Done with the alberto

[Alex from GA]

I use a triple surgeons knot for leader to braid in the boat or kayak.  Easy for me to tie but not as strong as others.  If you're using 20 lb leader nothing breaks anyway. 

[softwateronly]

16 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

FG is easy. Finishing it is my issue. 

I have this problem less frequently now.  16 wraps, 2 alternating half hitches, pull/set knot, trim leader, 2 alternating half hitches, 4 turn rizzuto finish, trim braid to 1/8"

 

My rizzuto will unravel every now and then, but I just cut it back down and keep fishing.  Those 4 half-hitches, while slightly unsightly, have not ever failed me.  

 

scott

[flyfisher]

I am sure Alberto is sad to hear the news.  Let us all know how we can help you through this difficult times....

[TnRiver46]

On 6/9/2023 at 2:59 PM, MickD said:

I don't know why an Alberto would break "just in front of the knot."  Or any knot.  If it's breaking there then it's not a knot problem.  How do you know the break is "just in front of the knot" if the knot is gone?  It could be an inch or two or more.  The leader must be somehow getting damaged if it's truly breaking.  Are you sure it's not unraveling?  

 

To make the Alberto reliable so that it cannot unravel tie the braid tag end into two tightly set half hitches after setting the Alberto tightly.  Bullet proof.  

Every time I’ve ever fished braid to leader, the line breaks right in front of the knot. The knot always remains intact but the leader breaks right next to the knot instead of at the lure. Even on the first cast with a fresh leader. My solution was just quit using leaders, they only prevent you from casting for a few minutes each time. Or make you fiddle around in the garage all night with your toes 

[MickD]

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Every time I’ve ever fished braid to leader, the line breaks right in front of the knot. The knot always remains intact but the leader breaks right next to the knot instead of at the lure. Even on the first cast with a fresh leader. My solution was just quit using leaders, they only prevent you from casting for a few minutes each time. Or make you fiddle around in the garage all night with your toes 

Sounds more like a leader problem than  a knot problem.  I just don't have that problem with mono or a number of FC leader materials.  

[Lmbasshunter]

7 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Every time I’ve ever fished braid to leader, the line breaks right in front of the knot. The knot always remains intact but the leader breaks right next to the knot instead of at the lure. Even on the first cast with a fresh leader. My solution was just quit using leaders, they only prevent you from casting for a few minutes each time. Or make you fiddle around in the garage all night with your toes 

I’ve had the same issue when I was experimenting with braid to leader for crankbaits. I think it was due to the fact the line was constantly being casted in and out of the guides. Went back to mono or straight braid on casting rods

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

 

I've been tying the Alberto for a few decades without issues. Like all other knots,

"If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough."

 

[flyfisher]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Hmm...

 

I've been tying the Alberto for a few decades without issues. Like all other knots,

"If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough."

 

one of the guys who taught me to rock climb had a saying that applies to fishng as well....a not neat knot need not be tied.

[fin]

If you’re happy with the FG, stick with that, but if you think there’s something wrong with the Alberto knot itself, that’s obviously untrue.

 

There are subtle things you might be making that can make all the difference.

 

If you got your instructions from an illustration, you might be making an assumption that’s not true. For example, the illustration on net knots * shows that you pull on the braid tag and the leader to tighten the line, when in reality, you pull the braid tag and both the leader and the leader tag simultaneously. If you only pull the leader, you create a lot of stress on it just below the knot. This could be your problem.

 

Illustrations are good to use to remember how to tie a knot, but not so good to learn from. It’s better to watch several people tie the same knot in videos (or IRL) once you have learned the basics. It’s easier to pick up those little variations.

 

I’ve found that making the second wrap of 7 much looser than the first 7 wraps makes cinching the knot much easier.

 

I also add 3 half-hitch knots at the end. The purpose of that is to allow you to cut the tag more closely. Otherwise, there’s a very slight possibility that the knot can come untied when you don’t cinch it 100% and cut the tag too close.

 

[PaulVE64]

If you believe you're doing your best to tie it and but you dont have confidence in the knot, dont use it. Applies to any and all knots.

[J Francho]

Sounds like the knot is holding and the line is failing. 

[MontclairDave]

On 6/9/2023 at 3:27 PM, Cbump said:

I don’t believe for a second the Alberto knot is your problem. I’ve caught 20lb jack crevalles on 20lb Braid to 10lb fc with Alberto. I’ve caught reds, Bonita, grouper, mangrove snapper. Used It for 15 years. That knot is solid. 

x2. I’ve been tying the Alberto for about the last 5 years because it’s (for me) a bit easier than the double uni. Never failed me. Gotta be something else causing the break offs.