The Mid Knot

[Pete62]

A Fishing publication describes the method of making and the virtues of the "Mid Knot" as a good braid to Leader connection on heavier lines.

I have not put it to practical test yet but after doing it a few times and getting fairly right it looks and feels good, very slim and tidy.

Has anyone had experience? Good or Bad.

Cheer's Pete.

[Obi _ Wan]

Hi Pete,

Always good to see new knots, although knots like fish tend to get hung up with localised names.

Could you please post a description of the method used to tie this knot, or better still some pictures of how it is tied or again, which publication was it found in.

Always looking for a new, better slimmer knot for barra leaders.

Cheers,
John.

[Pete62]

Hi John, the publication is the June edition of Modern Fishing. As described it was developed by our Asian friends for heavy tackle Jig fishing and in actual fact it is not a Knot but more a series of wraps using the principle behind the Chinese finger trap or a Prusik knot used by climbers - the harder u pull the harder the knot grabs the leader.

In tests I have in fact been able to pop 30lb Braid and the only effect on the knot is that it has bedded down more.

Cheer's Pete.

[Obi _ Wan]

Hey Pete i goolgled it and got a series of pictures.

A bit like the old nail knot (in the way it works) we used to use to attach leaders to fly lines before the advent of the loop on the end of the fly line.

I think i will give it a go next trip to Mondy and see how it goes with the barra.

Cheers,
John.

[BarraBandit]

Im all for new knots, but what do you think the knot strength would be?

I would asume (even with lubication) that the friction of the lines wouldent make the knot strength increibly high? You never know, I might be wrong, just looks like a different knot I saw running on the same princible, and that came in at about 75% knot strength.

If anyone can find out it would be a good thing to know.

Also, any good to cast with? thats another thing I would like to know. :)



Thanks all.

[BREAMBOSS01]

Hello all, just googled 'mid knot' and went on the first page, http://www.jigsdirect.com/eMerchantPro/pc/fishing_knots.asp, it looks very intricate and confusing, (if its the same one). dont know if ill try it might stick to the improved albright.:-/

[Obi _ Wan]

G'Day Barra bandit,

After Pete started this thread i did a google search and found the following info.

The Mid knot came 1st & 2nd in a 2001 Japan Game Fishing Assoc. knot tying comp. It is reported that the knot strength achieved was 96%, some questions though, what testing methods were used?????

Was reportedly tested here in Aus, and only gained less than 60%.

The knot was developed by a Japanese jig fisherman who fished at night, hence his nickname of midnight and then the "Mid Knot".

Only testing it yourself will give you the real answers, some comments i read state that tying it correctly is a challenge (looks simple to me) and that if it is not tied properly it will fail??

Good Luck.

John.

[deepfried]

Just tried a few and gave them a good yank, the main line broke every time well above the knot so i would say its strenght is well into 90%. No advanced testing method though, just tied the knot from a spool of 20lb Bionic and a spool of 40lb Platypus Platinum and pulled on each until something broke. The knot didnt give once. As for casting i dont think there would be a better knot. There are no lumps bumps etc to catch on runners, nothing at all but the width of the leader plus the mainline. Well worth a try but it is a pain in the a$$ to tie and i wouldnt like to do it in the wind or at night. I will try it more but if i need to tie another leader while fishing i would more than likely use a bimini as it is easier for me.
Scott

[Pete62]

Agree 100% with what u have said Scott other than to add I have now tied the knot a dozen or more times and the trick is in how u start with your thumb and fore finger, that is to say start towards the back of your thumb giving u the ability to grip the knot when needed all the way along, does that make sense? and to have yourself set up to be able to keep the leader taught during the process.

I can't pop the knot, if done right, no matter what I do to it.

Pete.

[deepfried]

Yeh Pete it is getting a bit easier the more i try it. Understand what you mean about the thumb grip and yeh keeping the leader taught is a big help.
Scott

[metaloid]

I've never tried the Mid knot but for the last week I've been playing with the single strand GT knot as demonstrated on YouTube and the finish is basically the same as the Mid knot, the difference is in the wrapping approach (criss-cross vs. overlap).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_qom1E-ihA

I'm thinking of using that to replace my bimini/slim beauty for casting (more streamlined) but I'll stick to my trusted bimini combo for jigging.

[Jonli]

Guys ,

MidKnot is my favourite for connecting PE line n mono leader and for added security I always burn the end cut of the mono leader to stop the slipping of the knot .

[deepfried]

Used it today spinning and i am now a convert. Using 30lb Fins to 40lb Platypus Platinum and 60lb Black Magic Supple Trace. Not one slipped knot. Excellent to cast with. It is so much smoother through the guides than double unis, perfections etc etc that i wonder why i ever used them. You also dont get the line catching it on the spool during casts that can happen with other knots. It's strange that this knot isn't better known in Australia, i read that it is used for jigging but i think it has as many benefits for spinning metals and casting lures with long leaders.