Blood knot vs Swivel for leaders?

[jason grimm]

i would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of these 2 styles, and who uses what and why they trust it?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I normally use a swivel when using bottom rigs, and then mostly as a stop for a slip weight. Most other times I use a blood knot to join lines.

Generally I think of swivels to prevent line twist. So they are often used with hard baits like spoons. I like snap swivels as terminal ends in these applications.

[Leo Nguyen]

Blood knot is perfect for fly lines to leader connections. But when it comes to mono/braid to flouro leader, blood knot is perfect for casting. I found that using the same test line as the mono or braid, the tensile strength maintain a proximity to tye entire line as if the knot wasn't even there. It also add a bit of weight for casting purposes as well. For braid, I also use 6lbs test flouro leader to a 2lbs braid for casting flies, with a a mini clear bobber, it works like my fly fishing rod, keeping my casts straight and true. Make sure the leader is no longer than 24". If you plan to use toss the line with a bobber rigs no further than 4ft, swivel is the best option, especially for slidding bobbers. I use it for trout rigs with sinking nymph flies, not heavy enough to pull the mainly down into the water. Swivel is awesome to switch rig tactics and leader styles quickly.

Major notes: braid will cut through the mono and flouro leader easily and will break during a good struggle. If I know my target is 3lhs over the braid's limit, my leader is at least double the test weight of the braid. I manage to real in a 4lbs bass with a 2lbs braid on a 6lbs flouro after a good 7mins without line snap. Not so good with a 2lbs or 4lbs flouro leader blood knotted to the braid.

[Mark Stine]

I rarely use a swivel.  I use a blood knot when joining two lines with similar diameters.  Use a double uni-knot if joining flourocarbon to braid or two line diameters aren't the same.  I use surgeons knot or perfection loop when attaching leader to fly line or tippet to leader.

[jason grimm]

thx for the info guys.

[Jim Ducy]

 A triple Surgeon Knot works for about anything!!! Correction the common Knot used to connect a leader to a fly line  is a nail knot.  Jim Ducy

[Leo Nguyen]

Thank you for reminding me about that nail knot. Completely forgot about it since I haven't use my fly gear in a while.