The majority of local anglers here tend to use a bimimi double to a twisted leader but there is a small but growing group that are using the frictions knots developed and popularised by the Japanese with single strand leaders.
The purpose of this thread is not to compare the advantages/disadvantages of twisted leaders versus friction knots. Rather, it is to provide a guide to friction knots and how they can be tied. Like with any connection, it is really important to learn how to tie these knots properly.
Frictions knots are not difficult to tie but they do require a lot of practice to get right and in the case of the PR knot, you do need a bobbin. Even if your standard approach is to use twisted leaders, it is useful to learn how to tie one of the friction knots properly. I particularly like using single strand leaders when I am using stickbaits.
The three most common friction knots are the PR knot, the midknot and the FG knot. I use the PR and the FG knot myself as I can see no reason to use the midknot as I do not believe you can ever get the wraps on the midknot as tight as the bobbin will with a PR knot. Still, each to their own.
The PR KnotThe PR knot is generally regarded as a jigging knot although there is no reason whatsoever why it cannot be used as a popping knot and many people do (myself included). I think this may have arisen from the fact that the PR knots is often tied as a very long knot. I've seen some amazing PR knots in the past which were some six to eight inches in length. All I can say is that is a wste of braid. I've tested the knot to breaking point extensively and I've found that a PR knot of some two inches is adequate. You just need to make sure that the windings are tight. Like with any new knot you tie, test it to breaking point. That is the only way to learn. The last place you want to find out the knot is no good is when the fish is swimming off with your popper!
The best guide I've seen to tying the PR knot was put together by Chris Wong, one of our members here so credit to you, Chris.
http://www.jigsdirect.com/eMerchantPro/pc/fishing_knots.aspThe MidknotAs I've already said, I'm no fan of the mindknot although I can tie one well enough. The reason I don't use it is because to me, you might as well use a bommin and tie a PR knot if this is what you want to use. I accept the knots are not identical but the principal is very much the same and I can actually tie a midknot with a PR knot bobbin! Still, I accept that many people do use this knot and that it works.
refer to midknot instructions on this site
http://gtpopping.com/midknot.phpThe FG KnotThe FG knot is now my preferred knot for popping for the simple reason that I can tie it the fastest and it is the shortest and smallest knot. That said, it is also the trickiest to learn to tie properly but once you learn how to tie it, it is a very quick and reliable knot.
I started using this knot quite a number of years ago when one of the tackle shops in Singapore was kind enough to teach me how to tie it but what happened was I lost an absolute monster fish when the knot failed and I dumped it for a few years. Of course, it was nothing to do with the knot and simply the idiot who tied it but .............
It wasn't until I saw Kenji Konishi tie one in literally one minute (completed knot in that time!) that I thought I better relearn it and properly this time. This knot, more than the other actually does need you to observe soemone tying it as there are little subtleties to the knot that are very hard to pick up from the instructions and which are very hard to explain.
http://goodcatchfishing.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=33Half-hitchesTraditionally, all friction knots are completed with tying a short series of alternating half hitches to the burnt end of the leader and then down the mainline. The conventional wisdom is to pull the half-hitches till you're blue in the face but after extensive testing, I no longer believe this is necessary. I do pull them tight but no longer to the point where I am blue in the face
I've tended to use a small braid tightening tool to help with the tightening as I feel more comfortable with this but I have conducted enough tests where I am only pulling it tight with my teeth to know that the latter is adequate.
I've also tried both the FG and PR knot without tying the half-hitchs down the mainline and this doesn't seem to be problematic but some tests which I conducted with Rob Ciotucha indicated that the half hitches seem to improve the strength of the overall knot. I don't have any conclusive views in this area at this stage.
For the advanced, it is possible to finish your friction knot using a rizutto finish. This results in an almost invisible finish to the knot and it is strong enough - I've tested it.
I hope the above is useful to you.
