What's a better knot for fluorocarbon?

[papajoe222]

I've never been a fan of fluorocarbon line. My issue(s) with it are due to the line breaking at the most inopportune time. When I first began using it, small kinks in the line that I'd reeled over would end up breaking 30-40ft. up the line.  I figured that one out, but since day one, I've had knot issues with single hook presentations. I'm a 'cross their eyes' guy and thought my hookset was the culprit, so I eased up and went to more of a reel and set approach.  I ended up loosing fish that came unbuttoned. 

I've tried many different knots, from Palomar to Double Pitzen an most everything inbetween. About the only one I haven't had issues with is a snell knot, but I have trouble tying one on the water.  For those of you that use an aggressive hook-set with jigs and T-rigs, What knot are you using? I can tie a perfect Palomar, Trilene, and SanDiego Jam and, yes, I do wet before tightening down the knot and I do so slowly.

[Way north bass guy]

What line are you using? For the last few years I’ve used pretty much only two different lines, Berkley 100%fluoro and Tatsu. Berkley has been for the heavier lines, anywhere from 12 - 20lb test, and Tatsu is pretty much just 6lb for spinning gear. I’ve pretty much only ever used a palomar, for tying everything on, and I honestly don’t ever remember breaking off at the knot. About the only time I ever break off is on a snag or if a big pike or muskie cuts me off. 

[NorthernBasser]

San Diego Jam works well, but the simple Trilene Knot has become by most used. Super easy to tie and I never have any breakage. 

[LonnieP]

I use a Uni knot and have never broken off at the knot

[Darth-Baiter]

I like to go thru the lure eye twice with any knot.  Double improved clinch, double San Diego jam knot…double anything. 

[shackman]

10 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

I use a Uni knot and have never broken off at the knot

X2..been tying it for years and never had a knot failure 

[Fishin Dad]

I always tie this knot when using fluorocarbon.  I have never had the knot break.  I can tie this in under 10 seconds too.  

 

[MN Fisher]

I'm still using the MK knot - hasn't failed me whether it's 4# Seige or 20# BasiX and everything in between. Might take a little longer to tie than others, but it's my 'confidence' knot.

 

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

Have you tried the fishnfool knot? 

[Mike L]

Other than the Snell for punching, I use the SDJ from 12# to 20# Sniper or Shooter and have for years, and I also have never had it break at the knot. 
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[Jason Penn]

after inserting tungsten weights, i don't really break off fc anymore prior to that i had problems on t-rigs.

i use the eugene slip knot to tie t-rigs & jigs, and a clinch knot for everything else.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

IME FC mainline just doesnt have the knot strength of mono or braid.  FC doesnt have the elasticity that mono does either.  FC does stretch, but I dont think it retains it strength like mono.  I cant prove it, but I suspect when FC is stretched beyond a certain point it weakens the line.  

As for knots, Uni, Improved clinch have done fine for me.

[Functional]

Sdj with 7 wraps and not a single knot issue since. Mono, copoly or floro. Palomar knot for braid. 

[papajoe222]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

It really sounds to me like my problem is twofold. My hook-set needs adjustment from that old school cross their eyes one and I need to retie more often.  I'm kind of in the same mindset as Get Fish or Die Tryin. I believe once fluoro is stretched, in doesn't recover and tensile strength suffers. The other thing I will try is adding a bobber stop between the knot and the sinker, like a shock absorber.

Hey, it couldn't hurt and I just may have come up with something new that will catch on and someone else will make loads of money marketing. 

[RB 77]

I use the same knot I use for all lines apprx 90% of the time, the SD Jam knot. The other 10% is a Palomar for drop shottin' and Frog fishing with braid. 

[Justinfish]

Improved clinch 5-6 wraps depending on line thickness 

[GreenPig]

SDJ 

[Cbump]

Improved clinch is all I’ve ever used with zero issues. 6lb to 50lb, mono, braid, fluorocarbon. Improved clinch, wet before tightening. 

[Lead Head]

Isn't the knot in @Fishin Dad video the double pitzen? 

 

It's what I use with 14lb and above sunline sniper. I have a pretty big swing and that's on a 5-6 foot leader of FC. In theory, the line and knots get more stressed than they would with straight FC. I have had 0 mystery failures in the last few years. The few failures I have had were either my fault or unavoidable. 

I never cut my tag ends flush or even very short. With t-rigs I will thread the knot and tags into the plastic. The 3 tags actually bite into the plastic and help prevent plastics from sliding down on the hook. The weight contacts the plastic instead of the knot. 

[Bandersnatch]

Wait, I’m fishing 18 to 20lb shooter & sniper? I shouldn’t be using the Palomar?

[Mike L]

For all flouro including both of those you mentioned, the SDJ is the only knot I use. 
Palomar is reserved for braided lines. 
 

The thing about the Palomar is that if you’re in a hurry or just don’t pay attention, it’s easy to cross the lines.
If that happens it will crease and weaken that spot 
 

When tying braid it doesn’t seem to matter as much if you do. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[Bankbeater]

One thing I have noticed with my knot tying that has really helped me is to tie the knot with a longer tag end and to really wet down the knot before tightening it down.

[Mike L]

I think it’s important to have a little longer tag when tying the Palomar especially with braid. 
When using a slicker, more limp 8 carrier braid which seems to be most of the newer ones, it’s more critical to have that safety margin. 

Not as much with other line types but I still think it’s a good idea. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Happybeerbuzz]

If you want to get all of your line rating in your knot, you could tie a bimini twist, but I find it too much trouble since I only set my drags to about a third of my line rating which is not more than 5-6 pounds max unless I am punching or breaking off.  I also use a leader a lot and the knot eats up a lot of line.  Also, when you have to break off, it often happens in the main line and not the knot.  Using a leader so frequently, I like to control my breakoffs at the lure.  Even if I didn't use leaders, I am self conscious about leaving excess fishing line in the water.  

[JackstrawIII]

Always used a simple clinch knot with no issues.