Although I enjoy watching knot wars , I don't think that it is entirely accurate. The uni-know was tied wrong and I wonder how many of the others were as well? The uni-knot is supposed to have 6 wraps around the line to assure maximum strength. http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazin...p_Uniknot/

North American fisherman recommends 5 wraps , yet in knot wars Steve says you wrap it around 3 times. So which is it? You didn't even get it right as far as the information goes on your own site. http://www.fishingclub.com/ExtraCon...1379596891

For there to be reasonable validity to your studies ; you should have made sure you were getting the knots right.

The uni-knot is tied with three wraps on each of the opposing lines. I use it with thick braid and it doesn't slip, but with 50lb mono I would expect it to be better with 4-5, 6 is just overkill and sking for a pain in your neck.

Spring is basically here!

I do understand that most sites/places recommend 6 wraps. Traditionally I believe the knot is tied with three. That is how I learned it and saw it drawn.  My experience with the knot tells me that when "yes, joining lines" 3 on each side is sufficient and will not slip (never had a uni-knot slip), but I usually try to do 4 on each side. Maybe with thin lines 6 is easy, but with really heavy line, or high-memory line 6 turns is a nightmare to try and tie on a bouncing boat and not get a different knot mixed in with the uni. hahahah

I usually am using 50-80lb mono backing with 100-130lb braid for the main bulk of line. This is used for 100lb+ paddlefish on the Missouri and have always broke the line before the knot slips, but usually just bend the 10/0 trebles.

With terminal tackle I can imagine it to be better to use more wraps, because the metal ring is not going to cinch down into the knot like fishing line would. I also imagine its much easier to do 6 wraps then with stiff 80lb mono to limp 100lb braid. I would bet 3 doesn't slip, but it really depends on the type of line, I would use probably 5-6. I hate losing fish, so commonly I use 8-10 wraps on my trilene knots, eventhough, 5-8 wraps works 99% of the time-1% loss due to the knot slipping is unacceptable for me.

Good Luck Fishing!

Here in Montana the first foot or two of open water on the shorelines is visible on just a few lakes. One lake I know of is actually 70% open, most lakes still have 14-18" of ice.

I've been tying uni-knots (my favorite knot) for many years (no, I'm not gonna say how many), & I've found the magic number, no matter what the application (snelling hooks, joining lines, tying lures to the main line, tying bobber stopper knots onto the main line, etc.), is "5" loop-arounds.  Any less, & I've had the knots slip.  Any more, they're a little hairy to get snug.  I'd go with 5 loop-arounds, 7 at the most.  God bless you.  -Sonny

 

I developed a knot for joining braid to flouro/mono 12 years ago that is superior to the uni to uni knot in every way, ie stronger, faster to tie and slicker going through guides. These knots were tested head to head by witnesses, including believe it or not, Roland Martin who tied the uni to uni knots in the test. (if you can't believe me ask him) officials from Pure Fishing, Inc were there also as we conducted our little "knot war" at that companies booth at the Bass Pro Shops- Dania Beach, Fl. Product Expo.

 tied my knot on one end of a 6' section of Berkley Vanish Flouro and Roland tied his uni to uni knot on the other end. We both used Fire Line as our braid. This test was conducted about 6 times and my knot proved superior EVERY time!

The officials from Pure Fishing were supposed to test my knot on their strain guage and give me the results. I haven't heard back from them. But teaching none other than one of THE best fisherman ever how to tie a knot was an experience I'll never forget. After tying several samples of my knot for Pure Fishing's tests, Mr. Martin insisted that I give it a name, which I hadn"t done to this point. I named it Gary's Deca-Bend.

How can I have you test my knot against the uni to uni (or any other knot you may have proven to be superior during your wars). If there is a knot superior to mine, I want to know so I can use it. If mine is superior, I want all of our Club Members to learn it 

Roland isnt the only pro angler to give up on the uni to uni. BASS Elite Series Pro, Jarret Edwards is also a big fan of my knot. Also every guide I have shown it to has converted.

This knot has withstood the strain of a 27 lb Flathead Catfish, caught in 4 ft of water on a Senko using 14 lb braid and 12 flouro. (believe me, I thought I had hooked a State, if not World Record Bass when I set the hook) The beast spooled me 3 times and if not for chasing it with my electric, may still be fighting it. While my knot survived, my Shimano Stradic didnt fare as well, having its drag scorched by the big Flattie.

I cant beleiv you all are bitching about a simple knot on your hook?  Tie the hook on your line like we allways did, it never failed me, slip it threw the top of the eye, than wrap it 6 times kids ??? you will never break a hook off.

The knot is the biggest part of your fish catching and if your one to not be paying attention to it walleyeguy then maybe you should just stay in your recliner, your losing fish cause of it and your not even realizing it, ever went to set the hook just to have your line break and dont say you havnt cause if your using a twist knot it happens if your using a palomar on braid it happens, And if your Using Fireline it happens (Flatbraid), this is to help us LAND more fish not sit around and tell stories and give people a hard time like you enjoy doing so much. If all your gonna do is run around the forums and bitch and moan find somewhere else to do it please. I come here to take a break from all the flamers on the online gaming communities maybe you could go join them there seems to be an abundance of your kind there. This is for discussing things to do with fishing if you have a problem discussing like I said early you know where the logout button is. Without innovaters who thought of tying different knots in the first place, think of how far back our sport would still be.

 

Originally posted by Fish-a-Holic

Disclaimer: This post is in no way designed or presented to offend anyone. The intent is to stimulate debate of the issues presented. If you are offended please step back, take a couple of deep breaths, calm down, and re-read the post before replying.

Its easier to Judge then be Judged, Its better to be Judged and Learn from it. Holdrege, Nebraska

I like learning how to tie new knots.  Where can I find instructions on your Gary's Deca-Bend?