Lets talk about Knots

[numbskull]

I've found the Albright (like the surgeon's knot) to be bulky and the tag end of the leader, facing forward, tends to catch in the guides. I use it still for Mono-wire connections, but for heavy mono to braid I like back to back uniknots (with the braid doubled by a bimini twist for lines 20lbs and under.....I only use Fireline for "braid") which produces a more tapered connection going out.
To attach a snap I use the Trilene knot (3 turns in heavy mono).
To attach a teaser/shocker to a swivel I use a Palomar and tie the teaser to the tag end.
The knot that will hurt you is the one you tie between your backing and your mainline. If you get down to that you definitely want to see that fish. For lines 20 and under I use 2 biminis to double the line and back to back doubled uni's. Over 20, in the surf, I figure I won't have 20 lbs of drag set so I just use single uni's.