Knots for Fluorocarbon Leader to Swivel?

[Aric11]

<sup>I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a knot to use while attaching a Fluorocarbon leader to a swivel that won’t catch in your guides while casting? I am currently using a micro swivel which passed through quite easily. But the knot on my leader catches all the time and eventually it fails.

I hate using this set up and I have been avoiding the inevitable as I’ve had trouble with it before. But everyone keeps telling me I should be using a swivel setup when dropshotting with braid and floro leaders. So I would like to give it another try as long as I can eliminate this problem.

Any suggestions?</sup>

[onetime]

I use the Alberto knot

[Aric11]

I have heard good things about that knot. Ideally I am looking for something that I can trim the tag end as close to the knot as possible without sacrificing knot strength. Because it’s the tag that catches.

On that note, what are your thoughts about using crazy glue? I have been told certain kinds will actually diminish the integrity of the line or the knot. Ideally what I’d like to see is a type of glue or even a fast dry epoxy that builds up a smooth “beaded coat” around the knot. But I wouldn’t even know where to start if anything like that even exists?

[jmco]

Just a suggestion that will probably eliminate the knot snagging on the eye.... There is a product for fly fishing specifically for that. I have not personally used it, but know it exists.

[jmco]

Found a product that might steer you in the right direction, Loon's UV Knot Sense, designed for fly fishing so leaders pass through eyes smoothly.

[SoonerFan]

I drop shot all the time and never use a swivel. Never seems to be a problem. I can't imagine any swivel that would be smaller than a blood or uni uni knot I could tie.

What size line are you using?

[chadmack282]

Why not straight fluorocarbon with polymer knot at hook and weight on tag end of knot?

[Aric11]

I drop shot all the time and never use a swivel. Never seems to be a problem. I can't imagine any swivel that would be smaller than a blood or uni uni knot I could tie.

What size line are you using?

I am using a number of different combinations:

Dropshot
- 15 LB Spiderwire Stealth & 6 - 8 LB Trilene 100%

Tube / Shaky Head
- 20 Spiderwire Stealth & 10 - 12 LB Trilene 100%

Casting Rod with Swimbaits
- 50 LB Sunline FX2 & 15 LB Trilene 100%

Casting Rod for Crankbaits & Jerkbaits
- 30 LB Spiderwire Stealth & 10 - 12 LB P-Line Floroclear

I am Not using Micro or Mini Guides on any of these setups. I learned the FG knot this weekend. Easier than I thought and seems to work really well even without the glue.

[Aric11]

Why not straight fluorocarbon with polymer knot at hook and weight on tag end of knot?

Good Question! Because to be honest, that’s what I currently use 90% of the time anyways. I don’t like to waste time so all these extra knots are time consuming so I’ve been avoiding the braid-floro connection while dropshotting. But I get a LOT of twist using this setup and I know my feel and hooksets suffer with straight floro. So I still want to use braid-floro, just not at the expense of inefficiency.

[DanR]

I also dropshot braid to FC leader with no swivel and it takes seconds for me to tie the joining knot, which is the alberto knot for me.

[Aric11]

I tried the Alberto knot this weekend, I must be tying wrong because I would never get a clean knot. Held up to my strength testing but the knot wasn't as compact as the Uni-Uni I've previously used. No matter though, the FG takes me like a minute to tie now that I have it down to a science! And it's the smallest and strongest connection knot I've ever seen, so it's going to be my knot of choice at this point.

[Aric11]

With regards to swivel I think I am just going to avoid using one alltogehter. Someone recently brought to my attention when inquiring about that this that the swivels will wreak on your guides (never thought about it like that before) while casting. So if I am getting too much twist I will just stick to the spinshots and a cloth / line conditioner to work out the twists when I re-tie.