“How To”
January 8th, 2009
This “how to” segment, brought to you by your selfless key pounding leader is from the new page which is dedicated to ‘how to’ tutorials, etc. Once this archives, you can find it by selecting the day on the calendar to your left, or by visiting the new ‘how to’ page.
I thought I would start out with the VERY BEST knot in the world: The Quick Knot. For the record, I believe this is a Berkley(TM) knot. If it is another who’s claim rests with it, then credit goes to you then, doesn’t it.
I have strength tested this knot on a Berkley Silver Thread commercial machine with most of the well known brands, both monofiliament, dacron and spectra (Tuff Line, Spiderwire, etc.) and with each kind of line we tested, we always exceeded break-strength with the Quick Knot.
There are a few rules to remember when using the quick knot; 1) If you are using a braided line such as a spectra material…you must ‘double up’ your tag end and tie the knot shown below with both strands. 2) The number of times you twist the tag end downward towards your swivel/lure depends on the thickness of the line you are tying. For example, for a knot to a barrel swivel using 30lb. monofilament; you would want to limit your twists to 3 or 4. Yes. 3 or 4.
This is one of the great things about the Quick Knot. I say that because with monofilliament…the line will tend to ever-so-slightly ‘burn’ itself most of the time…..EVEN if you wet the line with your mouth, yes. The other beautiful thing about this knot is the MAIN reason most other knots, more common knots, break AT the knot. If you have reeled in a pig-tailed piece of line after you’ve popped off….then you should definitely continue to read on.
As I was saying, what is great about this knot is that the tag end (which usually causes the aforementioned pig-tailing ) will end up on TOP of the knot, instead of between the knot and the terminal gear. This avoids the tag end from cutting itself under strain.
Finally, with this knot you can tie your knot ‘high’ on the leader or line, and slide it down to the terminal gear quite easily. It tightens smoothly without curling on almost any kind of mono. I even use this knot for my driftboat toss anchor. It’s great with one or two wraps and rope. Easy to untie.
Thanks to Brandon Lobey for the photography session today. My hands have an ego now. Cheers. Chris
Step 1: Insert leader or main line to terminal gear or lure
Step 2: Allow yourself a generous amount of line to work with, while letting your swivel/lure ‘hang’ in the middle
Step 3: While still allowing your swivel/lure to hang, bring the lines together and pinch it held, just like above
Step 4: Begin your wraps downward toward your swivel/lure…remember to increase # of wraps w/ sm. diameter lines
Step 5: Once you have completed your downward wraps, simply point the tag end back UP through the top loop….this loop was created after you pinched the lines together and begin to wrap down. DO NOT PULL DOWN on the tag end once you have gone back up through the loop.
Step 6: While holding the tag end with the main line…pull the swivel/lure the other direction…while slowly allowing the tag end to tighten and slide out of your grip of the main line. This tightens up quickly and is a cinch.
Final Step: As mentioned above, this knot is finished with the tag end on top, as you can see here. This knot is proven and if you are like Sal and still using Clinch knots…more power to ya.
Tight lines and secure knots to all of you!
