Fishing rod "shock leader knot "jamming" in the first guide
 

I use a drop loop knot to tie the shocker to the main. sometimes the knot jams in the "Y" shape that is where the holder "leg" actually is attached to round (first) guide..very annoying...

anyone ever encounter this... solutions...?

dont reel past the knot then......

humm, tried that..I'm using 20 lb mono with a 50 lb shock leader on my spinners...how does braid handle "loading" at the rod tip, will it weaken or become "wear worn? and loose its strength ??

Help me out here guys..

I usually just tie Fireline direct, no leader. The only drawback is hauling in a large bass in the surf. A heavy mono leader is easier to grab without slicing hands.

How long is your shock leader? I use albright to albright never had a problem. and I use a 30 foot leader in the bone yard

I'm gonna have to learn more knots, albright... hmm...I use about a 30 foot shock leader.. 3 or 4 turns around the spool and long enough to do a good "loading" cast.

Use an albright knot or a double loop connection and the problem should disappear.

ok , since i do a lot of 8&bait fishing ......
the one i'm using now (because it flows nice throw the levelwind on my wifes reels) is the 'slim beauty ' . i not even gonna try to describe it just gonna post a link to instructions :) http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/k...im_beauty.aspx

another good knot for shock leaders ...http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/knot6.html

and a neat knot tying site http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeon...g.jpg&Website=

hope this helps ...
derf

I do it that way. Consider 40#,ande.

shock leader to main line knot suggestion
 

The back-to-back uni and melt the bitterends back to the main knot.

I have tried all kinds of knots and now use the crazy alberto knot. i tie braid to mono and the knot is so smooth and small it easily slips through the guides. I also bring the leader back into the reel at least three turns, sometimes more if I am using a perfection loop to tye the plug on. that leaves plenty to trim when re-tying. I used to use the uni to uni and that knot isn't too bad, but has a propensity to fail. Once you learn to tie the alberto you will never go back to any other knot. When pulling the knots snug be sure to wet them and they slim down pretty good.:cputin: Also change leaders at least twice a night.:sleeps:

I'm with derf on the slim beauty. It's simple and reliable. I've used the crazy alberto knot and it does not compare. It's pretty bulky with 20# mono to 50# mono since it's basically two layers of mono wraped over the folded 50.

I use braid and a 50 to 60 lb leader. For a long time I used the Albright til I broke my fingure then I found it hard to snug it up so I switched to opposing uni knots.

Some people build the rods with the first guide turned around so the single foot is facing backwards on the gathering guide, That eliminates the V where you are getting hung up.

Back when I had the nimbler fingers , I would do this.
Similar size diameter lines....blood knot
big difference in diameter like braid to a heavy mono leader...Albright
Running line to double line...Bimini

Now I just use the opposing uni's cause I don't want 100% knot strength. My leader knot will break before my braid running line. I also don't use a Polamar to tie on my jigs because That knot is too strong and means that when I snag the bottom I'll loose the whole leader instead of breaking off at the jig. Anyway the weakest knot is at the jig then the leader knot. I never want to break in the running line as its expensive and once the spool gets even a little below optimum , your casting distance goes to hell fast

Oh BTW , I'm fishing the canal where we snag the bottom a lot. This dictates the need for progressive strength in the knots. IF I fish from the beach where a snag is much less likely , I use a different knot stategy. There the leader gets much lighter and brings me into Blood knot territory for the leader knot with a Polamar at the lure , jig , eel hook etc. I very seldom use swivels or snaps anymore.

i guess i should had posted that i use 17 lb test mono for the runing line and 50 lb mono for the shockleader . use it for all my rods , spinning , conventional and even use it with lowriders on a conventional set-up that has real small guides .
derf

what knot are you using?
i do a uni to uni braid to 40 or 50 mono. usually i use 5ft leaders and cast with 5ft trail whenever im not wading deep. the reason that people think this knot is prone to failure is because they are bashing it through 6 guides everycast and that will absolutley destroys the connection., in my opinion.

look up the crazy alberto knot. it works pretty good and should help if your reeling the leader in that far. google it.

If youre casting from the braid its going to flatten over time. Just clip back 5 feet or so every outing.

yup- either with mono to mono or braid to mono(no meltage on the braid).

Fireguy you mean a blob knot?

Spinning rod? Lose the shocker altogether. You are needlessly complicating things for yourself.:huh: Also, by introducing more knots into your line system, you weaken the system a bit.

Gentlemen, I thank you..now I have to find some time to practice knot tying. Flip the guide around...hmmm

OK thanks again..got some 'spirimentin' to do..

I don't know. They way I learned from the old timers was to have a duolock snap on your working line and a rosco swivel on your leader. That way you can tie-up a bunch with teasers on dropper loops and change leaders as need be.....
The snap stops at the top guide.
I have been using this system for about 20 years with no problems, no knots failing. Just they way I do it that works for me.