Yucatan Knot

Tying procedure — Yucatan Knot

1. Step 01 / 4

   Tie a double line in the main line with a Bimini twist or spider hitch, then lay the doubled main line and the end of the leader side by side so they overlap.

   You should now see: Two strands of main line ending in a closed loop, lying alongside one strand of leader with a long overlap and plenty of leader tag.

   If it goes wrong: Starting with single main line, or with a double whose knot has slipped. You see one strand of main line against the leader instead of two.

   Fix: Tie the Bimini twist or spider hitch first and give it a firm test pull before you lay it against the leader.

   Why: The Yucatan is built from the double. Both legs wrap the leader together and the leader end later passes through the loop, so the same wraps in single line make a different, weaker join.

   1Loop of the double

   2Leader tag

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Double the main line with a Bimini twist, then lay the double beside the leader

   Hold: Left hand pinches the double and the leader together where they overlap

   Move: Right hand lays the leader's end along the double, leaving plenty of tag past it

   You should now see: Two strands of main line ending in a closed loop, lying alongside the leader with a long overlap and a long leader tag.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Wrap the doubled line around the leader with its two legs kept flat together: 4 to 6 turns if the main line is mono or fluorocarbon, 10 to 15 turns if it is braid.

   You should now see: An even run of doubled-line turns on the leader, each pair lying beside the last, with the loop of the double still open past the last turn.

   If it goes wrong: Turns that cross or leave gaps, or the two legs of the double splitting apart. You see leader showing between turns or one leg riding over its partner.

   Fix: Unwind to the last clean turn and wrap on from there, pinching the two legs together as you go.

   Why: The turn count follows the main line, because slick braid needs more turns to grip than mono. As the knot is pulled up the leader rolls into a spiral around the double, so a gap left here becomes a loose spot in the finished knot.

   1Ten turns of the double

   2Loop still open

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Wrap the doubled line round the leader ten times (braid; 4 to 6 for mono), legs flat

   Hold: Left hand holds the leader and the start of the wraps still

   Move: Right hand winds the loop end of the double round the leader, both legs together

   You should now see: An even run of ten paired turns on the leader, each pair beside the last, with the loop still open past the last turn.

3. Step 03 / 4

   Fold the leader tag back and pass it through the middle of the loop at the end of the doubled line, keeping the turns in place.

   You should now see: The leader tag running back through the loop of the double, both legs of the loop visible around it, and the turns still in order.

   If it goes wrong: Passing the tag around one leg of the loop instead of through its middle, or letting the turns unwind while folding the tag. The join then hinges at the loop and does not close fully.

   Fix: Take the tag back out, open the loop so both legs show, and pass the tag through the centre before any pull goes on.

   Why: The loop closing around the leader tag is the lock. If the tag misses the loop, the turns can slide straight off the end of the leader.

   1Through the loop

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Fold the leader tag back and pass it through the middle of the loop

   Hold: Left hand pinches the wraps so they stay in order

   Move: Right hand brings the tag back beside the wraps, over one leg of the loop and under the other

   You should now see: The leader tag running back through the middle of the loop, both legs of the loop around it, and the turns still in order.

4. Step 04 / 4

   Wet the knot and pull the doubled line and the leader slowly in opposite directions until the knot closes. Give it a hard test pull, then trim the leader tag close.

   You should now see: A compact join where the leader has rolled into a spiral around the double, with the main line and leader leaving the knot in a straight line.

   If it goes wrong: Pulling on the leader tag or on one leg of the double. The knot closes crooked, with the lines leaving it at an angle and loose turns on one side.

   Fix: If the knot is crooked or shows loose turns after the test pull, cut it off and tie it again, pulling only the doubled line against the leader.

   Why: NetKnots notes that although the wraps are made with the doubled line, the leader wraps onto the doubled line as the knot tightens. A slow, even pull lets that change happen evenly.

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Wet the knot, then pull the double and the leader slowly apart until it closes

   Hold: Left hand pulls the doubled main line toward the reel

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

5. Step 4 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Give the knot a hard test pull, then trim the leader tag close

   Hold: Left hand holds the double beyond the knot

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

   You should now see: A compact join with the loop closed on the trimmed tag, and the main line and leader leaving it in a straight line.