Bimini Twist braid... tying it off

[Tangles]

wondering whats the best method of tying off the bimini twist in braid... Geoff Wilsons looks complicated, want something simple. What works?

mike

[deepfried]

hey Mike
I am not saying it is the best way but i just alternate half hitches on each side of the double, about 3 on each side and pull them tight and up to the twist. It works as i havent had one slip or loosen up but i'm not sure how it affects knot strenght. It was mentioned on another thread to do the half hitches on the bimini as well but i havent tried it.
Cheers
Scott

[GPB]

I do just the one 1/2 hitch around one leg and firm up, then a three turn hitch around both legs and tighten, never had a problem.

[Lovey80]

I do the same as GBP, except once the 4 turn hitch is done around both legs I put the tag end through between the legs before tightening. It seems to be very strong.

[alfish]

mine is pretty much the same as all above, half hitch around each leg then another over both legs.
works fantastic for me on 10lb fireline with 15lb mono leader always breaks at the mono to swivel/hook knot, have used it on 6lb as well but can't remember the results.
though i'm struggling with 20lb xp braid not sure exactly why it's breaking at the bimini, maybe the leader is too heavy breaking strain? as i'm looking for the weak point to be further down the chain to avoid having to re tie all the knots after hooking a snag.

cheers
al

[WestOzDesertFisher]

Two opposing half hitches around one leg, then another two half hitches around both legs. Works for me and have never had a problem. A lot of variations will work IMO, just stick with one you feel confident in.

[revs57]

G'day Mike,

I usually hit each leg with a half hitch and then a three turn half hitch around both legs to finish, can be a little fiddly, but its not too hard once you get the hang of it

cheers

Rhys

[Dan_23]

I half hitch each leg then go around both then repeat the whole lot. Never had it fail but I also leave about 1-2cm of tag as if you cut it short your braid might fluff and start to pull out. It won't catch on the guides.

[GPB]

mine is pretty much the same as all above, half hitch around each leg then another over both legs.
works fantastic for me on 10lb fireline with 15lb mono leader always breaks at the mono to swivel/hook knot, have used it on 6lb as well but can't remember the results.
though i'm struggling with 20lb xp braid not sure exactly why it's breaking at the bimini, maybe the leader is too heavy breaking strain? as i'm looking for the weak point to be further down the chain to avoid having to re tie all the knots after hooking a snag.

cheers
al

Is the line breaking at the top of the knot or just above?

[NIZ180]

half hitches here aswell - one on each leg & about 3 round both legs. Make sure to do your hitches in opposite directions as it helps lock them.

[Leighton]

I do a normal bimini and lock it off with a half hitch around 1 leg, I then finish the knot with a 5 turn uni knot around both legs tughtening the uni ont the twisted area.
This gives the bimini a tapered finish and goes through the giudes better than just half hitches

[oldboot]

Aparantly there are a whole pile of "finishes" out there.

I just do a hitch on each leg as do most and either a couple of hitches or 30 or 4 turn hitch arround both...

If you put a dab of super glue on the knot..it wont go anywhere..wipe the excess off with a tissue.

On bimini's breaking.
There is an article arround done by a US game fishing mag....that tested bimini's among others......seems if you do too many turns it can weaken the knot & it breaks at the knot.

seems in braid anymore than 20 turns is counter productive.....others will disagree..... but this bloke tested heaps of knots.

sounds like a job for paulus.

cheers

[Strewth]

The Rizutto finish - a half hitch around one leg first, then 6 -10 uni type wraps towards the spiral around both legs, then "unwrap" the uni knot over the tag end and both legs, then pull the tag end through. Very neat and very strong.

See http://www.worldseafishing.com/tackl...ts_bimini.html

[flybloke]

Finishing the knot is one thing and all the above will be fine.
Correct me if Im wrong, But a Bimney is a progressive knot and I was taught to fast wrap the first half then tighten up the wraps for the second half.
(Fast spiral then slow spiral)(Using braid)
Ive never had a problem with any way I Finnish off a bimney as far as braking.
There easy to do once shown and they crap all over a spider hitch
I encourage anyone who does not tie them to seek to learn how

[GPB]

On bimini's breaking.
There is an article arround done by a US game fishing mag....that tested bimini's among others......seems if you do too many turns it can weaken the knot & it breaks at the knot.

seems in braid anymore than 20 turns is counter productive.....others will disagree..... but this bloke tested heaps of knots.

sounds like a job for paulus.

cheers

This theory of 'less is best' has been tried by anglers on other forums and found to be wrong, they all found the 50 plus turns was the best by far.
The one main Bimini breaking problem was where the line broke at the top of the knot, this is fixed by not using too much pressure for the first half a dozen rolls back down the twists, or as Flybloke said "fast spiral" to start.