Author Topic: Bimini Troubles (Read 7436 times)

christosch · « **on:** December 03, 2012, 07:39:03 PM »

Hey all - I've been practicing doing the bimini twist but have hit a snag.
On thinner line and braid I've got no problem but as soon as I try it on 0.45 and 0.55 XX hi abrasion I get line twist on the line side and bad line damage on the loop side (see photo)
What could be the cause?
I am trying to do it as per Reefman's video tutorial (won't stop until I can do it in 60 seconds as well!!!)

Thanks

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2012, 08:01:03 PM »

Christoch , the secret is spit and plenty of it , you've got to lube the mono well or it gets heat burn when twisting up doing the bimini , also make the loop bigger so that there is less stress on the mono's when u twist them and lastly once i've done the bimini and at the point where u do the half hitch to lock the wraps in place i let the mono relax for a while sort of like to un-memorize itself then i proceed to the last phase of the wraps around both legs of mono and tightening up , but u got to keep running the mono through your mouth to constantly keep it lubed .

Kumz · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2012, 08:16:08 PM »

Mike's right....lube is always gud

CAPTAIN MORGAN · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2012, 08:48:06 PM »

Hi there,
Just do Aussie plates, you will never look back and in my opinion much stronger and neater and I have never lost a fish as a result of a failed Aussie plate.

Cheers

Weedeater · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2012, 08:58:19 PM »

Quote from: MIKE PIKE on December 03, 2012, 08:01:03 PM

Christoch , the secret is spit and plenty of it , you've got to lube the mono well or it gets heat burn when twisting up doing the bimini , also make the loop bigger so that there is less stress on the mono's when u twist them and lastly once i've done the bimini and at the point where u do the half hitch to lock the wraps in place i let the mono relax for a while sort of like to un-memorize itself then i proceed to the last phase of the wraps around both legs of mono and tightening up , but u got to keep running the mono through your mouth to constantly keep it lubed .

Mike is right. Lube the kuk outta it. You'll still get line 'burn' tho, no matter what you do, just a case of how bad it is. The softer the mono the worse it is.

christosch · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:03:52 PM »

The key was the lube - much better! Now I have to mop the floor!!
Thanks guys.
Captain - tried to read your post on the aussie plates but I'm lost.
Can you explain more?

Thanks

CAPTAIN MORGAN · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:13:37 PM »

Quote from: christosch on December 03, 2012, 09:03:52 PM

The key was the lube - much better! Now I have to mop the floor!!
Thanks guys.
Captain - tried to read your post on the aussie plates but I'm lost.
Can you explain more?

Thanks

REEFMAN stand by here! a Aussie plate is a double line knot I am sure Reefman has posted something on how to do it, just search for it or maybe Reefs can direct you to it! Anyway search for it and enjoy it, it is the best!

Cheers

REEFMAN · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2012, 07:23:52 AM »

Reckon the Aussie Plait is a great knot for Offshore use, but because it has 3 strands of line plaited together, unlike the Bimini's 2 strands, it makes for a bulky knot to cast with. The finished knot is more bulky than the Bimini and is therefore not that friendly to casting through the guides at speed. But if you're having problems with making the Bimini, (with burnt wavy bits of line), then it is a good alternative for R/S.

Aussie Plait tut: http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=1714.msg15138#msg15138

CAPTAIN MORGAN · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2012, 08:12:37 AM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on December 04, 2012, 07:23:52 AM

Reckon the Aussie Plait is a great knot for Offshore use, but because it has 3 strands of line plaited together, unlike the Bimini's 2 strands, it makes for a bulky knot to cast with. The finished knot is more bulky than the Bimini and is therefore not that friendly to casting through the guides at speed. But if you're having problems with making the Bimini, (with burnt wavy bits of line), then it is a good alternative for R/S.

Aussie Plait tut: http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=1714.msg15138#msg15138

Thanks Reefman

Lenny · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2012, 09:44:22 AM »

Ausie plait is good , you can als try a Spider hitch , never had a problem with it , and have landed some serious Yellowfins ,yellowtail and /bronzies with the knot , lube is very , very important .

Dont be hasty , and try to make a proper knot in record time these things , with practice goes quiker . I always use a Bimini , but when fishfever sets in , everybody is going Vas ,its not easy making a flawless knot .

shagnrelease · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2012, 11:00:58 AM »

Quote from: CAPTAIN MORGAN on December 03, 2012, 08:48:06 PM

Hi there,
Just do Aussie plates, you will never look back and in my opinion much stronger and neater and I have never lost a fish as a result of a failed Aussie plate.

Cheers

Hear hear!!

shagnrelease · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2012, 11:06:29 AM »

Quote from: Lenny on December 04, 2012, 09:44:22 AM

Ausie plait is good , you can als try a Spider hitch , never had a problem with it , and have landed some serious Yellowfins ,yellowtail and /bronzies with the knot , lube is very , very important .

Dont be hasty , and try to make a proper knot in record time these things , with practice goes quiker . I always use a Bimini , but when fishfever sets in , everybody is going Vas ,its not easy making a flawless knot .

Also a fantastic knot and hugely underated, I have never had a spider hitch break on me!! I use this on all my outfits under 30lb and recently gave them a great work out and had zero failures.

Backline · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2012, 02:04:00 PM »

Hi – If I may..
Both knots are good. One must be able to do both. When preparing beforehand at home you do the plate. But at sea on the boat the bimini is best. Easy and quick. The plate is just much more forgiving as the bimini . Meaning the following: If you make the plate badly you will still have a 70% knot. If you make the bimini badly you will have a 20% knot. In general the plate is not made for casting, for it’s a proper offshore knot.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2012, 02:07:21 PM »

Ziggacktly!

christosch · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2012, 04:44:07 PM »

Thanks guys!!
I'm going to practice both and will see what the finished knot looks like.
How would I go about testing the knot strengths?

Half-Pint · « **Reply #15 on:** December 04, 2012, 06:09:14 PM »

Rig up to a scale and pull until it snaps. You can also try giving a few strong jerks to see which knot handles that better.

christosch · « **Reply #16 on:** December 04, 2012, 07:13:33 PM »

Ja - think I'll take a piece of line and make bimini on one side and aus on other - pull until one snaps.
Geez - I've got too much time on my hands!!!

peterblace · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2012, 11:25:17 AM »

can one join a wind on leader as well to the aussie plait loop the same way (modified cats paw) you join the wind on leader to the bimini loop???
or that does not make any sense??

REEFMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2012, 12:41:41 PM »

The Plait forms a loop like the Bimini, so there is no reason why you wouldn't be able to join a Wind-on with a Mod Catspaw?

Lenny · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2012, 03:22:45 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on December 05, 2012, 12:41:41 PM

The Plait forms a loop like the Bimini, so there is no reason why you wouldn't be able to join a Wind-on with a Mod Catspaw?

yes it can be done , but keep in mind , making the connection you have to have bigger loops in thicker line , it makes it a bit easier to tie .