Wrong Knots lose fish

I have been tying the improved Clinch knot in mono for as long as I can remember and have never lost a fish to it. However, yesterday I lost 2 Bull Reds, 30 inch range because of that knot. Reason, I used the clinch to tie my Flourocarbon leader to the main line swivel which I know is a no no. Normally would use a Palomar when tying Flourocarbon, which I did on the hooks. Two different rods both rigged the same, both lost fish back to back within 30 minutes when the leader pulled loose from the swivel. This getting old is no fun when you have these kinds of brain farts.

I use the uni-knot almost exclusively.
I grew up using the improved clinch, once I learned the uni-knot, I never looked back. Uni is easier to tie and stronger than the improved clinch.
Cant say that I can recall a failed knot with it. Even on the 8# line I caught that 25# black drum 3-4 years back.

With lighter mono, I always use 5 or 6 wraps. With 40 or 50#, I use 4.


http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4334&stc=1

Picture is worth a thousand words: 8# line attached to a #4 baitholder with a uni-knot lands a 26# big ugly. April 6th 2013.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4335&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4336&stc=1

And you can tie the uni in the dark (with practice).

The important thing on the uni is to pull it tight with the tag end before you cut it off. If in doubt I put a half granny in the tag end and crowd it close to the knot before trimming.

If you tighten by pulling on the running line it can slip.

And as with all knots, moisten it before tightening and pull slowly so you don't heat up the line.

I learned the uni-knot about 35 years ago - maybe more. I've used it almost exclusively ever since. For the fishing that I do, it's the perfect knot.

The uni is versatile for me, as terminal knot or as line to line knot. Plus, it is well within my old fingers ability range.

Improved Clinch @ 98%...

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...06&oe=56D78A6E

for braid i use a uni, or palomar, for mono i use a i. clinch. never had a knot fail. have had some operator error though.

Very Impressive! I probably won't be able to duplicate that feat using an 8# test! :)

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Originally Posted by CarlF

Picture is worth a thousand words: 8# line attached to a #4 baitholder with a uni-knot lands a 26# big ugly. April 6th 2013.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4335&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4336&stc=1

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loop knot for jigs seems best.