Braid to leader

[JohnnySaxatilis]

I just go all uni, all the time... usually the thing that fails aint the knot. if you tie any fishing knot correctly, it will work fine for fishing for stripers. tuna and big game are probably a different animal, but uni for me when im stompin around the cape
for freshwater I dont use a swivel just albright knot and a snap swivel. For salt I go line to barrel swivel, then 40# fluro or something similar, then tie the leader to fast clip. Which honestly im starting to lose faith in. Ive had a fish strike the plug, do a head shake and shake the plug right off the clip. I thought I broke it off or failed knot? No, leader and clip were still there. And this has happened not only to me but my friends as well. Im going to be tieing direct to the plug more often this season. Wish my tackle store had tactical anglers clips they have the little notch at the end where the knot stays put. I think a lot of the time what happens is the knot gets turned around on the clip and makes it easier for a jolt to send the plug right off the thing

[MarshCappa]

So this year I've learned to use the uni knot for direct to tie from main to leader. I'm also going to direct tie my lures from now on. Here's my stupid question. How close can I snip the tag ends on the uni knot? Right now I have these little tags that I feel like clipping right off but am afraid that will make the knot slip through under strain.

[MarshCappa]

Oh yea and my main line is 20# braid with 40lb mono. Is this sufficient?

[JackK]

I use braid-> spro swivel-> ~ 6' 60lb mono-> breakaway clip. Not too big of a fan of the TA clips- they're nice, but pricey... I haven't had a large breakaway show the slightest sign of opening, and if the knot is tightened down fully they don't slip. Braid to swivel gets a palomar, everything else gets a clinch. If I'm using light tackle (schoolies) I use a uni-uni with my braid to some flyfishing tippet, 0x flourocarbon (~16 lb test).

I haven't needed to run any crazy long shock leaders while surfcasting. But on my cod/tog rigs that can have ~10-30' of shock leader, I like to use the slim beauty knot.

MC- Why just tie direct? Some lures perform better with the added freedom of movement a clip gives, while others (bucktails mainly) I like to tie direct.

I think you can trim the tag ends very close. Has anyone tried the Loon Knot Sense in a surfcasting setting? It's a fly fishing product made specifically for strengthening and smoothing knots, so they don't get hung up on guides. UV Knot Sense - UV Gear Care - Loon Outdoors ~ Environmentally Friendly Fly Fishing Gear & Accessories Apply a little and cure instantly with a uv light. Not an option for the wetsuiter, but for someone wading it could be an option. Or just while getting your gear ready at home.

[MarshCappa]

Originally Posted by JackK

MC- Why just tie direct? Some lures perform better with the added freedom of movement a clip gives, while others (bucktails mainly) I like to tie direct.

.

Probably more mental than practical in my thinking. My thought is the less metal the better in presentation. I'm sure when I have to start throwing multiple lures to match the hatch I'll be tying on a clip for quick swap outs.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

I just go all uni, all the time... usually the thing that fails aint the knot. if you tie any fishing knot correctly, it will work fine for fishing for stripers. tuna and big game are probably a different animal, but uni for me when im stompin around the cape
for freshwater I dont use a swivel just albright knot and a snap swivel. For salt I go line to barrel swivel, then 40# fluro or something similar, then tie the leader to fast clip. Which honestly im starting to lose faith in. Ive had a fish strike the plug, do a head shake and shake the plug right off the clip. I thought I broke it off or failed knot? No, leader and clip were still there. And this has happened not only to me but my friends as well. Im going to be tieing direct to the plug more often this season. Wish my tackle store had tactical anglers clips they have the little notch at the end where the knot stays put. I think a lot of the time what happens is the knot gets turned around on the clip and makes it easier for a jolt to send the plug right off the thing

I know I'm old school but I don't use clips. I tie direct and always have. I can tie an improved clinch knot in the dark with my eyes closed. Clips are just one more thing to fail and I trust my knots.

[Night Shift]

I use uni to uni. It has only failed me once... it was my fault and a lesson learned. After an epic night of slobs I failed to change the knot and leader the second night. Bad move! Night 2 was a one fish night and when the fish exploded 20 feet away, it stayed on the surface and started rolling on the line. That old knot was the weakest link and failed before the 4#'s of drag could release. The evidence I held in my hand showed that the 30# braid cut through the 25# mono. I don't cast braid anymore (not because of this) but I still use and trust this knot, but I now retie it MUCH more often with lighter leaders.

That fish haunts me to this day.