Changing leaders on braid

[catfishonthelake]

Uni-to-uni's and Albrights will not hold up going through the guides repeatedly. As is they are strong knots, but will weaken from abuse. If I'm using them I make the leader short enough to not have to bring the knot through the guide.

If I want a longer leader, I use an FG knot. On my smallwater carp rods I use a 7-foot top shot of 20-lb fluoro attached to my 30-lb. braid main line. I've landed multiple fish on the same rods this year pushing 25 pounds and the knots still look flawless. Had a nice fish take me 75 yards upriver on Sunday with the knot repeatedly coming in and out the tip from the give and take and it was fine.

[rocknbass]

i use the alberto knot, 7 or 8 wraps in each direction...braid has to wrap around the fluoro or else there will be slippage.

i feel this works well for me . no issues.

[Chrisper4694]

Coat the knot in super glue, it will protect it better. Modified Albright /Alberto knot has always worked for me if the tag end is cut completely off. I've tried the fg knot...slips every time and I can't figure out why

[catfishonthelake]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

Coat the knot in super glue, it will protect it better. Modified Albright /Alberto knot has always worked for me if the tag end is cut completely off. I've tried the fg knot...slips every time and I can't figure out why

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

yeah i did all that, maybe i wasn't doing enough wraps. It got frustrating and i never had a problem with the modified albright so i just stopped bothering with it.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

I think I'll rule out the FB as 30-40 wraps are a bit much. The Alberto looks pretty easy to tie. I may give that a shot. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[rwp2101]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

I do admit to having a bit of ocd when it comes to knots and always using at least thirty wraps with the fg knot, so maybe that's why I've never had any issues with it.

[njdevils908]

Uni to uni with a shorter leader. Probably around 3 to 4 feet. I've never had a problem.

[Esox Luciano]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

Uni-to-uni's and Albrights will not hold up going through the guides repeatedly. As is they are strong knots, but will weaken from abuse. If I'm using them I make the leader short enough to not have to bring the knot through the guide.

Totally agree 100%! I've never tried the Fg but seems now I'm gonna have to.

This is completely unconventional and also a touch tricky to tie...but proven (in my uses fishing), to be stronger than a few knots stated that I've used already & have failed me. Only because these knots failed me I tried, so I tied a double clinch knot to another double clinch knot. Like I said, very tricky to tie, but get it lubed & tight and it's very strong. very strong.

[Chrisper4694]

Modified Albright is 6 up and 5 back down in each space left by the first 6 and then through the loop the same way it went in. You can use 7 and 6 if you want for lighter line as long as it's a good spiral and snugged slow. Coat it with super glue for added protection through the guides, test it every trip it's only slightly weaker than most terminal knots.