The No Name Knot: Tie It, Test It

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Episode Show Notes

The No Name knot, also called the Bristol knot, is a line-to-line connection that ties a leader to a bimini twist loop in your main line. You tie a bimini in the braid or mono, run the leader through the loop and wrap around it five times, sometimes seven, then feed it back through. On How 2 Tuesday I tie a knot and then actually test it. I tied this with 20 pound braid to 40 pound fluorocarbon, and it came back a bit disappointing. In this audio episode I break it down. Press play above.

Listen now: press play in the player above and follow along.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the No Name knot?

The No Name knot, also called the Bristol knot, is a line-to-line connection that joins a leader to a bimini twist loop in your main line. You start by tying a bimini twist in your braid or monofilament, then take the leader through that loop and wrap around five times, sometimes seven, and feed it back through. Cinch it down and it makes a nice, compact little knot.

How strong is the No Name knot?

Tying 20 pound braid to 40 pound fluorocarbon, the No Name knot averaged 15.42 pounds, which is a disappointing 77.1 percent. It makes a clean, compact connection, but there are definitely knots that test stronger for braid to fluorocarbon. The scale is how you find out which ones, and 77.1 percent is not at the top of the list.

How do you tie the No Name knot?

Start by tying a bimini twist in your braid or monofilament. Then take your leader and run it through the bimini loop, wrapping around five times, sometimes seven. Bring the tag back through the loop, hold it a little as you cinch it down, and it forms a nice, compact knot. I walk through it in the episode.

Is the No Name knot the same as the Bristol knot?

Yes. The No Name knot is also called the Bristol knot. It is the same connection that ties a leader to a bimini twist loop with a series of wraps. Whatever you call it, my test with 20 pound braid to 40 pound fluorocarbon put it at 77.1 percent.

Do you need a bimini twist for the No Name knot?

Yes, the No Name knot starts with a bimini twist in your main line. The leader then wraps around that doubled bimini loop. If you are not comfortable tying a bimini, that is a prerequisite for this knot. I mention it in the episode so you know what you are getting into before you start.

Where can I compare knot strengths?

I document the breaking strength of every knot I tie on How 2 Tuesday and put it in a free knot guide. Go to tomrowlandpodcast.com and download it for free. It shows exactly which knots test stronger and how this one compares to all the others, with links to the videos.

What Is the No Name Knot?

The No Name knot is also called the Bristol knot. It ties a leader to a bimini twist loop in your main line. You tie a bimini in the braid or mono, take the leader through the loop and wrap around five times, sometimes seven, then bring it back through. It makes a nice, compact little knot. I walk through the tie in the episode.

How Did It Tie Up?

I tied this one with 20 pound braid to 40 pound fluorocarbon, starting from a bimini twist and wrapping the leader around. Held a little as I cinched it down, it seated into a clean, compact knot. I cover the tie in the episode, so press play in the player above.

What Did the Scale Say?

The average breaking strength came back at 15.42 pounds, which is a disappointing 77.1 percent. There are definitely knots that test stronger for braid to fluorocarbon. The knot looks great, but the number is what matters, and I explain that in the episode.

Final Thoughts From Me

The No Name, or Bristol, makes a compact connection and it is worth knowing, but at 77.1 percent it is not the strongest braid-to-fluoro knot I have tested. If you are going to tie a bimini anyway, there may be better ways to finish the connection.

You can see exactly which knots test stronger in my free knot guide at tomrowlandpodcast.com. Press play above for the full breakdown.

More How 2 Tuesday Tutorials

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.

People & Topics Mentioned

No Name knot · Bristol knot · bimini twist · braid · fluorocarbon · leader · knot guide · Danco · How 2 Tuesday

About Me

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 or lesson at a time, from knots and technique to gear and the habits that make you a better angler, in short, focused episodes you can put to use right away.

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