Shock leader knots

[BaggieRich]

What kind of knots do people use for their shock leaders? I read on the forum that the albright (Sp.) knot is the way to go, but flipin hell, how hard is that to tie??? I ended up in the garage with a peice of hard board and a shed load of masking tape. I'm sure I can't be doing this right, as I don't suppose any of you guys take masking tape to the beach

Anyway, finally got the knot tied (Having borrowed/pinched a needle off the missus!) and went out to play, only to find that the tag end was catching on the last ring, with the effect of stopping the shock leader dead and the main line flying past it to give a lovely mess. I'd only left about 5mm of tag end so I tried to cut this down further. No problems. Until the next cast when I watched in horror as my tackle disappeared over the horizon minus the main line. (Why is it that I always seems to put the cast out a stupid distance when I haven't actually got any way of pulling it back in!)

From talking to a friend he mentioned that some guys use a dab of super glue on the knot to stop it catching on the rod ring. Is this okay to do? I know some of you use shrink tube, but I've never seen any of that. Should I just look harder in the back of TSF?

Rich.

[Old Smoothound]

Hi mate, I use a Bimini Twist as it is twice as strong as other knots.

But it sounds as if the knot you are tying is making too large a knot to go through the tip ring eye.

Perhaps you should use another type of knot that when tied is not as large. I don't think shrink tube would solve your problem as well as another smaller type of knot. Super Glue is OK but Saltwater will rot it away eventually.

[devondave]

my casting instructer used a knot he called the "blob" knot... all he did was light the end of the shockleader... so it melted into a errr... blob! and then tied a blood knot with the mainline so its only really the blob that holds it all together... very small neat and tidy little knot.. great for casting but i wouldnt trust it for fishing

[pingu]

the version i use is an overhand knot with leader then behind that is a 4 turn(grinner/water)knot sorry not sure what its called(saw in sea anglers mag) works fine butcan collect weed if not too tidy(re last night)

[BaggieRich]

Originally Posted by Old Smoothound

Hi mate, I use a Bimini Twist as it is twice as strong as other knots.

Woah thar Mr Smoothound. I just googled that Bimini twist thang, and can I just say "Howthehelldyatiethatmonster".

The mind bogles. Remember, I had major problems getting that Albright to look half decent, and even then it didn't hold very well. (In a not at all kind of a way.)

I think the chances of me tying a knot that involves the use of my feet as well as both hands are remote to say the least. I think I'll stick to my super glued/ shrink tubed, overhand granny.

Is it just me, or do others seem to have problems with knots?

[MRG2000]

The easiest and neatest and also one of the strongest for general fishing has got to be ,half hitch with the leader and 4 turn grinner with the main line,if you realey want to be sure a tiny blob of superglue over the finished knot,can put your mind at rest.We regularly use this type of knot for big rays and Congers on uptide gear in fast flowing waters.Rarely does the knot give way,and if tideily trimmed minimises weed in the top eye problems....

[Old Smoothound]

The overhand knot with a twist is called a tournament knot.IT's as good as any....all down to personal preferences really.

Hopwe it solves your problem.

[wayne]

I always use the albright knot and i have'nt had any prob's if you look at this site www.marinenews.com/fishing/fk_main.htm it give's you easy to follow instructions hope this makes life easier

[Pross]

I use the same knot as Pingu and Charter Skipper have described. Simple to tie and never had a problem with it breaking or catching on the rod eyes (I know it as a leader knot!!!). It is just a half hitch with the leader to form a loop then feed the mainline through the loop the tag and of the half hitch, close up the half hitch with about 6 inches of main line through it and do 4 or 6 twists around the main length of the leader as if tying on your hook. Tighten both knots and slide them together so they butt up to each other nice and snug then trim the tags as close as possible. Only crack off I've had with it was when I'd forgotten to take the bale arm off on my fixed spool, the lead went a good 200yds +

[Greenheart]

I found that if you use a good internet search engine & just type in "Fishing Knots" You can find loads of sites that show good clear east to follow diagrams. Try a few & stick with one that works for you.