Doug Olander - double Palomar and Yucatan/Bristol Knots in Braid?

[mustrumr]

Thanks for posting how you tie the 10 turn bimini - solved my slippage problems.

So - in your fascinating article you advised using the two turn Palomar for terminal tackle, and the Yucatan/Bristol leader knot as the strongest connections in 20lb braid. But which versions do you use?

I've seen two very different versions of the two-turn Palomar, one which has two loops through the eye (like here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-04VALJg5D8) and another which just has two turns through the overhand knot (like here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7bBugWIzHw).

Which do you use? Or something different?

And with the Yucatan/Bristol is it this one: http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtech...s_yucatan.html , or this one: http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/ar...sp?ID=21012464 ? Or what?

BTW, in all these knots I'll be using your ten-turn bimini, not single line.

I'm also wondering how short you should cut the tag on the Yucatan/Bristol. I'll be casting the knot through the guides of my rod and I'm worried that too short a tag might lead to knot failure while too long a tag might catch on the guides. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Alec.

Perth, Western Australia

[TOP SHOT]

howdy -- glad that 10-turn bimini is working for you. i use it constantly (anywhere from 10 to 12 turns... i just do it fast, in that range) -- never fails. i did catch a little flack from some guys who insisted it slipped, as you mention.... only later did i realize that after tying, you must cinch it down keeping the two "legs" ofthe double line together ... if you leave 'em pulled wide apart (as still around your feet or legs), then, yeah, it will slip. but once together -- which of course is how the line is when in use -- no slippage!
as far as palomar, honestly, i suspect there are many out there (perhaps reading this forum who'll respond!) better qualified than i -- i seldom use a palomar because i so seldom tie directly (w/o leader) to terminal gear. in fact, i nearly always (except with really heavy gear) stick with this very fast, simple and reliable system: short double main line (usually braid) with bimini to mono or fluoro leader (no heavier/thicker than really needs to be) with 6 to 12 turn bristol (the heavier the leader the fewer turns will cinch). then i usually tie a uni or just an improved clinch -- that those are def. not 100% knots is immaterial since leader usually heavy enough that 80-90% of it's strength is plenty and i can tie an improved clinch very fast. as for bristol knots shown -- i use one shown on saltwater site (which shows that this knot is in fact rather like a clinch knot itself!) -- the other looks a bit goofy and i can't quite see what's going on.
good luck!
d.o.

[mustrumr]

Thanks for your advice, Doug. Yeah, that first diagram of the Yucatan isn't very clear - it's hard to see that the leader goes back through the loop of the bimini. It actually produces a very nice slim knot, but in a completely unscientific test (keep pulling until something breaks ) it seemed to me that it wasn't as strong as the Bristol. I'll use the Bristol for attaching leader when I'm lure fishing from now on.

Should have explained myself better about the double Palomar - I actually want it for tying the bimini to a swivel to which I attach 40-60lb fluorocarbon leader with a running sinker and snelled 5/0 circle hooks for bait fishing for Australian Pink Snapper. I've been using the Uni knot to the swivel, but your article convinced me that I should try the double Palomar - I like the sound of 100% knot strength versus 70%.

Not that I've ever had the uni knot fail, but I'd hate to lose the fish of a lifetime due to using the wrong knot. I'm new to this ocean fishing game - I've always been land-based until I bought a Hobie Outback kayak recently (wonderful bit of US technology - the pedal Mirage Drive is just perfect for fishing since you've always got both hands free to manage your rod).

So do you (or anybody) have an opinion on what is the strongest version of the double Palomar?

Cheers,

Alec

Perth, Western Australia

[TOP SHOT]

kewl. it'll be interesting to see if someone who uses a lot of palomars chimes in. i must say, i don't profess to be an ultimate expert on knots.... i have researched a few and just know/use a few that work for me. generally the old saw about whatever works and whatever you have confidence in makes sense. i will say that i feel very good about that 10-12 turn bimini after very extensive testing and use. i had never ever heard anywhere of anyone tying a bimini less than 20 turns and many used more; i'd have to say my discovery of that "minimalist bimini" is probably the greatest single contribution to fishing technique i'll make in my lifetime. i know of several hardcore charter skippers who now swear by it. (i also know of others who are simply afraid -- less can't be more! -- so keep tying 50 turns. but again: whatever works for you! though i hafta admit-- tying 10 turns is way quicker than doing up 50!)
agree on hobie outback ... hard to go back to the paddle, isn't it? watch for feature in issue this summer on fishing for striped marlin from hobie outbacks... surprisingly safe and incredibly fun!
d.o.