Uses: The Bimini Twist is used to create a strong loop for use as a double-line leader on the end of a fishing line that can then be used for a loop-to-loop connection.

Tying it: The many of methods described to tie the Bimini Twist testify to its awkwardness. Knees, hooks, spare hands, and commercial knot makers have all been recommended. The animation employed rope to make the knot visible – but used only a fraction of the required number of turns. Although one team reported getting good results with about twelve turns, others have demonstrated that this fails and recommend about 30 turns for monofilament and more for braid.

Options: The Bimini Twist animation shows the knot being tied off with a Half Hitch followed by a multi-turn hitch. Many fishermen do use both. Although they are both shown, the Half Hitch was actually untied to allow the animation to be finished with only the multi-turn hitch. This produces a smoother finished knot and is preferred by a growing number of fishermen.

Advantages: The strength of the Bimini Twist depends upon the strain being transferred gradually to the knot over a considerable length. It is better known and more widely used than the Australian Braid – which has similar properties and may be easier to learn.

Breaking Strain The Bimini Twist, is claimed to preserve 100% of the line’s breaking strain. However, these remarkable results are recorded under optimal conditions, and may also be obtained while fishing – cooled, wet, and without too great a shock load. Careful laboratory testing has shown that the knot fails under some conditions. Sudden jerks on dry Bimini Twist cause heating due to friction. This results in failure at lower breaking strains. One severe shock test was made on a 70 turn Bimini Twist tied with 80 lb monofilament with no leader. It failed at about 20 lb.