Braid To Fluoro Knot, Tired Of Failures

[Mswen]

I have been fishing jigs with either a MH baitcasting rig with 50# braid, or a ML spinning setup with 10# braid.  In clear water I typically attach a 10# fluorocarbon leader.  The problem is that sooner or later I try to set the hook on a fish, and the knot connecting the lines will fail.  I started out using a double uni knot, and after a few failures, tried an Alberto knot, which failed even faster.

 

It typically happens when I've been fishing jigs with a series of sharp twitches, which I believe is helping to loosen the fluorocarbon.  Then when I apply more pressure, with a hookset, it finally gives completely.  Occasionally I superglue a knot, but I would rather not rely on that.

 

Any suggestions, or other knots that will hold up better?

[Ozark_Basser]

If you tie the Alberto right, it will not fail. For 50 # braid to 15# fluoro leader I do five wraps down and five up. Works flawlessly. I've found if you do the seven up and seven down, sometimes the knot fails. I would only do that many wraps with lighter line.

[Turtle135]

Assuming you are using jigs that are 3/8th ounce or heavier I would recommend you go heavier with your leader material. Look at 15 or 17 pound test. Bass are not line shy and the heavier line will not alter your presentation with those sized jigs. I use the Uni to Uni knot and go with 6 wraps on both ends. More wraps may be better but for me I get a more uniform knot with the 6 wraps.

 

Lastly (and this is just me), I have no use for fluorocarbon and I use 14 or 17 pound test Trilene XT Mono (both of which test out at 20 pounds or more). My issue with fluoro is that if you stretch it (like on a snag), you weaken it. On a strong hookset the braid has no give, it is all transmitted to your leader.

[adam lancia]

You could try using a lock knot before you trip the tag ends of either your fluoro, braid or both.

[Ojurb]

I have had great results with the Gt knot as shown here

https://knot2fishing.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/gt-knote.jpg?w=615

[Jon G]

Try the Blood Knot. I use this and the Alberto and the work flawlessly for me.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Alberto/Albright knot with the braid wrapped around the fluoro (more wraps for light line, less for heavier.) I'm guessing that the difference in diameter is negligible with 50lb braid to 10lb fluoro. It probably doesn't make much of a difference, but I usually tie my leaders about twice the length of the rod I'm using; this allows me to re-tie several times on the same leader. I'll replace it entirely when it gets to about 24" or so, and my knot usually holds up until that point.

 

I remember that it took me several years before I truly mastered leader knots. Sometimes they were solid, other times they would fail almost instantly. Uni to uni was the first that I used, but it's too cumbersome to tie and less reliable than the Alberto. Whatever knot you choose, practice it until you understand how it works and can verify that you've tied it correctly. 

 

Check your line guides for any rough spots/nicks. Also, on some baitcast reels the level wind mechanism is an area that catches the knot. Check that too.

[Crestliner2008]

What kind of braid are you using?

 

I've had excellent results with the Alberto knot connection. And I do a lot of deep water jigging for lake trout with heavy jigs (up to 1 1/2 oz.). I am using 10# test Fireline Crystal for a main line with an 8# test fluorocarbon leader. Rarely do I experience a knot failure.

 

I will say that you do need to tie the Alberto carefully, and slowly. I always close the knot by pulling both tag and main lines together, slowly closing it while wet with saliva. Then, when almost closed I finish by pulling the main lines only. Finally another pull on both tags and main line and then clip off the tags. I use 9 wraps up and 7 wraps down. Has worked for many seasons for me.

[RAMBLER]

It seems to me that when using the "crazy alberto"  knot, if the braid covers the bend in the loop of the flouro it has never failed for me.  Are you winding the braid around the flouro or the flouro around the braid?  Putting the flouro around the braid will NEVER work.

[NJSalt]

to be honest, and don't take this the wrong way, I'd spend more time learning how to properly tie an Alberto knot and less time looking for a new knot.

[Dwight Hottle]

Assuming you are using jigs that are 3/8th ounce or heavier I would recommend you go heavier with your leader material. Look at 15 or 17 pound test. Bass are not line shy and the heavier line will not alter your presentation with those sized jigs. I use the Uni to Uni knot and go with 6 wraps on both ends. More wraps may be better but for me I get a more uniform knot with the 6 wraps.

Lastly (and this is just me), I have no use for fluorocarbon and I use 14 or 17 pound test Trilene XT Mono (both of which test out at 20 pounds or more). My issue with fluoro is that if you stretch it (like on a snag), you weaken it. On a strong hookset the braid has no give, it is all transmitted to your leader.

X2

Try your favorite mono instead.

[Smokinal]

Been using a Blood knot for 20 years and I don't think I have ever had one fail.

 

http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php?Categ=typehitches&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

 

Fast and easy.

[paleus]

Is the leader slipping out of the knot or just breaking right at the knot?

 

I have never had an Alberto knot fail. Make sure the braid goes in and out of the loop the same direction (so that the braid is parallel going through the loop), if it is not it will fail. I like the concept of the FG knot, but only get about half the ones I tied to hold. I think the Alberto is the best all around braid to leader knot, high strength and small size.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't use the alberto knot.  I use the back to back uni-knot.  Every time that knot has failed, it has been operator error - not the fault of the knot.  Once I'm done tying the knot, I slobber some super glue on it.

 

I also knot that no knot lasts forever.   I have a few rigs that I use a braid to fluoro leader connection.  If the line breaks at the connection and all of a sudden I realize that the knot was tied over a month ago, that's on me too.

 

I'd echo the previous advice and practice my knot tying.  Remember that as you are tightening up the knot, slobber is cheap so don't be afraid to use it.

[Turkey sandwich]

The double Uni, Albright, etc are all good knots, and lots of folks swear by all of them. However, the take a little practice to master. I use double Uni 90% of the time to connect lines and if I have a break, it's almost always the Palomar or improved clinch breaking at the lure and not the double Uni attaching the leader. Practice your knots. They'll get stronger once you get them down. After, if you feel the knot is getting beat up in the guides (a concern I sometimes have with my microguide rods), try adding a drop of super glue over the knot.

[DocNsanE]

never had any issues with a uni to uni but I will be learning the FG knot. As with most knots of this nature, they are tricky to tie at first but eventually it becomes second nature.

[Felix77]

I practiced the ablerto knot all winter and thus far I have no intentions on going back to the uni to uni.  It works on my spinning 15lb braid to 8-10 FC leader.

 

It also works on my flippin' setup ... 50lb braid with 15lb FC

 

I lose lures at the knot before I lose the leader.  Couldn't say the same with the uni to uni.

[Mike L]

When I tie a flouro leader to braid (Which is not very often) it's the

Uni to Uni. Been doing it longer than I can remember.

I tried the Albright and Alberto but just couldn't get either of them to cinch down right for some reason. I gave up and use what I know.

Mike

[Scott F]

The easiest knot that will never fail is no knot at all. Have you tried not using a leader? You'll still catch fish.

[nestor]

I have been fishing jigs with either a MH baitcasting rig with 50# braid, or a ML spinning setup with 10# braid.  In clear water I typically attach a 10# fluorocarbon leader.  The problem is that sooner or later I try to set the hook on a fish, and the knot connecting the lines will fail.  I started out using a double uni knot, and after a few failures, tried an Alberto knot, which failed even faster.

 

It typically happens when I've been fishing jigs with a series of sharp twitches, which I believe is helping to loosen the fluorocarbon.  Then when I apply more pressure, with a hookset, it finally gives completely.  Occasionally I superglue a knot, but I would rather not rely on that.

 

Any suggestions, or other knots that will hold up better?

The best money I've spent this year for fishing was actually on an app - "Knots 3D" (do a search in app store or play).  

If I only used Knots 3D to correctly tie the Uni-to-Uni knot I use for my 12lbs flo leader to Sufix braid, the app would be we'll worth the $2.99.  However, it demonstrates almost every knot in 3D animation that's completely controllable.  Furthermore, it provides great information classified by strength, alternatives, history and ABoK#.  So, it's a must have app in my opinion.  

 

No, I don't work for the developer.  I'm just a very happy customer that can finally rely on my leader to braid knots.  

[Mike L]

The easiest knot that will never fail is no knot at all. Have you tried not using a leader? You'll still catch fish.

Ditto!!

Mike

[gulfcaptain]

I use the Alberto.  All my rods are braid to leaders.  Use it on all of them.  In the beginning I had a few issues with the knot slipping due to my own error and not taking time to make sure the knot was correct.  Now the only issue with line breaking is if I get a kink in the fc and don't catch it in time.  Believe I use 8-10 wraps up and back down.  Also put a couple half hitches in the braid once the knot is clinched down.  Make sure when pulling them tight you pull on both ends of the mono or FC as you tighten up on the braid.  This allows the braid to cinch down.  Once tight I'll pull on the mono/FC leader and make sure it's snug...then couple half hitches on the braid, trim and fish.  IF YOUR KNOT LOOKS QUESTIONALBE RE-TIE.  If I don't like it or feel it doesn't look right I'm not going to fish it, I'll cut it off and re-tie.  Took a good 6 months of constant tying that knot to get to where I can do it quickly.  Take your time looking at how you're tying it rather then looking for a different knot.  

[Bruce424]

Not using enough wraps probably? With ten pound braid should be wrapping the flouro at least 10-15 times. And cinch it down almost breaking point. Only times my knots usually fail is when I get stuck and snap it free.

[Fisher-O-men]

Boy, so much info.  I do something a little different with the Alberto.  7 wraps up and then only 4 down, BUT the last two wraps are inside the initial loop and around the braid. Very strong!

[MickD]

Any knot that takes 20 wraps is doomed to fail with most of us. It is with me, anyway.  The uni/uni is reliable and easy, but can be screwed up if you don't wrap both the lines into your loops.  The Alberto is a pieced of cake, and very compact, but if you don't put the tag end through the loop properly, it will fail every time.  Not hard to learn, but don't think that this direction of the tag end is unimportant.  It is the only way this knot will work.

 

Bottom line is that your problem is with the properly tying of your knots.  Don't give up, just pay attention to the details.