Sport Fishing Knot Challenge

Few game fish of coral reefs test knots as mercilessly as huge GT in Australia — where the FG knot is a favorite of Capt. Tim Baker.

TYING THE IMPROVED BRISTOL KNOT

Thanks to Capt. Simos, who submitted our winning improved FG knot, I can't claim that what I'm calling the improved bristol is the strongest knot you can tie to connect braid to mono. However, I suspect it's the strongest knot you can tie (even aboard a rocking boat) in less than a minute. In fact, there's not much to it. As shown below, once you've tied a loop (12-turn Bimini recommended) in the braid, simply run your leader's upper end through the bottom of the braid loop; then twist up and around the double braid. But before bringing the leader's tag end back down through that bottom loop, pinch the braid and leader at the top of the coils and work the leader back down for the same number of wraps. I find that five or six wraps (which means 10 to 12 total) often works well, depending on the size of the braid and leader (especially how great the difference is between the two) and the type and "grabbiness" of the braid.

Tying the Improved Bristol

Comments (4) Post A Comment

from James Campbell (not verified) on 06.06.13 at 3:38PM ET.

I'm always trying to learn how to tie newer, stronger knots. I can't tell you how many animated cartoons I have saved on my computer so I don't forget. One of my new favorite knots wasn't used in your contest and I was curious as to why? One of the strongest braid to mono knots I've used is the "Double Grinner Knot". It is a bit of a pain to perfect but in the past year I have been using it, I have not had a single break at the connection. What do you think about this knot?

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from RICARDO ARGUDO (not verified) on 04.08.13 at 7:29PM ET.

Dear Sportfishing Magazine:
Just read your April issue and would like to apply to the SF"S
2013 Reader Knot Challenge.Looking forwad to your response.
Sincerely,Ricardo Argudo

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from roger holes (not verified) on 03.30.13 at 10:38AM ET.

I just today recieved my april issue, with an ad for a knot tying contest tried to enter can't find knots@sportfishingmag.com online. how would one enter?

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from bwyan on 01.17.13 at 9:52AM ET.

Doug, I'm glad you posted this article, because it raises something I've always wondered about.
You wrote:
"you probably won't reach 100 percent of line strength since your Bimini (or spider hitch or surgeon's) knot will have some weakness."

My question is: Why do you even need a Bimini/surgeons/etc??

For as long as I've used braid, I've doubled the braid - but I've never bothered to knot the double - I've just doubled it over and tied the knot!!
(In my case, usually a slim beauty because I like it, it's easy to tie and it sits well as a wind-on knot - I use it for both fly and conventional fishing) - then I trim off the extra tag end.....simple.....no Bimini/surgeon to weaken the system.

So my question is: Why does nobody else use it or mention it. I've fished with many fishermen over the years, many of them pretty damned good too, but they all give me a blank look when I do it. Am I missing something? Is there some flaw in my thinking? It has worked brilliantly for me over the years, so it makes me wonder why nobody else does it?

Thanks
Bryan

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Few game fish of coral reefs test knots as mercilessly as huge GT in Australia — where the FG knot is a favorite of Capt. Tim Baker.

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Sport Fishing Knot Challenge

Few game fish of coral reefs test knots as mercilessly as huge GT in Australia — where the FG knot is a favorite of Capt. Tim Baker.

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