Tippet Knot Failure

[Nighthawk]

when i break a fish off it's usually at the leader/tippet knot. i'm looking to change that. would like some opinions on how to correct the problem. some options: loon knot sense. tippet rings instead of knot. different knot ( i'm using a triple surgeons).

[Stoneroller]

1. try a different knot the uni to uni is easy and very very strong when tied properly

2 lube! too many people put a tiny bit of spit on the line and then...

3. properly tightening the knot. ...They jerk the lines tight as fast and as hard as they can.

these 3 things tend to be the keys to knot failure. (besides old, brittle line)

so try a different knot, make sure you slowly cinch the knot down while it is immersed in spit in your mouth. when you pull it out, it should be covered in spit, you can remove drippy excess to finish the knot but the line needs to be completely soaked throughout the length of line that passes through or forms the knot. (especially important for braid to mono or braid to fluoro connections with conventional gear) Many times braid will cut mono or fluoro if it's not lubricated enough of drawn tight too quickly.

The knot also needs to be formed properly. the loops that form the knot should lie next to another, not over the top of one another. sometimes this can be difficult especially with certain knots. (some knots you won't have this issue)

[rfd515]

Are you sure it's an issue with the knot?

If I get hung up, that's where I always break off. I'd much rather replace 10 cents in tippet than a $4 leader.

[laker67]

Howdy Russ, I have used a" double surgeons " forever. One thing I have discovered, mono and flouro do not mix well. One will cut through the other. Not sure which is the cutting culprit, but I would suspect flouro cuts mono.

[Mitch f]

1. try a different knot the uni to uni is easy and very very strong when tied properly

2 lube! too many people put a tiny bit of spit on the line and then...

3. properly tightening the knot. ...They jerk the lines tight as fast and as hard as they can.

these 3 things tend to be the keys to knot failure. (besides old, brittle line)

so try a different knot, make sure you slowly cinch the knot down while it is immersed in spit in your mouth. when you pull it out, it should be covered in spit, you can remove drippy excess to finish the knot but the line needs to be completely soaked throughout the length of line that passes through or forms the knot. (especially important for braid to mono or braid to fluoro connections with conventional gear) Many times braid will cut mono or fluoro if it's not lubricated enough of drawn tight too quickly.

The knot also needs to be formed properly. the loops that form the knot should lie next to another, not over the top of one another. sometimes this can be difficult especially with certain knots. (some knots you won't have this issue)

I'll second the "lube" comment. The surface finish on fluorocarbon is much rougher than nylon mono. The process of cinching will cause excessive heat build up and weaken the knot.

[Al Agnew]

I use a blood knot, and almost never have it break at the leader/tippet connection. When I break off, it's usually at whichever fly is hung up. Since I usually use two fly rigs, I'll either lose the end fly or both flies. I believe that the few times I break off at the leader/tippet connection is when I have a split shot attached right above that knot and the shot gets hung between rocks.

[BassMaster#1]

I use the alberto (modified albright knot) knot and have no problems at all. It's easy and quick once you get the hang of it. Knot wars rates it better than then the uni to uni knot.

http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

[Idylwilde]

For the fluorocarbon small size lines like 5 to 8X I have found if you run the line between your teeth and flatten it helps hold the knots better. It flattens the line a bit and gives it more friction in the knot.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The too most common areas to break off are at the hook or the tippet/leader connection. That is the job of the tippet, but the question is whether you're breaking off because you're horsing your fish or because your knot is weak. You have a lot of room with a flyrod and I find breakoffs extremely rare. If your problem is with the leader/tippet a loop to loop with a perfection knot is a strong setup.

You also don't mention what the differences are between your tippet and the leader. If they are far apart it's hard to match them up with any strength short of loop to loop.

[Justin Spencer]

Way too often I have people tell me about breaking off fish. I can't think of the last time I broke off other than getting snagged. Get the fish on the reel and have your drag set light and breakoffs won't be an issue, double surgeon is all I use.