We strongly recommend that you purchase a copy of Geoff's book, "The Complete Book of Fishing Knots & Rigs".....Its money well spent!.....Available at all good tackle stores.

This knot was first tested using a milk coloured nylon monofilament marked Silaflex 14 lb (diameter 0.35 mm) and a pale green nylon monofilament marked Sure Catch Power Line 30 lb (diameter 0.55 mm). Using five wraps as illustrated, the Bimini double in the Silaflex line remained intact throughout the test even though the test involved a single strand of line prior to the Bimini. The 30 lb leader separated within the knot at a tension of 8.85 kg (19.5 lbs). The test was repeated using the standard version of the same knot with the same materials and without re-tying the Bimini double in the 14 lb Silaflex sample. This time the 30 lb leader separated within the knot as before, but at a tension of 9.8 kg (21.6 lbs). The original double remained intact with some distortion at the apex as you would expect after two very severe tests. Conclusion: This modified leader knot appears to be a little harder on leaders (about 10%) than the standard version of the same knot, but as both tests were of an extreme nature this would not be a problem in an actual fishing situation. However, it was interesting that a monofilament fishing line marked 14 lb should survive two such severe tests intact, and at some 54% above its stated breaking strain. Footnote: I tied the Smooth Leader Knot again as described with five wraps, using AMC Bulk Line 50 lb (diameter 0.65 mm) as a leader and after retying the Bimini in the Silaflex 14 lb sample. This time the Silaflex line broke between the Bimini and the spool at 11.1 kg (24.4 lb) or 74% above its stated breaking strain.