Fluorocarbon and braid knot question.

[CDMTJager]

Started using fluorocarbon line for the first time this year. I read after having used it since March, and saw where to my surprise fluorocarbon requires a you use specific types of knots to avoid knot failure. I use the Trilene knot for every non-braided line and the Palomar for braid. I can honestly say I haven't had a Trilene knot fail me with Fluorocarbon line yet and been using braided line for 5-6 years now never had a Palomar knot fail with braid and lord knows I have tried to get it to.

 

I have since started using the double Palomar knot for braid just as added insurance but are wondering if the double Palomar knot and Trilene knot are acceptable to use with fluorocarbon? I would immagine the double pitzen would work with fluorocarbon as well.

 

[Ski]

My go too knot for both is the Uni, through the hook eye twice.

Has never failed.

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Most of the problems people have with knot failures on FC can be boiled down to when they cinch the knot up imho.   

 

It's fickle if you don't go slowly and smoothly, and ALWAYS wet your knots when cinching them down.

 

I use the palomer for small diameter FC knots like 8lb FC, and also use it for heavy diameters when fishing bottom contact stuff where I'm hitting them with a huge hookset.    For whatever reason I find it handles the shock better than my other knots.

 

For everything else I use the San Diego Jam knot because it's faster and easier to tie than a palomer.    Occasionally if I'm lazy I'll tie the improved clinch knot as well.   

 

FC has come a really long way since it's inception and when it most likely got a bad rep for knot failures.   The modern day higher end brands are pretty awesome. 

While I don't love Shimano Mastiff, it specifically has nano ridges that aid with knot tying and strength.    

[WRB]

A properly tied fishing knot should be 100% knot strength of the line. This means the knot doesn’t fail the line breaks away from the knot.

Fluorocarbon line doesn’t have 100% strength. For this reason anglers keep trying to find a knot that is reliable and yields 90% knot strength, so far that knot doesn’t exist.

Tom

[Skunkmaster-k]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. 

[CDMTJager]

57 minutes ago, WRB said:

A properly tied fishing knot should be 100% knot strength of the line. This means the knot doesn’t fail the line breaks away from the knot.

Fliorocarbon line doesn’t have 100% strength. For this reason anglers keep trying to find a knot that is reliable and yields 90% minor strength, so far that knot doesn’t exist.

Tom

 

42 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. 

I am inclined to agree with both of you. 

[Bankc]

Tie the knot you tie best.  The execution of the knot is more important than the choice of knots. 

I haven't really had too many issues with knots failing on me with any line.  But I've had some.  The most common knot failure for me is using a palomar with fluorocarbon.  So I try to avoid using that knot when I can.  But it's not the knot's fault.  It's that I often get a twist in the line while I'm tying it.  And then the way the palomar cinches down, it can create a weak spot in the line if it's twisted at the right spot.  It's really a "me" issue.  I don't tie that knot well. 

[LonnieP]

I use the Uni knot and have never had a knot fail using fluorocarbon 

[Mike L]

There are no fluorocarbon lines that “requires you use specific types of knots to avoid knot failure”

 

The only thing that is required is that it is tied correctly as is all other lines.

If you have consistent success with what you’re using there is nothing better.

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

I use a Palomar on everything with zero issues. If tied right the knot should slide down tight with minimal effort. 

[PaulVE64]

Fluoro + Palomar = my frustration

[gim]

47 minutes ago, Catt said:

I use a Palomar on everything with zero issues. If tied right the knot should slide down tight with minimal effort. 

Are you tying a palomar knot when connecting lines to each other? That’s doesn’t seem possible.

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, PaulVE64 said:

Fluoro + Palomar = my frustration

Ya - I found the MK knot a few years ago and have been using that for terminal knots since.

 

Line to line connections - Uni-Uni for backing to mainline; FG for mainline to leader when prepping, Alberto for mainline to leader if I have to do it on the water.

[Catt]

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

Are you tying a palomar knot when connecting lines to each other? That’s doesn’t seem possible.

 

Don't see where I mentioned that anywhere.

[Jig Man]

I’ve been using fluorocarbon for years as has one of my fishing buddies.  He uses the Alberto to join lines and the Palomar on the bait while I join with the FG and tie on with the Pitzen.  Neither one of us has knot problems.

[gim]

7 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Don't see where I mentioned that anywhere.

 

14 hours ago, Catt said:

I use a Palomar on everything with zero issues.

 

I assumed everything meant everything.  Apparently not.

[FishTank]

I use the San Diego Jam knot for everything.  I haven't had any issues with knots. 

 

 

[LrgmouthShad]

14 hours ago, Catt said:

I use a Palomar on everything with zero issues. If tied right the knot should slide down tight with minimal effort. 

Pretty much same, here. Ever since I switched to the palomar, it’s been highly effective on all types of line at all diameters. I used to use the improved clinch and it works fine too, but the palomar is just a better performing knot overall. Especially with fluoro and braid.

[gim]

I like the palomar knot too.  I use it for almost all my direct-tie applications to hooks or lures.

 

I struggle tying braid-to-fluoro knots.  Especially out on the water.  I can do it better in the garage ahead of time with proper lighting, no wind, etc.  I have been primarily tying the Albright knot for this line connection.

[LrgmouthShad]

14 hours ago, PaulVE64 said:

Fluoro + Palomar = my frustration

If the line doesn’t twist or cross itself anywhere and snugged down by pulling tag end first and then mainline, I don’t know where your issues are coming from. It’s been a super strong fluoro knot for me. 

[Catt]

13 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

snugged down by pulling tag end first and then mainline

 

If tied properly you should be able to hold the mainline & tag end in one hand & the lure in the other hand. The knot should slide down effortlessly. If any pressure is required something ain't right.

[Fishingmickey]

I'm old school, I use mostly fluorocarbon on my bait casters. I use the improve clinch knot. The Trilene or Berkley knot is the same knot except it passes through the eye twice.  Alton Jones Sr. recommended/s six turns and I have found this works great for me when tying the improved clinch knot.

FM

[Mike L]

38 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I use the San Diego Jam knot for everything.  I haven't had any issues with knots. 

 

 

Ditto!

 

(except for braid)

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[FishTank]

3 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Ditto!

 

(except for braid)

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

I was skeptical about using this knot on braid but so far, no break offs or issues.  I have used it on #0.06 PE line up to 60lb Smackdown. Wetting the line helps a lot.

[fishballer06]

I was a long time Trilene knot user until I started using FC. From my experience, I was burning line whenever I would cinch the knot down. That's when I learned the San Diego Jam knot and my life changed forever. Learn it. You will love it.