Palomar knot breaking

[Fin S]

I typically use a clinch knot for tying mono to lures, but I've started using a palomar sometimes.

 

The last two trips, when using a palomar knot, got breaks at the knot multiple times on each trip. When I retie with a clinch knot everything is fine.

 

The palomar seems like about the simplest knot to tie. Could I be doing something wrong, or is it just dumb luck?

[ChrisD46]

16 minutes ago, Fin S said:

I typically use a clinch knot for tying mono to lures, but I've started using a palomar sometimes.

 

The last two trips, when using a palomar knot, got breaks at the knot multiple times on each trip. When I retie with a clinch knot everything is fine.

 

The palomar seems like about the simplest knot to tie. Could I be doing something wrong, or is it just dumb luck?

*Make sure the line does not overlap on itself when using mono , co-poly or even FC line with the Palomar Knot ... Search "You Tube Palomar Knot videos" and watch closely how NOT to over lap the line onto itself as you tie the Palomar Knot  - This should help (along with wetting the line as you pull the Palomar Knot tight) ... **Also the Improved Clinch Knot , The Trilene and finally the Uni Knots are all easy , good , basic knots to use with mono line for bass . It would not hurt to check out You Tube videos for these knots as well (remember to wet all of these knots with mono and snug tight slowly !)

[Team9nine]

You’re either tying it wrong, or you are using one of the few brands of line that that knot doesn’t play well with. I’d double check knot tying technique first.

[Catt]

Operator Error ?

[roadwarrior]

1 minute ago, Catt said:

Operator Error ?

X2

[WRB]

Common mistake tieing the Palomar knot is twisting the loop putting the hook or lure through it. Drop the loop over the hook without twisting it. Pull the loop over hand knot snug not overly tight, then wet and pull the tag end tight. 

Palomar knot is good for hooks and snaps, I prefer San Deigo jam knot for lures.

Tom

[NHBull]

I lost a good one today at the boat on a DS.....I used the palomar and had a break off ....thought I did a good job tying it......Back to the Uni for DS

[Bird]

Palomar knot is so popular because it doesn't break when tied right. 

Figure out what your doing wrong before ditching this simple knot.

[jimmyjoe]

49 minutes ago, WRB said:

I prefer San Diego jam knot for lures.

 

   There's the solution!     jj

[jbrew73]

I fail at tying the palomar.  I assume I’m twisting it but can’t see what I’m actually doing wrong.  I can easily break off 16lb line without even wrapping the line around my hand.

 

I stick with the uni  but I think the San Diego jam is a slightly better knot.  

 

Go go with you have the most confidence in.  Works best every time.

[BrianMDTX]

I’m only using this pic for illustrative purposes. Notice the gap between the eye and the shank? When I first started tying Palomar knots, I neglected to ensure the line was not getting caught in that gap. Pulling the knot tight with any of the line in that gap can cause a nick that may lead to a knot failure. 

 

 

 

 

[Team9nine]

I’ve posted this pic I took a few times before, but you want your Palomar knot to look like this right before cinching. If done this way, you don’t even have to wet it and you’ll still get plenty of strength, even with fluorocarbon. I rarely lubricate my FC/nylon Palomars these days.

 

[dodgeguy]

Never had a Palomar knot fail in 30 years.

[OkobojiEagle]

Here's an idea... use the knot that works for you.

 

oe

[22RangerZ520R]

21 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

X2

X3

[dodgeguy]

21 hours ago, Team9nine said:

I’ve posted this pic I took a few times before, but you want your Palomar knot to look like this right before cinching. If done this way, you don’t even have to wet it and you’ll still get plenty of strength, even with fluorocarbon. I rarely lubricate my FC/nylon Palomars these days.

 

Thats perfect but I still wet it.

[Bankc]

On 10/10/2020 at 10:36 PM, OkobojiEagle said:

Here's an idea... use the knot that works for you.

 

oe

That's good advice.  I use a bunch of different knots, depending on the situation.  A few of my more common knots are knots I came up with (I'm not saying I invented them.  They might be known knots invented by someone else.  I just wasn't familiar with them before hand, and came up with them by my own trial and error).  

 

I typically just use the Palomar for FC line when tying swivels, clips, or lures without treble hooks.  Though sometimes I'll use it for a really small crankbait that I can palm in my hand to protect the treble hooks from getting tangled up in the line.  It's a fast knot to tie, and fairly strong, but I hate having to pull the loop around the lure and keep it straight.  So it's not one of my favorites.  But it has it's uses.

[Bankbeater]

I tie palomar knots with mono all the time. Most of the time the knot will break for 2 reasons. Either the knot is tied wrong or the mono is getting bad. Higher test mono lasts longer and is easier to tie than lighter mono. Make sure that the line is wet before you tighten down the knot. 

[Fin S]

I'm probably just getting a twist in it somewhere. I'll be more careful and see how it goes.

 

Thanks for the help, guys.

[Big Hands]

3 hours ago, Fin S said:

I'm probably just getting a twist in it somewhere. I'll be more careful and see how it goes.

 

Thanks for the help, guys.

And, I pull the loop up over the rest of the knot before cinching, pulling the main line to get it down a ways, wet it, and then pull the tag end to get it tight. The pic from Team9nine looks right.

[Catt]

If a Palomar knot is tied correctly you should be able to pull both the main line & the tag end together without any pressure. 

 

Once pulled down firm, cinch it tight by pulling the tag end only!

 

If tied correctly there should be no need to lubricate the line.

 

When tied correctly a Palomar knot will hold with monofilament, copolymore, fluorocarbon, & braid.

[Jermination]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

If a Palomar knot is tied correctly you should be able to pull both the main line & the tag end together without any pressure. 

 

Once pulled down firm, cinch it tight by pulling the tag end only!

 

If tied correctly there should be no need to lubricate the line.

 

When tied correctly a Palomar knot will hold with monofilament, copolymore, fluorocarbon, & braid.

oh come on Catt you have to get the line wet if it is flouro, Palomar is the only knot i've tied for 20 years and learned the hard way about not spitting on it before pulling it tight lol If you see any squigglies in your main line after pulling tight, cut it and retie. Also on your drop shot make the smallest loop possible going over the hook so you dont have to pull but a small amount of fluoro tight

[Catt]

56 minutes ago, Jermination said:

If you see any squigglies in your main line after pulling tight, cut it and retie.

 

That only happens if you cinch it down by pulling the main!

 

[Junk Fisherman]

On 10/10/2020 at 12:33 PM, NHBull said:

I lost a good one today at the boat on a DS.....I used the palomar and had a break off ....thought I did a good job tying it......Back to the Uni for DS

That's what I started using a couple years when I having some breakoffs with a Palomar on a DS.  Aaron Martens pushes the Uni for a DS so that is good enough for me.  I have had no issues once I changed.  Plus, I find it easy to always have my hook positioned correctly.  

[Jermination]

39 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

That only happens if you cinch it down by pulling the main!

 

man i dont know about that, i always pull the tag end but if i dont wet it it will almost always get at least one little burn mark on it(especially 6 & 8 lb) I think the lube makes up for not double checking if line twist when you make the initial pass through the hook eye