PR knot, Shout & MC Works bobbin

[David Sharples]

I've been trying this knot out and from tests I've done so far it feels quite good. Have tied it using 80lb power pro to 100lb Suffix Superior using a flytying bobbin with some lead glued inside the bore of the spool. I know other types, midknot etc haven't held up to shock loads but this is a compromise, i need a single strand leader to cast further for tuna etc, plus the drag will be nowhere near as high so hopefully won't be issues with failure.

Are there any important steps that ensure this knot holds it's strength? The Suffix is quite a hard mono do you think this will reduce the knot's effectiveness even if I've burned a ball on the mono tag end?

Also thinking of getting one of these two bobbins, has anyone got any opinions? The Shout one is $140US?!

Cheers for any advice!

[Brandon Khoo]

The PR knot is a very secure knot if you tie it properly but I would recommend you look at using a softer leader material. It is important that the braid bite into the mono. Leader material is a compromise in that you need it hard for abrasion resistance but soft enough that the braid will bite in.

The bobbins made for tying this knot are heavy so they really do get the loops very tight. If you want to help it along a little, you can moisten the braid before doing the loops.

Another thing to watch out for is make sure your half hitches are really tight, especially the first few after the loops. You want these as tight as you can get them and alternate the direction. Burn the tip and make sure you do the half hitches as tight as you can against the burnt knob. You want there to be as little room for the half hitches to move as possible.

That Shout Bobbin is scary expensive! 

[Ben Keller]

Hi David,
I use the PR for all my jigging with 80lb braid to 100 - 150lb penn 10x leader, which is as hard as. I dont burn the end. To me it doesnt really make sense. Putting fire next to braid is sure to weaken the braid. The little 'blob' on the end isnt the linchpin of the knot, the strength comes from the wraps. I have never had one slip/break/unravel, or do anything other than stay together. Plus without the blob its even smoother.

I use the alloy one from www.jigsdirect.co.nz, much cheaper (40 bucks kiwi from memory) and works good as gold. I glue the middle weight in as I dont fish anything lighter than 50lb anyway, but if I was to, id buy another and take the weight out completely (the weight is not needed for lines under 50lb)

Cheers

[Bill Ramos]

The PR knot is a very secure knot if you tie it properly but I would recommend you look at using a softer leader material. It is important that the braid bite into the mono. Leader material is a compromise in that you need it hard for abrasion resistance but soft enough that the braid will bite in.

The bobbins made for tying this knot are heavy so they really do get the loops very tight. If you want to help it along a little, you can moisten the braid before doing the loops.

Another thing to watch out for is make sure your half hitches are really tight, especially the first few after the loops. You want these as tight as you can get them and alternate the direction. Burn the tip and make sure you do the half hitches as tight as you can against the burnt knob. You want there to be as little room for the half hitches to move as possible.

That Shout Bobbin is scary expensive! 

I used a forcep to wrap the open end of the braid before the half hitch and the shock leader wrapped around a stick and the braid line to the reel is wrapped around a hypolyn handle.I pull everything equal so the braid will bite into the braid.I lost some fish because of improper bite of the braid on the mono.

[David Sharples]

That Shout Bobbin is scary expensive! 

Yes but doesn't it look nice!?!  And stacked up against Craftbait/Fisherman poppers that you may leave stuck in a reef? 

I reckon I'll get both Sufix Zippy and Superior, one hard one soft and see how it stacks up, plus a flouro if things get tough!

It seems to me there are a few of these knots that function in roughly the same way, FG, Midknot etc.. Are there any pros and cons to these?

The PR feels best to me but I'll learn the others if you guys reckon its worth it?

[Ben Keller]

The benefits of FG and Mid knot are the slimness and shortness of the knots. the PR is a giant (lengthwise) in comparison.

The benefit of the PR knot is that its easy to tie consistently, and easier on a rocking boat.

Ben