Braid to mono/flouro knot problems

[Oldbritguy]

Have spent some time recently practicing knots to join 30-50lb braid to 20 lb flourocarbon or mono leaders. Mainly using the (usually recommended) Albright Special knot.

Seems to me that whenever I tighten the knots really hard, the braid cuts into the mono or flouro line, and inevitably when I give it a hard test pull, it breaks exactly at the point the mono joins the braid, due I'm sure to the cutting effect of the braid.

I am using the thicker mono/flouro line as the "loop" part of the Albright. Am I doing something wrong here?

Are there better knots for joining braid to flourocarbon line that do not cut into the softer mono/flouro line when tightened really hard?

Any recommendations or suggestions very welcome. . .

Oldbritguy

[Wayne P.]

Use the uni-uni knot. The lines can't cut each other because they don't cross each other, they just wrap around each other and will slide along on each other.

[Big Bait Fishing]

Use the uni-uni knot. The lines can't cut each other because they don't cross each other, they just wrap around each other and will slide along on each other.

X2 , the uni-to-uni is a pretty easy knot to tie and works great , just moisten the lines before you cinch them down 

[Hammer 4]

I have 55 lb braid, it's the same diameter as 10lb mono..I tie 12 to 15 lb yozuri hybrid to it for a leader..using the uni to uni knot..I have thrown 2 oz swimbaits, and 1 oz jigs with it..never had a knot problem. But, when I tried the Trilene 100% fluro, I had some breakage issue's..seems the line would break right below my knot that joined the fluro to the braid.

Even though your joining braid and fluro, it's best to spit on the fluro..to keep it from burning..

Oh, my uni to uni goes 8 loops on the braid side, and 6 on the fluro side..cinch em up slowly, tie the other side, cinch that up slow, then spit on the knots again, and tighten em up..

[Wayne P.]

Good advice Hammer 4. The longer knot goes thru the rod guides better.

[GLoomis711]

Palomar for Everything. ;D

[tand]

I have 55 lb braid, it's the same diameter as 10lb mono..I tie 12 to 15 lb yozuri hybrid to it for a leader..using the uni to uni knot..I have thrown 2 oz swimbaits, and 1 oz jigs with it..never had a knot problem. But, when I tried the Trilene 100% fluro, I had some breakage issue's..seems the line would break right below my knot that joined the fluro to the braid.

Even though your joining braid and fluro, it's best to spit on the fluro..to keep it from burning..

Oh, my uni to uni goes 8 loops on the braid side, and 6 on the fluro side..cinch em up slowly, tie the other side, cinch that up slow, then spit on the knots again, and tighten em up..

I agree with this, except for one thing.  I would suggest more like 12-15 loop through with the braid, of course this depends on the size of the braid (30 lb braid= 8 lb mono).  JMHO

[Hammer 4]

tand, let me say this, I have thrown 3.5 oz swimbaits with that knot. Once my braid got slightly tangeled on the reel, I'm looking for a long cast, I load the rod up, and let her rip, only to watch my 40.00 bait go sailing across the water, weel your probably guessing my knot broke...nope, the knot held great, the line snapped about 1/2" below the knot.

Most guys won't be throwing that heavy of a bait, so if a 3 1/2 oz bait can't break the knot, I see no use in adding more loops IF the knot is tied correctly, and you spit on the knot before cinching it up, especailly with fluro.

[Wayne P.]

tand, 5 turns on each side of the knot is enough to hold as strong as the line is. A longer knot is useful only when it passes thru the rod tip during the cast and adds no additional strength. Your excessive loop method may even cause breakage near the knot due to friction trying to tighen up all those loops (wetted or not).

[Tucson]

So do you guys tie on a short leader so you don't have to cast the knot through the tip guide?  My knots are probably too bulky for that.  I need more knot tying practice.

[Hammer 4]

Nope, if you tie a uni to uni for example, the knot will easily pass through the guides. If I'm using a 5' leader, only 1 to 1 1/2 feet of leader is hanging from  my rod tip. Again the trick is to tie a proper uni to uni to get a slender knot. If you tie one up, and it doesn't llok good, cut it and retie..

So do you guys tie on a short leader so you don't have to cast the knot through the tip guide? My knots are probably too bulky for that. I need more knot tying practice.

[Team9nine]

Or you could get really radical and just try tying your braid directly to your lure and just skip the whole  leader deal. Might be surprised with what you can get away with on some waters. 

-T9

[Crestliner2008]

Team9nine - No, you shouldn't. Because braid is very susceptible to being abraded by rocks and bottom debris. Which is why I use a fluoro leader, which is much more abrasion resisitant.

However, that being said, for years I've used the Uni-to-Uni knot for my connections. Had some breaking issues. Now I've switched to the Albright knot. AND....this is most important....I apply a coating of  "Zap-A-Gap" to the knot. This fills in the gaps and makes the knot flow through the guides much easier. For a full season now....no problems, no worries. 

Knots are a confidence thing. As long as it works, it's the greatest. When it fails one time....then you switch.

[Hammer 4]

I have tied directly to my braid, but there were no rocks to contend with..   I especially like the all braid when fishing jigs..you feel Everything. I have even used braid in Clear water, with some moderate success.

[AndyPlaysDrums]

Question: Is there a certain ratio of flouro to braid, in relation to line size, that is common? I'm making the switch to braid myself (30lb/8lb equiv.). Do I go the same test in flouro? Also, does it matter what size the mono underneath is?

[Wayne P.]

My use of a fluorocarbon leader is different than most. I use it for weight to get the superline to sink. I always use 20# fluoro and about 3'-5' in length depending on how much I feel like reaching to pull the line off the spool. I don't like the higher pound test fluoros because of the knot diameter. Most of the time I am using the 8# mono equivelent diameter superlines. There is no reason to use a lighter test leader unless when tying a Palomar for dropshotting-doubling 20# is tough with the small hook eyes.

[midnighthrasher]

30lb power pro to 10lb seaguar invisx. Never had a break or any problems

[roadwarrior]

Try the Alberto's knot and see how you like it:

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

8-)