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Another simple knot to tie, either in a straight line or doubling
over and creating a double line is the improved Clinch knot. This is
also a superb knot to use to attach a swivel to the main line when
trolling. Once again, make sure that the loops created through the eye
of the hook or the swivel ring are not crossed or you will be doomed. A
couple of additional exotic connnections that are a little more tedious
to tie but offer supreme holding power are the Braid Ring Knot and the
San Diego Knot.
LINE TO LEADER CONNECTIONS
The use of short lengths of leader tied to a main line is an added
advantage to the fisherman. This is expecially so for the line-shy
bluefin tuna where heavier lines will make it difficult to attract
strikes from these wary fish. Hooking them directly on to lighter line
generally ends up with line breakage due to the extended time of the
battle. However, over the past couple of years, I have found that by
attaching a short length of slightly heavier leader to the main line has
helped land these larger fish and interestingly enough has not lessened
the numbers of fish attracted to the bait. And with increasing
popularity of the fluorocarbon materials, this is a system that all
anglers should learn.
Two excellent line-to-leader connections are the Opposed Nail knot
which, with a little practice, is relatively easy to tie and is also
very strong. This knot can be tied with lines with opposing strenghts
as wide as 30- to 60-pound line. It also goes through the guides very
easily. Another one is the Improved Blood Knot. This is tied by first
typing a Bimini twist or a braid double line and the main lines and then
securing to the leader by a way of a blood knot. Another one to
practice would also be a Surgeon's knot.
One of my favorite line-to-leaders including single strand wire is
the Albright knot. I've used this very successfully over the years for
fishing wahoo. When these fish get wire shy, I have found that by
changing from a longer cable leader to a short single strand wire leader
makes for a better bait presentation and definitely attracts more
strikes. By using a 30-pound to 40-pound test single strand wire,
attach a small 2/0 / 4/0 118 Laser Mag hook or 94150 with a Haywire
Twist and Barrel Wrap connection, this leader need only be 8- to
10-inches long and connect to the main line with an Improved Albright
Knot. This knot is also good for attaching main line to mono leaders.
This is a knot I do not use for spectra monofilament connections. The
reason being that the Spectra diameter is so thin that when the wraps
around the monofilament to create the knot are pulled down tight, they
do not put pressure on the encased Spectra line unlike the same
procedure if you were using monofilament and/or wire.
DOUBLE LINES
When it comes to double lines I have two favorites, a Bimini Twist
and a Braided Plait Knot. The Bimini si great for tying short double
lines and line strengths up to 80-pounds. there is no reason you can't
tie it in heavier line, it's just that it gets a little tight going
through and roller guides. For lines 100-pound and 130-pound, I go to
the Braided Plait Knot. This is not only 25 percent smaller in diameter
that the Bimini Twist, but with a little practice it can be tied in any
size line and it can be used to create a double line of any length
whatsoever and no additional assistance is required.
SPECTRA CONNECTIONS
Got a little nick in that spectra? Dont' throw it away. There is a
simple and very reliable connection you can use to repair that damaged
spot or add additional line. By creating a 35/40 wrap Bimini Twist in
each end of the Spectra line and then proceed to weave a series of Cat's
Paw Loops, these two lines can be connected to give a very high knot
retention strength. Another tip in tying a Bimini Twist in Spectra
lines, before the final wraps are made over the twist, add a couple of
drops of pliobond adheasive. This will virtually eliminate any slippage
in the Spectra which always produces failure. This same connection is
the perfect solution for connecting Spectra lien to monofilament Top
Shots. However, when connecting pectra to mono in this fashion, only 4
or 5 loops are generally necessary. I have personally used that
connection for more thant 4 years and to this day have never had a
failure.
Of all the big fish counts that have been produced over the past 10
or so years, probably the least known fact is that at least half that
amount again have been lost at or near color. But in the last
year-and-half, after testing and using the new wind-on leader system,
anglers have reduced this lose percentage down to zero.
As opposed to the short three-foot leaders we have used in the past
for giant tuna, going to the new Braid Wind-One Leaders (25-foot
length), connected to the main line via a Triple Loop to Loop to a
10-foot Binimi Twist double line, this application allows the angler to
actually double the lines strength after one wrap of the double lines
comes onto the reel. At this point that angler can increase the drag
lever to full pressure and in most cases this is all that is required to
finish the fish off. Even if the line happens to rub against the side
of the boat, there is little chance of failure as the leader material is
generally 150-pound or greater breaking strength.
These few knots and connections that I have explained are what I
have used successfully over the years and though there may be many
others that anglers have tried and used equally as successful, the
variations explained here should get you through most situations in your
angling adventures.
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