Author Topic: BRAID STITCH KNOT - forming a Loop in 50lb+ braid (Read 17483 times)

REEFMAN · « **on:** June 26, 2010, 08:28:09 PM »

The strongest way to form a loop in braid. Ideally this is only necessary in larger braids... 50lb upwards. With smaller diameter braids, I would stick to the Bimini.

Here's how to do it...

Pull the tag end through the needle about 10cm. Then further down the Braid, make a small loop.

And again...

To make the loop smaller, bunch the stitches up and then slide the tag end through until the desired loop diameter is reached.

Final product...

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2010, 09:42:55 PM »

I tie a Bimini in my braid to make a loop, how does this knot compare in strength?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2010, 07:44:36 AM »

It doesn't come close....! The Braid stitch is not really a knot, but rather a splice - Tanaka's splice... works in much the same way as the Dacron Chinese cuff principle...

We now know that braid dramatically loses strength wherever you knot it... so the Bimini is ok, (because it is also a wrap, rather than a knot) but the Stitch is awesome!

The only problem with this is that you only get one chance at it... if you lose a leader, there is no way I can make one of these on the beach or on a rocking boat, so then it's back to the Bimini...

Kumz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:17:44 PM »

.... :shre: .........

fedu · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2011, 08:10:39 PM »

Thanks Reefs, this forum is geting better by the day on this technical issues.

nico · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2011, 08:26:45 PM »

Looking at Paulus' site, he does all kind of different things, like stitching the leader into the braid.
For forming a loop, I know nothing stronger than the braid stitch.
And you know what, as far as I can tell it was invented in SA first (by Mark Delahey and cronies)

REEFMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2013, 01:15:18 PM »

For Braid mainline fishing, I have now switched all my systems over to this:

Make some 4-5m Braid Casting leaders, by stitching a Braid stitch loop in one end. Keep 3 or 4 Braid leaders in your kit.

20-30lb Braid mainline, use 50lb Braid leader.
50lb Braid mainline, use 80lb Braid leader.

So you Bimini the braid mainline and join the braid leader loop to the mainline with a Modified Catspaw.

To the Braid leader, you attach a 1m Fluoro leader with the 7 turn Uni/Fig 8.
This keeps the casting knot out the eyes. At the same time allowing you to cast off a much stronger Braid from the finger/reel.

I have used this system my last 2 trips - no wind knots in literally a thousand casts, and no lost lures. With the old system, I used to lose 3 lures a session!

So, making some Braid leaders for Fixed spool fishing (Coffee grinders). It's easy to do with 80lb braid but very difficult to do in 50lb! Especially with my eyes

.
The braid is round and trying to hit the middle with a fine needle point is frustrating!

So I worked out a little trick that helps with making a Braid stitched loop in a Braid leader...

boskabeljou · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2013, 01:27:48 PM »

Spotted Grunter · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2013, 02:47:31 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 25, 2013, 01:15:18 PM

20-30lb Braid mainline, use 50lb Braid leader.
50lb Braid mainline, use 80lb Braid leader.

So you Bimini the braid mainline and join the braid leader loop to the mainline with a Modified Catspaw.

Quick Question
A bimini in braid is not a 100% knot, so if we Bimini the mainline, say 50lb it will probably break at the bimini between 35-40lb, maybe less. Is it then necessary to stich the 80lb leader?
A bimini in the leader will still be stronger than the Bimini in the main braid.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2013, 02:58:36 PM »

Quote from: Spotted Grunter on January 25, 2013, 02:47:31 PM

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 25, 2013, 01:15:18 PM
20-30lb Braid mainline, use 50lb Braid leader.
50lb Braid mainline, use 80lb Braid leader.

So you Bimini the braid mainline and join the braid leader loop to the mainline with a Modified Catspaw.
Quick Question
A bimini in braid is not a 100% knot, so if we Bimini the mainline, say 50lb it will probably break at the bimini between 35-40lb, maybe less. Is it then necessary to stich the 80lb leader?
A bimini in the leader will still be stronger than the Bimini in the main braid.

Technically, this sounds right.
By having the Braid stitched leader ready made up (with a tiny loop that won't catch on the guides), you only have to do 1 Bimini on the beach (in the mainline) and a Mod Catspaw; instead of 2 and a Catspaw, and run the risk of having the big Bimini loops catching a guide on the cast.

Spotted Grunter · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2013, 03:04:14 PM »

Makes Sense, thanks
Has anyone tried the ausie plait on braid, how does it compare to bimini and braid stitch?

Reefman, will a wind-on work?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2013, 03:23:18 PM »

I wouldn't cast a wind-on through the tiny guides of a spinning rod...

Kindof defeats the object of casting further with braid.

Spotted Grunter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2013, 03:36:18 PM »

Was referring more to the R&S medium grinder setups (ultegra, windcast etc.) and rods with bigger guides.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2013, 03:54:57 PM »

Ok I gotcha. In my opinion, if you want to fish a mono leader (like a wind-on), then I'd rather go for a Tapered leader. Tie straight onto the Braid mainline with a 7turn Uni-Fig 8.
But that's just a personal preference. Nothing wrong with a Wind-on, it would work.

zamarlin · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2013, 11:38:54 AM »

Reefman, what kind of tapered leader are you erferring to here? Are there heavy line class tapered leaders available now? I last used tapered leaders when fly fishing years ago.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2013, 11:45:12 AM »

T-Line (local company) make 9m long Tapered leaders in a wide range, right up to 1.6mm leaders.

Sylvester · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2013, 11:52:32 AM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on November 29, 2013, 11:45:12 AM

T-Line (local company) make 9m long Tapered leaders in a wide range, right up to 1.6mm leaders.

If you fish competitively then be sure to measure those leaders. I have found some to be very long. Those tapered leaders do work very well. I would recomend them to anyone!

kevf · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2014, 05:21:01 PM »

ive just used this tut to put 50lb braid leader onto my stradic (with 25lb gosen)so simple and looks so so neat!!!
cheers reefs, cant wait to test it

REEFMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2014, 06:05:54 PM »

Quote from: kevf on January 13, 2014, 05:21:01 PM

ive just used this tut to put 50lb braid leader onto my stradic (with 25lb gosen)so simple and looks so so neat!!!
cheers reefs, cant wait to test it

Awesome! Chuffed that someone finally understands what I'm saying...

I assume you've seen this thread Kev... http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=15598.0 - using Braid leaders?

Promise, if you've done this properly, you will be gobsmacked how long they last and how few windknots you have.

kevf · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2014, 05:30:57 AM »

that's the thread ya, I biminied the mainline and joined it using a cats paw. will be using it at the end of the month and will let you know how it goes