I had a horrendous backlash a couple weeks ago because my connecting knot snagged in an eyelet while casting. Every time that happens with braid (which is the only time i use a connecting knot) it costs $5-6 and this particular time it took me approximately 10 minutes to cut it out. That sucks! Does this ever happen to anyone else and/or how do you prevent it?

Try coating the knot with some glue (I use "Fishin Glue"). It will help keep braid knots from slipping and makes a smooth surface for the knot to travel through the guides. It's the jagged clipped tags that hang up in the guides, at least that's my experience.

Ronnie

Which knot are you using? I have also experienced this, but when I can get away with it, I will use fewer wraps and therefore it makes for a smaller knot.  For example if I use the albright knot, and I would normaly wrap the line about 10 times, I will wrap it only 5-6 times. A smaller knot is the result and a smaller knot will flow through the guides more easily. It seems to be just fine for bass fishing and even fishing for pink salmon.

However if I were to target bigger fish, I'll take the risk of a backlash and tie the knot as it should.

That same thing happened to me on my wedding night. ;D

Cephkiller,

I have a question here. Is your main line braid? and, is your leader a mono or other type low stretch line?

I guess what I don't get is it seems that your trying to pass 2 different types of line through the guides, and the rod was built with a cone of flight style setup. Meaning as you get further away from the reel the smaller the guides get in diameter.

About where on the rod is the knot catching the guides and hanging?

If I were say fishing a Carolina Rig my leader would be shorter (max one rod length) so that I don't have to crank the knot up into the guides when I bring the bait back to me.

Could you enlighten us as to the type fishing your doing with the rig. It might be a lot easier to resolve with a little more info.

Just my curious .02¢

Tight Lines!!!

Main line is 50 lb braid and the leader is 15 lb fluoro.  I mainly use this for jigs and plastics in clear water.  if the water is stained, I forego the leader.  I have been using 6-8 ft of fluro.  Are you suggesting I should try to get by with less so I don't reel it up into the eyelets?  I guess I am trying to be careful about visibilty, hence the long leader.  I have been using a blood knot, BTW.

Cephkiller,

Are you suggesting I should try to get by with less so I don't reel it up into the eyelets?

Yup especially if you are pitching jig, and t-rigs up close. But even then it would depend on how long my rod is. If I were a braided line user (which I am not) and using a shock leader. I would be using a leader no longer than what it takes to keep the connection knot from entering the tip ring and still be able to handle my lure in the launching hand comfortably.

As I posted before if I were using a braided line, and a shock leader in a Carolina Rig it would be just long enough to keep my bait in the strike zone, and never long enough to crank the connection knot up into the guides for casting.

The blood knot is a good knot for line to line connections, I think the problem lies with how far up into the guides your cranking it, especially if your overhead or even side arm casting..

Hope this makes sense to you..

Just my .02¢

Tight Lines!!!

Thanks for the suggestions.  I have had this happen too many times so I guess I need to get over my line visiblity phobia and go with the shorter leader.  BTW, I use primarily 7' rods so pitching is not a problem with the 6' leader.  It only happens when I decide to swim the jig, cast the worm, etc.

Had the same problem.....So I went to a shorter leader.....2-3ft at the most 6' on a 7' rod. Didnt impact my catch rate at all.

What is the best knot to use to connect two lines of different diameter?  I've never used a leading and I'm think about starting to use one.  I have heard that a sergons knot is a good one.  Please help!

What is the best knot to use to connect two lines of different diameter?  I've never used a leading and I'm think about starting to use one.  I have heard that a sergons knot is a good one.  Please help!

I use a double uni.  I have heard on here that a nail knot is good for this, but I have used the nail knot to tie on fly leaders and it seems really difficult to me.  It might just be me, though.

With regard to the best knots.  Check out this response.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1178625989

I do the same thing you do, I use a blood knot for the connection. I always use a lighter and burn it smooth. I hope that made sense. You have to be careful not to burn through the knot.

I do the same thing you do, I use a blood knot for the connection. I always use a lighter and burn it smooth. I hope that made sense. You have to be careful not to burn through the knot.

That's a great idea!  Does it weaken the line even if you don't burn through?

Had the same problem.....So I went to a shorter leader.....2-3ft at the most 6' on a 7' rod. Didnt impact my catch rate at all.

Yup, me too.

I know where your comin from with the low vis leader.  I just don't feel confident without it for many applications, but a couple of feet is plenty.  I don't think a bass is smart enough to compute that the thin strand of green whatever, 3 feet or so from the prey is a danger.

I wouldn't burn the line smooth.  To me it's like playing with fire.  :

Had the same problem.....So I went to a shorter leader.....2-3ft at the most 6' on a 7' rod. Didnt impact my catch rate at all.

Yup, me too.

I know where your comin from with the low vis leader.  I just don't feel confident without it for many applications, but a couple of feet is plenty.  I don't think a bass is smart enough to compute that the thin strand of green whatever, 3 feet or so from the prey is a danger.

I wouldn't burn the line smooth.  To me it's like playing with fire.  :

OK, then.  Avid has spoken