Best Knot For Crank Baits?

[Brett Strohl]

I've been trying to use palomar knots, but they're a little too difficult to do for large crank baits.  What is the best knot or knots for crank baits?  (Preferably something reasonably simple)

[BobP]

If you're using regular nylon fishing line, the traditional Improved Cinch Knot or the Trilene Knot do just fine.  I use the San Diego Jam Knot and it also works great.  It really boils down to which knot you know how to tie quickly and effectively.

[tholmes]

If you're using regular nylon fishing line, the traditional Improved Cinch Knot or the Trilene Knot do just fine.  I use the San Diego Jam Knot and it also works great.  It really boils down to which knot you know how to tie quickly and effectively.

 

Yep! There are any number of knots that will work just fine. I use the old Improved Clinch for darn near everything because I've been tying it for nearly 50 years and can tie it fast, in the dark, etc. without thinking about it.

 

Tom

[Brett Strohl]

I'm using braid, is there a better knot for that?

[SDbassin]

double uni knot, its the only knot I use now, It will take you a while to learn it, but I've never had it fail on me once, super strong, and I can't stand the palomar

[Brett Strohl]

what don't you like about the palomar knot?

[junyer357]

I prefer a rapala knot on my cranks unless im using a snap or floro. If i have a snap its an improved trilene. If its floro its a "shaw grigsby" knot. Idunno the name but he hasna utube video showing how to tie it.

[fishballer06]

I use the Trilene knot almost exclusively for braid. It never fails. 

[*Hank]

I use the Trilene knot almost exclusively for braid. It never fails.

Ya great knot.

[tnt2671]

improved cinch , easy to learn easy to tie correctly , strong and works on everything , the only knot i ever use  for any line any lb , never had one fail ,  only exception obviously  if I'm tying leader on or backing to main line then it's 100% alberto. i have tried pretty much all the latest and greatest along with the established popular knots and always go back to the cinch because it doesn't care if its braid , fluoro or mono or what lure your tying it to

[hatrix]

For me it's a San Diego Jam for everything or a Uni. I have been using the Uni more lately just to mix it up and tie something different. They are both excellent knots and are easy to tie. They work on any kind of line and any diameter.

[iceintheveins]

Rapala knot!

[RAMBLER]

Snap

[Todd2]

double uni knot, its the only knot I use now, It will take you a while to learn it, but I've never had it fail on me once, super strong, and I can't stand the palomar

Double uni....aka fishin fool knot is what I use too. I switched when I saw it beat the Palomar in Knot Wars a few years ago.

[Frenchman83]

I use the Canoe Man Loop for crankbaits.

[SDbassin]

Double uni....aka fishin fool knot is what I use too. I switched when I saw it beat the Palomar in Knot Wars a few years ago.

I've never had any luck with the palomar, a lot of people use it, but I seemed to break off quite a bit. So far I haven't had one break off with the double uni and feel I can really smash on them with that knot

[slimshad]

Palomar for mono and Eugene for floro.  I dont worry about knot strength as much as you guys.  I worry about my drag.  I haven't had a fish break off at the knot much I don't think.  Find a knot you feel comfortable with and set your drag good and go catch some hawgs! 

[hatrix]

I've never had any luck with the palomar, a lot of people use it, but I seemed to break off quite a bit. So far I haven't had one break off with the double uni and feel I can really smash on them with that knot

Well that is probably because a palomar is actually a knot and a uni is a slip. I would like to see how a palomar compares in a strength test vs other knots after fishing it for a while and not right after it wa tied. I am pretty sure it get weaker and weaker as stress it applied to it. I am sure all knots do but even more so in the case of a palomar.

[paulrobinson318]

I always tie an Improved Clinch for cranks and most things other than worm hooks. 

[BobP]

In knot failures, braid most often slips through the knot when it fails.  Fluoro most often breaks due to a kink in the knot somewhere.  Both lines tend to do better with knots that have multiple wraps around the main line to cushion the line.  Even better are knots that wrap through the hook eye twice before knotting.  There are lots of knots that do this, so choose one, learn to tie it, and you'll have fewer breakage problems.  I've broken braid tied with a Palomar knot at the knot when I applied a very snappy hookset.  The instantaneous strain on the line went right to the knot and broke it.  A multi-wrap knot also helps with that problem.

[WRB]

Snap

+1

Use a good quality snap, not a snap swivel! You can tie whatever knot you are comfortable with and have confidence with.

Tom

[Jtrout]

I tie a palomar knot for everything lol never had a knot fail on me ever when I tie a palomar knot with braid I make sure I wet the knot before pulling it tight.

[FD.]

+1

Use a good quality snap, not a snap swivel! You can tie whatever knot you are comfortable with and have confidence with.

Tom

 

 

+2

[RoLo]

+1

Use a good quality snap, not a snap swivel! You can tie whatever knot you are comfortable with and have confidence with.

Tom

 

I'm pretty sure the OP is asking which knot "you are" most comfortable with.

Adding a snap to the equation only introduces a second weak link, where there was only one.

Particularly in saltwater or wherever there's jarring shock, a snap is often the weakest link.

 

Roger

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm pretty sure the OP is asking which knot "you are" most comfortable with.

Adding a snap to the equation only introduces a second weak link, where there was only one.

Particularly in saltwater or wherever there's jarring shock, a snap is often the weakest link.

Roger

Roger I respectively agree that a 2nd link increases the chance for failure. I am a very strong advocate of quality snaps for a long time fishing for many different species. I use snaps for all jerkbaits, almost all topwater & all crank baits and all musky & pike baits. I can honestly say I have never had a failure from a snap. I use quality duo lock snaps & most recently owner hyper welded snaps. I do use snaps rated higher in breaking strength than my main line rated breaking point.

If you look at all the Luhr Jensen baits they come from the factory with duo snaps installed. Many other bait manufactures do as well including JDM baits like Gan Craft jointed claw.

I personally like tying to a snap so I can change baits quickly without reting. I do often retie my snap as the progresses. I usually replace the snap based on the size & strength of the target species.