main line/shock leader/knot ??

[jonesey]

the benefit you get from the bimini is that it retains 1oo% of the line's strength

what I mean is that it only forms the loop for the shock leader to attach to. The key is that your leader is tied so as to grip two pieces of mainline (by looping it over) rather than one(as with a bloodknot). I used the bimini for a while but now dont because of the above. If you dont believe me then try it out.

[tonynufc]

what knot did you use to attach your leader to the bimini ???

[jonesey]

one is to pass the leader through the loop then around the two strands three times. then push the leader back out the loop and tighten.
second way is to pass the leader through the mainline loop then around the leader twice (around the finger) and through. gently pull the mainline and the leader passes over the two strands of the mainline loop and tightens around them(around their outsides rather than the end). this means it grips the two strands so it doesn't matter whether the free end is cut off or tied as per the bimini. knots are shown on sea angler video/dvd.

[Davyred]

Sorry, you're wrong Jonesy. The knots strength comes through the fact you're using double the strength of your main line, as you leader is wrapped around the loop (if you tie it correctly)...

A Little History
In the heyday of big game fishing, back in the 1950's, giant Bluefin Tuna passed by the islands of the Bahamas in huge numbers during their annual migration. At this time the pioneers of our great sport regarded the Bluefin Tuna as the ultimate adversary in the ocean far more powerful and physically demanding than a Marlin of similar size.
Almost every item of tackle and equipment that we now regard as standard equipment in the big game fishing world was first developed to tackle these monster tuna, and by monster we are talking about fish that can top a 1000lb in weight. Bent butt rods, roller guides, lever drag reels, two speed reels, fighting chairs and fighting harnesses all came about because of the desire to catch these massive fish. Even the basic design of the modern big game fishing boat was first evolved in this prolific tuna fishery by such legendary boat builders as Merritt and Rybovich. Here speed and maneuverability were vital to stay in touch with the movements of the fish.
Another small, but incredibly significant, development of this era was a knot that has become known as the Bimini Twist, named after the island of Bimini where much of the history of giant Bluefin Tuna fishing was created. The sheer power of these fish meant that it was essential to eliminate every possible weakness in the tackle and equipment. The knot that was used to join the main reel line to the leader connection was one such weakness and the Bimini Twist was born to help solve this problem.
The Bimini Twist is not a "knot" as such. It cannot be used directly to tie on a swivel, hook or leader and it works by forming a double thickness section at the end of the main reel line. The significant property of the Bimini Twist is that, when correctly tied, the line retains 100% of its original strength. Conventional knots (blood knot, uni knot, etc.) reduce the line strength quite considerably due to their tendency to "strangle" themselves when put under heavy pressure. The doubled section of line that is created by the Bimini Twist is used to tie onto the swivel, hook, leader, etc, and a conventional knot can now be used as double the thickness means double the strength and this more than compensates for the loss of strength within the knot.


The Bimini Twist | Sea Fishing and Sea Angling Online

[tonynufc]

i use the figure of eight knot to attach to the bimini, i think thats what you described. check the thread bimini twist ive put a link and a diagram on there

[5150]

Have to say I use the basic uni-knot leader to mainline concept because frankly on a freezing cold night it's quick, easy and works perfectly and can be tied in seconds with no fuss. Shocker with a granny knot around the thin main line and then just 4-5 loops blood-knot style twice over (once then once again inside the original) then out through the initial loop, trim the ends and done. Never failled me yet.

[tonynufc]

Sorry, you're wrong Jonesy. The knots strength comes through the fact you're using double the strength of your main line, as you leader is wrapped around the loop (if you tie it correctly)...

A Little History
In the heyday of big game fishing, back in the 1950's, giant Bluefin Tuna passed by the islands of the Bahamas in huge numbers during their annual migration. At this time the pioneers of our great sport regarded the Bluefin Tuna as the ultimate adversary in the ocean far more powerful and physically demanding than a Marlin of similar size.
Almost every item of tackle and equipment that we now regard as standard equipment in the big game fishing world was first developed to tackle these monster tuna, and by monster we are talking about fish that can top a 1000lb in weight. Bent butt rods, roller guides, lever drag reels, two speed reels, fighting chairs and fighting harnesses all came about because of the desire to catch these massive fish. Even the basic design of the modern big game fishing boat was first evolved in this prolific tuna fishery by such legendary boat builders as Merritt and Rybovich. Here speed and maneuverability were vital to stay in touch with the movements of the fish.
Another small, but incredibly significant, development of this era was a knot that has become known as the Bimini Twist, named after the island of Bimini where much of the history of giant Bluefin Tuna fishing was created. The sheer power of these fish meant that it was essential to eliminate every possible weakness in the tackle and equipment. The knot that was used to join the main reel line to the leader connection was one such weakness and the Bimini Twist was born to help solve this problem.
The Bimini Twist is not a "knot" as such. It cannot be used directly to tie on a swivel, hook or leader and it works by forming a double thickness section at the end of the main reel line. The significant property of the Bimini Twist is that, when correctly tied, the line retains 100% of its original strength. Conventional knots (blood knot, uni knot, etc.) reduce the line strength quite considerably due to their tendency to "strangle" themselves when put under heavy pressure. The doubled section of line that is created by the Bimini Twist is used to tie onto the swivel, hook, leader, etc, and a conventional knot can now be used as double the thickness means double the strength and this more than compensates for the loss of strength within the knot.


The Bimini Twist | Sea Fishing and Sea Angling Online

cheers for that mate thats quite interesting.

[Davyred]

Have to say I use the basic uni-knot leader to mainline concept because frankly on a freezing cold night it's quick, easy and works perfectly and can be tied in seconds with no fuss. Shocker with a granny knot around the thin main line and then just 4-5 loops blood-knot style twice over (once then once again inside the original) then out through the initial loop, trim the ends and done. Never failled me yet.

I can honestly say I can tie a bimini in the dark with no trouble at all in about a minute and a half. It looks a hell of a lot more complicated than it really is. If you sit and practice it in the warmth of your sitting room, you'll not believe the benefits when you actually come to use it.

Its that strong that its an absolute t**t to pull out if you're snagged

[tonynufc]

I can honestly say I can tie a bimini in the dark with no trouble at all in about a minute and a half. It looks a hell of a lot more complicated than it really is. If you sit and practice it in the warmth of your sitting room, you'll not believe the benefits when you actually come to use it.

Its that strong that its an absolute t**t to pull out if you're snagged

ill agree with that, a mate of mine has snapped 3/0 sakumas before the bimini snapped

[Charlie_Thompson]

I watched big Ant tie one in my front room in about 4 seconds. Thought yup very good m8. I'd agree with Davy though, make a few mistakes keep practicing and away you go, works for most things (Perhaps not suicide). I'm rubbish at following diagrams though I need someone to show me in 3D how to tie a knot.

I've always liked the idea of a blob knot but don't really trust them. I tie a double Uni knot but every time I get snagged, unless I'm using rotten bottoms, the line always parts at the leader knot.

[jonesey]

[QUOTE=Davyred;155965]Sorry, you're wrong Jonesy. The knots strength comes through the fact you're using double the strength of your main line, as you leader is wrapped around the loop (if you tie it correctly)...

A Little History
In the heyday of big game fishing, back in the 1950's, giant Bluefin Tuna passed by the islands of the Bahamas in huge numbers during their annual migration. At this time the pioneers of our great sport regarded the Bluefin Tuna as the ultimate adversary in the ocean far more powerful and physically demanding than a Marlin of similar size.
Almost every item of tackle and equipment that we now regard as standard equipment in the big game fishing world was first developed to tackle these monster tuna, and by monster we are talking about fish that can top a 1000lb in weight. Bent butt rods, roller guides, lever drag reels, two speed reels, fighting chairs and fighting harnesses all came about because of the desire to catch these massive fish. Even the basic design of the modern big game fishing boat was first evolved in this prolific tuna fishery by such legendary boat builders as Merritt and Rybovich. Here speed and maneuverability were vital to stay in touch with the movements of the fish.
Another small, but incredibly significant, development of this era was a knot that has become known as the Bimini Twist, named after the island of Bimini where much of the history of giant Bluefin Tuna fishing was created. The sheer power of these fish meant that it was essential to eliminate every possible weakness in the tackle and equipment. The knot that was used to join the main reel line to the leader connection was one such weakness and the Bimini Twist was born to help solve this problem.
The Bimini Twist is not a "knot" as such. It cannot be used directly to tie on a swivel, hook or leader and it works by forming a double thickness section at the end of the main reel line. The significant property of the Bimini Twist is that, when correctly tied, the line retains 100% of its original strength. Conventional knots (blood knot, uni knot, etc.) reduce the line strength quite considerably due to their tendency to "strangle" themselves when put under heavy pressure. The doubled section of line that is created by the Bimini Twist is used to tie onto the swivel, hook, leader, etc, and a conventional knot can now be used as double the thickness means double the strength and this more than compensates for the loss of strength within the knot.


The Bimini Twist | Sea Fishing and Sea Angling Online[/QUOTE

Thanks for that mate, hopefully we'll meet up some time and I have the opportunity to show in practice what i am trying to explain. I appreciate that by folding your line and tying onto a double length of line it will be very strong, all i,m saying is you can achieve a doubled section of line without a bimini.

[stevep31]

ultima

i think ultima is probs the best line iv ever used f1 low die and realy strong

[jimmy]

the Bimini ios very easy to tie,and under 1 minute.Peopel have the misconception that when you tie a bimini the mainline retains 100% strength,WRONG. It is the knot that retains the strength,thats why you will find that the mainline will snap and not the knot
By the way the Bimini is the only mainline to leader i use

[dizzydaz]

i use 20lb mainline with a tapered shockleader of 20lb through to 60lb the only knot il use is a bimini knot not had any problems with it

[paulthespark]

do you only use this knot for tighing shock leader to main line or do you use it for hooks ,swivels ect, in all honesty it seems a bit of a f//k on and i haven't got a chance in hell of catching a 1000lbs blue fin tuna off the steetly pier h,pool