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Leader Knots

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Need to find quick slender Leader Knots for braid to fluoro! 

  • Super User

Quick ones that will hold?

Alberto or Albright.

 

I prep my rigs with a FG, but if I have to re-do leaders on the water, it's an Alberto. It's quick, it's slender and it's strong enough.

  • Super User

I use the Alberto, but finish it with a couple tightly pulled half hitches of the tag end of the braid.  Makes it bulletproof for unravelling and doesn't affect its size.  

 

So many want the "strongest knot possible," but I want my terminal knot to fail before the leader to line knot, so Alberto makes a strong knot that passes this requirement while using an appropriately sized leader and an improved clinch knot at the lure. 

  • Author

Thank you MN Fisher for replying. I’ve used both those knots. It might be one of my Dobyns rods that have Microguides causing some problems when casting these leader knots discussed. 

  • Super User

Microguides are going to be a problem regardless of what leader knot you use

  • Super User
6 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Microguides are going to be a problem regardless of what leader knot you use

Ya - suggestion would be to go straight FC or straight braid...I won't buy a microguide rod for that reason.

  • Super User

Just an FYI, if you go to SunLine website there is a great knots download. This may be useful to you. I’ve had it on my phone for years. 

I don't use leaders anymore but when I did I never had my knot going through the guides, regardless of how it was tied, because the knot eventually knocked out a guide...or two. The guides are very small near the tip with only one foot holding them and seem to get knocked out easily, even on the higher end rods. Every single one of my Champion XP's has had a guide knocked out by a knot, very smooth FG knots. So I just don't bother with leaders anymore, only strait braid.

  • Super User

I can only do half.  That’s the slender knot.  I have used many knots for braid to fluorocarbon lines.  The skinniest one I’ve used is the FG.  It isn’t quick for me but I’ve never had it break at tie knot.  

I use the FG knot to connect braid that is 30lb or less to a leader of 6lb or more. Alberto knot for everything else. 

 

Let me explain. The FG knot is reliant on the braid being able to dig into the leader material. If the braid is too thick, or the leader too thin, this will not work reliably. In that case, the Alberto is great, since it's more of a "normal" knot. 

 

 

  • Super User
9 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Microguides are going to be a problem regardless of what leader knot you use

Not so. I use size 4's on all my spin, usually a 15 pound test leader with 15 braid, Alberto, no problems.  

This is the best method I’ve found for tying the fg knot. I can tie it in just a couple of minutes on the boat and it’s all I use. I use to tie the Alberto but my leader always broke off when I got snagged and had to tie another leader every time. Reason being, I believe because you have to fold the line and with the fg knot the line is never folded. When I break off with the fg knot, knot is still intact and still have enough leader line to just tie on another bait and be back fishing. 

 

The FG is completely superior in all applications and once you get the method behind it you can tie it very quickly, even while on the water. 

  • Super User

I have always wonder about the YouTube videos that test leader knots. They don't really replicate on the water results so here you go. PE #0.6 and 8lb leader with a Carrot knot. Granted it took me 10 minutes to get it in the kayak.  I was using a G. Loomis NRX+ 821S and a Vanquish C2500S. The leader knot is still good. My drag washers might need to be checked though.

 

If I had to guess, it's about 12lbs.

 

IMG_20240714_231401.jpg.c6f4bd9f1bd1be3efe029390f0013478.jpg

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Author

Thank you all for your comments. A lot of these knots I have tried. The Carrot knot is my next attempt. God Bless

I use the Alberto with a few half hitches as well. 

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