Line and knot testing

Truly enlighting. That line tester is great.

Thanks for posting.

That’s awesome. Kind of crazy I’ve been using clinch all these years with no breaks-offs whatsoever. That being said I’ll be using Trilene knot going forward.

Sounds like a wonderful new winter time drinking game challenge. . .

I hope I can handle my water. :cry:

> Sounds like a wonderful new winter time drinking game challenge. . .

I hope I can handle my water. :cry:

You need to get a "handle" on that issue.

> Sounds like a wonderful new winter time drinking game challenge. . .

I hope I can handle my water. :cry:


Water is this a new drink for you?

So if one were to stop in your shop could we get a lesson on tying that there Trilene knot properly??

> Sounds like a wonderful new winter time drinking game challenge. . .

I hope I can handle my water. :cry:
With a name like that I would think water is the last thing you’re drinking.

> So if one were to stop in your shop could we get a lesson on tying that there Trilene knot properly??

Not a problem.

I tie it a little different than some versions on different knot websites.

> We have a line tester at the shop. We use it for many things. Checking the ABS (actual breaking strength) of different lines.

Calibrating crimping tools.

Checking crimp strength.

Today I wanted to see what the strength of two very popular knots were.

The Clinch knot and a 3 turn Trilene knot.

Used 100# Makai Equalizer monofilament. Tested it 3 times ABS of 140,139,140

Clinch knot was so so breaking at 73lbs 2x and 61lb one time - call it a 50% knot for me - 6 turns.

Next one I did was the Trilene as shown to me by Justin Fleck and Tim Turis.

Three turns - broke at 128lbs, 126 and ran out of travel on the machine at 130. Knot never broke. Line slipped out of the bollards and broke at the slip point.

The knot tested out at over 93%!

Impressive knot for me.
wow, good to know. the clinch knot has always been my knot of choice...

Can anybody recommend a good website or link to good "Knot Tying" site with good photos and instructions?
Looking to play around with some different knots and tune up my skills over the winter.
Thanks

> Can anybody recommend a good website or link to good "Knot Tying" site with good photos and instructions?
Looking to play around with some different knots and tune up my skills over the winter.
Thanks


Few good apps out there for smart phones if you have one

> Few good apps out there for smart phones if you have one
Thanks. I'll look into that!

> Thanks. I'll look into that!

This one has been around for a while as well -

[Grog's Fishing Knots | How to Tie | Step by Step Animations]("https://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php")

Crap, I've been an improved clinch knot (ABS mono to 50 lbs) and standard clinch (higher ABS mono) tier for over 50 years, but switched to Palomar where appropriate a few years ago w/braid. Any idea/plan to test a Palomar with braid, fluro and mono on your instrument? I'd also be interested in a Rapala knot test on 30 lb fluro as that's my standard leader rig for poppers, Rapala knot by the lure and Palomar to swivel at the other end.

> Crap, I've been an improved clinch knot (ABS mono to 50 lbs) and standard clinch (higher ABS mono) tier for over 50 years, but switched to Palomar where appropriate a few years ago w/braid. Any idea/plan to test a Palomar with braid, fluro and mono on your instrument? I'd also be interested in a Rapala knot test on 30 lb fluro as that's my standard leader rig for poppers, Rapala knot by the lure and Palomar to swivel at the other end.

Testing knots is addictive. It can be informative and very misleading.

If you have been tying a knot that has worked for you dont stop! The best knots are the ones you tie best.

For me a Palomar is a knot I would never tie. Crossing the two legs at the bottom of the knot weakens it greatly. Having said that, I know more than a few who believe in that knot and, tie it with complete confidence.

I will try to test the Palomar this week. Just to see if it can convince me as to what so many tell me.

The Rapala knot - I have never tied.

For me when a knot tests so well, I am always surprised. So many things can go wrong tying any knot. Not enough wraps. Cinched up incorrectly. Not enough lubrication. Difficult conditions on the boat (rolling around, lighting, wanting to get back in the water quickly - etc...).

So while these tests are illuminating dont take it that what you are doing is less than absolute for your purposes. Fishing for Striped Bass with 12 pounds of drag is very different than fishing for Cow Yellowfin with 35 pounds of drag and 130 pound line.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'm wondering if different diameters of mono (different # test) have different test results.

You said you were testing those knots with 100# mono. Do the results vary with different # test line ?

Do the results for mono parallel results for fluorocarbon?

> Crap, I've been an improved clinch knot (ABS mono to 50 lbs) and standard clinch (higher ABS mono) tier for over 50 years, but switched to Palomar where appropriate a few years ago w/braid. Any idea/plan to test a Palomar with braid, fluro and mono on your instrument? I'd also be interested in a Rapala knot test on 30 lb fluro as that's my standard leader rig for poppers, Rapala knot by the lure and Palomar to swivel at the other end.

Testing knots is addictive and can be informative and very misleading.

If you have been tying a knot that has worked for you dont stop! The best knots are the ones you can tie best.

For me a Palomar is a knot I would never tie. Crossing the two legs at the bottom of the knot weakens it greatly. Having said that, I know more than a few who believe in that knot and tie it with complete confidence.

I will try to test the Palomar this week again. Just to see if it can convince me to what so many tell me.

The Rapala knot - I have never tied.

For me when a knot tests so well, I am always surprised. So many things can go wrong tying any knot. Not enough wraps. Cinched up incorrectly. Not enough lubrication. Difficult conditions on the boat (rolling around, lighting, wanting to get back in the water quickly - etc...).

So while these tests are illuminating dont take it that what you are doing is less than absolute for your purposes. Fishing for Striped Bass with 12 pounds of drag is very different than fishing for Cow Yellowfin with 35 pounds of drag and 130 pound line.

Thanks for the input everyone.

> I'm wondering if different diameters of mono (different # test) have different test results.

You said you were testing those knots with 100# mono. Do the results vary with different # test line ?

Do the results for mono parallel results for fluorocarbon?

The only I have tested anything is based on on stated test but the actual breaking strength of the line.

We usually do 3 pulls of the line we are testing get the average and that is the ABS.

Then we do 3 pulls on the knot or crimp take the average and divide by the ABS for the percentage of breaking strength of the connection.

So, the materials tested will have different results but, based upon the ABS of the line.

I guess what I asked was a little vague ..... I would be interested in knowing if there were certain knots that were stronger when using 100# test mono that may not be as strong when using, for example 15# test.

Mono and Flouro have different chemical/physical properties. I'd love to know if this affected knot strength when compared to mono.

Great topic ..... cool machine !! (y)