Leader Knot To Braid

[fishballer06]

I've recently been starting to mess around with flourocarbon line. I've tried it as my main line on my one baitcaster, but I don't like how it handles nearly as much as I like my braided line. However, I do seem to be getting more bites in clearer water when using the flourocarbon. So like many others, I've decided it's probably best to use my braid as a main line, and then use the flouro as a leader. 

 

So last night I decided to practice tying my fluoro leaders to my braid on all of my setups. I used a Surgeon's knot to tie all of my leaders on. After tying my leaders on, I just don't trust that this knot is going to hold up once I get a fish on. I know I have the knots tied correctly, but they just don't seem like they will hold up with the weight of a thrashing fish on the end of the line. Am I over worrying? Or is there something else I should try for better results?

 

For reference, I am using Invis-X 10lb Fluoro and tying onto Suffix 832 40 &50lb. 

 

Thanks in advance guys!

[BrianinMD]

Try the alberto know, good strong knot which is very small when complete.

 

I would suggest also trying Abrazx for the leader, it has less stretch and is more abrasion resistant then Invizx.

[F14A-B]

Well I am like you, right now I am trying braid again on one rig+ Floro... I have been tying with San Diego.. And going to try a Blood knot.... I am prepping for the Fall.... I am confident if I tye the knots properly.... Based on the many recommendations, they Will hold, I hope anyway.

[doyle8218]

The Surgeon's knot is a very reliable knot that is highly under rated. I used it for years with zero problems. I also use a uni to uni.

[ww2farmer]

Alberto knot and be done with it. Simple, strong, and stupid easy to tie.

[Catch and Grease]

I would try some 14lb line instead of 10 to give you that extra strength, that's what I use with 50lb braid normally, I used to use uni to uni but now I use the modified Albright for my bigger lines.

Still use uni to uni for small braid and flouro though!

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I use an Albright or, more recently, a Seagur. I must confess I don't know a couple of these other knots listed and will be looking them up.

The Seagur is very small and strong.

Josh

[ColdSVT]

Albright or uni to uni

I prefer the albright...it held a lot of tarpon over the years so bass are no problem for it. Same for thw uni to uni

[Frenchman83]

Another vote for the Alberto

[ABW]

Alberto for me too. If tied right, they won't break. Whenever I've had to break off, the leader breaks, and not the alberto knot.

[STPC]

Uni-to-uni has worked well for me when using lighter braid, but I can't comment on its strength when used with larger diameter lines.

[thehooligan]

I like the uni-uni for smaller diameter line, alberto for larger.

[F14A-B]

Looks like I am going to try the Alberto myself now.....

[lmbfisherman]

Alberto knot and be done with it. Simple, strong, and stupid easy to tie.

I guess I'm the opposite, I find the Uni to Uni knot easier than the Alberto Knot.  I tried a few times and find it difficult for me. 

 

To add I am however noticing that certain floro don't work as well with Uni to Uni.  For instance Trilene 100% I seem to get more slippage and breaks at the knot, I never had a break at the knot with Seaguar Red Label.  So now all I use is Red Label or AbrazX.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Albright or Modified Albright (Alberto).

I use it for freshwater as well as inshore and offshore saltwater. Never had one fail if it is tied properly. Fantastic, low profile line to line knot.

[iceintheveins]

I use uni to uni with no problems on lines of all diameters.

[Fisher-O-men]

Uni/uni is easier to tie but the braid will cut the leader.  You must use a wrap-type knot that forms a chinese finger trap around the leader line.  Improved albright and the alberto are almost the same.  The Improved albright is easier to tie IMO because you use 10-13 wraps up the line and only 4-5 on the return.  Of course wet before you cinch and you have a neat, very slim knot that will not cut your leader line.

 

I personally would stay with the 10 lb leader.  Anything smaller will break easily on the hook set, and anything larger inhibits the action of the bait.  The no-stretch braid puts a lot of pressure on the leader on the hook set. 

[Amarley]

Can't remember what it's called, but I take the leader, double it, put the braid through the loop just created, wrap it about 10 times around the doubled-over leader line, bring the braid back through the top loop of flouro and cinch down. Takes about 1/10 of the time of a blood knot and haven't had it break on me yet. I do this alot with pitching in clear water and with almost all of my swim jigs.

[sofarfrome]

FWIW...I use a surgeon's knot from fly line to 20lb braid leader and another surgeon's knot from braided leader to flouro leader on my trout and salmon fishing rigs and they have never failed.

[SirSnookalot]

Albright or Modified Albright (Alberto).

I use it for freshwater as well as inshore and offshore saltwater. Never had one fail if it is tied properly. Fantastic, low profile line to line knot.

I agree..........I do it this way, just a slight variation.

[shanksmare]

Sirsnook,

The knot Jose is tying appears to be a variation of tthe Bristol Knot not the Alberto Knot which is a variation of the Albright Knot. Bristol Knots have a reputation of being the strongest braid to mono connecters for a simple easy to tie knot. ( I'm confused with all the not knots)

Here is how the IGFA site ties the Bristol Knot:

http://www.igfa.org/About/Bristol-Knot-Video-Tutorial.aspx

[fishballer06]

I appreciate the input everyone. As I figured, there is more than one way to skin a cat in this situation. 

 

I tried out the Alberto knot last night and I seem to trust it much better than the Surgeon knot. Wish it wasn't as tricky to tie, but I'd rather have something I can trust, than something that is quick/easy. 

[SirSnookalot]

Thanks, didn't know it was a variation of the Bristol knot.  I do not always double strand my braid, don't see the need, I just start the knot just like the Alberto.  I do prefer going under the loop rather than thru it. 

[adam lancia]

Tie that knot about twenty more times and it's going to feel very easy and natural.

 

Here's a great tutorials on the Alberto:

 

I have the best success with it when it cinches down evenly and really grabs at the end where the leader is doubled over and forming a loop. I also have had zero problems with only 5 wraps, making it that much more compact.

[LunkerFisher]

Alberto here too: 7 wraps up and 7 wraps down.  A tip of mine, swap out your leaders after each heavy session, and you'll get pretty good at tying that knot relatively quickly.