alberto knot

[Saladmander]

I've been seeing and hearing about this knot quite a bit lately.  So, I've decided to try tying it but with mixed results.  I'm reading that the loop goes in the larger line, and the wrapping line is the thinner.  So, if I'm tying a 12 lb. flouro leader to 40 lb. braid, should I be putting the loop in the braid or the leader?  I've been doing the loop in the braid but am having a hard time cinching the knot down.  Is it normally difficult to cinch this knot down?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Loop the leader and wrap it with the braid.  Once you complete the wraps, pull all four lines until the knot stops sliding up.  At that point finish seating the knot by pulling on the mainline.  Then pull tight.

The Alberto Knot (Modified Albright)

[Fred in KY]

It is a very good knot!  Not that hard to tie...with a little practice!

[rubba bubba]

Use the softer of the 2 lines (braid) for the wraps; the stiffer gets the loop. Always. Use this approach even if you are joining mono to fluoro (i.e. backing on a spool so as not to fill it all with pricey fluoro).

[Hooligan]

Use the softer of the 2 lines (braid) for the wraps; the stiffer gets the loop. Always. Use this approach even if you are joining mono to fluoro (i.e. backing on a spool so as not to fill it all with pricey fluoro).

I disagree.  I use the Alberto for flyline to leader, for instance.  Butt section of the leader makes the wraps. 

If you're joining two lines of different diameters, the larger diameter gets the loop, the other makes wraps, that's the whole point of the knot, otherwise you should just tie a bloodknot.

[philsoreel]

There is a tool out called Finger Savers that make tying the alberto much easier and gets the knot smaller and tighter. I got one and I no longer have small cuts and scabs on the outside of my hands from tightening alberto knots. It's basically an aluminum ring with a groove around the outside. The groove has rubber in it, possibly shrink tubing. A good machinist could make their own but these are made by a cnc.

Daiichi-Seiko Finger Savers is the name.

[philsoreel]

I'm using the albright special now instead of the alberto. It's smaller and if the knot is going to fail it will usually do it while cinching down. You can go on youtube and look up the albright special and or finger savers and probably find the video I learned about these from.

[Saladmander]

Use the softer of the 2 lines (braid) for the wraps; the stiffer gets the loop. Always. Use this approach even if you are joining mono to fluoro (i.e. backing on a spool so as not to fill it all with pricey fluoro).

I disagree. I use the Alberto for flyline to leader, for instance. Butt section of the leader makes the wraps.

If you're joining two lines of different diameters, the larger diameter gets the loop, the other makes wraps, that's the whole point of the knot, otherwise you should just tie a bloodknot.

Thank you for all the responses.  This is exactly what I've heard and read about this knot (larger diameter line gets the loop.)  So, I tried it using the braid as the wrapping line instead of the other way around, and that is so much easier.  It cinches down perfect and comes out nice.  But, when I wrap the flouro, or mono, around the braid, I have the hardest time getting the mono to cinch down correctly.  Anyone else getting that or is it just me? :-/  And, as far as braid wrapping the mono, anyone have issues with the braid biting the mono when you put it to the test? 

[Hooligan]

Nope, no issue.  It's a knot that takes a little bit of practice, really.  I messed a couple up the first time I started messing with it, and I've tied Albright's for most of my fishing career.  What you're describing to me, is a failure to pull evenly on all four pieces of line.  Once you're able to get your wraps situated in a fashion that works for you, you'll find it really is an easy knot to tie.  One thing I do to make it easier is after my first set of wraps, I change where I'm holding the lines so that my left thumb and forefinger are holding my first wraps as I make the second set.  When I have made the requisite number, I pull gently with my right, just getting it snug, then grasp two tags with my right hand and two tags with my left, and cinch it tight.

[A-Rob]

I had it slip a bunch on me before....I added more wraps and it works fine. When tying braid to flouro leader I will do 10 wraps of the braid up and maybe 5 back down, I find that it makes a skinny long knot that slips less than if I had just done 6 turns.

P.s. I loop the flouro and wrap the braid. Wrapping FLOURO too tightly can cause it to fatigue and won't cinch as nicely as the braid.

[jamarkwe]

There is a tool out called Finger Savers that make tying the alberto much easier and gets the knot smaller and tighter. I got one and I no longer have small cuts and scabs on the outside of my hands from tightening alberto knots. It's basically an aluminum ring with a groove around the outside. The groove has rubber in it, possibly shrink tubing. A good machinist could make their own but these are made by a cnc.

Daiichi-Seiko Finger Savers is the name.

Got a pic? I'm a CNC programer, maybe I could make something happen.

[ww2farmer]

Holy crap you guys are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. I watched the video J.Francho posted twice, and begain tying the knot. After about 10 practice attempts I got it to where I can tie it with out thought and right.  The instructions are pretty clear. I swear there are people on here that after they were shown how to put there pants on would post "Hey how comes I gots both feet stuck in one pant leg?"  :

[Saladmander]

Holy crap you guys are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. I watched the video J.Francho posted twice, and begain tying the knot. After about 10 practice attempts I got it to where I can tie it with out thought and right. The instructions are pretty clear. I swear there are people on here that after they were shown how to put there pants on would post "Hey how comes I gots both feet stuck in one pant leg?" :

Thanks for the helpful response. I think I get it. You're smart and I'm dumb. And I'm okay with that.  :-X

[philsoreel]

There is a tool out called Finger Savers that make tying the alberto much easier and gets the knot smaller and tighter. I got one and I no longer have small cuts and scabs on the outside of my hands from tightening alberto knots. It's basically an aluminum ring with a groove around the outside. The groove has rubber in it, possibly shrink tubing. A good machinist could make their own but these are made by a cnc.

Daiichi-Seiko Finger Savers is the name.

Got a pic? I'm a CNC programer, maybe I could make something happen.

This is the video with the finger savers and albright special, which I like better than the alberto. Smaller and plenty strong if not equivalent.

This is the finger saver below.

The total O.D. is 1.0445'' I.D. is 0.8265'' The groove with the rubber in it measures 0.9655'' pictured below...that's measured with the rubber in it. They cost too much to cut the rubber out and give you an exact measurement.

[breezy]

It just takes some time. My biggest problem is holding the loop correctly so I can still easily wrap the braid. Seems like I can never remember what worked last time

I'm curious though, once you make X number of wraps and start making X number of wraps back down, do the wraps have to be spaced correctly between each other? Or can it be a little more sloppy? Hopefully I explained that well enough for someone to understand...it's late

[Fishing Rhino]

I was about to order a couple of the rings, then I thought about these. Save several bucks per ring, and they should do the job.

Rubber grommet.  The edge can be trimmed to reduce the outside diameter.

[rubba bubba]

Use the softer of the 2 lines (braid) for the wraps; the stiffer gets the loop. Always. Use this approach even if you are joining mono to fluoro (i.e. backing on a spool so as not to fill it all with pricey fluoro).

I disagree. I use the Alberto for flyline to leader, for instance. Butt section of the leader makes the wraps.

If you're joining two lines of different diameters, the larger diameter gets the loop, the other makes wraps, that's the whole point of the knot, otherwise you should just tie a bloodknot.

Um, this is exactly what I'm saying.  The larger diameter line is going to be the stiffer of the 2 lines, so use it to make the loop.  The smaller diameter will be softer so use it to make the wraps.

[Saladmander]

I think I got it goin' pretty consistently now. I just do the wraps like the stripes on a barber pole.  Just tight enough to keep them from overlapping.  Same when switching directions. I am having that same issue with the finger placement.    I think that just gets ironed out the more you do it. I've been doing the uni-uni for better than 20 years. But, this knot seems to come through guides much better.  I just dont have the confidence in it yet. I know if that knot fails because I tied it wrong, I'll go right back to the uni without giving it a fair shot. I don't want that to happen so I wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

[new2BC4bass]

I think I got it goin' pretty consistently now. I just do the wraps like the stripes on a barber pole. Just tight enough to keep them from overlapping. Same when switching directions. I am having that same issue with the finger placement. I think that just gets ironed out the more you do it. I've been doing the uni-uni for better than 20 years. But, this knot seems to come through guides much better. I just dont have the confidence in it yet. I know if that knot fails because I tied it wrong, I'll go right back to the uni without giving it a fair shot. I don't want that to happen so I wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

I cheated on the first Alberto knot I tied. I made the loop in my leader and taped it to the table. I then ran the braid up and back down. Came out perfect. First time out fishing with it I got my jig caught in the rocks. Had to wrap the line around a stick. Managed to pull the jig out. Don't give up on the knot. I'm another guy who has used the Uni knot for over 25 years. I like the Alberto better. Need to practice it more so I can do it quickly while fishing.  Don't have the dexterity I had 30-40 years ago.   

[philsoreel]

I think I got it goin' pretty consistently now. I just do the wraps like the stripes on a barber pole. Just tight enough to keep them from overlapping. Same when switching directions. I am having that same issue with the finger placement. I think that just gets ironed out the more you do it. I've been doing the uni-uni for better than 20 years. But, this knot seems to come through guides much better. I just dont have the confidence in it yet. I know if that knot fails because I tied it wrong, I'll go right back to the uni without giving it a fair shot. I don't want that to happen so I wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

Get it right and you'll love it. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think the alberto was a 100% breaking strength knot with all three lines on knot wars.

[Hooligan]

Use the softer of the 2 lines (braid) for the wraps; the stiffer gets the loop. Always. Use this approach even if you are joining mono to fluoro (i.e. backing on a spool so as not to fill it all with pricey fluoro).

I disagree. I use the Alberto for flyline to leader, for instance. Butt section of the leader makes the wraps.

If you're joining two lines of different diameters, the larger diameter gets the loop, the other makes wraps, that's the whole point of the knot, otherwise you should just tie a bloodknot.

Um, this is exactly what I'm saying. The larger diameter line is going to be the stiffer of the 2 lines, so use it to make the loop. The smaller diameter will be softer so use it to make the wraps.

No, exactly what you were saying is use the softer, that doesn't always equate to larger diameter as pointed to in that I use the knot for my line to butt-section knot.

[rubba bubba]

Use the softer of the 2 lines (braid) for the wraps; the stiffer gets the loop. Always. Use this approach even if you are joining mono to fluoro (i.e. backing on a spool so as not to fill it all with pricey fluoro).

I disagree. I use the Alberto for flyline to leader, for instance. Butt section of the leader makes the wraps.

If you're joining two lines of different diameters, the larger diameter gets the loop, the other makes wraps, that's the whole point of the knot, otherwise you should just tie a bloodknot.

Um, this is exactly what I'm saying. The larger diameter line is going to be the stiffer of the 2 lines, so use it to make the loop. The smaller diameter will be softer so use it to make the wraps.

No, exactly what you were saying is use the softer, that doesn't always equate to larger diameter as pointed to in that I use the knot for my line to butt-section knot.

The only instance I would be aware of where the softer line would actually be bigger in diameter would be if someone would use a very large weight rating braid (like 60lbs) and a very small mono or fluoro line (like 6 lbs). Since we weren't talking fly fishing, nor am I even familiar with fly fishing tackle, your obscure exception to the rule is out of context of the discussion. But thanks for pointing out the minutia to a principle that will be valid 99% of the time.  I'll modify the "always" to "always, except in rare circumstances".

[Loomis24]

I think I got it goin' pretty consistently now. I just do the wraps like the stripes on a barber pole. Just tight enough to keep them from overlapping. Same when switching directions. I am having that same issue with the finger placement. I think that just gets ironed out the more you do it. I've been doing the uni-uni for better than 20 years. But, this knot seems to come through guides much better. I just dont have the confidence in it yet. I know if that knot fails because I tied it wrong, I'll go right back to the uni without giving it a fair shot. I don't want that to happen so I wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

Get it right and you'll love it. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think the alberto was a 100% breaking strength knot with all three lines on knot wars.

The modified Albright knot was yes the winner of knot wars when it came to trying leader material, it beat the uni to uni knot.