Marlborough Surf Fishing Club

Category: Knots

  • FG Knot

    FG Knot

    I came across this knot while preparing to get my casting technique in order. I was looking for a knot that would work well with a braided running line and a much larger monofilament shock leader line and the FG knot came up often. After wading through many posts by surf fishermen around the world, I settled on the FG knot as the best alternative. At first glance the knot appears difficult to tie and might require three hands. Since I only have two hands, I kept looking for good videos on tying the knot. I came across this video sponsored by Sport Fishing Magazine in which professional fisherman Adrian Gray ties the knot in a way that makes it relatively easy.

    I practiced the knot while watching television in the evening for about three days before I felt confident with it. I was stunned by how effective this knot was when used to connect a shock leader. I use a thirty pound test braided running line and both sixty pound test and eighty pound test shock leaders. I had no trouble at all. The knots lasted through four one day trips and two three day trips before I changed them out without a single break off. The knot passes easily through the guides during casts and stands up to a good fight. If you use a light weight running line, make sure to put additional braiding runs during tying, I use twenty six.

    I can’t say enough about Adrian Gray making this knot much easier for me to tie, I probably would have given up without his video.

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  • Knots

    Knots

    I had always used the good old clinch knot that my dad taught me when I was ten years old. I used it for all of my fishing needs and considered my knowledge of fishing knots complete. Many years back I took a stab at attaching a shock leader using a Bimini Twist knot, became completely frustrated and promptly abandoned the effort and fell back to my blissful ignorance of knots.

    When I came around to improving my casting techniques, there was no way to avoid a shock leader, which meant I had to find and use a knot that would join two lines. During that process I was re-introduced to the world of knots used in recreational fishing and I found that learning, practicing and using these knots has increased my confidence in preparing my rigs and my enjoyment of surf fishing.

    I organize the knots I use into three categories, line to swivel, line to hook and line to line. Many of the knots, like the Uni Knot and Palomar Knot work well in multiple applications. Another important aspect to consider is the type of line your using. Some knots work better with Braided or Fluorocarbon lines than others.

    Since I wanted to find a way to enjoy surf fishing during the off season, I decided to practice tying knots while I was watching television in the evening. That proved to be the key to success. Pulling out a spool of line and swivel and trying out different knots ended up being pretty enjoyable and I was able to get good at tying them and remembering them in time for my spring and fall trips. Practicing until you get good at tying the knot is very important to increasing your confidence and getting a result that will stand up to the rigors of surf fishing.

    Here are the knots I use, and there are many more. You will find individual posts on each not with links to instructions.

    Category Knot Comments Knot Post Link
    Line to Line FG Knot I was a little doubtful about being able to use this knot until I saw professional fisher Adrian Gray’s video. He uses a tension trick that makes tying the knot a breeze and I’ve been using it ever since.
    Line to Line Albright Special knot Holds and passes through the guides well. I found it easy to remember how to tie this knot.
    Line to Line Improved Blood Knot Holds and passes through the guides well. I found it easy to remember how to tie this knot.
    Line to Swivel Improved Clinch Knot A great knot for line to swivel connections and my old standby.
    Line to Swivel Uni Knot My new favorite for line to terminal tackle connections. I find this knot easier to tie with larger test shock leaders.
    Line to Swivel Palomar Knot I switch up with the this knot and the Uni Knot for the same applications. This knot works well with Braided line.
    Line to Hook Snelling Snelling is tying the line to the hook by passing the line through the eye and wrapping it around the shank.
    Line to Spool Arbor Knot Knot for connecting your line to the reel spool.

    I learned a few simple but important points while re-learning to tie fishing knots. First, make sure to wet your knot before cinching it down, for some lines like Fluorocarbons and large diameter Monofilament, the knot will not stay without having the lubrication in place ( when your out on the beach you can use saliva (spit) on the knot before you cinch it down). Second, don’t try to use a fishing knife to trim your knot, everyone now uses either clippers that are just like fingernail clippers or specially designed shears designed for cutting fishing line to trim the knot. Finally, don’t be afraid to glue your knot in place with a glue designed for knot tying.

    Safety-With heavy fishing line or any type of Braided line, you can cut yourself while cinching a knot down tight. This has happened to me often and it’s very irritating, and can be dangerous if your pulling hard. Always wear a leather glove while cinching down knots with heavy test monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided line of any kind.

    Product Recommendations

    Vendor Model Cabela’s Link
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    Loon UV Knot Sense
  • Albright Special Knot

    Albright Special Knot

    I really liked this knot because it can be used for both monofilament to monofilament and monofilament to braided line shock leader connections. It is important to keep the reverse wind neat when tying the knot to keep it from unraveling. It is relatively easy to tie and remember and I use it regularly for my monofilamant to monofilament shock leader connections.

  • Blood Knot

    Blood Knot

    I came across this one while searching for a knot that would work well for attaching a fifty pound test monofilament shock leader to a twenty pound test monofilament running line. I found this knot easy to tie and remember and it moves well through the guides during casts. The knot is also known as the Barrel knot due to its tapering on either end. Interestingly, the half blood knot is also the clinch knot.

    I did find it difficult to tie this knot with greater than fifty pound test monofilament shock leaders to twenty pound test monofilament running line. You can double the running line before tying the knot to overcome a dramatic size difference and then you will have the improved Blood Knot. I check all of my monofilament to monofilament shock leader knots often during the day and replace them when they show any wear.

    Here’s a great video provided through Saltwater Sportsman