How to knit fluorocarbon and braid

One of the blog posts already discussed the option of how to make your own fluorocarbon leash for pike fishing. Today we will talk about knots that can be used when tying fluorine leashes to the main monofilament or braided line, as well as attaching hooks to fluorocarbon leashes.

I think the idea of using fluorocarbon as the main line when working with a spinning reel should be a separate topic. So as not to waste water, as they say, “closer to the body.”

The rigidity of the fluor often does not allow one to count on high-quality execution of the knots. They unravel, turn out to be quite voluminous, and do not always tighten properly. However, this hassle can be avoided if you use knots recommended by the manufacturer and fishermen.

I don’t use crimp tubes even when making leads from titanium and lead material, for example from Pontun 21. I think this is unnecessary. A specialized node means a more reliable connection.

Anglers often use the carrot knot for braid and fluorocarbon, but it is not the only one that can firmly hold the connection of the tackle.

Pros and cons of fluorocarbon

The main positive quality of the material is its invisibility in water. This is due to the light refractive index of polyvinylidene florida (1.42). The refractive index is as close as possible to that of water (1.33). Monoline and braid have a higher coefficient, which increases the visibility of these materials.

After purchasing fluorocarbon fishing line, a fisherman may be faced with three disadvantages of his choice:

High price. Fluorocarbon is several times more expensive than other fishing line options. To save money, it is recommended to use it only as a leader material.
Low tensile strength. This material is almost two times weaker than a similar monofilament line. To maintain the same weight, you need to buy a larger diameter, and this will certainly affect your finances.
Unstable nodes. For this type of leash, only a few types of knots are used.

Problems with polymer strength are easily solved by selecting fishing line with a large diameter. Such a purchase will cost more, but will save nerves and time in the future.

Due to the characteristics of the substance, fluorocarbon fishing line is almost twice as heavy as its analogues. She quickly sinks in the water. This material is best used as a leash, the length of which does not exceed one meter.

Fishing with plastic bait (jerkbait). Due to the tightness of the line, the bait naturally moves at depth, which contributes to a good bite in cool water.
Drop shot. Ideal for fishing in deep places or near the shore. Amur sleeper, catfish, perch, and pike perch readily respond to such bait.
Fishing in difficult places. The fishing line is perfect for catching predatory fish in rivers with little clutter.
Spinnerbait lure. Due to the design features of this bait, the possibility of getting caught on underwater vegetation is completely excluded.

Fluorocarbon fishing line - the best models of 2021 and reliable knots

Fluorocarbon fishing line is a fishing line made of fluorocarbon (Fluorocarbon), which is practically invisible in the water. The material achieves this effect due to its refractive index of light being very close to that of water.

Here is an article about all the advantages and disadvantages of fluorocarbon fishing line for leashes. You will learn about popular brands of fishing line and suitable knots that can contain the excessive rigidity of this material.

Table of refractive indices of popular types of fishing line

Opaque objects	1
Water	1.33
Fluorocarbon line	1.42
Monofilament line	1.6
Network	2.1

Types of knots for fluorocarbon line

Due to friction, fluorocarbon line assemblies often overheat and become damaged. To avoid this phenomenon, it is best to wet the surface of the fishing line with water. Fluorocarbonate requires a large number of weaves in the loops, with their help the knots are strong and durable.

Carrot (Mahin Knot)

Most often used to attach a leash to braid. It is done in several stages:

Make a regular knot at the end of the leash, do not tighten it all the way.
A braid is pulled into the same knot for a length of about 15 mm. Next you need to make 10 revolutions forward and six back along the fishing line. It is best if the turns can be arranged in a checkerboard pattern.
The resulting fastener is generously wetted with water; for additional reliability, the knot must be tightened tightly. The remaining fluorocarbonate is cut 5-10 mm above the node.

The result should be a very strong knot that is almost impossible to notice in the water.

Albright

Indispensable if there is a significant difference in the diameters of the fishing lines. It makes it easy to connect braided and fluorocarbon line. This is done in a few simple steps:

Fold the material with a larger diameter (fluorocarbonate) in half, leaving a small loop.
A second line is pulled into the hole formed. After a short distance, a winding is made around the loop.
To be reliable, you need to make at least seven revolutions. The end of the thin line is pulled back through the first loop.
The resulting fastener is tightened tightly, the excess ends are trimmed.

This combination of two materials allows you to make a fairly long leash that will be invisible to fish in the water. The diameter of the fluorocarbon line can be up to three times thicker than the second material.

Shock leader knot “carrot” – a knot for a shock leader

Used to tie monofilament to shock leader.

Start by tying a simple edge knot on the monofilament thread. Pull the braid into the middle of the knot. Tighten the knot all the way, leaving about 15 cm. Make about 8 turns, bring the end of the line back and pull it between the two lines. Pull the braid into the loop formed, moisten it and carefully pull it off. Pull the lines in opposite directions.

Suitable for tying fishing lines of different diameters. You can also use it when tying a fluorocarbon leader to a fishing line.

Fishing knots for hooks and leaders, for braid and fluorocarbon

Initially, most fishing knots were designed for knitting on regular monofilament nylon fishing line. Over time, new materials and technologies for manufacturing braided cords appeared, and it turned out that many old and proven knots are not entirely suitable for new fishing lines.

We will not give a list of 100, 50 or 30 different knots, we will show only popular and proven knots for any fishing line, for hooks, leashes, whatever. How to knit these knots is shown schematically and in the video at the bottom of the article.

Knots for braid and fluorocarbon

Knots for braided and fluorocarbon, as well as for regular nylon fishing line, differ in the method of knitting. The difference in the method of knitting knots is determined by the properties of the fishing lines themselves. Different lines have their own list of recommended knots.

Fluorocarbon lines are stiffer than nylon lines; regular knots do not always tighten as required. They can become untied during the fishing process. Braided fishing lines are soft but slippery; many knots come undone under heavy load.

In addition, braid is made from different fibers using different technologies; braided cords of different brands or manufacturers differ significantly in properties. In this case, the manufacturer himself indicates the suitable components on the packaging.

How to knit a classic Albright knot: analysis of the structure of the knot, as well as a diagram for its creation

It's time to take a closer look at the structure of the unit. It has a good draw feature and also releases enormous energy when pulled. That is why before tying it is necessary to wet both threads with water, and then the knot itself, before the final tightening touches.

In order to tie an Albright knot, you need to take both ends of the thread (the main thread and the leash or shock leader) and make a loop from the coarsest, thickest one. Then the thinner part of the equipment is used.

It needs to be threaded into the resulting loop and then made about 5-8 turns around the fishing line itself, but without pulling the thread out of the loop. After this, you need to take the remaining end of the fishing line and pull it through the loop again.

Standard albright knot pattern

Then you need to wet the knot and tighten it. This is quite easy, the main thing is to remember the sequence of actions, the number of turns and do not forget to lubricate the assembly.

It is also worth considering the diameter of the second, less coarse fishing line, which wraps around the thick loop from the inside.

The larger the diameter of the second line, and, therefore, the closer to the diameter of the line from which the loop is made, the more turns you need to make around the thick thread.

If on average the number of turns should be at least 5, then if the diameter of both threads is equal, this number of turns increases to 8-9.

But it is not recommended to make too many turns, because this increases the volume of the knot, and this has an unpleasant effect on the passage of the thread through the rod rings.

Here is another visual, detailed diagram of creating this node:

Albright

Next, we will consider different situations in which it is necessary to tie the Albright knot.

When to tie a braid together

When tying a braid with an Albright knot, no questions should arise. It is permissible to tie both identical and different diameter braided cords.

But it is desirable to have a difference in diameter of no more than 0.6 mm, which is almost always achieved. The braid itself is strong and therefore you have to work with much smaller sizes than with fishing line.

When wet, the braid does not burn through the other, so you can safely use this knot. About 5-6 turns around the thicker braided thread will be enough.

What does the Albright knot look like in an enlarged size?

However, it should be remembered that braided line performs very poorly when fishing on a rocky bottom, because it can become frayed and damaged. Therefore, it is still recommended to use fluorocarbon or monofilament as a leash or shock leader.

Albright knot in classic design

Albright for tying a braided shock leader to monofilament line

When it comes to installing a shock leader and tying it with an Albright, you need to know some nuances.

Firstly, the shock leader is often made from materials thicker in diameter, so it will be important to choose the right braid size here.

Its diameter should not exceed the diameter of the monofilament by more than 0.3-0.4 mm, because the braid itself is stronger and even a shock leader made of braid equal to the diameter of the monofilament will do its job perfectly and take on the load when casting heavy tackle and fishing heavy fish.

Shock leader often matches on Albright

Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of placing a shock leader of approximately the same diameter as the main fishing line.

But still, if you need to choose large diameters, then you should remember that braided thread often damages the monofilament by rubbing it, and a braided thread with a thicker diameter will make this much easier. Albright is perfect for tying together shock leader and main line.

We knit monofilament and old braid braid

When it is necessary to tie together the same fluorocarbon and monofilament lines

There are few differences when tying fluorocarbon and monofilament together, so let’s consider tying the same fishing line, as well as fluorocarbon and monofilament at one point.

The only difference from tying fluorocarbon to fluorocarbon and monofilament to monofilament is that monofilament is more susceptible to deformation, so when tying it, it is recommended not to use fishing lines of too different diameters, and also not to make the knot too voluminous due to the huge number of turns.

How to knit and what an Albright knot looks like on fluorocarbon braid

In all other respects, tying the fishing lines together is perhaps the easiest of all those previously listed.

For the rest, it should be added that fluorocarbon, unlike monofilament, is a more reliable and resistant material, so it can be fastened using an Albright knot, even despite the large difference in diameter between the main and leader lines.

You can tie an Albright knot using two fishing lines, a fishing line and a cord, or braid and fluorocarbon - a visual video execution:

You should also not forget about wetting the knot, because the fishing line can deteriorate greatly due to friction. And this is enhanced by tying a complex knot, which can instantly fray one of the threads.

Knot for flurry

When it is necessary to tie braid and fishing line together

The Albright knot also works well when tying braided cord and monofilament fishing line.

Braid and line are often combined among anglers. Often, the choice falls on the main thread in the form of a braid and a leash or shock leader using a fishing line thicker in diameter.

Here it is necessary to remember again that braided line easily burns through the fishing line, so you should not choose a thick thread. The fishing line, in turn, can also damage the cord, but this happens quite rarely, and if the fishing line does not exceed a diameter of 0.3 mm, then there is nothing to worry about.

Albright knot is also suitable for braid and fishing line

The best option for tying an Albright knot for tying thick fluorocarbon or fishing line and cord is braid:

It is recommended to carefully lubricate the knot when tying and prevent damage that may be caused by both threads to each other.

Knots for tying fishing line

The best, most durable and reliable knots for tying any type of fishing line. These knots are suitable for both braid and fluorocarbon.

Let's start with a universal knot that allows you to tie fishing lines of different types and diameters together.

Albright

This knot can be used to tie braided line and fluorocarbon or nylon line, fluorocarbon line and nylon. The knot is called Albright knot, and it cannot be replaced if you need to tie fishing lines that differ significantly in diameter.

How to tie an Albright knot:

Carrot

The Carrot Knot is one of the most reliable knots for fluorocarbon and braid or regular fishing line that are tied together. In spinning fishing, this knot is used to tie together braided line and fluorocarbon leader. In carp fishing, it is mainly used to connect the shock leader to the main fishing line.

Fluorocarbon line has some disadvantages.

High rigidity. In rare cases, when you need to make a leash with a bend or a piece of fishing line that is rigidly pulled away from the equipment, this is only beneficial, but in other cases, increased rigidity is bad. The main disadvantage is that it does not hold well on knots. Due to its rigidity, fluorocarbon line cannot be fully tightened at some knots. So use the knots I recommend in this article.
Low strength. Approximately 60% less effort is required to break this type of fishing line with a diameter of 0.2 mm compared to the same diameter, but monofilament. That is why I recommend taking larger diameters. Since fluorocarbon is invisible in water, there is nothing to worry about if the thread is thicker than even the main line.
High price for 1 meter. The disadvantage is very conditional. This fishing line does not require as much as braided or monofilament, which is why it is sold in small quantities of 25-50 meters.

Knots for braiding

The reliability and strength of a braided knot depends on the type of knot itself and some other factors. In addition to the type of knot itself, the following factors influence the tensile strength of braided fishing line:

Diameter or thickness of braided line;
Braided cord structure and cross-sectional shape (flat, round).

Thick braided fishing line with a round cross-section loses the least strength at the knot. Thin and flat braid, on the contrary, are more sensitive to the type and quality of the knot.

Another factor that significantly influences the strength of any fishing line is the temperature deformation of the cord or monofilament that occurs when the knot is tightened. This phenomenon can be avoided by wetting the line in the area of the knot at the moment of tightening.

Some tips for beginners

Practice tying knots at home first. It is important for you to hone this skill in a calm environment, to bring the actions to automaticity.
Before tightening the knots, wet them - this will help them hold tighter. This is especially important for monofilament and fluorocarbon. When tightening dry fishing line, it “burns out” and becomes more severely deformed.
Do not burn the ends with a lighter. You can damage the quality of the fishing line itself and the strength of the knot.
Experienced fishermen recommend keeping fishing line with a diameter greater than 0.3 mm in warm water. Then it will become softer. But it is important to remember that such fishing line is more easily deformed and knots should be tied very carefully. Some people advise laying silk or cotton thread before tying a knot.
In braided cord, friction during tightening greatly affects the strength of the knot.
An improperly tightened knot can cut itself.

Follow these tips and you will definitely succeed. In the comments, share your nodes, as well as tips for using existing ones.

Make it a rule, on every fishing trip, the first thing you do is start.

Knots for hooks, swivels, baits

For superiority in reliability for braided fishing lines, two knots are fighting among themselves - these are Uni and Palomar. Tests carried out on different cords showed that the Palomar knot can withstand a slightly greater load compared to Uni. Next in terms of reliability is a modified version of the Clinch knot - “Improved Clinch”.

Of course, these knots are suitable for tying anything on both regular nylon and fluorocarbon fishing line.

Palomar

The Palomar knot is one of the most reliable and simple fishing knots for braided fishing line and monofilament (Palomar knot, hinged knot). Often used for tying various hooks, baits, snap hooks and swivels.

How to tie a Palomar knot:

1. We pass a loop of fishing line through the eye; 2. Using this loop we make a simple knot, but do not tighten it; 3. We pull a swivel or something that is tied through the end of the free loop; 4. The line is wetted and the knot is tightened.

Uni, Grinner

The Uni knot (Uni), also known as Grinner, is very popular for tying various baits or hooks to braided fishing line and regular monofilament (Uni knot, Grinner knot).

How to tie a Uni knot (Grinner):

Uni Knot (Grinner)

1. The fishing line is threaded through the eyelet once or twice; 2. A loop is formed along the fishing line; 3. The free end of the fishing line is wrapped around the main line several times, passing through the loop ring; 4. The knot is moistened, carefully and evenly tightened.

Improved Clinch

The Improved Clinch knot, an improved version, is also quite common and is often used by fishermen for braided cords and regular fishing line, for tying hooks or accessories. It knits quite simply.

How to knit an improved Clinch:

Improved Clinch knot

The fishing line is threaded into a ring;
The free end is wound around the main line several times;
Thread through the loop formed near the eye and back through the large loop;
The line is wetted and the knot is carefully tightened.

Methods for tying a swivel to a fishing line

A swivel (carabiner) is one of the main elements of fishing tackle. It is used to prevent the line from twisting when fishing with bait.

Twisting the line can lead to the loss of the bait.

Today you can find a large selection of swivels in fishing stores. They differ in size, shape and design features. In any case, no matter what product is chosen, you need to know how to properly tie it to the fishing line.

Fishermen know several ways to tie a carabiner. The simplest and most universal way looks like this:

insert a fishing line into the eye of the swivel;
stretch out the supply of fishing line and fold it in half;
wrap the end of the fishing line to the carabiner;
wrap the folded fishing line around the tip several times;
pass the end through the twist of the fishing line and tighten thoroughly.

Even a novice fisherman can perform this procedure.

Fluorocarbon knots

Fluorocarbon lines are much tougher than regular nylon lines and braided lines. They hold the load on the knot less well, and due to their elasticity, they tighten very poorly. The thicker the fluorocarbon line, the more difficult it is to tie a knot or tie it to another line.

To tie hooks or lures to thin fluorocarbon fishing line, you can use the Uni knot (Grinner) and the other knots listed above, making them with a large number of turns.

To tie fluorocarbon to another type of fishing line, use the Carrot Knot and Albright knot. The Carrot knot can be used to tie very thick fluorocarbon. These nodes were also shown above.

To tie a bait, snap hook or swivel to a fluorocarbon line through a loop, use a Rapala knot.

Practical knots for fluorocarbon

I think the idea of using fluorocarbon as the main line when working with a spinning reel should be a separate topic. So as not to waste water, as they say, “closer to the body.”

I don’t use crimp tubes even when making leads from titanium and lead material, for example from Pontun 21. I think this is unnecessary. A specialized node means a more reliable connection.

Anglers often use the carrot knot for braid and fluorocarbon, but it is not the only one that can firmly hold the connection of the tackle.

Flaws

High rigidity.
In addition to its advantages, this is also a disadvantage, since fragile knots are easily untied compared to the use of soft braid or monofilament. Tie reliable knots - carrot, double figure eight, greenner and universal with 8 turns around the hook.
Low strength with small diameters.
Use fluorocarbon from 0.15 mm, no lower, otherwise you risk often losing fish when fishing or even getting caught in algae. The breaking load of the fishing line is 0.16 mm – from 1.8 kg and above.
Expensive.
The cost is at least 2 times higher than monofilament fishing line from popular manufacturers. But since you need no more than 50 m of it per fishing season, usually such a reel is enough to successfully fish for several months.

This is what a fluorocarbon leash for pike looks like

What is the difference between fluorocarbon fishing line and monofilament line?

After reading all the advantages and disadvantages, you will understand that fluorocarbon differs from monofilament by at least 5 criteria:

Fluorocarbon is a hard material , and monofil is soft.
100% fluorocarbon is practically invisible in water , but monofilament is visible.
In winter, at low temperatures, fluorocarbon does not lose strength , but monofilament fishing line loses, or even breaks on the edge of the hole due to low abrasive resistance.
Fluorocarbon is a leader line that is not used as the main line. You can use it when fishing with a feeder, spinning rod or on a float as a thin leader in front of the hook. But fluorocarbon is also used as a thick and durable leash for pike, replacing steel, Kevlar and other metal options.
Price. Monofilament is much cheaper.

Video on how to distinguish fluorocarbon from a fake

How to tie a fluorocarbon leader to the main line

Many anglers are often faced with the problem of how to quickly tie a braided line with fluorocarbon in the field. For advanced spinning players, everything is decided in a matter of seconds, but for beginners, making a high-quality spinning line, with the squeaking of mosquitoes, a blowing breeze, in the dark without training, will still be difficult, but possible.

However, I still recommend mastering the knots at home. Moreover, many fishermen, and beginners too, also consider the aesthetic side of fishing and gear, which deserves respect. Slowly assembled, polished gear always adds advantages when practicing fishing, and it’s nice to hold such equipment in your hands.

Uni Knot

When using this knot with braided line and fluorocarbon, most of the time it breaks at the bait, not at the connection point.

Carrot knot

The Carrot knot is used to connect braided cord to monofilament fishing line or fluorocarbon. It is necessary to make 8-10 revolutions in one direction and 8-10 revolutions in the opposite direction. When tightening, the knot on the fluor is tightened first. Pull it off carefully, after wetting it. The knot is quite strong. Passes well through spinning rod rings.

Albright node

A simple fishing knot. Not extremely reliable, but simple and acceptable for use.

Double Grinner Knot

Excellent for tying mono and fluorocarbon to braided line.

Blood Knot

To ensure the strength of this knot, it is necessary to make at least 7-8 turns of the fishing line (braided cord).

Albright

The most common type of knot for tying braid with monofilament.

Fold the main fishing line (stiffer or thicker) in half, forming a loop. You need to pass a thinner line through it and form a loop on the other, free side. Grab everything tightly with your fingers and start making turns with thinner fishing line. It is necessary to make approximately 8 - 10 turns. The turns should not run into each other. Then pass the formed end into a loop of thick fishing line. We slowly tighten the resulting knot.