Alberto vs Dbl Uni

[XF15-Loader]

After much discussion w a buddy of mine in regards to leaders, I decided to try a flouro leader on my braid.  I joined the lines w a dbl uni and had nothing but issues on the cast.  

 

I started doing some research and found that a lot of guys use the Alberto knot.  After watching see videos and considering the knot construction, it seems to me that the Alberto would be a bulkier knot and would cause the same issue I was having (knot ticking the eyelets & causing overruns).

 

I guess my question is this...am I doing something wrong?  Should I be using yet a different knot or is the length (6' or so) of my leader somehow responsible?

 

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

-J

 

 

[Attila]

May I ask, are you using a rod with micro guides?

 

I use the uni-to-uni and fish it on a spinning rod setup, not a baitcaster.

 

Nothing wrong with the size of your leader, but if you want to avoid the eyelets at all, I'd shorten it to about 2-3' in length.

[MNGeorge]

We use uni to uni with 12# flouro leader to 30# braid and have no such issues...just make sure your leader is not so long as to get onto your reel before the cast...that will cause the issues you describe. We use this line/leader combination on both casting and spinning tackle...all rods have conventional guides, not micro guides.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I spent the morning on a local lake using T-rigs and various plastic critters on two rods with microguides. One rod was rigged with 50-pound braid; the other with 30-pound braid. Both were rigged with six-foot, 20-pound mono leaders joined to the line with Alberto knots.   I noticed interference with the microguides both in casting and retrieving. By the end of the morning I observed some fraying at the ends of the Alberto knots. I did have a couple of amateur overruns that I could attribute to the knot - I could hear the "tick" of the line hitting the guides. 

 

Having said this, I must admit that I have used the Alberto knot on both rods with success, but I was using 30-pound line and 12-pound fluorocarbon leader. A visual examination of the knots tied with both line/leader combinations did reveal a significant variation in knot diameter.

 

in my opinion, since my fishing location and techniques don't normally require the heavy-gauge line and leader, I am re-rigging with the lighter combination for most of my fishing (T-rigs and critters) and using the heavy line with no leader for frogging and jigs.  I've not found a benefit in using leaders for these techniques. 

 

Not sure if this helps your situation, but thought I'd relate my experience.

[XF15-Loader]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

The rod in question is a Mojo Bass.  It doesn't state that the rod has micro guides but the last few are pretty small.  

 

I'm using 50# braid w a 12# flouro leader.  It's most definitely the knot hitting the guides.  With that said, is it even worth adding, say, an 18" leader?  I did notice a marked improvement in hits but, ended up w a gut hook because I was working an overrun out when the fish took the bait.

 

Again, thanks for the input.  Tight lines, gents!!

 

-J

[IndianaFinesse]

In theory, a properly tied Alberto should be thinner than an uni-knot.  Stronger to, I believe.  I will sometimes tie an fg knot if I'm rigging up before a trip, but otherwise the only leader knot I use is the Alberto knot.  And I have tried a lot of knots, but I never did find one that I liked better.

[chadmack282]

r u getting the uni2uni not sinched down nice & tight & clean were u can see all the wraps?

how many times r u wrapping fluoro around braid?

how many times are u wrapping braid around fluoro?

[OCdockskipper]

1 hour ago, IndianaFinesse said:

In theory, a properly tied Alberto should be thinner than an uni-knot...

 

I used to use a Uni for leaders, but after learning to tie the Crazy Alberto, I now use that exclusively.  It is thinner & stronger when tied properly.

[fishnkamp]

I use rods with both standard and micro guides on them. I use mono backing with braid and a leader on many of these rigs.  i use the uni to uni exclusively without any issues, but I am going to share a few things to look at.

First I always tie my uni to uni knots by going thru the loop 5 times on each knot. Also be sure as you wind the tag end thru the loop so each pass thru lays next to the last one, avoid letting them overlap. When you pull the uni to knot tight wet the line and only pull the first one down to a small but not tight knot. Next do the same on the second knot. Pull the main lines to cinch the two knots next to each other. Now I pull all four lines alternately so each knot pulls tight to the other and pull tight on the main lines. If you do this and clip your tag ends down close to the knot I think you will be more successful.  I was taught this way by a FLW angler and guide about 7 years ago and have had little trouble ever since.