Braid and knots tested on the line tester
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Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Soft Bait Fishing
Forum Description: Anything to do with this latest and greatest way of catching our favourite species
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30194
Printed Date: 01 Aug 2026 at 5:03pm
Topic: Braid and knots tested on the line tester
Posted By: of2fsh
Subject: Braid and knots tested on the line tester
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 5:08pm
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With the help of Brett Rathe from warkworth boat and fishing today we tested a few knots.Thier is alot of information out thier for fishos and unfortunatly alot of it is not 100% true. Case 1 was on gone fishing where we were told a spiders hitch was better than a bimini. Case 2 was Geoff thomas telling people on the radio that s/bs dont work in winter.This will be proved wrong manytimes this winter. So armed with lots of braid and fluorocarbon we tried a few knots 1st was strait 6pd fireline off a new spool  The 3 tests were 8.4kgs 8.5kgs and 8.9kgs The Bimini twist tied in 6pd was 8.0kgs ,7.9kgs and 8.0kgs (20 turn) The yucatan joining knot was 6.4kgs,5.5kgs and 5.7kgs (12 turn ) The back to back uni was 5.4kgs,6.2kgs and 5.9kgs ( 5turns fluoro 8 turns braid) Surgeons knot 6.2kgs,5.6kgs and 5.9 kgs Rapala knot 6.1kgs ,7.2kgs,7.4kgs Spiders hitch 4.7kgs,3.4kgs,and 3.8kgs Next was 4pd fire line . Strait 4pd fireline broke at  6.2kgs,6.6kgs and 6.8kgs 20 turn bimini in 4 pd fireline 5.5kgs ,6.0kgs and 5.8kgs Back to back uni 5.4kgs,6.2kgs and 5.9kgs Yucatan 5.5kgs ,5.5kgs and 6.1kgs Spiders hitch 2.9kgs 3.0kgs and 2.8kgs. We did tests with 50pd whiplash to test the knots only. Heres the results bimini tied on whiplash 50pd that broke at 24.2kgs,24.7kgs and 25.7kgs 20 turn bimini 20.6kgs,20.5kgs 21kgs 25 turn bimini 19.6kgs 19.9kgs and 20.5kgs Spiders hitch 13.1kga 11.9kgs and 12.1kgs We used the whiplash with a swivel on the end to test the lefties loop knot  The lefties loop knot using BM 20pd fluoro 5.9kgs ,5.4kgs and 5.9kgs Tied with vanish 6.5kgs 7.2kgs and 7.1kgs Using 20pd mono 5.5kgs ,6.8kgs and 7.4kgs (a huge amount of stretch with mono before it broke) The loop knots broke on the mainline and no evidence of the knot was to be found anywhere,the mono was hard to test as it had an amazing amount of stretch .If the tag end of the lefties knot was passed back thru the big loop when tying it gained Strength Tests with tag passed thru loop using fluorocarbon 7.2kgs ,7.4kgs and 7.7kgs Heres a few tests with different braids and fluorocarbon BM fluorocarbon 20pd 10.9kgs11.2kgs and 10.6kgs Vanish fluorocarbon 13.1kgs ,12.6kgs,14.1kgs and 14.4kgs Suffix 20pd fluorocarbon 10.7kgs ,10.1kgs and 10.9kgs. Plait tied in 6pd fireline broke at 6kgs Cortland blackspot 37kg broke at 43.5 and 39.9kgs (cheers bushpig) 25pd suffix braid 13.7kgs and 13.1kgs Suffix 6pd braid5kgs and 5.4kgs Jarvis walker braid 8pd 9.6kgs and 9.7kgs leader tied strait to jighead using bm 20pd fluoro and a UNI knot broke at 9.1kgs and 8.9kgs  Heres a few spools brett opened up to test  showing totall disregard for the price he kept opening them up and testing   Lots of the biminis broke on the mainline,this we put down to line abbrasion from when the knot was pulled up tight.Some broke in the middle of the knot and some broke a single strand of the double.   PR knot tied in 24kg master braid and 130pd bm trace  This PR knot was tied then locked with super glue,it broke at 15.7kgs and the mainline broke at 24.7kgs.This is not a good example as ive not been tying pr knots for any length of time.It broke then unravelled eventually parting For me the out come proves that the spiders hitch is a below average knot,the original knots that we were told to use with s/b fishing (bimini,bak to bak uni and lefties loop)are still very good knots to use for learners and experienced anglers alike.These knots will test differently with different people tying them and with slightly different variations to the knots(like more or less turns etc) The fused lines broke at well above the stated strength,the woven braids broke very close to stated usually higher by 2 to 4kgs. Cheers Brett for the use of the line tester and your time.  This what a wall of s/bs should look like..every colour gulp you can think of and the other brands as well around the cnr. If any body wants to try thier knots out on the line tester just give Brett a call and he will happily help you out.Hes a book of knowledge when it comes to s/b fishing and good to ask questions to as he wont treat you like a complete twit (unless your acting like 1 ) His in shop demonstrations are worth watching as well if you need a few pointers.  So that was a good way to spend the day instead of watching DVDS on the couch. Cheers Wayne . ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Replies:
Posted By: Clay
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 5:27pm
| Excellent stuff. I was thinking of changing from the bimini due to the hassel in tying it, especially in a moving boat. Will definitely stick with it now. |
Posted By: LEVCAT
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 5:32pm
thanks wayne... that was very informative, interesting about the 4lb breaking at 6.2 kg's that's crazy.. i find that with the 4 lb i only use the blimini because the spiders hitch is crap. graeme is is on drugs.
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Posted By: Benk
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 5:52pm
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Is it just me or does the PR knot look looser than normal? How many wraps around the bobbin leg did you have?
------------- http://www.manutere.co.nz - http://www.manutere.co.nz - Tauranga Charter Boat - Jigging - Bottom Fishing - Hapuka Fishing |
Posted By: ThomasW
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 5:57pm
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Great info, the results were interesting. Because I really only fish with 4kg of drag from the Kayak I might be able to get away with the Surgeons knot. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 6:07pm
5 wraps around the leg,the knot was not a good example as im still learning the PR .It did include superglue over the wrapps which i think has weakened the knot. Ive put up a post on the jigging forum asking if anyone wants to post me up a few of thier finished PR knots to be tested.So send me up some of yours Benk,PM me if you want my adress ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Benk wrote:Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 6:08pm
Surgeons knot is not something i use so Brett tied them all,they tested well. Soaking the braid may make a difference but i didnt think to try ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: brown
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 6:33pm
great stuff Wayne and Brett...definetly answered a few questions for me especially where the bimini and lefties was concerned. Onya for putting the time in and sharing the info
did you suss out the hot bread shop on the main road...mean as home made pies
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 6:34pm
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Cheers for that Wayne, good info there. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Benk
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 6:36pm
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PM sent
------------- http://www.manutere.co.nz - http://www.manutere.co.nz - Tauranga Charter Boat - Jigging - Bottom Fishing - Hapuka Fishing |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 7:17pm
Going cold turkey on the pies....time to give up  ...got the shakes going past and had to pull over The lefties was an eye opener as the knot totally dissapeared when it broke leaving just a strait piece of mainline.Ill definatly be passing the tag end thru when finishing the knot as this made the knot stronger. The bimini done in heavy braid should be lubricated to help stop abraision or heat damage when pulling the 4 pieces outwards tightening the twists.This will help the knot keep maximum strength even tho it breaks above the maximum drag settings of most reels when tied in 24 and 37kg braid ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: worksux
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 7:29pm
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Very excellent of2fsh and brett, Top effort.
may look at reloading a couple of reels now i can see what that 4 an 6lb fireline breaks at. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: ChrisW
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 8:46pm
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Good work Wayne. Obviously too much time on your hands. Will send along some PR's. ------------- give it death! |
Posted By: Karlosnz
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 8:50pm
Cheers Wayne/Brett good oil there 4 sure
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Posted By: Moocha
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 8:54pm
Really good read that Wayne enjoyed it and learn't a few things cheers, food for thought ...Nice one mate 
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Posted By: wezzel 64
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 9:00pm
| cheers for the info and your time,all info helps. |
Posted By: DIY!
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 9:23pm
| Very informative Wayne and Brett, it is very true that advice is the most expensive thing in life. Cheers boys. How many turns did the surgeons have? was told that 3 turns is stronger than 5. I still do 5. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 9:32pm
Brett does 5 turns ,im not a fan of the surgeons, for me its the yucatan knot as its the best knot ive found to go thru the small transition guides on both the acid wrapp and the 2 to 4 pd rod i use ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Kojack
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 9:41pm
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Cheers guys excellent information.Put the coffee on Wayne i am coming around for some Hands on training
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Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 9:48pm
Keep your grubby hands to your self.....jugs on  ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 10:03pm
Will give you some as well including Zane's first attempt at one
Very interesting though!!!!
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Posted By: Fissure
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 10:05pm
Cheers guys, that was awesome. I came over from Jigging forum to read this.. The lefties is a bit weak eh? It'll be awesome to read some more pr knot results. Thanks again for sharing the info on the knots and lines we use.
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Posted By: Bushpig
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 7:50am
This picture must have been taken after you cleaned up. You boys sure were doing some extensive testing. Nice work ------------- I would rather laugh with the Sinners, than cry with the Saints |
Posted By: Marligator
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 7:52am
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Thats excellent guys, some very good info, one question how many turns did you use for the first bimini tested on 50 lb whiplash i.e. the one with the highest breaking point, you did not state that. Also have you ever tested a blood knot for the braid to fluro join, I have used it for years and had no problems, I use 10 turns of braid and 4 turns of fluro.
Also just found a really interesting site for tying knows http://www.animatedknots.com - http://www.animatedknots.com
this site has heaps of knots and shows you how to tie them.
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Posted By: Kezza
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:01am
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sweet stuff Wayne.......enjoyed that and I wonder if a certain Magazine Editor will eat his hat on TV?.....lol Anyhoo.....I still struggle to find a good reason to actually double the braid with a knot? I double the braid but don't tie a bimini or plat or spiders.....connect the mono, pull up tight and trim the tag end from the doubled line?.....creating a bimini just seems like an extra step....help? I understand the need for a doubled section of line in game fishing tactics.... Signed Newb-Softbaiter |
Posted By: Finatic
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:21am
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Cheers for taking the time to do all this testing Wayne and Brett. Very comprehensive. ------------- What's the cheapest type of meat? Dear balls. They're under a buck. |
Posted By: Espresso
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:27am
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Great research and proof of pudding Wayne, cheers. What're your thoughts on the albright knot directly to mono? |
Posted By: albert wild
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:28am
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Ha ha, you blokes have got the fever bad, "knot-olegists", well done boys, I hope you and the Bear drank bear while you were doing this or I'm sending the men around with the straight jackets, there's probably at least 10 versions of the loop knot doing the rounds at any one time, you guys know the drill, use what works for you and what your confident you can tie 100% in the heat of battle. If you tie your knots like every fish could be the fish of a lifetime its happy days.
Captain
PS whats this rumour getting around your off the pies mate?
Captain
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Posted By: assassin
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:33am
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Hi, Really enjoyed the testing, send some more. When you do leave the ends of the line and double at least a metre each end of the knot so I can put it on the machine, especially with the heavier lines. I tried the three turn surgeons knot, the first one slipped on the flurocarbon. Then we got a 5.6 and a 5.4 . On the five turn I got 6.8, 6.5, and 6.3 on 6lb fireline |
Posted By: Bushpig
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:41am
Send your setup to me and I will take it into Brett to test ------------- I would rather laugh with the Sinners, than cry with the Saints |
Posted By: Kezza
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:45am
| righteo mate....thanks!! |
Posted By: DIY!
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 12:36pm
Took a look at an old C2C Issue 32 2006 and what do you know some knots were being tested by the Assassin
 fireline
6lb Line test 9.1, 9.4, 8.1, 9.6, 9.2
6lb 30 turn Bimini Twist 8.7, 7.2, 9.9, 8.9
6lb Surgeons Knot 5.8, 6.7, 6.7, 5.7
6lb Spiders Hitch 5.5, 3.9, 3.4 (Even back in 2006 it didn't look good)
6lb Uni Knot 6.6, 6.1, 6.8, 5.4, 7.1
10lb line test 13.7, 12.1
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Posted By: Amateur
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 12:44pm
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Great info Wayne. I learnt my knots from Tinys article in NZ Fishing World magazine, haven't let me down yet, there was a short time where I was c*cking up the lefties loop but I got that sorted. The breaking strain on the braid is also very interesting. ------------- No half measures! |
Posted By: roddholder
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 1:51pm
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just proves a well tied bimini is very close to main line strength. takes no more time when you practice a bit. leftys needs care to tie for sure but good with practice. why use anything else?. ------------- she was only a fishermans daughter, but she reeled at the sight of my rod!. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 6:40pm
Doubling the braid then tying the joining knot would be sweet if the tag was left longish and i know lots of people use this ...thiers alot of slippage or tightening of the knot before they break and sometimes when the tag was cut off close it pulled thru on many of the knots...that magazine editor tested the spiders hitch on the same machine we used and got alot better results than we did.these tests can only ever be a guide and realisticly a guide to the guys tying the knots as we all do things slightly different Thanks for the reply "newb -softbaiter " ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 6:45pm
Dont use the albright knot Grant,still cant go past the knots that i can tie easily and quickly.Even with the 1 pd braid i use the bimini , yucatan and the rapala knot . Got some new 2 pd microfuse braid today, you want to go waste lots of time pulling in fish on silly string one day during the week ???? ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 6:51pm
50pd whiplash results 25 turn bimini broke at 20.0kgs and 40mm above knot 20 turn 20.6kgs broke middle of knot 25 turn 19.6kgs broke a single strand of double The whiplash tested out at 24.2kgs,25.1kgs and 24.1kgs Havent used a blood knot to join the lines and didnt test them....ran out of time ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 6:54pm
Yeah the good life is catching up me so its off the pies.......and the small issue of a wedding in september  ..Had a good day catching up with the bear,hes throwing a bigger motor in the boat so she will be a rocket when its back in the tide ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Marligator
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 7:11am
| Thnaks for that of2fsh |
Posted By: Kezza
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 7:38am
yeah bro....normally leave up to about a cm of tag line of braid - never had one slip but then again I doubt if I am fishing my drag anywhere near the actual breaking strain of the mainline anyway.....all good and as you say the results are a good indication...... che che |
Posted By: Peter da Squid
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 9:11am
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i hope you took in all the knot tying advice while you were there Bushie!!
------------- Good for Nuthin |
Posted By: Kezza
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 9:56am
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and if you did take it all on board Bushie, then please school up ol' Billy Breakalotoknot......that bloke spends a huge amount of time with his gear out of the water retying and retying and retying....especially in a hot bite scenario....step up Billy this aint timber!!
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Posted By: Bushpig
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 10:50am
if he could fish like he works a drop saw, the boy would be blurry dangerous ------------- I would rather laugh with the Sinners, than cry with the Saints |
Posted By: Damo
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 11:31am
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moving to warkworth wayne?
------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> www.charterconnection.co.nz Facebook: Diversity-Fishing |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 5:26pm
Better customer service and coffee in a clean cup ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Fussballer
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 6:48pm
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Thanks for the interesting work. I'm a bit gutted as I had just perfected my tying of the Spider Hitch. I'm curious as to how many wraps you used in the Spider Hitch. I tie mine on a pencil, instead of my fat thumb and this makes it a lot easier to do say 10 wraps. Would be interested to know if this makes them stronger? Looks like I will have to start learning the Bimini... ------------- I'm going to sell up, move to a small village and become its idiot |