Leaders to main line...again

[Ghoti]

Seems I've lost the leader on my last retrieve (goodness knows what I was snagged on ).

When I got the rod and reel I was told not to use a double uni knot to join the leader (8lb mono) to the main line (6lb Fireline) as it has too high a profile and bangs through the guides.

Yes I was told what kind of knot to use, and shown how, and thought I'd remember. But that was three weeks ago....

What knots would you use (other than the double uni), particularly with strength and "smoothness" in mind?

Cheers,
Scott

Firstly. you can use the double uni! Sooo many guys use it on hear without any hasles.
I suggest you get Geoff wilsons knot books mate. Definately a worth a buy.

HTH

Dave

[Craig_S]

Mate I use a uni uni and Ive never had that problem. GeoffP likes an Improved Allbright but, hopefully he will read this and give his impression.

[Mim]

Hey Craig, we went for a trip on Geoffs boat just before the Swan round. I taught him the double uni and thats what he is now using, as he kept getting busted off on the Albright. He is already a convert

Cheers

Mim

[Geoff R]

Yes W.A.'s highest ranked female angler Miriam Mellis taught me how to tie the Double uni, and I do like it alot.
Ghoti it is true you may encounter some problems if your Uni KNot is big. I had a similar problem with the Improved Allbright, and that's when Mimbo showed me how to tie the Double Uni. I reckon it was because I was due for a re-spool and was deep into my spool close to the backing. It's just a theory of mine but I reckon that when the line has to come from deep behind the lip of a spool you will encounter such problems.
Try the double uni see how it goes, I never learnt how to tie it because I got Geoff Wilson's Book of knots and learnt to tie three knots and went fishing.
Those knot's were THe Improved Allbright, the Lure knot and a blood knot, I still have the book as a referance or I just ask Mim
Cheers Geoff
If you buy it get the little blue one with sportfishing knots.

[madsurfe]

Hi Guys

the gal has gone... oops she's behind me. Anyway a good double uni is about balance. I too have Geoff Wilsons knot book on Gelspun braided lines and used a Bimini on the fireline going double uni to the leader or the alternative Albright. Now here is the key. I kept breaking the leader off at the knot. It was because of the balance in the number of twists. The fireline is a smaller diameter than the leader so don't just do 4/5/6 turns on the leader and fireline cos' it will break, you always need a few more turns on the fireline side of the knot. This is due to the fireline half of the knot being smaller and it seems to nick/cut the mono/flouro leader under full load. So if I use 4lb fireline I do 8 turns on it and 4 or 5 on the mono/flouro. Each half of the knot is around the same size. Also finish the knot so that the tags are parallel to the mainline and leader. If the tags finish perpendicular ie: sticking up it will fail under load.

The Double Uni in summary:

-balance the size of the twists on each half of the knot
-lubricate it well and test, it is better breaking in your hand than when your onto a fish
-finish the knot cleanly and don't trim the tags right down until you test it

So did I give you all a headache

practice makes perfect. I taught Mim and her knots don't fail.

[Ghoti]

Thanks folks - a quick tally says the double uni wins the vote - Just as well because its one of the three knots I know (perfection loop, locked bloodknot and uni knot).

John-Paul - thanks for the detail, its most helpful. One question though.

finish the knot so that the tags are parallel to the mainline and leader

I take it that this is just a matter of dressing the knot before closing. Is this correct?

Cheers,
Scott

[Mim]

Hi Ghoti,

As you are tightening the knot try to pull the tags parallel. I used to pull it straight up or out, instead try to pull the tag along the same line as the main lines.

Cheers

Mim

[Ghoti]

Mim,

many thanks - will give it a go.

Cheers,
Scott

[pete s]

for a low profile knot try the twisted leader knot. mr wilsons book, page 18 i think. it ends up being quite a bit smaller than a double uni and quite a bit stronger as well