Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Need to connect 40-50 mono to 100-130 monoshock leader to be cast on Heaver. Knot has to be low profile as I will be leaning into a pound of weight plus bait. Braid is not an option; it will get you stabbed in the prescribed locale where I will be slinging. I would otherwise use double unit and wrap with dental floss.

Suggestions?

I have used a Bimini twist to Blood knot connection for what you're describing.

Heavy shorecasting (8-12oz plus bait) from the rocks for ulua (giant trevally).

Works great—-just have to work the Blood knot coils together close and even before cinching it down.

Tag ends trimmed nearly flush for casting.

Surgeon knot

Thanks, gents! I will be slinging a 4/0 wide most likely, so yes, not unlike ulua setup. This is all a fun experiment- a buddy gave me an excessively crusty Magnaflex some years back- it had been painted very poorly with a rattle can, missing reel seat and the butt was electrical tape wrapped over some x'd cord. He paid 15 bucks for a bit of history, so I thought I'd see if I can do a quick refurb before Oct 18 and let it get wet on the OBX once again. For actual drum fishing I built a CTS 1306 and a 13' St Croix with Fathom 15DCS and Squall 15 DCS or rodded 525Mag, respectively.

John

We do four turns on the Blood knot and tie the Bimini as normal. 50lb mono on a 4/0 wide, with the right technique, can net some surprisingly good distance. Good job bringing that Magnaflex back to life; a bear of a blank and happy in that heavy current it sounds like you'll be fishing.

I use a 3 turn surgeons knot for floro to mono, hasn't failed me yet

Quote from: Swami805 on October 05, 2026, 08:37:28 PMI use a 3 turn surgeons knot for floro to mono, hasn't failed me yet

×3

Current is right- Hatteras inlet and Point at Buxton, NC.

I use a single or double overhand knot to a uni. Some lines, the single overhand holds, some it doesn't. The most I have used is 80lb shock leader, usually 50 60 lb. I use 17 or 20 lb main line for the big stuff, 14 for the panfish.
I hear the knot going through the guides, but it has never caught and caused a blowup. I blow it up other ways plenty, just not my knot choice causing it.

A lot of drum guys use a no-name knot to bimini twist. I like my knot because I can tie it in the dark and have confidence in it.

I have also used the same knot set-up for UK shorecasting as bja105, but only 6oz leads max. Has never let me down and flows through the rod rings nicely - my various muck-ups had other causes!