Best knot for monofilament and fluorocarbon line

[Mike L]

6 minutes ago, FishingInSC said:

Knot strength can be tested in a lab. But the best knot is probably the one that you are proficient in! There are "operator" variables...right knot for the application, twisted line, not wetting line, cinching down too hard/not hard enough, or not noticing/checking line for nicks/smoothness. I don't know. It's just my opinion. Palomar, improved cinch, uni. I've used them all without problem. But kudos for wanting to "improve your game." I guess I'm not much help.  

 

I see you're new here and glad to have you.

One thing tho, don't ever think that by giving your opinion and sharing what works for you is "not much help". Too many new guys feel that way.

 

We're all here to help in our own way, share what we know, or hopefully learn what we don't.

 

 

Anyway...Welcome 

 

 

 

Mike 

[NHBull]

6 minutes ago, Mike L said:

 

I see you're new here and glad to have you.

One thing tho, don't ever think that by giving your opinion and sharing what works for you is "not much help". Too many new guys feel that way.

 

We're all here to help in our own way, share what we know, or hopefully learn what we don't.

 

 

Anyway...Welcome 

 

 

 

Mike 

Especially new guys with 30 yrs experience !

[.ghoti.]

The best knot will always be the one YOU tie the best.

[kadas]

On ‎5‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 10:35 AM, RoLo said:

 

 

That might explain why I've been faithful to the 'Uni-knot' for over 50 yrs. which practically ties itself.

I've used the uni-knot in freshwater & saltwater, for fish weighing several ounces to several hundred pounds.

Though I've lost fish, plenty of them, I can't blame a single loss on a failed Uni-knot.

 

Roger

Agree with ROLO--been using the uni for a long time and find it easy to tie and I have never lost a fish that I could blame on the knot

[Steveo-1969]

On 5/20/2017 at 8:02 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

I've been using the Trilene knot for over 30 years. No problems, no worries.

 

Ditto. Trilene knot for mono, fluoro and braid.

[Team9nine]

The fact that there are so many testimonials for a wide variety of knots only shows how little pressure most anglers ever really apply to their line under normal situations, as controlled testing shows a wide disparity in strength. Knot strength really only comes into play on the margins. Otherwise, as has been stated, the knot you tie best is the best knot to tie 

[Todd2]

41 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

The fact that there are so many testimonials for a wide variety of knots only shows how little pressure most anglers ever really apply to their line under normal situations, as controlled testing shows a wide disparity in strength. Knot strength really only comes into play on the margins. Otherwise, as has been stated, the knot you tie best is the best knot to tie 

I agree..at most you might save a few lures when hung up...lol

[deadadrift89]

On 05/20/2017 at 7:02 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

On 05/20/2017 at 7:02 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

I've been using the Trilene knot for over 30 years. No problems, no worries.

Same here, wet well and tighten slowly

[fishwizzard]

On 5/20/2017 at 0:34 PM, The Bassman said:

 

A recent article in Fishing Facts showed the Trilene knot to be as strong as any in mono and adequate for braid. That's good news for me as I find it very easy to tie.  Not sure I'd trust it on  slick lines like Gliss and NanoFil  but I don't use them any more.  Safe bet with braid is to add a couple more turns. It seems to be slip free even with 8 strands.

 

I use the Trilene in everything and have only had it fail when I first started using floro, I believe I was not cinching it down smoothly enough.  

 

I have never had it fail in braid, even the few times I got stubborn and used a stick to break 30lb, the break was a little above the knot.  I do use 7 turns for floro/mono and 8-10 turns in braid.  

[sprogk]

Question for all you Trilene knot guys.......

 

I have used fish n fool knot for a long time. Basically it's a Uni knot with the line going through the lure eye twice.

Used most successfully on braid & 16lb or higher Fluoro. 

 

I have snapped it on lighter Flouro like 12lb(Sunline FC Sniper) but only on high impact strikes. (Plastic or jigs- never on cranks)

 

This weekend again snapped two fish on the strike with jigs. (14lb Sunline Mono on a medium light rod)

 

So I am going to try the trilene knot. 

Is this a good high impact knot for Fluorocarbon? Yes I power strike -> So I need to knot that can handle that.

Do you guys use it on your MH to H plastics or Jig rods>

 

Thanks

[Steveo-1969]

I use the Trilene knot for every line type I fish with - mono, FC, braid. I only fish a MH rod with jigs/plastics one week a year during a fishing vacation. The other 51 weeks I'm using M or ML rods. But I've never broken off at the knot on a hookset with my MH rod.  12#-15# fluorocarbon and 5 wraps.

[WRB]

Line under 30 lb test; Mono/Copoly, Palomar for hooks, jigs, snaps and lures without multi treble hooks. Large lures like swimbaits and multi treble hook lures I use the San Diego jam knot becuase it's easier for me to tie day or night.

FC, no knot is 100% reliable, San Diego jam knot works best for me.

Braid, the Braid knot, a double line improved clinch knot.

Loop knot, Perfection loop usually heavy mono/Copoly live bait salt water fishing.

Braid to leader a Binimi Twist knot, heavy mono/Coploy salt water fishing, don't use leaders in fresh water bass fishing.

I have broken off several big fish due to knot failures, the knot is the weakest link between you and the hooked fish, sometimes they win.

Tom

PS, just realized this is a a old thread!

[Jason Penn]

I've been using the Eugene knot for the past month or so, and have had no issues with 17# sunline assassin on t-rigs & jigs. It's really an easy knot to tie

[sprogk]

On 11/15/2017 at 3:44 PM, Steveo-1969 said:

I use the Trilene knot for every line type I fish with - mono, FC, braid. I only fish a MH rod with jigs/plastics one week a year during a fishing vacation. The other 51 weeks I'm using M or ML rods. But I've never broken off at the knot on a hookset with my MH rod.  12#-15# fluorocarbon and 5 wraps.

Thanks for everyone's reply. Sorry for late reply Not sure why I didn't receive email notification on this post.

 

Specifically interested in Steveo's comment on the trilene knot since I am struggling with it.

 

For fluorocarbon only:

I personally think the trilene is stronger than the San Diego jam but the trilene knot does not clinch down perfectly every time like the Jam. If the trilene doesn't clinch down perfectly it's obviously a weaker knot. 

 

I don't have a issue clinching the knot perfectly with mono....just Fluoro. What am I doing wrong? 

 

I wet the knot plenty and tried 4,5,6 turns. 3 turns snaps very easy.

 

I have tried various knots for flouro & here is my findings so far:

1. Fish n Fool knot has inconsistent results. I have snapped many fish off on tye strike.

2. Tried Eugene Bend/Eugene loop. No contest compared to improved clinch. Improved clinch is stronger but I have same problem as Trilene...it clinch's down difficult and damages the line right at the knot.

3. Trilene seems stronger than improved clinch it tied perfectly. but both have clinch down issues with fluoro.

4. San diego jam can be tied with very consistent clinched down reaults. Knot looks good and no line damage with 6 or 7 turns. Tested knot to knot using two jigs...Jam one end/Improved clinch other end with varying results.  I would give the improved clinch the win but only if my knot clinch down perfectly.

5. Palomar isn't a "bad" knot. I do use it for dropshot. I find it weaker than improved clinch or trilene. Not sure who would win between palomar & San diego jam.

 

I'm tired of breaking fish off. Any advice on why my trilene knot won't clinch down 100%? Steveo could you upload a close up picture of your trilene knot on fluoro line? And mention what brand of fluoro you are using?

 

thanks guys

Edited November 22, 2017 by sprogk
Typo

[Steveo-1969]

I've never learned how to post pics in a thread, sorry.  I will say that it sounds like you are MUCH more meticulous than I am when it comes to knot tying!! So I would guess your knots are much prettier than mine.  I also have trouble getting the 12#-15# fluorocarbon to cinch down easily which is why I only use 5 wraps on the Trilene knot. More wraps than 5 and I really struggle when cinching down. Is this because the fluoro is stiffer than mono? Probably. I cinch slowly and with saliva as lubricant, and also use my fingers to push the knot down. The only time I tie it again is if the fluorocarbon is noticeably stretched out and shiny above the knot like I "burned" it when cinching. I also leave a longer tag end of about 1/4". I'm not fishing weeds so no worries about a longer tag end grabbing them.

 

So assuming you tie better knots than I do, but I don't break off on hooksets, something else is different between us. As I stated in an earlier post, 51 weeks a year I'm fishing ML or M powered rods with 8#-10# fluorocarbon mainline and leaders. But 1 week a year I use a MH powered rod with 12#-15# fluorocarbon mainline to fish ledges with jigs and soft plastics. Lines I've used are Seaguar 12# & 15# Invizx and 15# Abrazx. The only fluorocarbon I experienced break-offs with on the hookset was Berkley 15# Vanish.

 

I feel like I set the hook hard but maybe not as hard as you do?  Also I'm using a Loomis MH (3-power) which may not be as powerful as other manufacturer's, so maybe your MH rod has more power?

 

Have you considered ditching the fluorocarbon and using straight braid?

[sprogk]

1 hour ago, Steveo-1969 said:

I've never learned how to post pics in a thread, sorry.  I will say that it sounds like you are MUCH more meticulous than I am when it comes to knot tying!! So I would guess your knots are much prettier than mine.  I also have trouble getting the 12#-15# fluorocarbon to cinch down easily which is why I only use 5 wraps on the Trilene knot. More wraps than 5 and I really struggle when cinching down. Is this because the fluoro is stiffer than mono? Probably. I cinch slowly and with saliva as lubricant, and also use my fingers to push the knot down. The only time I tie it again is if the fluorocarbon is noticeably stretched out and shiny above the knot like I "burned" it when cinching. I also leave a longer tag end of about 1/4". I'm not fishing weeds so no worries about a longer tag end grabbing them.

 

So assuming you tie better knots than I do, but I don't break off on hooksets, something else is different between us. As I stated in an earlier post, 51 weeks a year I'm fishing ML or M powered rods with 8#-10# fluorocarbon mainline and leaders. But 1 week a year I use a MH powered rod with 12#-15# fluorocarbon mainline to fish ledges with jigs and soft plastics. Lines I've used are Seaguar 12# & 15# Invizx and 15# Abrazx. The only fluorocarbon I experienced break-offs with on the hookset was Berkley 15# Vanish.

 

I feel like I set the hook hard but maybe not as hard as you do?  Also I'm using a Loomis MH (3-power) which may not be as powerful as other manufacturer's, so maybe your MH rod has more power?

 

Have you considered ditching the fluorocarbon and using straight braid?

Thanks for your reply.  

 

Only meticulous after getting fed up with the break offs.

 

I should of mentioned this before: the knot that I experienced break-offs on the strike was the "fish n fool" knot.  As for Trilene & Improved Clinch I have only done bench testing on those. Even just straigh pull test show both are stronger than fish n fool knot IF CLINCHED PERFECTLY. As for which is best for high impact(on the strike) only time will tell. 

 

I lost two nice fish on jigs on kentucky lake (With fish n fool knot) so was just curious on how everyone gets fluoro knots clinched down without line damage. 

 

I do power strike but my rods are pretty light like yours. It was definitely the wrong knot. Im new to Fluoro..I am used to straight braid but sometimes clear water calls for Fluoro so I really need to get a confidence Fluoro knot for those clear water conditions.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

[aatwofour]

Improved clinch. It’s the only knot I’ve ever used

[Steveo-1969]

On 11/22/2017 at 3:03 PM, sprogk said:

Thanks for your reply.  

 

Only meticulous after getting fed up with the break offs.

 

I should of mentioned this before: the knot that I experienced break-offs on the strike was the "fish n fool" knot.  As for Trilene & Improved Clinch I have only done bench testing on those. Even just straigh pull test show both are stronger than fish n fool knot IF CLINCHED PERFECTLY. As for which is best for high impact(on the strike) only time will tell. 

 

I lost two nice fish on jigs on kentucky lake (With fish n fool knot) so was just curious on how everyone gets fluoro knots clinched down without line damage. 

 

I do power strike but my rods are pretty light like yours. It was definitely the wrong knot. Im new to Fluoro..I am used to straight braid but sometimes clear water calls for Fluoro so I really need to get a confidence Fluoro knot for those clear water conditions.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

My bad, you were very clear on the knot you were having trouble with. I just didn't read carefully enough.

 

And oddly enough Kentucky Lake is where I spend my annual vacation.  Good luck with your on-the-water testing, I hope you find a knot that works well for you.

 

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving as well.

[CroakHunter]

On 11/22/2017 at 2:03 PM, sprogk said:

Thanks for your reply.  

 

Only meticulous after getting fed up with the break offs.

 

I should of mentioned this before: the knot that I experienced break-offs on the strike was the "fish n fool" knot.  As for Trilene & Improved Clinch I have only done bench testing on those. Even just straigh pull test show both are stronger than fish n fool knot IF CLINCHED PERFECTLY. As for which is best for high impact(on the strike) only time will tell. 

 

I lost two nice fish on jigs on kentucky lake (With fish n fool knot) so was just curious on how everyone gets fluoro knots clinched down without line damage. 

 

I do power strike but my rods are pretty light like yours. It was definitely the wrong knot. Im new to Fluoro..I am used to straight braid but sometimes clear water calls for Fluoro so I really need to get a confidence Fluoro knot for those clear water conditions.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Double pitzen

[Mike L]

I use Suline Flouro on every combo I use (14# - 20#)

exvept for punching and have been for years. 

I use the SDJ exclusively now and have never had a problem. 

The problem is not the line. 

 

Sure it's less forgiving

but still the best for my tastes.  

 

When tieing a knot any knot, but especially with Flouro, make sure the wraps are not overlapping but laying flat and parallel to each other. 

 

I would bet that could be part of your problem. 

 

Just a thought. 

 

 

 

 

Mike 

 

[sprogk]

Thanks guys. Will check wraps & try the double pitzen

[Deleted account]

Flouro carbon line has terrible knot breaking strength, additionally, because of its physical characteristics it is more prone to be damaged during the knot tying process, and once damaged looses more breaking strength, again additionally it weakens from stress at lower levels than its breaking point, ie it becomes weaker every time you pull on it beyond a certain point. These are 3 separate items, which in combination cause the failures everyone experiences. I see no advantage to using it in most (and no bass) fishing situations, but the guy who sells Flouro's kid needs to go to college too, so carry on...

[soflabasser]

Uni knot for hooks and lures

uni to uni knot for leaders

[sprogk]

20 hours ago, reason said:

Flouro carbon line has terrible knot breaking strength, additionally, because of its physical characteristics it is more prone to be damaged during the knot tying process, and once damaged looses more breaking strength, again additionally it weakens from stress at lower levels than its breaking point, ie it becomes weaker every time you pull on it beyond a certain point. These are 3 separate items, which in combination cause the failures everyone experiences. I see no advantage to using it in most (and no bass) fishing situations, but the guy who sells Flouro's kid needs to go to college too, so carry on...

Im not set in my ways. I always try something different. What line do you use for bassing?