Leader Knots And Guides

[Preytorien]

I just re-rigged with a new Curado I and a new Shimano Zodias rod. Spooled is the new PowerPro Maxcuatro braid, with a 14lb flouro leader. This is my all around, non-finesse rig used for mostly anything except technique specific casts.

 

I use an Alberto knot, and I've tied it so many times I can get it VERY small, as in half the size of a grain of rice small, many guys I show have to actually look to find the knot.

 

That said, I often hear it really smacking the level wind guide and guides down the rod as I cast. Does this hurt any one of those components? It's just that it sounds pretty violent sometimes, even when I'm not chucking a big crankbait or something. It sounds to me like it could be damaging, but what's your take on it? Does / can / will it damage the level wind and rod guides?

[A-Jay]

  Probably not going to damage your rod & reel, however, launching the leader knot through the reel line guide over & over can most certainly reduce the integrity of your connection knot. This also happen to a somewhat lesser extent as the knot passes through the rod guides.

 

Reducing the leader length some so that it doesn't get wound onto the reel on the cast can help.

 

Also retying that knot Before it fails will save you a massive backlash as well as possibly prevent lost baits & fish.

 

A-Jay

[RAMBLER]

I have an old casting rod that the tip ceramic insert came out.  Some super glue held it in.  But, it may have been a knot that did that.  It was before I learned the Alberto knot. 

 

The length of leader is always a subject for discussion, but I never use one long enough to reach my reel.  I like to us FC leader for Flukes but I never use more than a foot or two.  Sometimes, depending on how I'm casting, the knot never goes through the tip.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

No knot of any kind joining braid to fluoro will damage a guide.  A knot is an irregularity in the line and I'd expect it to be noticed on some level passing through especially on a good sensitive rod. I doubt it's affecting casting in any meaningful way.  A well tied Albright joining 50# braid and 14# fluoro will pass a size 4 guide easily but I usually go with a 4.5. I have no idea what's on the rod you referenced. 

[Preytorien]

It doesn't have any problem going through, and I never notice any problems casting, in fact I get better casting from this rod than any others I use. I most just want to make sure it won't damage the levelwind or guides if I do this frequently.

[SirSnookalot]

If one is proficient tying that knot it takes a very short time to put a new one on.  I keep my leaders no longer than 24#, since I put new leaders on often my knots stay fresh.

[F14A-B]

If one is proficient tying that knot it takes a very short time to put a new one on. I keep my leaders no longer than 24#, since I put new leaders on often my knots stay fresh.

^^ This^^ a short leader and retie often is a solid and smart workaround for your issue.

[RSM789]

My concern is always for the knot, they do seem to get beat up going through the guides after a while.

Would super glue or something similar help to minimize the fraying of the connection knot?

[SirSnookalot]

Singe the end of the braid will curtail any fraying, but just trimming the tag end very close any fray is minute.

[MickD]

I agree from what you describe that the guides and reel are not getting hurt. I also, like you, don't like the sound of the knot clicking the guides hard.  Like mentioned before, I think you are using a longer leader than necessary.  I recommend progressively shortening the leader and trying it at each new length.  I think you'll find an optimum length for your setup that will cast much smoother through the guides.  I don't know what the magic is, but I'll bet that somewhere between about 3 and 5 feet you'll find a sweet spot.

 

Some do use super glue or UV cure epoxy on the knots to smooth them and toughen them against fraying.  A well-tied Alberto is pretty smooth though, and these materials may not add much value.  One thing about the Alberto is that the leader tag end goes first through the guides on the cast, so make sure you have a nice short tag end.

[Darren.]

As for the knot, if tied right it doesn't need 

any glue. That said, glue adds security to 

a properly tied knot....

 

I came across Zap-A-Gap green label (CA+)

glue via a TV show. Might've been Jim Sammon's 

kayak fishing show - where he discussed using

it for knots and such.

 

Description on product page includes this:

"and for fishing, fly line splicing and fly tying."

 

Not cheap. I picked up a tiny 0.25oz bottle on

Amazon, works well so far. Don't use it on every

knot....