The Bimini Twist Bahamas Style

No, there are no fish pictures today.

The good news is:  we hooked two of the biggest fish this season.  I reeled in a 45 pound Mahi.  My arms almost fell out of their sockets.  While Sherven tried to gaff him, Valdez was at the helm.  When the fish swam into the engines, the line was cut and we lost him.  Boo hoo.  The next morning, enroute to Big Majors, I hauled a 5 foot Wahoo up from the deep.  My biceps are growing enormous!  This time, Buz had him in the net twice, but he kept getting free.  He was so big, the net couldn't hold him.  He smashed his head on the swim platform a couple of times and threw the hook.  Again...  

The bad new is:  we lost two big ones.  We could have fed the whole anchorage with all that fish.

And so, for diversion, let's discuss the Bimini Twist.  This ambitious fishing knot creates a strong double-line header on the end of a fishing line, touted to ensure landing heavier fish than what the line is rated for--a 50 or 60 pound fish on 40 pound test--that sounds good!

The problem with the Bimini is that it is extremely complicated to tie.  You need about three pairs of hands, a knee or foot, hooks and any other tying aids available.  Sherven showed me his Bahamian version, which is soooo much easier.  I've tried to get photos of the process and I hope the explanations will let you master this fun knot for yourself. If you are not a fishing person, indulge me.  I am so excited to have learned this new skill :)

To begin, make a loop the length of your two arms.

Wrap the double line around the width of your palm at the free end, holding the free end of the loop tight.

Now it's time to twist for the first time....

thread the looped end of the long double line thru the loop in your hand,

over and over again, at least 6 times.

Here you see the loop from your palm, twisted 6 times by the long-loop end of the double line.

Holding on to the free end and the long-loop end, pull strongly, as hard as you can, to compress the twist and make a strong knot.

Clip off the excess of the free end.

You now have a large loop on the end of your fishing line, attached with a twisted knot.

The second part of this version of the Bimini Twist is attaching your swivel.

Move to the loop end, farthest away from the end of your rod.

Thread a swivel onto the loop.

Hold the swivel in your right hand, pull up the end loop with your left.

Letting the swivel hang free, and the end loop over the index finger of your left hand,

twist the lines (4 of them) 5 to 6 times.

Now you have a twisted-line small loop and things are going to get really fun.

Take the loop in your left hand and feed it thru the loop in front of the swivel.

Pull on the swivel and the long-loop double line to compress the twists.

Clip the left-over loop close to the swivel.

Eureka!  You now have a double-line leader with swivel attached on the end of your fishing line, ready to haul up the big fish!

If you are still reading....  

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