Palomar Hard as Heck for Me to Tie

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya'll,

 

I've kind of settled to learning to tie the palomar. Been using the improved clinch with few issues, but I really wanted to step it up a notch with the palomar. Not my first time using this knot, and I always use it with braid. But man oh man, it is not an easy knot for me to tie. I am careful that when passing the doubled end through the eye and preparing to make the loop, that I have no crisscrossing going on whatsoever. The hardest part for me is where I pass the doubled end through the loop I create and then drop the lure through doubled end. Anyone have a video they recommend taking a look at to make the process easier? Otherwise, helpful hints welcome, as well some hints on what to avoid besides crisscrossing when tying the palomar. When I have tied it, I think I have tied it correctly, because it cinches down effortlessly and holds up very well. 

 

Thanks and look forward to reading your suggestions.

[FrnkNsteen]

I guess I don't think about it much. I put the doubled over end through the eye of the hook, then create a loop and overhand knot over the main line. Then drop my doubled over hoop over the lure, wet it and cinch it all down. I do cinch it by pulling the tag end not the main line though so I don't get the main line curled up like a ribbon on a present.

 

I can't say I've ever had issues with it breaking or slipping.

[LrgmouthShad]

14 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I do cinch it by pulling the tag end not the main line though

yes, that is how i was taught to do on here as well. thanks for your comment!

[dodgeguy]

17 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I guess I don't think about it much. I put the doubled over end through the eye of the hook, then create a loop and overhand knot over the main line. Then drop my doubled over hoop over the lure, wet it and cinch it all down. I do cinch it by pulling the tag end not the main line though so I don't get the main line curled up like a ribbon on a present.

 

I can't say I've ever had issues with it breaking or slipping.

What he said easiest knot ever. I crazy glue the tag end with braid so it doesn't fray. I hate frayed tag ends.

[LrgmouthShad]

2 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

What he said easiest knot ever

I know it is supposed to be and it frustrates the crap out of me that I have such a hard time with it. Feels like I'm solving a calculus problem every time I tie it, lol

[Unk]

I know that you've watched several you tube videos such as this : 

This makes it look easier than tying your shoes but , for me , this video and none of the others I've watched tell you how to be sure you don't get crossover in tiny diameter line . The rest of it seemed pretty easy as long as you bring the loop forward of the hook eye prior to tightening . ( Seems like this video suggest you pull on both tag and standing ? ) I'll be monitoring this thread to see if anyone can tell an old man with old man eyes how to be sure there's no crossover. If we could all use heavy trot line cord on our lures like they do in the videos , knots might be a little simpler  

[Hulkster]

pro tip: dont try to double your line first and then feed it through the eye of your hook/leader etc.

 

pass it through and then double back on itself through again. 

 

then continue as normal: make your overhand knot with the doubled line, leaving a big loop, pass the hook/leader/lure etc back through the big loop then wet and pull tight.

 

once you get the hang of it it really is the easiest knot to tie. 

 

Stevie Wonder could tie it. and its super strong

 

for braid: make two overhand knots then continue as normal. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Just use fishnfool knot its a stronger knot for braid use and easier to tie.

[islandbass]

7 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I know it is supposed to be and it frustrates the crap out of me that I have such a hard time with it. Feels like I'm solving a calculus problem every time I tie it, lol

Man I really feel sorry for you. It was painful to read your issues because the palomar is one of the easiest knots to tie. 
 

I use both the palomar and the improved clinch knot. However, the bigger the lure, the bigger that dumb loop has to be and as you mentioned, one misstep and you’re starting over. Therefore for my own sanity, bigger crank baits, spinnerbaits, jigs and other “bulky” large baits, I will use the Improved Clinch knot. 
 

If you’re dealing with large soft plastics, tie the palomar with line and hook before add the plastic. 
 

Lastly, I’ve learned to always make the loop bigger than you think you’ll need. 99% of the time it should prevent a retie. 

[Hammer 4]

I only use a Palomar for dropshot's, every thing else get  tied with a uni knot.

[Catt]

If tied correctly you should be able to slide the knot down to the eye by pulling the main line & tag end effortlessly. If there's too much friction when pulling both something amiss.

 

I chinch the knot tight by pulling just the tag end first. If you chinch it down by pulling the main line first you'll get a little "pig tail" above the eye.

 

As for the larger loop need for large lures, once you pass the lure through the loop you can adjust the length at this point recovering line you would loose.

 

It helps to be somewhat ambidextrous

[Bankbeater]

I use the palomar knot for soft plastic hooks.  Anything with a treble hook gets tied with a uni knot.  Also make sure the line is wet when you tighten it down.

[Jmilburn76]

Palomar is the only knot I tie for a few reasons. After my accident I have some issues with memory so I simply cant remember how to tie other knots. My left hand has very limited use so its really hard for me to even tie a Palomar. It sometimes takes me 10-20 minutes to tie one, and on a moving kayak is twice as worse. I take 5 rigged combos with me and if I break off I usually won't even try to re-tie.

 

I have to use pliers to hold lure/hook with left hand and try to tie with my right hand. Its really frustrating but I mange to get it done. As long as Im fishing though all is well!

[Dash Riprock]

Kinda surprised to hear this. I'm terrible at knots but even I have a hard time messing up a Palomar. I've forced myself to learn the uni, clinch and a few others but when I'm on the bank and have to retie something I almost always chicken out and default to a Palomar.

 

My only complaint with it is it ends up with quite a bit of tag, a/k/a wasted line, but I've learned by experience not to skimp on the size of the loop so that's pretty much unavoidable. 

 

I try to make sure the loop doesn't cinch up on the underside of the hook eye but other than that I've never worried too much about any crossover. Should I?

[BrianMDTX]

I’m labeling this as a jinx thread. Had my first knot failure in two years today. A Palomar on a dropshot rig. I should NEVER have read this yesterday! ?

[Catt]

6 hours ago, Dash Riprock said:

My only complaint with it is it ends up with quite a bit of tag, a/k/a wasted line, but I've learned by experience not to skimp on the size of the loop so that's pretty much unavoidable. 

 

After you drop the lure through look at the loop & simply adjust the loop back towards the mainline. 

 

Takes a few seconds but you'll get faster. 

[Dwight Hottle]

It's a lot easier for me because I'm always tying it to a single hook or a snap so I don't have to deal with the bulky lure. I like using snaps for quick lure changes. 

[NoShoes]

I struggle with it too. I ended up just going with a uni knot for everything. 
 

We had a winter storm blow down a few of our oak trees and I tied them back up with a uni knot too out Of habit

[LrgmouthShad]

I can now say with confidence… a month later…. That I have learned to tie the palomar with confidence. Strayed away from it for a while… tried the trilene and hated it…. Went back to improved clinch…. Finally said “no way, I’m learning this stupid palomar knot.” I can do it now. 
 

It’s funny, I confided in someone else my troubles tying the palomar and he asked if I tie my shoes or if I only strap them on, offering to teach me to tie my shoes as well ?.

 

I do right. No crossing, no catching of the line under the the eye. We’re good. 

 

 

[Bankc]

On 5/14/2022 at 10:05 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Just use fishnfool knot its a stronger knot for braid use and easier to tie.

Yup.  The Palomar isn't bad (other than with crankbaits and such).  But it's also no where near the strongest knot out there.  The Fish N Fool is almost as easy (and easier with crankbaits and other larger or treble hook lures) and it holds stronger.  It's basically a modified Uni.  

 

After years of the Palomar, about the only time I use it now is with drop shots, or occasionally speed clips, if I'm being lazy.  

[gim]

I find it helpful to have whatever you are tying the line to with a palomar knot held tightly.  For example, if you are tying it directing to a hook or treble hooked lure, hook that lure on something to hold it tight when you clinch it down.

[LrgmouthShad]

6 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I find it helpful to have whatever you are tying the line to with a palomar knot held tightly.  For example, if you are tying it directing to a hook or treble hooked lure, hook that lure on something to hold it tight when you clinch it down.

Cool idea. 
 

I made two changes to how I tie it. If it is a heavier lure, I rest it against something and then release the loop when I’ve grabbed the doubled end with my left pinky after feeding it through the loop. After this, I prefer to move that other loop towards the hook rather than move the hook through the loop. And then I move my fingers behind the eye before tightening so nothing catches beneath the eye. Tag end, then main line. Both slide down smoothly. 

[gim]

I personally have more trouble tying an alberto or double-uni knot when I tie braid to fluro.  But its probably because I don't tie it as often either.

[ErieCan]

Take a look at the Orvis knot. Super easy and quick to tie.  

 

 

[BlakeMolone]

After you have doubled the line just pretend it’s all one piece and tie a granny knot with it. after your granny knot is tied you will have a loop and you simply put the bait through the loop. This is how I explain it to people new to fishing and it seems to help.