Which knot for topshot

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
1

I decided to get a couple more Penn Squalls and new rods to replace a couple cheaper rigs I had that have failed while trolling this season. I have my other 4 rigged on 30lb MoMoi Diamond mono. Going with 80lb Braid and 150yard topshot of 80lb Mono on the new ones. My question is, which knot do you tie to tie the braid to the mono? I’ve only done this once and it was on my 7yr olds Penn 209 where I had some extra braid from a long while back and I did it with some 80lb mono. I used a uni knot and I just want to make sure that’s the best way to do it. Not looking to lose tackle or that much tackle due to a faulty knot. Thanks!!

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Mike Martinez

2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s

2

Either a Uni to Uni or a Bimini with a Yucatan or Albirght.

“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations,neither are you here to live up to mine” Peter Tosh - I Am That I Am

3

FG knot is simpler than a bimini and more low profile than a uni uni splice. In fact its the lowest profile knot i know of other than splicing hollow core to mono. Goes through guides very easily. There is a very good youtube video that explains it very well. I will try to find it if i can…

Edit: here it is https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzUb5QRKuk

4

Thanks for sharing!! I like that. I won’t be respooling any rods while offshore as I keep my big spools at home so having the time to be able to tie these properly won’t be an issue.

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Mike Martinez

2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s

5

I use a Red Phillips knot for a braid to 80 pound top shot. Look it up, its super simple to tie and super small.

Florida Boy, your in Columbia right? Me too, we should hook up some time, would love to check out your new rig.

6

Spider hitch to an Albright Knot

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PROUD YANKEE

Oyster Baron

NMFS = No More Fishing Season

“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”

7
quote:
Originally posted by driver27

I use a Red Phillips knot for a braid to 80 pound top shot. Look it up, its super simple to tie and super small.

Florida Boy, your in Columbia right? Me too, we should hook up some time, would love to check out your new rig.

I am. I’ll be @ Spence Island for Drift Jam on Saturday probably fishing for Striper while there.

…
Mike Martinez

2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s

8
quote:
Originally posted by driver27

I use a Red Phillips knot for a braid to 80 pound top shot. Look it up, its super simple to tie and super small.

Florida Boy, your in Columbia right? Me too, we should hook up some time, would love to check out your new rig.

I am. I’ll be @ Spence Island for Drift Jam on Saturday probably fishing for Striper while there.

…
Mike Martinez

2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s

9
quote:
Originally posted by sellsfish

Spider hitch to an Albright Knot

This gets my vote – I like the FG knot on my spinning gear when I have to cast through the guides, but I would rather have the double line to an albright instead of the single line to an FG.

1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak

10

Double line (either bimini or spider hitch) to bristol (also known as no name). Very easy to tie. Used to be a great video here https://www.igfa.org/about/bristol-knot-video-tutorial.aspx but the video doesn’t seem to exist any more. Anyhow, plenty of others videos out there. Variations of this knot hands down won a knot strength contest in some sport fish mag a few years ago. I started using it on everything, whether its clear mono topshot for my wind on leaders on trolling gear or putting floro or mono top shot on my bottom gear. Never ever had this knot fail in years.

11

FG Knot - if tied correctly is the best of them all. I will say that it’s kind of tricky to tie while in a rocking boat but on dry land they’re very easy to master. Great for your jigging setups as well