I never use a knot to start filling a reel, just a piece of electrical tape.
In my shore bait fishing days, I've been spooled a few times by boats.
Happens fast, besides if a fish from shore took you down to the knot are you still in the game?
I know 3 people who have had their rods lost out of sand spikes, who knows. Turn your back for a few minutes anything can happen, boats,seals, sharks etc.
