FISHING KNOTS AND TIES (PART 2)

Uni to Uni Knot

This particular knot is used for tying two pieces of line together or tying a monofilament leader to the new braided lines. When working with soft monofilament, braided lines tend to cut into the mono-line. This can be overcome or slowed down by using a loop for your free end on the braided line and then tying the same knot as shown below.

The single Uni-Knot is the basis for an entire knot tying system. Once the basic knot is learned, it can be used for everything from tying hooks to light line, to joining lines that vary by 10 times in test strength. It also provides 100 % knot strength in most of it's applications.

Step 1 Overlap the two lines for about 15cm. Using one end, form a circle that overlies both lines.

Step 2 Pass the end six times around the two lines.

Step 3 Pull the end tight to draw the knot up into shape.

Step 4 Repeat the process using the end of the other line.

Step 5 Pull both lines to slide the two knots together

Float Stop

The float fisherman uses a running float for casting and general handiness, and stops the float from running up the line by using the Float Stop.

It has the advantage that the stops moves readily over the rod guides, but grips the monofilament nylon so tightly that it will not slide over the line.

It should be made with about 12.5cm of nylon, usually the same diameter as the line itself.

Step 1 Take 2 turns (3 if necessary) around the main line at the chosen point.

Step 2 Bring both ends around to form a Surgeon's Knot.

Double Surgeon's Knot The Double Surgeon's Loop is a quick, easy way to tie a loop in the end of a leader. It is often used as part of a leader system because it is relatively strong. Step 1 Double the tag end of the line. Make a single overhand knot in the double line. Step 2 Hold the tag end and standing part of the line in your left hand and bring the loop around and insert through the overhand knot. Step 3 Hold the loop in your right hand. Hold the tag end and standing line in your left hand. Step 4 Moisten the knot in water and pull to tighten. Trim tag end to about 1/8 inch.

Spider Hitch The offshore fisherman often have a need to tie a double line - a long loop of line that is obviously stronger, and easier to handle, than the line itself. The Spider Hitch is a fast, easy knot to create a double-line leader. Under steady pressure it is equally strong but does not have the resilience of the Bimini Twist under sharp impact. It is not practical with lines above 15 kg test. Step 1 Form a loop of the desired length, say 1.25m. Twist a section into a small loop. Step 2 This is the only tricky part - hold this loop with thumb and forefinger, the thumb extending above the finger, and with the loop standing up beyond the tip of the thumb. Step 3 Wind the doubled line around the thumb and the loop 5 times. Send the rest of the long loop through the small loop, and pull gently to unwind the turns off the thumb. Step 4 The knot is now formed and worked into tight coils. Bowline Knot For making a temporary eye in any rope, the bowline knot is ideal, as it never slips and is therefore useful for mooring or securing fish alongside.