Knotting shock leader to line - Uniknot?

[John Purser]

I am just getting back into conventional casting so I thought I'd over line a bit at first. I'm using a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5500 C3 (Thanks again Al) with 15 lb line. I wanted to use 30 lb mono as shock leader.

I connected the line to the leader with uniknots but the resulting knot won't flow through the level wind.

I'm thinking that ANY knot I use will be a problem with the level wind. I don't mind cutting back to 20 lb shock leader but I'm wondering what the best knot would be to connect the line to the leader.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

John Purser:confused:

[seajay]

You will get alot of choices, I use an Allbright

[Fishbreath]

Hey John, do a search on shock leader knots here on P&S and you'll find not only an abundance of opinions on which knots work for braid and mono, but also how to tie them. Lots of good info.

As for a level wind, you can use a bimini twist to start then your knot of choice. AtlantaKing has a good description of the Bimini in the BIBLE section. Good luck! :beer:

Oops...NTKG had a good description as well with pics. 3-stage leader

[Stevie Wonder]

IMHO using a levelwind with a shock leader is going to cause problems with any knot if you are power casting. If you toss your terminal tackle you can do without the shock leader. Non levelwind reels(ct) would be my choice for shock leaders.

[emanuel]

IMHO using a levelwind with a shock leader is going to cause problems with any knot if you are power casting. If you toss your terminal tackle you can do without the shock leader. Non levelwind reels(ct) would be my choice for shock leaders.

What he said. Unless you're slinging alot of weight, you don't need a shock leader. Tossing plugs, you can just put a short leader if that's what the situation calls for. However, I'll be the first to tell you, I know nothing about fishing in the NW. Other than what I've seen on TV.

[glantier]

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com If you can't find the correct knot from these time to take up golf. ;)

[HellRhaY]

that's because uni to uni makes for a huge knot.

make blob on the shock leader and conect the main line to the shock thru uni 4 turns.

[outfishin28]

this is a good one that allows the line to be trimmed as close as possible.

http://www.btinternet.com/~kevin.l.j.knight/Flip_Over_Leader.htm

[HellRhaY]

http://nickaway.com/images/Backgrounds/shocker.jpg

[John Purser]

Looks like I need to practice tying a few knots as well as searching forums before I pollute with reposts.

Appreciate it.

John :redface:

[Railroader]

I don't care what knot you tie, if you throw hard with a levelwind Abu, it's GOING TO BLOW UP at some point. There is "not a knot" that ties skinny enough to reliably clear the line guide.

Knot hits line guide on the way out...KA-BOOM! This nest will have to be cut out..:D

Your choices are to use no shock leader, remove the levelwind from the reel you have, or get yourself a CT framed Abu.

[Cdog]

I don't care what knot you tie, if you throw hard with a levelwind Abu, it's GOING TO BLOW UP at some point. There is "not a knot" that ties skinny enough to reliably clear the line guide.

Knot hits line guide on the way out...KA-BOOM! This nest will have to be cut out..:D

Your choices are to use no shock leader, remove the levelwind from the reel you have, or get yourself a CT framed Abu.

I dont know RR, I have been throwing a 10' rod with a level wind reel for 3 years without a blow up. 17# to 50# shock. Coarse now that I said something it will prolly blow up this weekend...:rolleyes: :D

[HuskyMD]

yep, the C3 has the wire levelwind guide. It's tough to find a decent knot that works well with it. Even the ones described here will tend to stick once in a while with a good strong cast. I have some abus with the rubber or plastic levelwind guide and it has a bigger opening and isn't really a problem.

What kind of fishing are you doing? Lures? Soaking bait? If soaking bait, removing the levelwind is very quick and easy. It doesn't work for some people though who need to get their thumb up and all the way around the spool to get a nice cast. I only use the top half of my thumb when casting so removing the levelwind works great for me.

[Railroader]

I dont know RR, I have been throwing a 10' rod with a level wind reel for 3 years without a blow up. 17# to 50# shock. Coarse now that I said something it will prolly blow up this weekend...:rolleyes: :D

Then change your name to "Lucky Dog", if you've not had a blowup in three years...:D

Or did you mean none caused by the shock knot hanging in the line guide?? :p

I sure can't make it work, and I've tried 'em all.

[F I LetsGoFishin]

Now I do not throw baitcasters much so take this for what it is worth.
On the ancient Abu that I do have, the line leveler stays stationary when casted. as long as I make sure that the knot lines up with the leveler, I do not have a problem, but lets say the knot is to the side and the leveler is centered , it will blow up every time power cast or not.

I use the Albright and change shockleader often.

[Cdog]

Then change your name to "Lucky Dog", if you've not had a blowup in three years...:D

Or did you mean none caused by the shock knot hanging in the line guide?? :p

I sure can't make it work, and I've tried 'em all.
Actually I have honestly not blown up that combo. Now my 12'OM and 525mag is another story...:D

[CrawFish]

instead of using a separate shockline, you can double your main line up with a spiderhitch, and that's thin enough to go through the level guide.

[Newsjeff]

instead of using a separate shockline, you can double your main line up with a spiderhitch, and that's thin enough to go through the level guide.
I agree 100 percent.

That's good advice right there.

[Fishman]

I have the 6500c3 mounted on an eight and a half ft. St Croix I tie a spider hitch to my main line then to that I tie an albrite knot on the knot up to the level wind. I may leave about a foot or two from the end of the tip of my rod. Then tie my rig to the leader materal.

The knot never goes onto the spool it stays outside of it.

[toejam]

I have the 6500c3 mounted on an eight and a half ft. St Croix I tie a spider hitch to my main line then to that I tie an albrite knot on the knot up to the level wind. I may leave about a foot or two from the end of the tip of my rod. Then tie my rig to the leader materal.

The knot never goes onto the spool it stays outside of it.


If your knot is not on the spool then you do not have a shockleader. It is serving no purpose and you may as well leave it off,,,, but please don't! Make sure your shockleader wraps the spool 4 or 5 times for the safety of all who are around you while you fish especially any little kids.

The albright is a good knot, but I do not like it for mono shockleaders because the tag end of the shockleader is facing forward and no matter how close you trim it, at best you will have that rattle while you cast of the knot hitting your guides.... I use the the uni to overhand for shock leaders like hellray showed. If you put some spit on it and then pull real tight, it will never fail you .

the railroad man had the best advice for the level wind,,,,,lose it and get you a non level wind!

[Newsjeff]

I use a spider to a no-name (Bristol) on my 6500s. No worries with that knot getting in the wavy of the level.

I've used a spider to a uni-nail with those reels. No worries with that knot, either.

TJ is right. If you ain't makin' at least three wraps of the leader around you're spool, you ain't fisin' with a shock leader.