fishmad1 wrote: For a while here (Oman) we were using heavy leaders..to 300lb or something up around 1.85mm. Many here still use a 3 turn clinch knot or the Uni. The only thing we found with the Uni is that it sometimes flattens on the swivel and some people believe lead to failure..we then started to put it though the swivel twice but a lot depends on the size of the swivel ring hence we used the biggest NTs...the vast majority of break offs we have here are in the main line, nothing to do with the knot. |
In our camp we use the uni, tube knot (uni then reversed down its self) and the SanDiego Jam knot, all these knots work well with no failures, to be honest we have gone away from the uni as the tube knot lays up neater on line over 80lb. My crew tests a lot of knots and have found the San Diego one of the strongest knots and we have also found by putting the line though the eye twice before tying a uni or tube knot it weakens the knot (tests done on electronic scales), its more about the friction of the two lines rubbing over each other and the width at the base of the knot that weakens the knot.
As Ginga says the crimp may be the easiest and strongest and most likely the least used and over looked (maybe because its not as "flash" looking or maybe no one has come out with a pair of gold plated aircraft grade alloy surgical S/S trendy crimpers signed by some Asian dude that these new modern fisherman seems to like using these days).
Topwater we have caught many fish over 40/50kgs and even one estimated at over 100kgs that was lost boat side due to a broken rod (after a 3hr fight) all using the uni, tube or San Diego Jam knots.
Live and dead baiting we have caught many marlin up to and well over 200kgs using these knots on hooks and swivels with no failures. Crimping hooks we have caught Tuna to over 400kgs on 130lb fluro with the simple crimp to the hook. (these are just examples how well these connections hold under more drag pressure more than most could hang onto on a topwater rod).
I feel a lot of failures acure mainly due to connections not being check and retied. Casting, missed bites and hook tangles all sure play havoc on gear.
A past catch that I was part of that makes me think about pushing connections and gear to the limit is this stunning topwater catch by JoshW (photo below), soft bait rod and reel, 50lb leader and (uni knot or Tube knot not 100% on which one) to the cheap $20 stickbait, over an hour fight, jumps, huge surface runs and times where the fish hung down deep and took us a long way out to sea, but a carefully tied simple knot held tight.
Anyway hope this info helps
the angler wrote: Hmm you could be onto something there , gold plated crimpers endorsed by jackie chan with limited edition bejizzled handles . |
the angler wrote: Hmm you could be onto something there , gold plated crimpers endorsed by jackie chan with limited edition bejizzled handles . |
Stellamoon wrote: [QUOTE=Stinkbait101288] |
TOSF wrote: In our camp we use the uni, tube knot (uni then reversed down its self) and the SanDiego Jam knot, all these knots work well with no failures, to be honest we have gone away from the uni as the tube knot lays up neater on line over 80lb. My crew tests a lot of knots and have found the San Diego one of the strongest knots and we have also found by putting the line though the eye twice before tying a uni or tube knot it weakens the knot (tests done on electronic scales), its more about the friction of the two lines rubbing over each other and the width at the base of the knot that weakens the knot. |
Tasman and Golden Bay snapper still running hot We are not far away from daylight... Read More >
Variety is the spice of life On one recent trip, the plan was to spend a... Read More >
Fish where the fish are! Catching fish or just going fishing? I tackle this issue... Read More >
Thoughtful tactics required for better fish Over the course of each year the fishing varies,... Read More >