Better Bimini Finish

While fishing on the Courtesan with Capt. David Noling in Carabelleda, Venezuela, I watched Cesar Peinate -- one of the excellent mates on board -- tie up a Bimini twist. After placing the loop around a reel handle and making the required turns, Peinate deftly pushed down the coils and proceeded to finish the knot with half-hitches. Or so I thought.
Upon closer inspection, I saw Peinate finish the Bimini with a knot that resembles a reverse Albright instead of the usual series of half-hitches. Finishing a Bimini in this way, after looping in the first hitch to hold the coils, creates a more streamlined knot that slips through guides very easily and is strong enough to withstand the tortures of landing 300-pound blues on 30-pound test with maximum drag pressure. The improved knot looks so much better that it definitely left me wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Dave Ferrell
Orlando, Florida