Fun,
Here's some reasons where and why a swivel may not work as well as the double uni:
1. When you want to lay your braid on a bed of mono to keep the braid from slipping or piling up on the reel.
2. If you want a LONGER mono or shock tippet that will cast and reel easily through your guides in order to:
a. reduce abrasion at terminal end when drift fishing
b. reduce line visibility at terminal end
c. increase shock absorbancy or introduce some line stretch
3. The connection to a swivel has two separate knots, while the double uni is a redundant knot which decreases, not increases, the probability of failure if a single knot fails.
4. A knot that seats to itself or at least the same material provides inherently a more grip. This is why the Palomar and “improved” clinch knots are recommended knots to swivel or hook, because they increase the surface area of the line material against the swivel. A bowline knot is a prime example of this strength in action.
5. Each swivel has the potential to introduce a “bolo” effect and increases hinging when casting. The farther up the line the greater the effect, thus reducing overall castability.
6. If you are constantly retying at the terminal end while on the water it is better to use mono for QUICK secure knots when tying off to swivels as braid requires a lot more attention to insure knot strength.
My own experience has confirmed to me what every fly fisherman already knows, which is that these line to line connections are every bit as secure as the line to swivel connections that drift fisherman are used to when they are tied right. In fact whenever I have to break off, the mono usually breaks at the swivel instead of the double uni-knot. Give it a shot I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Drifter, yep, still raining...............