Braid to Mono

So it looks like I've unconsciously converted over to braid on all of my salt water reels.  Didn't plan it that way, just happened.

The other day I took the pro gear over to FW to have it spooled with some 50lbs braid and a 40lbs top shot.  While Glen was tying the mono to the braid I tried paying attention to what he was doing so I could try it out myself on one of my other reels...but after seeing him loop the braid about 40 times I just gave up.  In the end, the connection looked really nice and smooth.  Looks like it will glide right through the guides.

So since I wasn't able to pick up on how to do it, even though he did tell me the knots he was tying, I searched the web for instructions. I found this http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/knot1.html  and tied it a couple of times. Seems pretty easy and it's pretty smooth. Probably not nearly as strong as what Glen tied up but looks like it will work.  Now I have to give it a try, if it holds up I plan on using it on one of my lighter rods that I'll be using on the trip to SCI in a couple of weeks.

What do you guys think of it?  What other methods do you use for attaching mono to braid?

Why is it that braid seems to be refferred to as spectra and also as braid? Is there a difference?

I have always tied either a surgeons loop or a blood knot. Although I have not seen these recommended, I have not had a problem.

On my long range trips, people have suggested uni-to-uni connections, but I have avoided the knot-tying issue on the tuna boats by having a bimini knot loop tied on the main line and using ready-to-go looped topshots.

I think braid and spectra are often thought of in the same breath because, unlike monofilament, there is no "give" or "bow" in the line when in the water. That's why many partyboats won't allow its use because it would tangle with other anglers who use mono.

On a kayak, however, it should be just fine because youhave more line sensitivity for when anything is nibbling on your lure or bait. But you definitely need a mono topshot so that you have a breakpoint if you snag the bottom.

That knot looks decent I'll have to try it.I've been using the uni to uni for several years and it works great.In fact that's what Glen suggested to me when I first started using braid...not sure if he is still using it or something new.

I've been tying and using uni to uni knots ever since I discovered Spectra.  I never had my line break at the knot.

Unit to Unit for me as well....and it has never failed me 

I would have to also go with the uni to uni. easy to tie, i've also never had any trouble with it.

My uni uni knots are ugly but so far they have held well.  I some times add a drop or two of superglue just to make sure.

That knot looks like an albright but uses loops (line doubled up).  I'm in the minority here as I like to use the albright, particularly on my casting rods as the knot is much smaller than the uni-to-uni and runs through the guides better during casting.  I've also never had an albright fail on me.

I use uni-uni as well, however I always make my leader heavier than the braid because it is exposed to rocks and teeth.  Usually the braid will break in the bottom 10' because there's a nick in it somewhere.  Breaking off a few rigs a day and throwing away 10' at the begining of each day maintains your line quality.

The knot in the link looks like the albright knot.  I don't generally use it because it takes a lot of loops and it will be very weak if you do it wrong.  It's almost impossible to screw up a uni.  I only use a 5-6' leader, so I don't worry about it going through the guides.

I believe Glen usually mates a bimini knot on one line with an albright on the other.

I believe Glen usually mates a bimini knot on one line with an albright on the other.

Yep that's what it was.


I've also tried the uni to uni, but it's ugly and doesn't seem to go through the guides very well.  Maybe I just need some more practice.

This knot on the other hand came out pretty smooth the first time, I don't think it will have much problem with the guides.

>I believe Glen usually mates a bimini knot on one line with an albright on the other.

By that do you mean he makes a double on the braid with the bimini, then uses that to tie an albright on the leader?

I use a Spider Hitch on the Braid and uni to uni on the Mono to braid.  So, actually is it a Double uni on the Braid side and a single uni on the mono.

Ken kickfish

By that do you mean he makes a double on the braid with the bimini, then uses that to tie an albright on the leader?

Yes.