Fishing lines are angling gear that connects the rod to the hook. They are mandatory for applying pole fishing, rod fishing, or bow fishing techniques. Since their invention, people feel the need for different types of lines to target various fish species. So, manufacturers launch three main varieties, including monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon lines. Although the popularity of fluorocarbon is rising day by day, many sticks to their braided models. As the name suggests, they consist of three or more individual strands. Each of them carries approximately 4 to 5 dozen microfibers. In brief, a regular three-strand unit is the combination of 140 to 180 individual strands.
Advantages of Braided Line
Here are some reasons why people buy them often:
- They are made of synthetic materials. Despite having a small diameter, they offer superior knot strength.
- The best part of braids is their surprising durability. One purchase will last for a couple of years.
- A braid is pretty difficult to break. It will be the best support for tackling big catches and fierce fights. The line will also be intact during retrieving fish and setting hooks.
- They ensure precise casting.
- A braided line is less stretchy and very sensitive. These two features are great for deep water fishing. They make targeting species with gentle bites easier.
- Their enhanced flexibility allows an angler to cast the lure in long distances.
- Excellent for angling in thick underwater weed beds.
Disadvantages of Braided Line
Every type of line has some downsides too. Have a glance:
- It cost more than the monofilament strands.
- It is challenging to set and cast.
- Being less stretchy and less prone to break is a blessing, indeed. But they are not appropriate for shallow water hunting. The hard-hitting catches may cause line breakage regularly.
- Digging issue while snagging.
- They act hard on the other items, including rod, reel, and line guides. A braided line provides higher strain on these parts. Therefore, do not set the drag on a higher level than its tolerance.
- Not good enough for fishing in clear water.
- Highly visible underwater.
- Not easy to untangle, sometimes.
Top 4 Knots to Try with Braided Fishing Line
Best Knots
For maximum bites, we have to create any suitable fishing knots. Do you want to know how to tie braided fishing line? If so, you have come to the right place. Try one of these mentioned knots for your braid:
1. UNI KNOT
Anglers also call it Grinner knot. It is one of the most popular, most comfortable, and efficient knots. Above all, it is quite strong and secure. Feel free to use it with other lines too. Follow the following steps to form a uni knot:
- First of all, take your hook and guide the line through its eye. Create a loop using your tag end.
- Make at least six turns over the line such that a loop is generated.
- Bring the tag end out of the loop and pull it hard.
- Pull the standing segment to adjust the loop size.
- Cut off the excess line.
And that’s all; the knot is ready. If you want to make it stronger, lead the line through the hook’s eye twice and perform more than ten turns later. It will give excellent results in sea fishing and fly fishing.
2. PALOMAR KNOT
We love this one for its incredible strength and simplicity. It works well with mono and braided lines. Let’s see how to tie it:
- Double a few inches of your braided line.
- Move the double layers together through the eye of the hook. It may not work for a hook with a small eye. In this case, you will be passing the line once. Double it back. Lastly, push the end one more time from the other direction. Make sure to reserve at least 5 inches of layered portion outside the eye.
- Now, tie a simple and loose overhand knot without twisting the line.
- Hold the new knot between two fingers.
- Guide the loop over your hook and slide over the mainline.
- Grab the end as well as the standing line. Pull them together to tighten the knot.
- Cut off the excess part.
The created knot will be very reliable, especially for the night hunters. Everyone can make it even in the dark with a little practice. The only drawback is the big loop size.
3. IMPROVED CLINCH KNOT
It is also a widely-used fishing knot. We love how it secures the braided line to our hook. Just like the Palomar knot, we can use it along with both braids and monofilaments. Sadly, it does not give a good performance as the previous two. If you still want to try, follow these phases:
- Pass the line through the swivel or hook’s eye.
- Pull some inches back and twist it around the other portion several times.
- You will see a small loop just above the hook’s eye. Pass the end of your line through it. The coils should not overlap while doing so.
- Moisten the tag end. Pull both the tag end and mainline slowly so that the coils come close to each other. Tighten the knot.
- Get rid of the extra end.
Perform a minimum of ten wraps around the standing line for the best result. Avoid making it using heavy lines because it will not be effective at all.
4. SAN DIEGO JAM KNOT
It is not as famous as the first three options due to long time requirements and inconsistent performance. Honestly, the uni knot is way better than this one. Nevertheless, we are adding the process, in case you are curious:
- Slide the line through your hook or swivel.
- Bring a few inches back and hold the formed loop with your finger.
- Wrap the tag end over the double line and your index finger at least ten times.
- As soon as you complete the last wrap, bring the end down and insert through the loop held by your finger.
- Remove finger and tighten the coils without overlapping.
- Trim the tag end.
The good part of this knot is its versatility. You can use any line for it.
