THE 



CATCH 



describes a good way to do this with the 

 help of a friend: Insert a pencil through the 

 supply spool with the end of the line com- 

 ing over the top of the spool. While your 

 friend holds the ends of the pencil, gradu- 

 ally wind the line off the spool and onto the 

 reel, keeping slight pressure on it with your 

 fingers. If you can't find a friend, wind the 

 line from the spool while it sits label-up on 

 the floor. Both methods should prevent 

 your line from twisting and tangling, but 

 check periodically to be sure. 



If replacing only part of your line, a 

 surgeon's knot is one of the best ways to 

 connect the old and new lines. This knot is 

 also good for joining lines of different 

 diameters, such as a line and leader. 



To form the surgeon's knot, lay the 

 two lines parallel to each other, overlap- 

 ping by at least 6 inches. Treating the two 

 lines like a single one, tie an overhand knot 

 in them, pulling the new line all the way 

 through the loop. Now make one more 

 turn through the loop with the doubled 

 lines, once again pulling the new line 

 through. Hold both lines and both tag ends 

 and pull the knot tight, then clip tag ends 

 close to the knot. 



One tip to remember — wet the line 

 before pulling the knot tight, says Bahen. 

 This reduces friction and prevents weaken- 

 ing around the knot. An easy way to wet 

 your line is to run it through your mouth 

 before tightening. 



Using the correct knot for your par- 

 ticular kind of terminal tackle, whether you 

 use a lure, spoon or bait, ensures both line 

 strength and the natural movement of the 

 bait or lure in the water. "Fishers often 

 neglect the most important part of the 

 tackle: the part closest to the fish," Bahen 

 says. 



He recommends the uni-knot when 

 connecting your line to a lure such as a 

 MirrOlure, since the uni-knot loop allows 

 for a lot of action and natural movement 

 through the water. Run the line through the 

 eye of the hook or lure at least 6 inches and 

 double it back so it is parallel to the stand- 

 ing line. Bend the tag end back toward the 



lure, crossing over the doubled line. Make 

 six turns around the doubled line and then 

 pass the tag end through the large loop. 

 Hold the double line where it passes 

 through the eye and pull the tag end to 

 snug the knot. When the fish strikes, the 

 knot will slide down against the eye. This 

 multipurpose knot is also good for con- 

 necting line to your reel. 



Bahen recommends the common 

 clinch or improved clinch knots for attach- 

 ing line to terminal tackle. 



For the improved clinch knot, pass the 

 end of the line through the eye of the hook, 

 swivel or lure. Double the line back on 



Improved Clinch Knot 



Snelling a Hook 



itself and wind the tag end around the stand- 

 ing portion five times. Holding the coils in 

 place, thread the tag end through the first 

 loop, just above the eye. Now pass the tag 

 end back through the big loop. While hold- 

 ing the standing line and the tag end, cinch 

 down the coils until they make a smooth 

 spiral against the eye of the hook or lure (the 

 hitches should not overlap). Clip the tag end 

 close to the knot. This knot is excellent for 

 lighter pound-test line: 2 to 20 pounds. 



For heavy pound-test line, up to 100 

 pounds, use the regular clinch knot. Follow 

 the same steps for the improved clinch, but 

 after passing the tag end through the loop 

 just above the eye, do not pass it back 

 through the big loop before pulling tight. 

 For even stronger knots, double the line. 



When using bait, you may attach a 

 hook to your line by "snelling," which 

 makes a strong, smooth connection to the 

 line. Look for hooks with eyes bent at an 

 angle to the shank or straight part of the 

 hook. 



To snell the hook, insert the tag end of 

 the line through the eye to a length just 

 longer than the hook itself. Holding the tag 

 end against the shank, feed the standing end 

 of the line through the eye in the other direc- 

 tion, creating a large loop. Holding the tag 

 end and the upper section of the loop snug 

 against the shank of the hook, use the lower 

 section of the loop to wind tight coils 

 around the shank, moving from the eye 

 toward the hook. Make five to 10 turns as 

 appropriate for the length and strength you 

 need. Move your fingers to hold the coils 

 tightly in place, and then pull the standing 

 end of the line until the entire loop disap- 

 pears under the coils. Use pliers to pull the 

 tag end and cinch down the snell. Clip off 

 the tag end. 



You need a variety of knots in your 

 repertoire. For more information on lines 

 and knots, including complicated yet practi- 

 cal knots like the Bimini twist, visit a tackle 

 shop for a guidebook. Impress your friends 

 with the Albright special or the offshore 

 swivel. You may get so hooked on knots, 

 you'll take up macrame. □ 



COASTWATCH 31 



