Bristol Knot

Tying procedure — Bristol Knot

1. Step 01 / 4

   Tie a Bimini twist in the main line with a fairly short loop, and finish the Bimini completely before starting the Bristol.

   You should now see: A finished Bimini with a short loop of two strands, and a single strand of main line running into the Bimini from the reel side.

   If it goes wrong: Starting on a single strand, or on a Bimini that has not been pulled up tight. Count the strands in the loop: there should be two, coming out of a firm Bimini.

   Fix: Tie the Bimini first and give the double a hard pull by hand. If it slips, tie it again before going on.

   Why: The leader wraps close around both strands of the Bimini loop. A short loop keeps the finished connection compact.

   1Two strands of the Bimini loop

   2Leader's end

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Tie a Bimini twist with a short loop and finish it before starting the Bristol

   Hold: Left hand holds the finished Bimini, its short loop pointing at the leader

   Move: Right hand lays the leader's end near the bend of the loop

   You should now see: A short Bimini loop of two strands, both running back to a firm Bimini, with the leader's end beside the bend.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Push the end of the leader through the Bimini loop, leaving a long tag, and hook your index finger around the leader to hold a small loop where it went through.

   You should now see: The leader runs through the Bimini loop and back along the double line, with a small leader loop held open over your finger at the start.

   If it goes wrong: Letting the finger loop close, or pulling too little leader through. A short tag runs out before the wraps are finished and the tag can go back.

   Fix: Pull more leader through the Bimini loop and put your finger back in the leader loop before you start wrapping.

   Why: The small leader loop is where the tag goes back in at the end of step 3. If it closes, there is nowhere for the tag to lock.

   1Up through the Bimini loop

   2Finger loop

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Push the leader up through the Bimini loop and hold a small loop over your finger

   Hold: Left hand holds the Bimini loop by its two strands

   Move: Right index finger hooks the leader into a small loop and lays the long tag along the double line

   You should now see: The leader comes up through the Bimini loop by the bend, arches over your finger and runs on along the double line with a long tag.

3. Step 03 / 4

   Wrap the leader tag 5 to 7 times around both strands of the double line, working away from your finger. Bring the tag back and pass it through the finger loop, the opposite way to the wraps.

   You should now see: 5 to 7 even leader wraps around both strands, with the tag coming out of the finger loop tucked under the first wrap.

   If it goes wrong: Taking the tag back through the Bimini loop instead of the leader loop at your finger, or a wrap that misses one strand of the double. The knot pulls apart or sets lopsided.

   Fix: Unwind the tag back to the mistake, check that each wrap takes in both strands, and pass the tag through the leader loop at your finger.

   Why: Passing the tag back through the finger loop traps it under the first wrap when the knot closes. Wrapping both strands makes the two legs of the double pull together.

   1Six wraps round both strands

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Wrap the tag six times round both strands, working away from your finger

   Hold: Left hand holds the finger loop open and pinches the wraps as they build

   Move: Right hand winds the leader tag round both strands of the double line, toward the Bimini

4. 1Through the finger loop

   Step 3 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Bring the tag back and pass it through the finger loop, opposite to the wraps

   Hold: Left hand keeps the wraps from springing loose

   Move: Right hand brings the tag back along the wraps and under the finger loop, over the double line

   You should now see: Six even wraps on both strands, and the tag coming out of the finger loop under the first wrap, the opposite way to the wraps.

5. Step 04 / 4

   Wet the knot, then pull the standing leader and the double line apart slowly until the wraps close down. Test the Bimini and the Bristol with a hard pull, then trim the tag short.

   You should now see: A compact barrel of leader wraps on the double line, the tag standing out at a right angle before trimming, and no movement in either knot under the test pull.

   If it goes wrong: Snatching the pull on dry line, so the wraps bunch and scuff. The barrel looks uneven, with some wraps riding on top of others.

   Fix: Wet it again and pull slowly. If the wraps stay bunched or either knot moves in the test, cut back to the double and tie the Bristol again.

   Why: A slow, wet pull lets the stiff leader wraps bed down evenly on the thinner double line. Test both knots because the join is only as sound as the Bimini behind it.

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Wet it, then pull the leader and the double line apart slowly to close the wraps

   Hold: Left hand pulls the double line toward the Bimini

   Move: Right hand pulls the standing leader the other way, slowly and steadily

6. Step 4 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Test the Bimini and the Bristol with a hard pull, then trim the tag short

   Hold: Left hand holds the double line beyond the Bimini

   Move: Right hand gives the leader a hard test pull, then trims the tag

   You should now see: A compact barrel of six leader wraps on the double line, nothing moving under the test pull, and a short trimmed tag.