The Bimini twist doubles your line to roughly double its strength, and in my test more turns meant more strength, with 25 turns edging out 20, 15, and 10. Everybody seems to have a different opinion on how many turns a Bimini twist needs, so in this How 2 Tuesday I tied four versions in 12 pound Daiwa J-Fluoro and pulled each one on the scale to see whether the number of turns actually changes the breaking strength.
Listen now: press play in the player above and follow along.
In my test, more turns meant more strength. The 10 turn broke at 13.60 pounds, the 15 turn at 12.29, the 20 turn at 13.52, and the 25 turn was strongest at 13.88 pounds, all on 12 pound line. So at least the way I tied these, with identical line, 25 turns won. I expect that gain eventually hits diminishing returns, but across this range more turns kept testing a little stronger.
The Bimini twist doubles the line, which effectively doubles its strength, and it is one of the most popular and usable knots in saltwater fishing. You use it inshore and offshore, and in combination with other knots to build very strong leaders, including connecting a light tippet to a heavier piece for world-record attempts. Some knot to double the line belongs in your repertoire.
It looks like a complicated knot, but it really is not. You twist the line with your hand, then let it roll back over itself. If you want to learn it, you can find it in my knot course or watch any of the many YouTube videos, including a slow-motion version that shows how the line flips and rolls back. It just looks difficult.
Yes. The 10 turn Bimini twist broke at 13.60 pounds on 12 pound line, above the stated pound test, which is exactly what you want when you are doubling the line. For the record, I never actually tie a 10 turn Bimini; everything I do is 15 to 20 turns, usually an odd number. I included 10 just to map the full range.
I doubt it keeps climbing forever. The whole line is 12 pound and the 25 turn broke at 13.88, so at some point you hit diminishing returns. I joked that I should have tied a 50 turn version just to see, but I do not think a 50 turn Bimini would keep pushing the breaking strength up the line. Within a normal range, though, more turns helped.
Test it yourself. Tie the Bimini in the exact line you will fish, finish it the same way every time, and pull versions with different turn counts on a scale. Use my result as a rule of thumb, but your strongest version could differ. Control the controllable, know what your knots can do, and you will catch more fish.
I walk through each step in the episode. Press play in the player above.
The Bimini twist is one of the most useful knots in saltwater fishing because it doubles the line and effectively doubles the strength. You use it inshore, offshore, and stacked with other knots to build leaders strong enough for a world record. But ask ten anglers how many turns to use and you get ten answers, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five. That gap is exactly why I wanted to pull it apart. I set up the test in the episode, so press play in the player above.
It looks intimidating, but the Bimini twist is not a difficult knot. You twist the line with your hand and let it roll back over itself, and once you see it done, it clicks. I have a slow-motion version that shows how the line flips and rolls back, and there are countless tutorials out there. I point you to where you can learn it in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Here is the interesting part, across this range, more turns meant more strength. The 10 turn broke at 13.60, the 15 at 12.29, the 20 at 13.52, and the 25 came in strongest at 13.88, all on 12 pound line and all breaking above the stated test. I expect diminishing returns at some point, but within a normal range the extra turns helped. I read every number in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Take my result as a rule of thumb, then test it for yourself with your line, tied your way, finished your way. Your strongest Bimini might land at a different turn count than mine, and the only way to know is to pull it on a scale. That is the whole theme here, control the controllable, know what your knots can do, and catch more fish. I drive that home in the episode, so press play in the player above.
The day after this test, the takeaway that sticks is simple, within a sensible range, more turns made my Bimini twist a little stronger, and 25 turns won at 13.88 pounds on 12 pound line.
Do not just take my number, though. Tie your Bimini in the line you actually fish, finish it the way you always do, and pull a few turn counts on a scale to find your strongest version. Test, test, test. Press play in the player above.
How 2 Tuesday is my weekly series where I break down one fishing skill at a time, from knots and casting to gear, tactics, and the habits that make you a better angler. Watch and listen to every How 2 Tuesday episode from Tom Rowland.
Tom Rowland · Bimini twist · Daiwa J-Fluoro fluorocarbon · Waypoint knot course · double line knots · saltwater fishing · How 2 Tuesday · Saltwater Experience
I'm Tom Rowland, a professional fishing guide based in the Florida Keys, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, and the longtime host of the Saltwater Experience television show. On the podcast's How 2 Tuesday series I break down one practical skill at a time, from knot strength and rigging to the habits that make you a better angler, in short, focused episodes you can put to use right away.
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