I am in the process of acquiring components for a new baitcasting rod (primarily for smallmouth bass). In the past, I have always used 6 mm rings for my running guides. My baitcasting reels are spooled with 30/8 Power Pro, but I almost always use an 8 lb copolymer leader attached with a double uni-knot. While I am perfectly happy with the #6's, I am succumbing to all the buzz regarding micro guides. Will that knot pass freely through a smaller ring, or should I stay with that which has worked so well in the past. Sometimes, I feel as though micros are an answer to a question I haven't asked, or, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Anyone have experience in this gray area?
Thanks.
Slainte,
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!

Hunter,

The smaller the ring gets the less casting distance you'll get with knoted lines. BUT, ... there is not much difference in a 5 versus a 6mm. But again, I always STAY with 6mm when leaders will be used.

What you could do to reduce weight is go to something like a minima guide, these have bigger openings and you can get by with going a lot smaller. Another option would be to go to recoil style guides. PacBay makes one but I cant recall the name at presant.

DR

I'm running uni-uni knots through 3.5mm Fuji SiC's and 4mm Alconites. My braid is lighter than yours though. I'm using 10/2 Power Pro connected to 6# and 8# floro leaders. I run 10' to 15' leaders, so I'm always casting the knot through the guides. You can feel the knot ticking through, but it still casts very well.

I can run 20# braid uni-uni to 20# furocarbon leaders all day long

5mm rings will pass you’re knot no problems at all. You may want to consider an Albright knot, it tightens down much smaller than the uni-uni. I was having a problem getting Albright knots to hold with Berkley Nanofil line, it is so thin and slick the knots pulled loose or cut the fluorocarbon. I solved it by doubling up the braid, it still ends up being way smaller than a uni-uni knot and holds great.

Another thing you can try is not doing so many twists on the uni. I find a 3x3 works just fine for most bass fishing. If I fish saltwater I'll add more passes on each side.

I also like to wet the knot after and run my fingers over it to smooth it out. Both of these help a lot.

All my personal rods run 6mm. No issues after making these adjustsments. 20# Slik to 8-10-15# flouro.

maybe this knot will help
[www.youtube.com]

Bill - willierods.com

bill boettcher Wrote:
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> maybe this knot will help
> [www.youtube.com]
> =player_embedded


This knot is awesome in this application. I use size 3 guides, and this know passes through just fine with 30lb PowerPro and 12-15lb flouro.

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

Thanks, everyone. I had resisted using an Albright as I can tie a uni-to-uni knot practically in my sleep. The Albright isn't more difficult, but I didn't want to bother learning a new routine. Now, I guess, I'll learn a new routine. As the guys at Possum Lodge say, "I'm a man. I can change, if I have to, I guess!" Again, thanks to all.
Slainte,
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!

I don't want to learn certain things -- only unless I get paid

Bill - willierods.com

I use a nail knot splice. It is a very small knot and easy to do.

Try a Google Search on Fishing Knots

Bill - willierods.com

Okay since nobody mentioned it....and keep in mind I hardly bother.....but there is a lot to be said for something like a little pliobond on a knot. It is the little tag ends that stick out that cause a problem. Make the knot look like a little minature goodyear blimp and it will be so much smoother to cast.

Uni knot is okay. You have to remember most of the guys here are so old we never heard of a uni knot until recently but grew up with albrights, blood knots, and nail knots. More power to you if you can tie a san diego knot in the pitch dark.

Oh, and BTW in you want admission into the micro club you have to go 3.5mm and smaller. I was all proud and thinking I got there with 4mm blag's but no dice.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Before I built, I would test with taped on guides. I've seen this subject probably a dozen times with hundreds of opinions. I have mine, and it agrees with only a few of those above. Also, what I consider acceptable, someone else may not, so it is important to test. How hard is the clicking as the knot passes? Is the knot being damaged by passing through the guides? How long is the leader going to be (my experience is that the length of the leader affects how well it goes through the guides-not sure why, but it has with me). With the thousands of combinations and techniques possible, thousands of interpretations of observations, test before invest.

One fact that is beyond debate is the size of the Albright vs the uni. Since the uni has five "layers" of the big line, the mono, and only two of it in the Albright, the Albright is much more compact. It also goes through the guides on the way out with the tag end of the mono trailing, although the influence of this will be yet another opinion.

Well, just to let those that responded know, I decided to try and master the Albright knot, and I decided to go with 5 mm rings (Alps). I am reasonably certain that casting won't be a problem even if I continue to use the uni-to-uni knot. I did watch the video linked above, and found it very useful (thank you, Bill), but I also pulled out my old copy of Mark Sosin's and Lefty Kreh's Practical Fishing Knots. While modern braided line (Spectra/Dyneema) wasn't in common use when they wrote it, the "lock" they use with the tag end of the smaller line makes a great deal of sense. Again, thanks to everyone for the advice and help. I am again reminded what a wonderful resource rodbuilding.org really is.
Tight lines,
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!