I don't change knots too often...actually almost never. But I've been playing around with a few more knots after I did all the knot testing over the winter. Here are two that have performed well for me recently.
Seaguar Knot - I've only used this knot twice now, both times on the wacky jighead setup where I'm using the 8# fluoro leader attached to the 10# PP line. So far so good. To me, this is an easier and quicker knot to tie than a double uni or even a J-knot. Haven't tried it yet with either larger lines or heavier pressures, so still more testing to do. Maybe one of you guys has already used it and has some feedback.
Doubled Five Turn Uni Knot - I've embedded the video on how to tie this knot below by a gentleman who goes by the name of "High Plains Drifter". He has done a ton of line testing with knots and this one came out as the best tie for straight braid connections. I liked the concept of this knot and so used it this weekend for the first time while spooled with straight 8# fluorocarbon. It was the knot that was tied to the shakey head that was engulfed by the 44 pound flathead, and you've already seen the end result of that battle. Needless to say, it was a very strong first impression for this knot.
Thanks Brian and HPD.
The Seaguar however looks rather chunky -yes?
Posted by: Paul Roberts | June 23, 2010 at 01:10 PM
Looks like it would be that way, and probably is with heavier line tests. With the 10# PP and 8# fluoro leader the knot didn't cause any problems. The custom rod I was using even had micro guides.
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | June 23, 2010 at 02:42 PM
I was going to ask about the profile as well, particularly with heavier lines. I'm on the search for a good braid to fluoro leader knot that will go through the guides easily. I've tried a few but I'm either not getting them right or they are just to bulky. Looking for something to connect a 6-12 lb leader onto 40 lb braid. Any thoughts?
Posted by: aaron | June 23, 2010 at 05:17 PM
Beside the Seaguar knot, 3 others that are very good are the modified Albright (Alberto's knot), the uni-uni, and the J-knot. I've tried and tested them all and they all seem to be very similar in strength when tied correctly. I'd do a Google search on the others and practice trying to tie them. One or two will come easier to you than the others, and that should probably be the one you use. The best knot is the knot you tie best.
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | June 23, 2010 at 09:18 PM
I came across a site awhile back run by an Australian off-shore fisherman, Paulus Just, that has been really interesting.
http://www.pcwi.com.au/fishing/index.htm
He does pretty extensive testing on various lines and knots with a focus on braided lines. He leans towards what he calls a double blood for leaders. I won't describe it since you can see it at the link (just go to the lines & knots page).
I also found his braid testing very interesting because he has found that there can be a pretty big variance in breaking strains in the same lb test of the same brand of braid and that in some brands different colors in the the same lb test consistently tested stronger or weaker than others.
Probably the most useful page on the site is the braided line buying guide which lists the different lines by their actual measured diameter and breaking strain.
Posted by: Jeremy S | June 24, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Thanks for the link Jeremy. I've browsed through the site but will have to take a closer look when I have more time. Love these "do-it-yourself" research types. Only wish he would have tested a wider range of lines that I've heard of or are available here in the U.S. :)
I've done some braid testing (PP and FL) and have found that generally the line will break at about 2.0-2.5 X's rated poundage. PP seems to be stronger in this regard than FL, but that may have just been my sample testing. As soon as you place a knot in the line though on one end, everything changes.
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | June 24, 2010 at 04:40 PM
I"ve tried this knot and it works really well, and it is EASY! It is the Canada knot by James Lindner.
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Posted by: Joe DeNardo | January 08, 2013 at 10:35 PM