Wind on leaders - knot testing

[StickFish]

Been tying up wind on leaders for the upcoming Hali season and thought I'd pass this along. On my main lines I'm using 65# spectra with a bimini loop on the end. The wind on leader Uses 10' of 80# Berkeley Big Game Hollow spectra and splicing a loop in one end. On the other end, 15' of Izorline First String 50# mono, 5' of the mono inserted inside the hollow spectra. The spectra/mono connection is served with about 1 1/4" to an 1 1/2" of half hitches (its a bunch of knots) tied with 15# Tuff Xp and a drop of spectra glue after the first 20 half hitches or so - basically enough knots to get past the unraveled end of the spectra (1/8"). The end of the servings are pulled back under the knots to same way you finish a wrap when tying up a guide or under wrap and trimmed so no loose tag ends. I'm using the floating swivel string clamps on my racquet stringing machine to hold the spectra/mono and mono ends nice and tight.

Now the stress test.

Using a fish scale as my strain gauge (has sliding ring to indicate final weight pulled) and tying a swivel on the end of the mono I wanted to see which terminal tackle knot held up the best.

Knots tested:
Uni
Improved cinch

Uni pulled 45# or 90% of the lines lowest rated capacity
Improved Cinch pulled 50# or 100%

I was a bit surprised that the improved cinch pulled more weight and will have to repeat. I also want to test using the trilene knot and a Uni with tow loops through the eye

Other interesting observation was that the chinese cuff had to be straightened out after the knot failed as the hollow spectra bunched up around the serving. Wondering how this will effect landing multiple tuners later in the year as the mono stretches and relaxes from the fight.

[crabbait]

Hey Ted, make sure you run a San Diego hitch through your test. Ask Mark Mc if you need instructions on tying.

Palomar?

Bimini/Improved Albright? v. Spectra loop wind-on connector?

[StickFish]

Steve, sort decided that I didn't want a big knot going through the guides like either the Bimini/Improved Albright, or Bimini/Worm - no name knot. I'm limiting myself to testing the knot at the terminal tackle end.

If someone else would like to test Bimini/spliced loop versus, the other line joining knots - please feel free to climb on

I did play with busting 80# hollow with spliced loops on each end - made a nice crack when the spectra gave out.

I will try the San Diego Jam knot

http://www.mytackle.net/san%20diego%20jam.htm

and the Palomar today.

Pictorial of how to splice a loop in hollow core line and inserting the mono into the hollow line was posted by BOE - if you have not seen how this is done its worth looking at the thread

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ghlight=leader

[StickFish]

Ok during a conference call this morning I spliced up some more leaders to shred. And the envelope please

Palomar - 49#
Trilene - 49#
San Diego Jam Knot 54# (yep had to look twice at the scale)

All my Swivels for Halibut are tied on using Uni knots - thinking of changing, yep!

These were all knot failures - not one broke in the middle of the mono.

Caveat - the scale isn't calibrated and the numbers should only be used as a logical reference point and not the true weight pulled.

Want to try the Miller knot just to see how that one fairs - maybe tomorrow

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...highlight=knot

[HOGGEMIN]

The Bimini to Worm knot is 1/2 the size of the Bimini to Albrite. 130 spectra to 150 mono the Bimini to Albrite won't easley glide through standard rollers but a Bimini to worm will glide easily.