Connect a Wind-on Leader to main line Bimini with a Cat's Paw
In a NutShell they enable anglers to use thicker sized leaders to match the requirement of the area you are fishing. Many of us have been restricted to using 1mm leaders as when using thicker diameter leaders the knot become impossible to pass through the rod guides.
I have been battling large sharks and flatfish and have lost a good number due to the areas chosen to fish. I have heard about Wind-on leaders for some time, but again my stubborn nature to easily change or try new techniques help me back. It was only on a recent trip Robberg that a fellow shark angler insisted that I try one of his leaders……I have never looked back!
I really put them to the test this past week while fishing off the Brighton Pier in Port Elizabeth. Big Sharks and Rays have a tendency to dive under the Pier and cut you off on the pillars. I fished a 1.3mm leader and hauled 2 giants out of the structure, walked them onto the beach and landed them safely.
My long time fishing partner was with me for the trip and under the same conditions lost two giant flatfish after titanic 2 hour battles with each fish. Both ended up under the structure and broke off. Needless to say, following the outing he is very keen to start using Wind-on leaders and has already purchased the required materials.
This is what a Wind-on leader looks like. It consists of two materials namely hollow core Dacron and monofilament leader line.
Keep them stored on either a old spool or coiled and secured with insulation tape as this will make the tying of the joining Cats Paw knot much easier
Before you can use a Wind-on leader you will have to master the Bimini Twist. There are literally hundreds of references to the knot on the internet and quick Google search will deliver countless tutorials. The Bimini is used to make the loop required on the main line.
Before you can use a Wind-on leader you will have to master the Bimini Twist. The Bimini is used to make the loop required on the main line.
Place the two loops over each other and then pass the loop from the main line Bimini through the loop of the Wind-on leader.
Pull the loop through the loop of the Wind-on and ensure that it is big enough to enable you to pass the coiled up mono leader through the Bimini loop. Pass the coil through the loop, but don’t pull it up tight yet.
Once you have completed the first pass through your Cat’s Paw knot should look like this. It resembles a reef knot and should be loose enough to repeat the process.
Pull the Bimini Loop through the Wind-on loop again. Again, make sure the loop is big enough to pass the coiled up mono leader through the loop you have created. Pass the coils through, but don’t pull the knot up tight yet.
When using the Cat’s Paw to join mono to braid you would make at least 10 – 12 turns through the loops. For the Wind-on the Dacron only requires 2 – 3 winds. This will keep the knot nice and small.
The completed knot now looks like 1 ½ reef knots.
This is what the Cat’s Paw should look like before you tighten up the loops. Remember to apply plenty saliva as lube before you tighten. Also, ensure that all 4 stands of your two loops are equal lengths.
Slowly pull the two loops apart and the Cat’s Paw will slip into place and secure the knot.
This is what the complete knot will look like.
Make a plan to test drive a Wind-on leader. They are expensive to purchase, but cheap to make. With a little practise you can master the requirements and then ensure that your trophy fish never gets the better of you!
Tight Lines
Trophy (aka Brett Harris
In a NutShell they enable anglers to use thicker sized leaders to match the requirement of the area you are fishing. Many of us have been restricted to using 1mm leaders as when using thicker diameter leaders the knot become impossible to pass through the rod guides.
I have been battling large sharks and flatfish and have lost a good number due to the areas chosen to fish. I have heard about Wind-on leaders for some time, but again my stubborn nature to easily change or try new techniques help me back. It was only on a recent trip Robberg that a fellow shark angler insisted that I try one of his leaders……I have never looked back!
I really put them to the test this past week while fishing off the Brighton Pier in Port Elizabeth. Big Sharks and Rays have a tendency to dive under the Pier and cut you off on the pillars. I fished a 1.3mm leader and hauled 2 giants out of the structure, walked them onto the beach and landed them safely.
My long time fishing partner was with me for the trip and under the same conditions lost two giant flatfish after titanic 2 hour battles with each fish. Both ended up under the structure and broke off. Needless to say, following the outing he is very keen to start using Wind-on leaders and has already purchased the required materials.
This is what a Wind-on leader looks like. It consists of two materials namely hollow core Dacron and monofilament leader line.
Keep them stored on either a old spool or coiled and secured with insulation tape as this will make the tying of the joining Cats Paw knot much easier
Before you can use a Wind-on leader you will have to master the Bimini Twist. There are literally hundreds of references to the knot on the internet and quick Google search will deliver countless tutorials. The Bimini is used to make the loop required on the main line.
Before you can use a Wind-on leader you will have to master the Bimini Twist. The Bimini is used to make the loop required on the main line.
Place the two loops over each other and then pass the loop from the main line Bimini through the loop of the Wind-on leader.
Pull the loop through the loop of the Wind-on and ensure that it is big enough to enable you to pass the coiled up mono leader through the Bimini loop. Pass the coil through the loop, but don’t pull it up tight yet.
Once you have completed the first pass through your Cat’s Paw knot should look like this. It resembles a reef knot and should be loose enough to repeat the process.
Pull the Bimini Loop through the Wind-on loop again. Again, make sure the loop is big enough to pass the coiled up mono leader through the loop you have created. Pass the coils through, but don’t pull the knot up tight yet.
When using the Cat’s Paw to join mono to braid you would make at least 10 – 12 turns through the loops. For the Wind-on the Dacron only requires 2 – 3 winds. This will keep the knot nice and small.
The completed knot now looks like 1 ½ reef knots.
This is what the Cat’s Paw should look like before you tighten up the loops. Remember to apply plenty saliva as lube before you tighten. Also, ensure that all 4 stands of your two loops are equal lengths.
Slowly pull the two loops apart and the Cat’s Paw will slip into place and secure the knot.
This is what the complete knot will look like.
Make a plan to test drive a Wind-on leader. They are expensive to purchase, but cheap to make. With a little practise you can master the requirements and then ensure that your trophy fish never gets the better of you!
Tight Lines
Trophy (aka Brett Harris