Dear Fishing Professors:

When I was first taught rigging for bonefish, I was told to use a Bimini twist before the hook rather than a leader since the thinner line would be more difficult to see. I was also taught that there really isn’t a need for any substantial leader when fishing for bonefish. During the many years since, however, fluorocarbon has appeared on the scene and I’m wondering if I should still be using a Bimini twist. 

Thanks,
Jimbo Fant (Key West, FL)

Dear Jim:

This is a great question, and one we’ve been pondering for many years now. First, we’ll assume you mean when using monofilament and when fishing with spinning or casting gear as opposed to fly.

A Bimini twist has traditionally been used because it provides a double length of line that can take additional shock and abrasion that a single line can’t, thus providing a stronger connection to the terminal tackle and offering more protection against line chafe. If one of the strands of line breaks, the other will still hold (for a while longer at least). The Bimini twist has also been claimed to provide 100% of the original line strength, although this has been debated and also depends on how many times you wrap the line before tying off (20-30 twists is usually recommended).

Since the Bimini twist’s “knot” really only holds the double line at the top, it’s failure does not necessarily result in the loss of a fish. If the knot is weak, the main line can still hold with the result being an ineffective double line should the main line break. We’ve landed many fish where, because of a hastily-tied Bimini twist, the second line was broke or unraveled.

With a traditional fluorocarbon leader, however, if the leader-to-line knot breaks, the fish is lost, providing a weaker link in the tackle than the Bimini twist.

We still tie a Bimini twist out of habit and nostalgia, but have caught bones on no leader, 20-30# fluorocarbon leader, and sometimes even straight braid when in a hurry (and get lucky). In fact, Captain Jorge Valverde uses 20-30# wire, claiming that the weight of the wire is quieter than a split shot when it strikes the water on a cast, and the wire lays flat on the bottom where the bonefish doesn’t see it.

Our advice, then, is to use what you feel comfortable with, but also try experimenting. If you feel you’re losing fish (or not getting hits) because of one rig, try another, and please let us know what works for you. Also, as Captain Judd Wise reminds us, tie your knots the day before you go fishing.

FISH ON!

 

Ask the Profs, Bonefish, knots

By Sean

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