Braid to leader - knot or swivel?
Got my new rod and just trying to set it up for fishing off the beach. Just have a question though, when going from braid to leader should I use a swivel or a knot? I'll be trying to use soft plastics and some lures.
Cheers
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by josiah_93
I always knot my leader, because I trust my knot more than I trust a swivel. About the only time I might use a swivel is if I'm using something like a Carolina rig, I'll put a swivel in at the end of the leader, and add a couple of feet more leader to the hook, like so:
Line > knot > leader > bullet weight > bead > swivel > leader > hook
Swivels might help for spinning gear in some applications to help avoid line twist, but I've never encountered an issue.
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by killyouintheface
When I first start fishing, I was told to use a swivel for bait and for inline spinners, and tie a knot for everything else. That's generally what I follow, but I've seen a lot of different opinions on when to use swivels and clips. I'm curious to see what others say here.
What I do know is, if you do use a swivel, don't use cinch knot or any of its variants to tie your braid to the swivel. It will unravel with too much force. I usually use a surgeons loop for that side of the swivel.
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by DanielWaterhorse
I always suggest a knot over a leader, I am a fishing captain in Charleston Sc and the less rigging you have the better. I would try a uni knot. You tube how to tie a Carolina rig and there are step step videos.
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by wolfejr123
Whatever floats your boat. You're going to get so many different opinions, use whatever you're comfortable with. I've been fishing with braid & leader rigs since braid first came out and I almost always use a swivel. I've never had a problem.
I am a knot person as well. Did the swivel when first started and had a few go straight from a good hook up and a few snap from hitting a piling. Try one on each rod everyone is different.
I like an Albright knot. For braid to floro. Like all knots spit on it so it doesn't get hot and break when cinching down.
I use the Alberto knot to go from braid to leader on all my rods, from ultra light to heavy. It is strong and small enough to go through the guides without a problem. I use 6 wraps, even though you will see youtube videos that say 4 is enough, because I had a couple of knots fail when I used fewer wraps. I also made myself a tool to tie the knot, as it is a little cumbersome to do it by hand.
I agree with the last two posts. The biggest problem I have with swivels on a leader is getting it through the tip Loop on a retrieve. If your leader is longer then you can cast this is a problem.
Ok I agree with all that. If you plan to cast the joint through the eyes you should use a knot. Swivel's going to jam.
Er1c
Loc: Ocean City, Md.
I like to make my own rigs which I use nothing but fluoro, plus I like lures. I tie a fast snap clip to my braided line. And I use a good swivel for the rigs. Plus most of the lures attach directly on the clip.
This allows me to swap things out fast, more time in the water. Hopefully more fish as well. So far surf fishing from the beach and the bay it's worked great for me.
Always knots to top shots
The only time I use a barrel swivel is when I'm using my heavy rods while attempting to play with the big boys that live quite deep. Other than that I always use a double uni or an FG knot to tie my leaders to the braid. As well as I always use a loop knot to tie my artificials as well as live bait. But that's just me, lol
The problem I had tying the two together was the difference in line diameter. When I use an Albright knot it's not a problem. If I try it with 40 pound leader sometime the smaller line would get lost and not pull up in a good tight knot.
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