EP 844

Tom Rowland, a professional fishing guide based in the Florida Keys and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast known for his knot testing expertise, continues his Instagram knots testing series with the Dodd Knot in this How2Tuesday episode. The Dodd Knot has been requested by many followers who saw it circulating on social media as a braid-to-fluorocarbon leader connection. Tom ties the knot step by step, demonstrating proper formation technique, then tests it three times on his line testing machine to get an average breaking strength. The results reveal exactly how this Instagram-famous knot stacks up against proven alternatives—and whether it deserves a place in your fishing arsenal or if you're better off sticking with what works.

The Instagram Knots Testing Series Continues

Social media has become a breeding ground for fishing knots, with videos showing various connections going viral and accumulating thousands of shares. The Dodd Knot is one such knot that caught the attention of Tom's audience, with multiple followers requesting he put it to the test. Tom's approach is methodical: he doesn't just tie the knot once and call it good. He demonstrates the step-by-step tying process on camera, ensuring viewers can see exactly how to form the connection from braid to fluorocarbon leader, then runs multiple tests to get reliable data. The question isn't just whether the knot works—it's whether it works consistently, and whether it's worth learning when you already have proven alternatives in your arsenal. Tom begins the Dodd Knot demonstration at the start of the episode.

How to Tie the Dodd Knot: Step-by-Step Breakdown

Tom walks through the tying process with careful attention to detail, showing each wrap, pass, and pull that goes into forming this braid-to-leader connection. The technique involves specific movements that differ from more common knots like the FG or Alberto. For anglers considering adding this to their knot repertoire, understanding the exact sequence is critical—one wrong turn or missed wrap can compromise the entire connection. Tom emphasizes the importance of proper formation, noting that knots often fail not because the design is flawed, but because they weren't tied correctly. He demonstrates how to seat the knot properly and prepare it for testing. The complete step-by-step tying demonstration happens early in the episode.

Three Tests on the Line Testing Machine

Tom doesn't rely on a single test to judge a knot's performance—he runs three separate tests to establish an average breaking strength. This methodology eliminates outliers and provides a more accurate picture of what anglers can expect in real-world fishing situations. Each test involves carefully loading the knot on his line testing machine, gradually increasing tension until failure occurs. The machine records the exact breaking point, measured in pounds of pressure. What happens during these three tests reveals the Dodd Knot's true character: Does it break consistently at the same point, suggesting reliable performance? Or does it show wild variation, indicating unpredictability? The numbers tell a story that every angler considering this knot needs to hear. The testing sequence and results are revealed throughout the episode.

How the Dodd Knot Compares to Proven Alternatives

The real question isn't just whether the Dodd Knot works—it's whether it works better than the knots you're already using. Tom has tested dozens of braid-to-leader connections on this same machine, building a database of performance metrics that allows for direct comparison. Knots like the FG, the Alberto, and the PR Bobbin have established benchmarks that any new knot must meet or exceed to be worth adopting. Tom evaluates the Dodd Knot against these proven alternatives, considering not just breaking strength but also ease of tying, consistency, and reliability. Some knots test strong but are too complex for on-the-water tying. Others are simple but weak. Where does the Dodd Knot land on this spectrum? Tom's evaluation and comparison to other knots concludes the testing session.

Final Thoughts from Tom

Testing knots is one of my favorite things to do on How2Tuesday because it gives us real data instead of guesswork. I know a lot of you have seen the Dodd Knot on social media and wondered if it's legit, so I wanted to put it through the same rigorous testing we use for every knot that comes through here.

What I appreciate about this process is that it takes the emotion out of the equation. We're not going by what feels strong or what looks good on camera—we're looking at actual breaking strength across multiple tests. The machine doesn't lie, and the numbers tell you everything you need to know about whether a knot deserves your trust on the water.

If you've been curious about the Dodd Knot or if you're always looking for better braid-to-leader connections, you need to watch this one. The results might surprise you, and the demonstration will show you exactly how to tie it if you decide to give it a shot. This is practical, useful information that can make a real difference in your fishing.