I’ve always used swivels to connect my main line to the leader (that’s just the way I originally learned it).
Recently, I got tired of the time and money spent on swivels and started tying a leader-to-braid surgeons knot. I am wrapping the leader/line back through the overhand loop 4 times before wetting and then drawing tight.
My problem is I am having at least twice as many break offs as what I usually have with swivels. And the breaks all seem to be happening at the knot.
So here are my questions - Am I tying this knot wrong? Should I do something different? I really don’t want to go to a uni-to-uni knot, but is the uni-to-uni better than the surgeons?
I started off with back to back nail knots using a tie fast tool (which worked great!)…but, over time I steered away from that and have been using a uni to uni knot, and its been working great! Done right, IMO, works great! And over time, is a very easy, quick knot to tie. Depending on what size line you are using, the uni to uni when tied is not that bulky, and I have no problem with it running through my guides and getting snagged. And I’m only using the uni to uni knot on my 20lb braid/20lb lines. Anything higher than that for bigger rigs, I’m using a swivel…and using a Palomar Knot to tie lines to swivel…seems to be working ok, haven’t had that “oh @#(*R#@&!!” breakoff yet
The surgeons knot, again, in my opinion, has too many crossing lines.
I have braid on all my reels, and the uni to uni is all I use now for attaching leaders. Everybody will have their own opinions on what knot is the best, just experiment and practice tying different knots…give them good strength tests at home and find what works best for you.
I’m a uni to uni guy. I do double the twists on the braid side. Only thing I’d say, and I might be wrong, but after a good bit of casting I think the knot weakens somewhat. I’ve never fished swivel so I’m not sure whether that factors in or not. Double uni when done properly is not bulky and very strong.
Vinman
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A blood knot works well if the diameters are similar, but otherwise, I use a modified Albright (seven wraps up and seven back down).
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Roger that. that is what I use for mono to braid connections. Here is a photo on how to make this knot.
Admin - Sorry had to remove the image, we got a complaint from the image owner netknots.com
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu
Dude, does anybody fish a surgeon’s knot? I switched from swivels to that knot because I had a charter captain show me, and he swears by it. Maybe he wanted me to lose all the fish I caught so he could come back and catch them with his real clients …
I use the surgeons knot all the time. Easy to tie in the dark and best for mono to mono, or fluoro. Mono to mono, mono to fluoro, mono to braid, fluoro to braid, and braid to braid, it will work. I think most folks have better luck with the Uni or Albright. I just like the Surgeons Knot. I asked Mark Nichols (DOA lures), at the Shallow Water Expo a few years back, and he said likes to use the surgeons knot also.
Double your braid using a two wrap surg knot and if the leader is light, double it also. Then do a 2-3 wrap surg knot. All the knots mentioned are great, but I have a hell of a time tying a Bimini knot in the boat when the fish are biting. On 8-10 lb braid to 12-14 lb fluoro (trout rod), I use a SRO mini-swivel(30-50 lb). Doubling the braid reduces the cut-offs. It is not perfect though.
Heck even surgeons only tie 2-3 different knots-and yes, surgeon’s knot is one of them. I’m always fascinated how much more fisherman obsess about their knots to keep a fish than surgeons’ do to put your heart-kidney-intestines or anything else back together.
Heck even surgeons only tie 2-3 different knots-and yes, surgeon’s knot is one of them. I’m always fascinated how much more fisherman obsess about their knots to keep a fish than surgeons’ do to put your heart-kidney-intestines or anything else back together.
Hmmm, the difference must be in the drag.
Do like the Albright for leader-to-braid though.
Ding ding ding.
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .” Benjamin Netanyahu
My setup is 15# powerpro to 20# fluoro leader. I used to use a uni-uni and my line, when it would break, was always at the knot. Since I have been using a triple surgeons, and its better
(and way easier and faster to tie) but still the same result. I will try the albright shown above and see. Thanks. BTW I have not been doubling my braid but maybe should have.
A few years back SWS ran an article about a “new” knot. It was a uni in the braid, and an improved clinch in the flouro. I’ve had one break since, and that was a bigaz amberjack. When I have the time, I also put a small drop of super glue on the knot; that’s supposed to get you back to 100% on any knot. On the other hand, one of those tiny SPRO swivels can’t be all bad - - a smaller profile than a triple surgeons knot.
