The two most common reasons that push anglers to connect nylon monofilament to braid are backing on a spool and tying on a tough leader.
Backing braid with mono cuts costs and prevents the braid from slipping on your arbor. And as we’ve discussed at length before, a leader is an excellent idea with braided main line, providing lower visibility, greater abrasion resistance, and some shock absorption right where you need it.
So what are the best knots to use for these two purposes?
Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents (clickable)
Related: Best Fishing Knots
The Best Mono Backing Knots for Braid
For most anglers, it’s extremely unlikely that their backing knot will ever be tested for strength, as getting spooled is pretty rare. That doesn’t mean that you don’t want a well-tied, strong knot, but rather that absolute strength is far from the most important consideration when choosing a connection.
Instead, you want a small knot that won’t impair casting.
You’ll see people recommend the awesomely strong FG knot as a backing option.
That’s just ridiculous.
The FG is a long knot, and there’s simply no need for it on your arbor. Furthermore, it’s really designed around slender braid and fat mono or fluorocarbon, precisely the set-up you don’t want when filling a spool with backing line.
Instead, the best backing knot is probably the Double Uni, since you will have selected similar diameter backing.
The Double Uni is an easy knot to learn and to tie well. It’s also fast and very strong, for what that’s worth as backing.
But most importantly, it’s relatively short and slender enough not to cause any real trouble.
Double Uni Knot
The double Uni is essentially two opposing knots that use both lines to increase integrity.
- Start with both lines side by side.
- Loop the tag end of one around both lines, repeating 3 to 4 times. You’re essentially duplicating a standard Uni, but rather than doubling the main line, you’re wrapping the two lines you wish to join. Don’t tighten it down!
- Loop the other tag end around both lines, repeating 4 to 4 times. Don’t tighten it down!
- Wet your knots and carefully cinch them down.
Give it a try – you won’t be disappointed.
Notice that breaking strength on 10-pound braid: 18 pounds!