Dog Knot

Many of my charter clients in Kona are avid Japanese anglers who enjoy deepwater jigging and bring their own rods, reels, lures and lines. I've seen several types of knots used for joining braided line to mono (we use 40- to 80-pound braided line and 50- to 130-pound mono), but they're all bulky and hang on smaller line guides. The large knots pose casting problems and most won't pass through the guide on a levelwind reel.
The "dog knot" I invented and have been using for two years outperforms the Albright when taming tough fish (or hanging bottom). The dog knot resembles a uni-knot; the secret lies in wrapping braided line twice around the mono leader prior to forming the loop.
Before tying this knot, double the braided line by tying a short, 40-wrap Bimini twist and hold the end of the mono leader near a flame to form a knob.
1. Start the knot as you would when tying a uni-knot: Form a loop with the braided line and take two turns around the mono leader.
2. Double the mono back on itself and take five more turns of the braided line around both strands of leader.
3. Pull the wraps tight, then pull the "knobby" end of mono against the knot.
4. Pull the leader tight.
Capt. Jeff Rogers
K-IX Charters
Kona, Hawaii
jfrogers@gte.net