Durability/longetivity of knots?

I know there have been about 18 zillion threads regarding knots/mono to braid joiners/etc but I thought I might ask something a bit different here...how long should you keep using the same joiner knot? A few months ago, over 2 or 3 trips, I was using the same Yucatan knot (PE3 braid to 60 lb mono leader) on maybe half a dozen dhuies/sambos ranging in size from 5kg to 15kg in 20m to 50m depth before it came undone on a smaller sambo and I lost the fish plus an expensive jig. From what I could tell, it didn't break, it simply pulled through. It had stood up to a fair amount of punishment up to that point, what with the fish and some pretty ferocious jigging action and all, so maybe it just "wore out"? Perhaps this type of knot needs to be retied every so often?

Been using GT knots as well...how long do THEY last? They cop a lot of abuse when lure casting, constantly going back and forth through the guides, and I've had no dramas up this point, but given that they require a bimini and a bit of effort to tie, not to mention a fair bit of line usage, not really keen on the idea of retying them all the time.

I use Albrights and Slim Beauties on my lighter gear...they don't require the use of a double (although you can if you want) and since they're pretty simple to tie I have no issues with re-doing them every trip or so, but with the more complex knots I should think you can get more use out of them. Thoughts, anyone?


Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

Hmm if the knot pulled

Wed, 2011-01-19 06:58

Hmm if the knot pulled through, it was never tried properly anyhow, it never bit in.

I use the same GT knot for months I just inspect the leader before a trip and retie as appropriate.

I have heard people say that their uni knots need retying after a big GT because they bite in so much on heavy drags.

Never really otherwise would think that a knot needs retying.

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Ryan C's picture

Posts: 1575

Date Joined: 08/07/10

knots

Wed, 2011-01-19 08:43

i re-tie my leaders before every trip out in the boat, sometimes the biminis too, i probably dont need too but i haven"t had a bust-off in years, ive had cut offs and been reefed but no bust offs so i'll stick to re tying before each trip.  cheers

crasny1's picture

Posts: 6985

Date Joined: 16/10/08

I do believe that a good knot once tied

Wed, 2011-01-19 09:46

will stand the test off time. It is the knot maker that want to or not want to retie a knot. Because of the situation up here with taxmen and fish reefing you we use braid to a tough snap swivel. I use swivels 2 ratings above the line class and only top quality like black magics etc.

The knot to the swivels is the critical point. However once tied (I use a very heavily modified Palomar type knot) this knot should not break, and then only change the leader material.

I have been out fishing with the snap swivel intact for many trips, and I dont retie that knot unless the fish reefs the braid and not the leader only.

Neels

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grayzeee's picture

Posts: 2283

Date Joined: 09/07/09

As ryan i re tie at least

Wed, 2011-01-19 13:04

As ryan

 i re tie at least every second trip , bimini and joiner. keeps your knot skills up

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If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am. 

Posts: 4561

Date Joined: 01/02/10

I make a rule not to reuse a

Wed, 2011-01-19 18:48

I make a rule not to reuse a knot for consecutive trips. A minute or 2 at the start of the day saves the guesswork.

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Daisy's picture

Posts: 789

Date Joined: 24/01/08

I check my mainline to leader

Wed, 2011-01-19 19:11

I check my mainline to leader knots during a fishing trip fairly often especially on casting/jigging outfits where that particular knot goes through the guides a lot , I reckon the forces imparted on the knot first one way then the other will affect/loosen these knots eventually (watch out for those albrights). I'm with you Dodge, a quick loungroom knot tying sesh before you go is good/cheap insurance :-D.

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