Andy

Braid to mono is easy....FG my favourite for balance of strength to ease of tying , although GT is pretty good, albright nice and quick and PR strongest but too much mucking about withn the bobbin.

Mono to mono much harder.......after trying a lot of different options last maccie season, I ended up with a bimini in the main line to a GT knot to the leader. Do about half the twists in the GT knot you would use with braid. Works well and has not let me down. Bimini in mono is harder than in braid, 20 turns is the go.

I dont know what the ultimate strength is, but these "cheap" little tools make a great mono to mono knot.

I use them to tie a lower strength sinker line to my rigs. I used to use an allbright but this is much easier. You tube videos avaible as well to see it being doine

Any other tips for Bimini to gt for mono to mono John? I've tried it plenty of times with no success

strongest but not the neatest knot is the figure eight

 Easy and quick to tie. you won't break it.

Hey Sea-kem,

John summarizes it well. Braid to mono is easy and has many choices for good knots. I personally run this setup for nearly everything except my game trolling rods.

The type of knot you should consider for mono to mono involves a few factors (overhead/spinning setup; casting/trolling/bottom bouncing; line class; rod guide size/setup - i.e. rollers or guides).

Personally I only use mono to mono for game trolling. My game trolling rods usually use mono main line (15kg-37kg) to mono leader 100/lb +. So I will comment on this specific setup (let me know if you need info for a different setup:

Most game fishermen that I know of use one of the below three setups. The reasons for these choices is ease through guides and strength/reliability:

(1) Bimini OR Plait in main mono line to wind-on leader using cats paw
(2) If not using a wind on, then bimini in main mono line to an GT knot on the leader. Lubricate the knots well. You won't need anywhere near as many turns on the bimini as with braid. less than 20 is fine;
(3) Plait in main mono line to GT knot in leader (plait you may find neater than the bimini if not used to practicing bimini in mono).

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need specific info on a setup.

Cheers
John

Gents - Just on this topic, I have been receiving several PM's lately (must be due to the start of trolling season!) asking for assistance on mono to mono knots and elaboration on trolling setups. Expanding on my post above, and my PM's, I thought I would make the additional info public. This is my preferred setup and understand others will have different preferences. As below:

I have been replacing all my leaders on last years game trolling outfits recently and have an alternative mono-to-mono knot (other than GT knot)that may be easier for some people. Rather than go the Bimini (or plait) to GT knot for mono-to-mono like past years, this year I have been trying the bimini (or Plait) to Albright for the leader (I run a very long bimini (or plait) on these outfits for maximum stretch absorption). I gave it a good test last few weeks and it holds up just as well as GT knot from what I can see. Main reason for trying this out is that it can be a little quicker to tie at sea compared to the GT (if you are not using wind-ons that is) and easier for some people who are struggling with the GT using mono-to-mono as it doesn't pull/slide tight as easily.

The way I am running my trolling setup is using Tiagra's (5 of them) using outriggers together with two attractive devices tied off the back port and starboard transom cleats. The Teasers I use are (1) Richter teaser (http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=6237) and (2) Williamson spreader bar (http://www.meltontackle.com/products/stripteaser-holographic-big-game-teaser.html). If you don't have outriggers, or if I don't feel the need to run outriggers, then I use the Relax multi mount riggers instead (http://www.reelax.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=271&products_id=1044). All Tiagra's have 24kg mono main line (usually Berkley) in bright colours (different colours for each Tiagra so when you get a strike and need to reel the other lines in quickly you can visibly differentiate all lines to avoid tangles). I avoid clear line colours if possible. Usually run a mix combo of feathers (for Tuna), Rapala's (one deep diving and one swallower), a Jelly lure; and some splashing/jet lures from Williamson.

At the end of the mono mainlines I tie the leaders (ranging from 80lb to 150lb depending on target fish). (This assumes not using wind-ons). Leaders are usually 3 metres long (for me I use Jinkai as I like the smoothness). At the end of the leader I tie on a strong but small barrel swivel attached to a split ring (like the setup for jigging). I try not to use a huge barrel swivel/ring (and never a snap swivel) because its not uncommon for sharp tooth fish (i.e. Barracuda, Mackerel ) to strike this area instead of the end lure (if you are running a further mono line when using Williamson Setup etc. for Marlin/Sailfish etc). The added bonus of using a split ring, besides easily changing lures & setups is that you can use it as a jigging rig should the need quickly arise. Personally I avoid Hawaiian clips as they don't swivel and can be troublesome to open and close if required to do quickly.

Some people have asked why I only run 150lb when targeting big fish . The reason is that usually with big fish lures (large Jelly Tubes/Williamsons etc.) they have a separate long 300lb line attached to the lure. At the end of this line there is a plastic covered loop & crimp ... this is where I attach it to my 150lb leader.

I hope this helps some people out. Obviously people run different setups, so it's just mine. Understand other people may have different methods that work better for them.

Bimini to GT Andy all the way.....just make sure your leader is nice and soft so the braid and can grip in for the GT.

also just dab a bit of superglue or knot sealant over the top just to make sure.

yeah i use the YGK soft leader, yeah im just keen to get out there - was going to hit the wrecks and barges up but sounds like they are all sharked out, quiet troll my have to be the go until the ban is over.