Topshot's and Knots

I've been using braid with a topshot of mono on my rockfishing rods using a uni-uni knot to join them together for over five years now.  But recently I saw a Youtube video of an episode of Knot Wars (http://goo.gl/bq1rjL) showing that the Modified Albright had superior breaking strength and runs through the guides better than my beloved Uni-Uni. 

So I watched a few more YT videos on the Mod. Albright/Alberto Knot (http://goo.gl/nn5dlw) and practiced a few times then re-tied the topshots on my rockfishing rods.  It really did work well for passing through the guides, a lot easier than the uni knot which when it hits the top guide I usually have to give a little jerk of the rod to get it to pass.  But when I hit my first snag of the day that I needed to break off, I tightened down my drag, reeled down at the bottom of a swell and thumbed my spool so the rising swell would pop my leader off.  Unfortunately it didn't break at my leader, but instead at the Albright knot, and lost the entire topshot. 

Figuring I must have tied it wrong I went back to the bench, practiced a few more times, and then re-did the topshots again before my next outing.  Once again, when I pulled the snag free, it took away my topshot and all the gear along with it.   On this particular snag I will say that the topshot was 30lb Mono, joined to a 40lb Braid, and the leader 30lb mono, was connected to a swivel with a surgeons loop, no swivel.  Usually I count on it breaking at the surgeons loop, or closer to the hook that is snagged. 

So I am left guessing... Did I tie the knot right?  Or when there is a snag, is the Albright knot 'cutting' the topshot, because of how the mono is 'looped' and then wrapped?

I was just getting ready to redo mine and saw this.  I don't like the uni bump I need to do on the top guide either. I usually for the last 4 yrs only use my braid and a leader connected by a Duo Snap and my leader has a swivel. When I got my Toro it came loaded with braid and a top shot and uni. I was considering just using my old set up, but I think I will be using it for WSB possibly, so figured I would top shot again. I guess after reading your experience I will top shot with 40 again using the Uni to Uni. I'm going to check out your link and see what it looks like first though.

bummer Al. I to am a Uni knot lover. The "bump" from the knot is a bit annoying but most of my fishing that uses a top shot/uni doesn't require a ton of casting so I can deal with it. I cant recall a time when I broke off and it was at the knot (I run 30 lb mono)

Use the blood knot.

I use the blood knot for attaching all my lines/ leaders.  I have not had the blood knot break on me yet. When attaching braid to mono, use 5 wraps per side. To get the braid- mono blood knot to cinch down, pinch the tag and main of your mono together and pull the main of your braid. It will double up the braid side, but it will wrap your mono too. Then pull your main braid and main mono and the knot will un-double from the braid side and you will have both sides of the knot wrapped properly and pretty, 5 times, each side. Trim both tags and watch that knot slide easily through your tip eye. It might take a few tries to be able to tie the blood between mono and braid, but it is the best knot for it imo.

It looks good and Alberto catches some big fish. I'm going to try it and then tie opened to a tree. Then pull like hell and see what happens. I'm going to check out the blood knot too.

had the same results as you Al.  Never had my uni to uni fail, but had both modified albrights  fail under snag conditions.  Have gone back to the uni to uni

Al,

Which line, the braid or the mono, did you wrap around the other?  You should be wrapping the braid around the mono.

I find albrights to be tricky to set consistently.  Make sure there are no crossings in the winds.  And lubricate well (spit).

-Allen

as the other have said, I hate the "uni bump" when the knot hangs on the tip guide BUT I've never had it fail when it was properly tied.
So I'm reluctant to let go of the uni-to-uni simply because I know it works, even if it is kind of annoying sometimes.

I really need to learn some new knots this coming winter.....

i have been using the albright for years without any problems

Hey Al...might take some practice to get that knot right, I still mess up sometimes when I rush it.  Allen's tips are spot on...just make sure your wraps look clean, lubricate well and cinch down slowly.

But for all my braid to mono/fluoro connections, I have always used the improved albright knot...started with bass fishing and just carried it over to all my salt water applications as well.  Never failed on me at the albright knot.  It typically fails at another knot farther down for me.  My buddy seems to have the same problem you are having when using this knot, so he often makes me tie it for him.   

I don't understand the need for the topshot.  I use straight braid to a swivel and then a leader.  Am I doing it wrong?

Thanks,
Josh

I don't understand the need for the topshot.  I use straight braid to a swivel and then a leader.  Am I doing it wrong?

Thanks,
Josh

Nothing wrong with that, a Topshot just save you money by allowing you to use less braid.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

I don't understand the need for the topshot.  I use straight braid to a swivel and then a leader.  Am I doing it wrong?

Thanks,
Josh

Nothing wrong with that, a Topshot just save you money by allowing you to use less braid.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Cool.  I always use a weaker leader than main line and I've never had the braid break on me.

When jig fishing in rock structure the braid tends to chafe more than mono thus weakening it. I've been using 50# braid with a top shot of 60# mono with 30# mono leaders. Works pretty well. It is hard to join heavy test mono to thin braid so I triple the braid for a surgeons knot then use a "cable loop" (designed for actual cable) thru the braid followed by a common cinch knot. Been working well.

I use a topshot/leader with braid for:
 1. abrasion resistance and detection (one slide of the mono through your fingers and you'll know if it needs to be trimmed/replaced. Rockfishing can be brutal on leaders and I'd hate to break off a big fish, and
2. shock absorption. Less of an issue rockfishing, but you get something that slams it and all the energy is transmitted through the braid which can over stress a terminal knot.