimini with the tightest of all turns
so strong. Its more important to not let the coils overlap than the actual tight turns, hence tying it correctly. I am not talking about the elite fishers, I am talking about the average guy who just wants to fish. On FWA when Steve Correia was on he always tied double Uni's, and he is no slough fisho. Hlokk its just easier to master than Bimini's and GTs etc for the average fisho.
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Well, depends whether you
Well, depends whether you want to go the easy knots or the strong knots. Its really up to the fisher in question and its their decision.Though, usually when people ask for better knots they mean stronger :p. A 50% knot will be fine 99% of the time (as your drag is 1/3rd or 1/4). Personally I dont like knots that are just adequate 99% of the time (because that 1% could mean a fish of a lifetime). It only takes a little bit of time to tie a far superior knot, then you're safe in the knowledge you've done the very best you can and when you hook that fish of a lifetime, you've got the best chance of landing it (whether you get spooled or need to put the hurt on it by thumbing the reel). Also useful from a practical point of view because with a strong braid to leader knot, with a lightish leader often you can tie it to snap at the terminal and get all your leader back (so that extra minute of tieing can save you time in a hot bite when you bust off, and you'll bust off less often).
Biminis dont actually involve tight turns if you look at how they're formed. First of all the double part of the lines twist around themselves in a helix, then the outer wraps are wrapping around 2 twisted strands, which means they're getting bigger turns. Where those turns start, there is not a tight turn either. The locking knots might be tight turns, but they dont carry much/any load, just for stopping it unravelling.
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
with the double uni could you
with the double uni could you do the first uni on the 60p mono ..pull it tight ....then with the braid do your uni knot twice..would that help
the reason is for some reason my stupid wog hands cant get the knack of the twist over part.
i wiuld be keen as to learn a better knot than the uni so if i need to use one or the other i have the know how.
also if any one could post a link to a movie that shows you from start to finish how to join braid to mono not just the bimni twist part?
on a lighter note
A blonde lady was driving along the highway when a blonde police officer pulled her over for speeding.
Officer: May i see your licence?
Lady: what does it look like?
Officer: its a rectangular thing with a photo of you on it.
The lady looks through her bag and pulls out her compact mirror and hands it to the officer.
The officer opens it up and says 'if you had told me you were a police officer I wouldn't have pulled you over
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
If I was near ellenbrook, i'd
If I was near ellenbrook, i'd be happy to show you how to do it. The bimini is easy if you have the right technique. I do mine on the rod and put the rod in a rod holder, then I put the loop over the reel handle and tighten, that way you have two hands free. What you do is push one hand up the inside of the double and keep the tag end tight. It will then start spinning around by itself and you just have to guide it. If it doesnt spin, open the double wider/move your hand up. After a couple of practices you should get it. Just keep pushing the loop up (i.e. have your hand or finger inside and move it up).
A cop pulls over a woman and starts writing her a ticket. She bats her eyelids and says "I thought you didnt give tickets to pretty ladies". Without missing a beat the cop replies "You're right, we don't"
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
Hahahahahahaha nice joke
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Just drop in sometime Hemi
Just drop in sometime Hemi and I can show you a few knots.
The GT and the bimini are both easy knots, they just take awhile to tie, ie; simple reptitive processes.
Mights need to bring a couple coldies though ;)
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
so wich one of you live near
so wich one of you live near ellenbrook and would like to catch up for a few beers...my shout and teach a newbie how to bloody tie a bini and gt...