Best knot

[C.Rig21]

I love fishing braid to mono leader on my baitcaster. I've started using that set up for almost everything, even dropshot. I go Crazy Alberto to Tuna knot to start the rig. I always give myself 6 to 7ft of leader. My question is: what's the best knot to tie after I've broken off at the hook or go to switch baits. I find palomar and Tuna Knots, take a lot of line which quickly shortens my leader length. Anyone know of a good strong knot that doesn't require an excessive amount of line to tie?

[Jig Man]

Pitzen

[HawkeyeSmallie]

My whole life I've tied one knot for mono which is the improved clinch.

 

Can't say I've ever had any issues.

 

Not saying it's the strongest, just has always worked for me.

[king fisher]

Orvis knot.Not the strongest but uses very little line.

 

 

 

 

[Buzzbaiter]

I’ve always liked the uni knot

[DaubsNU1]

This. Every time.

 

[Mike L]

I don’t use mono for anything, but the knot I use more often is the San Diego Jam. 

I use a Palomar for all braid knots with the only exception for a bottom contact presentation. 

Personally I don’t use anymore line to tie it than any other as I pull the main line to tighten before cinching. 
Some on here have said in the past that is the wrong way to do it, but I’ve been doing it that way for years and have never had a problem or use an inordinate amount of line. 
 

You’ll have more of a problem with braid if you twist the loop before passing your hook through 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

[J._Bricker]

San Diego Jam for mono, fluoro, braid

[Junk Fisherman]

37 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

This. Every time.

 

Been using the Trilene knot for over 20 years and feel no reason to look for anything else.  I do use a Palomar for a few techniques though.  

[fin]

I use the small Norman speed clips partly to reduce the amount of leader I waste when tying knots, but mostly for speed and ease of change. You could stick with your tuna knot if you like that instead of trying to find a knot that has less waste.

 

I don't use them with soft baits, but they are small enough that you could, for some baits. I just don't like the way that looks.

 

I use the San Diego Jam knot because I have the least amount of failures of any knot I have ever used. I'd have to say the improved clinch knot uses less line, but I've had a lot of sporadic trouble with that knot. I use Alberto for the leader knot.

 

It's not often someone asks about waste. It's an interesting question. I wonder if there's a chart somewhere that shows the waste from each knot.

 

Everybody here has their favorite knot, and when you ask which is best, they're going to tell you their favorite. Obviously a lot of different knots work. It's pretty safe to choose one you like to tie and just stick with that until you have problems.

 

[Mike L]

I used to use the Norman Speed Clips for jerk and traps but had to stop as my fingers got fatter and couldn’t hold em open long enough 😄

 

 

 

 

Mike

[F14A-B]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

I don’t use mono for anything, but the knot I use more often is the San Diego Jam. 

I use a Palomar for all braid knots with the only exception for a bottom contact presentation. 

Personally I don’t use anymore line to tie it than any other as I pull the main line to tighten before cinching. 
Some on here have said in the past that is the wrong way to do it, but I’ve been doing it that way for years and have never had a problem or use an inordinate amount of line. 
 

You’ll have more of a problem with braid if you twist the loop before passing your hook through 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 
Are you using straight braid in that tannic water? Seems like the way to go, I’m still using Yozuri Hybrid down in Florida when I go.. when I lived there in the 80’s there was only mono, believe me, I’ve had a few heartbreaking line breaks with mono. 
 

[Pat Brown]

For clear lines - San Diego Jam is really good - double San Diego Jam is really really gooderer.

 

For braid - Palomar.

 

Just practice til you use the least amount of line possible.

 

Might consider dropping the braid to leader and going straight braid /fluorocarbon /monofilament etc.    I haven't found a circumstance where I'd prefer it over a spool with one type of line yet.

[Smirak]

I have started using the San Diego jam because it easy to tie and it seems pretty strong. “WASTING” line isn’t an issue for me when I’ve got a $150+ swimbait tied on. It’s much cheaper to buy more line than (sometimes hard to come by) a big swimbait. 

[F14A-B]

3 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

For clear lines - San Diego Jam is really good - double San Diego Jam is really really gooderer.

 

For braid - Palomar.

 

Just practice til you use the least amount of line possible.

 

Might consider dropping the braid to leader and going straight braid /fluorocarbon /monofilament etc.    I haven't found a circumstance where I'd prefer it over a spool with one type of line yet.

That’s my thought too, I understand the theory behind braid to leader but I just use Yozuri or fluorocarbon. Full spools.. my Shimano reels are not line hogs at all so going full FC isn’t expensive really.. 

[Fried Lemons]

Whichever knot you are good at tying is the best. For me it's the palomar knot for everything, even a 10" swimbait which uses up a ton of line with each retie. That is not a consideration for me. If anything it keeps me honest about using only fresh line by forcing me to cut off a bunch each time.

[little giant]

Pitzen, SD Jan, or fish n fool ( I think it's called, through eye twice and then a uni) all with 12 or 15 lb flouro leader. No breakage ever!

[RenzokukenFisher]

Its already been said a few times on here but San Diego Jam knot all the way! It is rated as one of the strongest bass fishing knots and it is super easy to tie. Great for bigger baits when a Palomar would be tedious. 

 

Just remember dont tighten the knot all the way when cinching it down. Get a light cinch, then wet it and pull it tight with the mainline. Thennnnn tighten the tag end. Only time I ever broke it off was because I was snugging it wayyy to tight with the tag end rather than cinching it with the mainline first. Cheers!

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, alonerankin2 said:

 
Are you using straight braid in that tannic water? Seems like the way to go, I’m still using Yozuri Hybrid down in Florida when I go.. when I lived there in the 80’s there was only mono, believe me, I’ve had a few heartbreaking line breaks with mono. 
 

I consider braid a specialty line. 
I only use it for top water, heavy cover flipping, pitching and punching. 
 

Every other presentation I use fluorocarbon exclusively. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Backroad Angler]

Improved clinch, keep it simple.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If they are tied correctly, a Uni or IC are very strong, particularly with a mono leader.  The SDJ requires a tiny bit more line than an IC, but it's a stronger knot.  Again, it comes down to which knot you can tie well.    

[GRiver]

The improved clinch for mono, palmar for braid. 

[Catt]

14 hours ago, Mike L said:

Personally I don’t use anymore line to tie it than any other as I pull the main line to tighten before cinching.

 

When a Palomar knot is properly tied one should be able to manipulate the length of the tag end. If tied properly you should be able to hold the tag end & main line between your thumb & fore finger & the lure in your other hand. The knot should slide down to the eye with NO resistance.

[Mike L]

27 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

When a Palomar knot is properly tied one should be able to manipulate the length of the tag end. If tied properly you should be able to hold the tag end & main line between your thumb & fore finger & the lure in your other hand. The knot should slide down to the eye with NO resistance.

I Agree Bud, that’s THE way to do it. 
 

It’s just that I’ve been pulling the main line first to recover almost all “waste” that it’s become second nature to me now that I don’t even think about. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

@Mike L Exactly 😉

 

If tied properly it doesn't matter which you pull first. I'll often hold one in each hand & pull both