Knots, which ones to use and why

[Sholt]

Hey All

Looking for info on when to use certain knots, Ive ready many places that the FG knot is the best way to splice braid to mono.  Also that a Polomar knot is proper for drop shot, what other important knots are there and why?

 

thanks

[SFL BassHunter]

I personally use the following:

Braid - Palomar Knot for everything except punching. Punching I use a snell knot so that the hook flips up when the weight pushes down on it. In theory helps with the hookset.

 

All other lines - Improved Clinch Knot because its easy and I haven't had any issues with it.

 

I don't use leaders so I don't have a knot preference there.

[Clinton john]

I use two knots.

 

Braid- uni knot- guick,simple and strong.

 

Mono-Trilene knot-guick,simple and strong.

 

 

I never tie two lines to each other so I don't have a knot for that.

 

Hope this helps sir, I'm of the kiss mentality. Keep It Simple Stupid- Kiss.

[paleus]

2 main knots for me:

Alberto for joining mono or flouro leader to braid main line.

San Diego Jam for attaching lure to leader.

 

I will use a palomar if tying the lure directly to braid.

 

I tried the FG knot and could never tie it consistently enough to trust it. I find the Alberto easier to tie and just as strong and not that much bigger when using 8-12lb leader.

[Mike L]

Snell for punching with braid. 

Palomar for straight braid.  

San Diego Jam for Flouro 

 

I don't use leaders or mono line for anything. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Hez]

Just now, Mike L said:

 

 

I don't use leaders or mono line for anything. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

Welcome to the south!  

[J Francho]

Palomar when I can.  Uni or Improved Clinch when I can't.  Alberto for braid to leader connection knots.

[Team9nine]

15 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Palomar when I can (when can I not). Alberto for braid to leader connection knots.

 

This ^^ with one little tweak 

[IndianaFinesse]

Standard trilene knot for mono/flouro, with two wraps around the eye on braid.  Alberto for leader knots.

[J Francho]

4 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

This ^^ with one little tweak 

 

It's knot too often I can't tie a Palomar.  I'm a little lazy with spinnerbaits, and just do a fast imp. clinch.  It seems to work fine for me.  I really don't like Uni knots, because they "un-cinch" easily.

[buzzed bait]

i use a palomar on braid and depending on the line and situation i might use a uni knot as well, but those 2 are all that i've needed.  to join 2 lines together, i use the uni to uni.  it's easy to tie and never given me any issues.

[NHBull]

Joining lines...FG or Uni to Uni

 

All other knots, Uni or SDJ

 

 

[Darren.]

That FG is best is subjective, dependent on the

person tying it. Some here are proficient at it and

good on them! Others, it is not worth the time or

effort.

 

I do not find it best by any stretch. Good? Sure, 

easy to tie, no. Good for all diameters of line, no.

 

Braid to leader: 1) Uni-to-uni 2) Alberto

 

In that order for me.

 

Line to hook: Uni or Palomar (straight braid, or leader)

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

 I don't use leaders or mono line for anything. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

1 hour ago, Hez said:

 

Welcome to the south!  

 

Yeah Buddy!!

 

 

 

Mike

[MassYak85]

The FG is the best (as far as knot strength and slimness) once tied....getting there can be a big hurdle and one many don't find worth the effort. I personally do but that's just me. For tying lures with mono/fluoro I go with the san diego jam knot. For braid I usually go with an improved clinch or Palomar. For drop shot you pretty much have to use a Palomar (or a special hook). And I'll snell live bait hooks or punching hooks. 

[Boomstick]

For line to line, I use the double uni knot.

 

For tying smaller lures on braid, I will use the Palomar since it's so easy, but for larger lures I usually use a uni knot. On mono, I may occasionally use an improved cinch knot to tie on larger lures in open water, but if I don't want to retie shortly, I will use a uni. I haven't had an issue a palomar or uni knot breaking, and would be hardpressed to say which one is truly stronger.

[lo n slo]

palomar

rapala

blood (dont laugh)

[WRB]

Palomar knot for mono to hooks and clips.

San Diego jam knot for FC hooks, clips, lures and mono to lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. 

Perfection loop knot for live bait hooks, salt water.

Binimi twist for braid to double line leaders, salt water.

Double Uni knot for braid to leaders.

Tom

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

No one uses a loop knot on hard baits in place of the split ring? 

[NHBull]

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

No one uses a loop knot on hard baits in place of the split ring? 

I used to, but have been using clips tied to braid.......just easier

[Oklahoma Mike]

Leaders: Alberto

Mono: Palomar or improved clinch

Flouro: Palomar or SDJ

Braid: Double Palomar or SDJ

 

I use the Palomar on terminal tackle and jigs, use the other knots for treble hook and larger lures like spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. If punching I always snell. 

[snake95]

Palomar for most knots to hooks and snaps.

San Diego jam for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and direct ties to spilt rings.

Alberto for leaders to braid.

Rapala when I need a loop knot.

 

I would like to continue to experiment with alternatives but rarely have these failed on me.  I've only lost a couple of fish to failed knots; one was using Vanish for the first time, another time was setting the hook on copoly that had experienced multiple hard jerks from poor casting.

[Jon G]

Connection to braid + leader: Alberto 

 

Mono/Fluoro/Braid: San Diego Jam

 

 

[Bucky205]

Having poor eyesight I like the following,

 

  FG for braid to leader - Strong and it cast well, I usually need to tie it before leaving the house.

  Rapala loop knot for top water - I think you get better action on the lure

  Palomar for braid - IMO best knot for braid, I sometimes have issues getting the loop over the hooks  with poor eyesight.

  Improved cinch - Good on flourocarbon and mono if I can see to tie it.

  UNI - Not as strong as Palomar, or improved cinch, but good all purpose knot if you have poor depth   perception. I can tie it by feel. You can do most things with it including snelling a hook. If It's braid   I double the number of wraps.  At night I use it for everything.

 

  LOL,  My depth perception is so bad I have a needle threader hanging around my neck to thread hooks. What really sucks is at night when I go to clip the tag end and cut the main line instead and have to retie.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Dont use leaders.

All lines I use 6 turn Fish-n-Fool knot. Proven stronger than palomar and wastes very little line.