Leader knots

[HELLFIGHTER5308]

I have a question regarding the preferred knot to be used in tying leader. I like the double uni because it is so simple and smooth. The double surgeon is also simple but seems to be a little bulkier. What do ya'll suggest?

Kenny, Jacksoville FL

[Fly2Fish]

You might also want to take a look at the thread, "What knot do you tie your fly on with", under Forum Polls. While mainly concerned with tippit-to-fly knots, there are some suggestions in it for general leader and leader-to-tippit knots as well.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Kenny,

You didn't give us a lot of information. Are you making your own leaders or are you asking about adding a tippet to a leader? What is your target fish?

In general, when making leaders a blood knot is used. No reason you couldn't use the uni knot. The surgeon knot is not usually used for making leaders as it is too bulky. When tying on tippets you can use the blood knot, the Uni knot or the surgeon knot. You can also add tippets with a loop to loop connection.

Frank

[HELLFIGHTER5308]

Frank,

Thanks for the reply. I will be tying my own leader for an 8 wt I use in salt (reds, trout, flounder) water, and a 5 wt I use in fresh (bream, bass).

[shorthaul]

Originally Posted by HELLFIGHTER5308

Frank,

Thanks for the reply. I will be tying my own leader for an 8 wt I use in salt (reds, trout, flounder) water, and a 5 wt I use in fresh (bream, bass).

Blood knots are generally used for all that and a perfection loop at the end---if you need a shock tippet on the saltwater leaders, it gets a little more complex getting the strength up in the class tippet ---generally a bimini twist and an albright or a slim beauty

[Joni]

Blood Knots here.

[HELLFIGHTER5308]

Thank you all for the responses.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi HELLFIGHTER,

For saltwater I would not tie my own leaders. The chance of hooking a very large fish is high and I would not want any more knots than necessary. I agree with Shorthaul about the Bimini twist and an Albright for your 8wt on a knotless leader. For Inshore I do fish with a knotless leader and fasten on the tippet with a Uni. It is quick and dirty for smaller fish. There is no advantage with tyeing your own saltwater leaders. A knotless Saltwater leader will last a long time unless you are fishing coral.

If you want to tie leaders for your 5wt then the blood knot is the primary knot. With practice it is fairly fast to tie at home. I guess you could use an Uni knot but I have never tried it except to tie on tippets.

Frank

[shorthaul]

Yep --Frank---the knotless are good---i was albie fishing with a knotted leader and the captain tried landing a hot one by the tail and my leader and the knots ran through his other hand when the fish took off for another run---oops

he gave me one of his leaders for the other 2 days

I just saw some extruded (knotless) leaders for tarpon and the shock tippet is built in but my friend was cutting the shock tippet off and adding 50# flourocarbon.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Mike,

Well there is another reason not to use knotted leaders for saltwater. I have never used knotted leaders for saltwater so didn't consider that problem. I could see it happening very easily.

Years ago I made my own leaders but when the good knotless leaders hit the market I switched.

How does your friend tie on the 50lb fluor tippet?

Frank