Splicing Leaders (Braid to Fluorocarbon)

[PawPaw]

<p>Do any of you use a "rubber based cement/glue" when splicing leaders?&nbsp; I read today in an article that some fishermen use this to make the knot a little smoother when it goes through your guides.&nbsp; I currently use a product called "Fishing Glue" to make the splice I use a little safer but it doesn&#39;t make it go through the guides any better.&nbsp; If any of you do, please share with me what it&#39;s called and where I can purchase some.</p>

[SmokeyJ]

<p>What knot(s) are you using for the splice?&nbsp; If you are using Uni-Uni, that is probably the biggest problem; that splice is just too big in my opinion.&nbsp; I guess I could see if you slathered some plain old rubber cement from the craft store on it and shaped the glue as it dried that it might come through the guides better, but I still think a slimmer knot is a better solution.</p>
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<p>Here are some knot options that I have used:</p>
<p><a title="Alberto Knot" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(&#39;/outgoing/www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml&#39;);" href="http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml" target="_blank">Improved Albright or Alberto Knot</a></p>
<p>I like this one with a little bit heavier line.&nbsp; Sometimes on lighter test leaders the braid can cut into the leader.&nbsp; One solution to this is to tie a bimini twist in the braid and then use the doubled braid of the loop to tie the improved albright.&nbsp; The improved albright is pretty easy to tie, although if you need to do the bimini twist, that knot takes some practice.</p>
<p><a title="GT Knot" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(&#39;/outgoing/www.anglers-proshop.com/img/knots/SF-Knot-large.gif&#39;);" rel="lightbox[1092]" href="http://www.anglers-proshop.com/img/knots/SF-Knot-large.gif" target="_blank">GT Knot</a></p>
<p>This knot is more complicated that the improved albright, but it is very thin and holds very well.&nbsp; It is one of a number of knots I have seen that rely on the braid wrapped up and then back down the leader and then when pulled tight it acts like a Chinese finger trap to hold onto the leader.&nbsp; It takes practice, but it is a good knot.&nbsp; Some other knots that fall in this category that rely on the finger trap friction are the Mid Knot, Sebile Knot, Slim Beauty Knot and I am sure there are others.&nbsp; You can google those to check them out.</p>
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<p>Anyways, try one of those out.&nbsp; I think you&#39;ll be happy with the slimness compared to an uni-uni, and the strength is just as good.&nbsp; One thing I would add is that if you are tying a leader out on the water, definitely go with what is easiest for you.&nbsp; I tie my leaders on before I go fishing when I am at home, so I don&#39;t have any problems trying a more complicated knot (they usually take a couple tries for me to get right)</p>

[FlySlingerCole]

<a href="http://www.loonoutdoors.com/products/uvknotsense.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.loonoutdoors.com/pr.....sense.html</a>

<a href="http://www.loonoutdoors.com/products/uvminilamp.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.loonoutdoors.com/pr.....ilamp.html</a>

[sumtershoaliefan]

<p>Pawpaw, have you found clear enough water in Georgia to warrent a leader? LOL. I never use a leader and always tie the braid directly to my baits. Seems to work.</p><p>SSF</p>

[PawPaw]

<p>SSF,&nbsp; yes I have found water in Georgia that was super clear a couple of years ago.&nbsp; In fact it was the Upper Ocmulgee believe it or not.&nbsp; I was worm fishing that day with a few other guys that were fishing mono and they got bites all day long and also landed fish.&nbsp; Not me....I only caught 1 dink when using braided line.&nbsp; That was the last time!!!!!!&nbsp; Most of the time in other than clear water the leader would not be necessary.</p>
<p>Cole,&nbsp; thanks for your response!!</p>
<p>SmokeyJ....I tie my leaders with the Albright knot.&nbsp; Its small enough and goes through the guides pretty good.&nbsp; I&#39;m just looking to improve what I already have.&nbsp; Thanks for your input!</p>

[TygerRiverWalker]

<p>I have used Loon Knot Sense for years. Very good stuff. Apply it inthe shade and shape however you want, expose to sunlight and it sets in 2 seconds or less.</p>
<p>TRW</p>

[wbchandler]

<p>I use to try a leader on in clear water, but had a few fish get break off, probably my fault.&nbsp; I&#39;m don&#39;t do that any more, I&#39;m with SSF I just tie staright on.&nbsp; With the way I fish, the fish doesn&#39;t have time to look at the line and figure out something funny is going on,&nbsp; they either better eat it or I&#39;m moving on.&nbsp; I came here to catch something, if you ain&#39;t biting get out the way.</p>

[SmokeyJ]

<p>I&#39;ve never seen that Loon Knot Sense stuff before.&nbsp; Looks interesting, how long does a tube last?</p>
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<p>BTW, i also agree with the guys here that tie direct to the braid, I do that 95% of the time.</p>

[TygerRiverWalker]

<p>Smoke,</p>
<p>It depends on how much you fish really. It only takes a drop or 2 to cover most knots so I would guess you could get 50+ uses from one tube.</p>
<p>TRW</p>