what knot to use for a fluoro leader?

[wishin4fishin]

I'm thinking about using a fluoro leader for some of my plastics this spring and was wondering what knot you guys might recommend. Or swivel rig, etc.

I may decide to just bite the bullet, lay down the extra dough on a reel full of fluoro and forget the mono altogether, especially on soft jerkbaits and jigging, but the price of Seaguar has me thinking in terms of leaders right now.

[SimonSays]

I used the Alberto knot, it's a modified Albright knot that's pretty darn strong.  

First time fishing for LMB in the beginning of the week and snagged something from shore, I had a flouro leader on and thought to myself "d@mn I'm gonna have to retie the leader" I put alot of force into it and eventually got the snag free...surprised me greatly that the knot didn't give...I was also using Trilene's 100% pro grade flouro

[Jig Man]

I have switched to the Alberto knot also.  It was recommended by Avid on this site.  It is small and needs no glue.    

http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml

I have started using the Palomar for tying fluro to the bait.  It seems a little stronger than the San Diego Jam I usually use.

[Fish Chris]

I use a fluorocarbon leader all the time.... but in conjuction with real line {braid}. IMPO their is not much difference between fluorocarbon, and regular monofilament (certainly not like the difference between mono and braid).

If I was a mono guy, I'd either use straight mono to my hook / lure, or straight fluorocarbon to the hook / lure.

But since I'm a braid guy, I use a bloodknot to connect my fluorocarbon or mono leader to my braided mainline. It NEVER slips or breaks. Don't get me wrong, I tie my share of lame knots, but the key is, always recognizing when you have tied a bad one (because it doesn't cinch down easily, cleanly, and completely) and retying it before it ever sees the water. And BTW, if you tie one like I just mentioned, don't even bother giving it the pull test (that might give you a false sense of security). Just hack it, and tie a new one immediatly.

Peace,

Fish

[jrhennecke]

I use a fluorocarbon leader all the time.... but in conjuction with real line {braid}. IMPO their is not much difference between fluorocarbon, and regular monofilament (certainly not like the difference between mono and braid).

If I was a mono guy, I'd either use straight mono to my hook / lure, or straight fluorocarbon to the hook / lure.

But since I'm a braid guy, I use a bloodknot to connect my fluorocarbon or mono leader to my braided mainline. It NEVER slips or breaks. Don't get me wrong, I tie my share of lame knots, but the key is, always recognizing when you have tied a bad one (because it doesn't cinch down easily, cleanly, and completely) and retying it before it ever sees the water. And BTW, if you tie one like I just mentioned, don't even bother giving it the pull test (that might give you a false sense of security). Just hack it, and tie a new one immediatly.

Peace,

Fish

 X2

[tyrius.]

But since I'm a braid guy, I use a bloodknot to connect my fluorocarbon or mono leader to my braided mainline. It NEVER slips or breaks.

Maybe someone can help me out.  Last night I was spooling up my rods and was trying to tie my mono backing to braid with a blood knot and I couldn't get it to cinch down.  What's the best way to cinch it down?  When I was trying it I think the braid just wound up and the mono would pull right out of the knot.  I tried mono to mono, and that worked just fine.  

I ended up using the Alberto knot, which is a more difficult knot but at least it worked.

[tyrius.]

To answer the actual question, I plan on using the alberto knot.

[wishin4fishin]

I used the Alberto knot, it's a modified Albright knot that's pretty darn strong.

First time fishing for LMB in the beginning of the week and snagged something from shore, I had a flouro leader on and thought to myself "d@mn I'm gonna have to retie the leader" I put alot of force into it and eventually got the snag free...surprised me greatly that the knot didn't give...I was also using Trilene's 100% pro grade flouro

Sounds like a good knot. Do you like the Trilene fluoro? How does it compare to the Seaguar?

[wishin4fishin]

I use a fluorocarbon leader all the time.... but in conjuction with real line {braid}. IMPO their is not much difference between fluorocarbon, and regular monofilament (certainly not like the difference between mono and braid).

If I was a mono guy, I'd either use straight mono to my hook / lure, or straight fluorocarbon to the hook / lure.

But since I'm a braid guy, I use a bloodknot to connect my fluorocarbon or mono leader to my braided mainline. It NEVER slips or breaks. Don't get me wrong, I tie my share of lame knots, but the key is, always recognizing when you have tied a bad one (because it doesn't cinch down easily, cleanly, and completely) and retying it before it ever sees the water. And BTW, if you tie one like I just mentioned, don't even bother giving it the pull test (that might give you a false sense of security). Just hack it, and tie a new one immediatly.

Peace,

Fish

I thought about braid, and I may try it later this year. I know a lot of people on these forums swear by it.

Does the braid have any abrasive effect whatsoever on your reel or the eyes of your rod?

[BassinDave]

I recently switched to the J-knot. No problems as of yet, and it's easy to tie too.

[SimonSays]

@Wishing4Fishin

The only other Fluoro I've used was Vanish...and that was horrible =( so I can't compare it with the Seaguar (no gonna bother til I start having problems with the 100%)

In regards to braid for me....I love it...I don't think I'll ever use mono or straight fluoro again.  I've heard that it does wear the guides down on some cheaper guide material, but I haven't had any problems at all with it wearing my guides down (st croix avids).

[iceintheveins]

Double uni knot.

[wishin4fishin]

Thanks for all the suggestions everybody. At this point I'm rethinking the whole rig. Maybe I try a braid w/ a fluoro leader. Maybe I go straight fluoro.

Not sure yet what I'm going to do, but all this response has been awesome. That's why I love these forums.

Thanks!

[SteveF]

Question:

Step 4.  

"... None of the loops of braid should jump on top of or over the other loops of braid - this is important! If even one loop jumps out of line, start over or you chance a break off at the worst possible time! ..."

Doesn't the braid have to go over the other loops of braid in order to reverse the wrapping process?  I mean if you make 8 wraps going one way and you need to make 8 wraps going back doesn't the braid have to form "X's" to complete this knot?

Thanks.

Steve