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

[Roger]

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.

[Saltheart]

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

[Saltheart]

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.

[derf]

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

[Christian]

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.

[fishaholic18]

http://www.powerpro.com/using/albright.asp

[ThrowingTimber]

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