Changing leaders on braid

[Jigman13]

The abuse the knot takes going through the rod guides is often underestimated. 6 ft is long. Try using a shorter leader so the knot enters and exits the guides less. Otherwise I'd change after every trip. It's still more cost effective than losing lures and fish.

The connection knot you are using really doesn't matter for Sweetwater. Uni to uni, albright, alberto... whatever knot you can tie best and have the most confidence in is what I'd recommend. Youll never have to apply 15 plus pounds of pressure on a largemouth so breaking strength of the knot matters little. Snags are a different story obviously.

[PCO]

Try a Ligature knot with 3 ft of softer flourocarbon.

[catfishonthelake]

Uni-to-uni's and Albrights will not hold up going through the guides repeatedly. As is they are strong knots, but will weaken from abuse. If I'm using them I make the leader short enough to not have to bring the knot through the guide.

If I want a longer leader, I use an FG knot. On my smallwater carp rods I use a 7-foot top shot of 20-lb fluoro attached to my 30-lb. braid main line. I've landed multiple fish on the same rods this year pushing 25 pounds and the knots still look flawless. Had a nice fish take me 75 yards upriver on Sunday with the knot repeatedly coming in and out the tip from the give and take and it was fine.

[rocknbass]

i use the alberto knot, 7 or 8 wraps in each direction...braid has to wrap around the fluoro or else there will be slippage.

i feel this works well for me . no issues.

[Chrisper4694]

Coat the knot in super glue, it will protect it better. Modified Albright /Alberto knot has always worked for me if the tag end is cut completely off. I've tried the fg knot...slips every time and I can't figure out why

[catfishonthelake]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

Coat the knot in super glue, it will protect it better. Modified Albright /Alberto knot has always worked for me if the tag end is cut completely off. I've tried the fg knot...slips every time and I can't figure out why

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

yeah i did all that, maybe i wasn't doing enough wraps. It got frustrating and i never had a problem with the modified albright so i just stopped bothering with it.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

I think I'll rule out the FB as 30-40 wraps are a bit much. The Alberto looks pretty easy to tie. I may give that a shot. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[rwp2101]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

FG knot needs a lot more wraps for smaller diamenter lines. For attaching 80-lb. braid to 100-lb. leader, you can get away with 20 wraps. For smaller diameter lines, you need a minimum of 30. For attaching the 30-lb. braid to 20-lb. mono I use almost 40 wraps and never an issue. It's very tough to beat the slim profile of this knot. It takes a little practice, but worth it. Look for the YouTube video that demonstrates holding the mainline in your teeth. Much much easier.

I do admit to having a bit of ocd when it comes to knots and always using at least thirty wraps with the fg knot, so maybe that's why I've never had any issues with it.

[Esox Luciano]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

Uni-to-uni's and Albrights will not hold up going through the guides repeatedly. As is they are strong knots, but will weaken from abuse. If I'm using them I make the leader short enough to not have to bring the knot through the guide.

Totally agree 100%! I've never tried the Fg but seems now I'm gonna have to.

This is completely unconventional and also a touch tricky to tie...but proven (in my uses fishing), to be stronger than a few knots stated that I've used already & have failed me. Only because these knots failed me I tried, so I tied a double clinch knot to another double clinch knot. Like I said, very tricky to tie, but get it lubed & tight and it's very strong. very strong.