The How-To Knot Library

Lesson #2: The Super-Easy Albright

(The names listed here are debatable and, in some cases, doubtful.... Author assumes no liability, fault nor is subject to legal action.)

One of the trickiest things to do is join different size monofilaments, which is important when fishing for species that require bite tippets... like tarpon. There are many knots out there for this, and to make a choice can be to choose sides. Huffanagle vs. Improved Blood, Slim Beauty vs. Allbright Special, and so on. Tarpon anglers can almost come to blows over such things... or at least argue heatedly.

The truth is learning either of these knots isn't difficult, and most of them are strong enough to do the job, but the problem is most take too long to tie. I mean, if you prep all your leaders before-hand, no worries, but what if you're out on the flat and a tarpon swims by? Even if you have a tarpon fly attached to a bite-tippet ready to go, it still takes time to properly attach it to your leader.

That's where this knot comes in. I picked this up from a Barramundi guide in Australia. He used it to attach bite tippet for tough-mouthed "barra's" as they called them, but it works great for tarpon... and it's fast.

Step 1:

Step 1: Double back about 2 inches of the bite tippet (on left) and insert 3-4 inches of leader material (pictured here as the pink line on right) through the loop formed by the bite tippet.

Step 2:

Step 2: Make 3-4 full wraps around both strands of the bite tippet with the tag-end. (It must be at least 3 full wraps or the knot will likely slip.)

Step 3:

Step 3: Make the same number of wraps (3-4) back up the bite tippet toward the standing part of the leader and insert the tag end through the loop so it points in the opposite direction as the main leader.

Step 4:

Step 4: Moisten the knot and pull on the standing part of the leader while keeping a firm grip on the bite tippet. You might also have to hold onto the tag end (with your teeth) to keep it from slipping through, but leaving a longer tag will help with this.

Step 5:

Step 5: Pull gradually and firmly until knot seats all the way. The tag-end should now be at right angles to the knot and the wraps should be tight and snug.

Step 6:

Step 6: With the tag-end make a half-hitch (over-hand knot) around the standing part of the line and pull tight. Repeat 2-3 times until the main leader is in line with the bite-tippet. Trim the bite-tippet tag close, but leave a small tag on the smaller line to keep the half-hitches from coming undone.

This knot is basically 3 wraps down, and 3 back. Pass it through the loop so it points opposite the main line and pull tight. Yup, it's an Allbright, but once you learn it you can tie it in about 30 seconds.

If you have questions or comments on knots or these knot instructions, or to book your own Cayman bonefishing trip please use our Inquiries page or email guide Davin Ebanks directly at davin@fish-bones.com.