Eye Splice vs. Bimini Twist: Which is Stronger? | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 975

Tom Rowland, professional fishing guide and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, tests two popular methods of creating a loop connection in hollow core braided backing for fly reels: the eye splice and the Bimini twist. Using 70 pound Cortland hollow core line, Tom demonstrates each technique step-by-step and subjects them to breaking strength tests to determine which connection delivers superior performance. The results reveal a clear winner, with one method breaking at 39 pounds and the other withstanding over 53 pounds of force before maxing out his scale. If you're preparing your fly reels for big game fishing, this episode delivers practical knowledge that could mean the difference between landing the fish of a lifetime and watching it swim away.

Preparing for a Trip of a Lifetime

Tom opens this How To Tuesday episode with a clear mission: he's re-spooling all his fly reels with 70 pound Cortland hollow core backing in preparation for an upcoming dream fishing trip. This isn't theoretical rigging advice—it's the actual tackle preparation Tom trusts when the stakes are highest. He's focused on one critical connection point: how to attach the fly line to the backing in a way that maximizes breaking strength while maintaining a clean, smooth connection that won't hang up in the guides. The choice comes down to two popular methods used by fly anglers worldwide, and Tom's about to put both to the test with real numbers.

Tom reveals his rigging process and sets up the strength comparison at 01:36.

How to Create an Eye Splice in Hollow Core Backing

The eye splice requires specific tools—a splicing needle and some patience—but Tom walks through the entire process with precision. He demonstrates how to open up the hollow core of the running line, insert the needle, and carefully work the tag end back through the standing line to create a smooth, integrated loop. The technique involves bunching up the line as you work it through, leaving at least three inches of overlap inside the hollow core. Tom emphasizes the smooth profile this connection creates, which is critical for preventing hang-ups when stripping line quickly or fighting a fish. The process takes time and deliberate hand work, but the question remains: does that extra effort translate to meaningful strength advantages?

Watch Tom's complete eye splice demonstration starting at 02:10.

The Bimini Twist: A Faster Alternative

Tom's second method is the classic Bimini twist, a knot beloved by anglers for its speed and simplicity—no tools required. He wraps the line 25 times around itself, secures one end in his mouth, and carefully tensions the twists until they roll back over themselves in that characteristic Bimini fashion. The finishing involves half hitches and what Tom describes as essentially a uni knot to lock everything in place. It's significantly faster than the eye splice, and for anglers who need to rig multiple rods or make field repairs, that speed advantage matters. But Tom notes one potential weakness: without a drop of super glue on the tag end, this connection can potentially work loose over time. The real question is how it performs under maximum load.

Tom demonstrates the complete Bimini twist technique at 04:26.

The Breaking Strength Test: Numbers Don't Lie

With both connections completed, Tom hooks them to his scale and starts pulling. The eye splice immediately shows its strength—the scale climbs past 30 pounds, then 37, then 40, and keeps going. At 53.7 pounds, Tom maxes out his scale without breaking the connection. He has to back off because he literally can't pull any harder with his equipment. Then comes the Bimini twist test. Tom hooks it up and starts applying pressure, but this connection tells a different story. It breaks cleanly at 39 pounds—a full 14+ pounds less than where the eye splice stopped the scale. That's a significant difference when you're connected to a fish that's testing every weak point in your system. Tom's reaction captures the practical implication: one method simply delivers more insurance when it matters most.

Watch both strength tests and Tom's analysis starting at 03:36.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I did this test because I genuinely wanted to know which connection I should trust when I'm halfway around the world chasing fish that will test every inch of my tackle. The numbers surprised me—I expected both methods to perform closer to each other, but that 14+ pound difference is significant. When you're fighting a fish that's pulling into your backing, you want every possible advantage.

The eye splice takes more time and requires a splicing needle, but it's not a difficult technique once you understand the process. That extra effort translates directly to a stronger, smoother connection. The Bimini is still a great knot—it's fast, requires no tools, and 39 pounds of breaking strength is nothing to dismiss. But if you're rigging for big game and have the time to do it right, the splice is the clear winner.

This is a quick How To Tuesday episode, but it's packed with practical information you can use immediately. Whether you're preparing for a destination trip or just upgrading your local setup, these techniques will serve you well. Watch the full demonstration to see exactly how each method is tied and tested—it's worth six minutes of your time.