Bimini knot

[Bob Parsons]

While I can tie one, I never use them. What situations are they best use for?

[Mark Cahill]

is to create a double line to attach to a shock leader. A standard tarpon rig...

I have used them in the past tuna fishing also, but gave that up rather quickly as I reason that doubled line is too easy to spot. Some do to give themselves something to grab onto when they wire the fish, but I would rather worry about wiring fish, than if my double line is scaring them off.

Seem to recall in Spider Andresen and Rip Cunningham's video that they used a double line for bluefish when fishing light tackle. Spider preferred the spider hitch though, but was careful to note that once you catch a fish, you should re-rig it.
I can't remember him ever using double line when I fished with him in th'70s. And while I can't remember what I had for lunch today, I would remember that...

[peter mac]

Hey Bob,
We use them in Gel-spun backing to connect to the fly line when rigging for Tuna. Bimini the gel-spun and a whipped loop in the fly line.
Peter Mac

[H2O]

I use the Bimini/ whipped loop to attach all of my backing/fly line. It allows for quick changes and strong connections. In the fly-line I double it back and secure it with 3 nail knots of 10lb flouro and coat it with UV Knot sense. No problems so far!

[lemaymiami]

Spotted your question and thought that I'd put in my two cents worth. Since a "bimini" is actually more rope making technique than a knot, it is just as strong as the line itself. Once your line is doubled any knots will be stronger than the breaking strength of the single line.... Spider hitches and other doubled creations are just not as strong.

It's not often that going to the wall, the pressure just short of breaking off, is necessary but when it is...

Clearly getting the bite takes precedence and worry about the consequences later. For fish other than tuna (which won't ever be found in the Everglades) fighting big fish at reasonably close quarters makes me want to bring every advantage possible. If that means tying up leader wheels (one each with hard Mason 15 to 60 fluoro and my mainstay, 20lb Mason to 80lb fluoro) with two bimini's for each leader I'll do it in advance and not complain about the effort that it takes.

To create a wheel, simply double the length of the shock tippet and tie a breaking strength tippet to each end. The two joined leaders are then connected loop to loop continuously on an old leader "wheel". In use, I just pull off the first one, cut the shock leader in two, and have a ready-tied one ready to go. Saves having to fool around with leaders when you're in fish, etc. I did my first leader wheel for a fly shop in 1979. It was 100 leaders and the hot setup then was 15# Mason to 110# Maxima.

For smaller fish (snook, reds, baby tarpon) I use a different quicker system, but that's another story.