YUCATAN KNOT

[REEFMAN]

Ideal for joining smaller diameter braid to leader
 

 
If you're battling to form the knot... try this...


 
Photo Tutorial below....








 

 
This knot is tricky in certain brands of Flourocarbon... particularly Berkley Vanish. Knot tends to slip.
If you find the knot slips when testing, then increase the number of wraps.
 

[Ziggy]

Would it make a significant difference to the knot if you merely doubled the braid and did not use a bimini - and just trim the loose piece of braid? Would the braid slip through the knot?

[REEFMAN]

Ziggy... I'm pretty sure that you're going to compromise the knot by not tieing a proper loop first. The tag end of the loop has the potential of pulling right out then. If you're not comfortable with the Bimini, then just do a Spider Hitch... in light tackle this is fine... but in heavier lines, the Spider Hitch is not preferred in Braid. Remember all knots in Braid will weaken it significantly. Braid Stitch is first prize, Bimini close second.

[Ziggy]

•     As you know - I am always looking for alternative  notes! Its not that I am uncomfortable with the bimini - its just that you cant  tie it in haste - and at the rate that I get caught on rocks (my main fishing  terrain) and have to break the line loose, I would loose more line because the  bimini uses more line than other knots.  I still like the uni/fig8 knot though - served me well so far (since the time  you recommended it to me), however with thicker flouro I feel that the knot  sometimes looks/feels insecure.  I fish (spinning and dropshot) with the following lines and leaders - what  knots would be best for each of these combinations?   
   
    Jigman 30lb - with flouro 30 or 40 lb flouro
    Jigman 20lb - with 20 or 30lb flouro
    Jigman 15lb - with 20, 12 or15lb flouro
    Jigman 10lb - with 8 or 10 lb flouro
    Fireline 4 lb with 8lb flouro

[REEFMAN]

Depends which you tie quickest. The 7 turn Uni/Fig 8 is usually much easier to do 'cos it doesn't involve doing a Bimini or a Spider Hitch - so if you've got that one taped, then use it for all those apps.
I'm tending to move towards doing that now as well, only time I use the Yucatan is if I'm fishing Nylon mainline and I need the stretch of the Bimini.

[Ziggy]

now I feel much better! will use the uni/fig8 only!

[super_daav]

I get the feeling that the Yucatan knot is better for lighter tackle / breaking strains and the uni / fig 8 is better for heavier tackle.

Is there a big difference in knot stength in the uni/fig 8 with doubling the mainline vs. single (I know this defeats the point for Ziggy...)? and how big a difference can one go in terms of diameter of mainline to leader?

[REEFMAN]

I get the feeling that the Yucatan knot is better for lighter tackle / breaking strains and the uni / fig 8 is better for heavier tackle.

Is there a big difference in knot stength in the uni/fig 8 with doubling the mainline vs. single (I know this defeats the point for Ziggy...)? and how big a difference can one go in terms of diameter of mainline to leader?

Generally, leader diam should be about 1.5-2x the diam of the mainline. If using nylon as your mainline, then a Double fig 8 works fine, but I prefer to have the stretch of the Bimini when using Nylon - it is much more forgiving.
If you're using Braid mainline, I wouldn't use a single strand of mainline - it's just cutting things a bit fine.

[steve m]

I have found that this knot cuts my mono when i use it with 50lb spiderwire ez braid and 0.60 rovex devil mono. I have found that with that braid/mono combo that if you double the braid then do a 10 turn albright it is rediculously strong and im yet to brake it have spapped off about ten times and every time it was the 0.45 hook snoot or sinker line that broke have evn broken the leader but never ever the know. Up until i used it on this braid/mono combo I HATED the albrighgt and only tied it out of desperation and now love it for that but wont use it in steel or mono to mono.

[Watermark]

I have noticed that once you start pulling the two lines together and the mono is all flush there is approximately 1 to 2cm of mono immediately next to the knot that has been damaged during the tightening. No matter how much I lube the knot the mono that emerges from the tying process after tightening appears to be compromised. How do I get around this or what am I doing wrong?

Tks
Mark

[REEFMAN]

Mark... I've found that you must lube the wraps generously before starting to tighten it - saliva works best. And the tension must be slow and gentle pressure- if you force it, the line will definitely burn... but thats a given with all knots I reckon. If when starting to tighten, the knot doesn't slip nicely together, then there's not enough lube. I put the entire wrap in my mouth and slip it left to right a few times first before tightening...??? 

[LUPO]

All this lube talk, slipping things left and right is starting to border on explicit talk.  I demand that admin steps in. LOL
 

[John F]

All this lube talk, slipping things left and right is starting to border on explicit talk.  I demand that admin steps in. LOL
 

 

[super_daav]

Classic!! hehe

[Watermark]

Thanks I will give ita bash, I think you may have answered the question/solved the problem TENSION, I lubed it like a barrel of eels (easy Lupo) but it still burnt, I think the answer is tension in the braid before tightening to keep the braid from folding on itself and allowing the mono to slip-n-slide (easy Lupo). I'll try tonight and let you know.