Knots

[CaptainJoe]

With all the snow outside, I wanted to start a new topic and get some good comments and opinions. I typically use a Palomar Knot for most of my knot tying. The other knot I use is a common loop knot for topwater baits. I have been trying to find new knots that may be better than the knots that I am using now. I have become a little disappointed in the Palomar knot. I have been breaking off a few jigs on the hookset. After losing a few big fish and jigs, the search for a new knot was on.

I have completed my research and I wanted to share my findings to see if Ozark Anglers have tried these knots. I HAVE NOT used these knots on the water, yet. The North American Fishing Club just completed their KNOT WARS 2009 where a knot called the Fish N Fool knot beat knots like the Palomar, Miller, NoName, San Diego, etc. The loop knot finalist was the King Sling Loop. These tests were conducted with braid, mono, and florocarbon. Here is a link to the knot war videos if you are interested: Click Here

The Fish N Fool knot is hard to follow from the link above, so here is a better link on how to tie this knot. Click Here

What knots do you use? How effective are they? I welcome all opinions, comments, and experiences.

[rps]

I always enjoy line and knot threads. Thanks for starting a new one.

I have read about and tried a number of different knots in the last two years. I highly recommend the Tackle Tour web site for their line and knot direct comparison articles. Their results may cause you to rethink what you do now.

Based upon what I've read and what I can do in the field, I now use a variation of the palomar known as the double palomar. The loop goes through the eye twice before you finish the knot. Furthermore, with braid I double the overhand as if it were a surgeons knot. The only problem I've had is when lead or paint causes the eye to be rough and the line scrapes itself as you draw it tight. I found the Fish N Fool knot hard to tie consistently well. But then, I may be a fat fingered old school impossible to teach type.

I guess I should add I do not fish pure fluorocarbon. I fish either good mono or a co-polymer coated with fluorocarbon made by Yozuri. Fluoroclear and Lake Fork are similar to Yozuri.

[cotterboy2007]

I have always used the palomar. The only problems I have noticed is with flourocarbon, the lighter the test the worse. It seems like it cuts easier at the knot, maybe more brittle.(sp?) Has anyone else had this experience? I like the palomar for the ease of tying. It has won the knot wars few times, but if something new is better, I'll try it and see for myself.

[cotterboy2007]

Based upon what I've read and what I can do in the field, I now use a variation of the palomar known as the double palomar. The loop goes through the eye twice before you finish the knot. Furthermore, with braid I double the overhand as if it were a surgeons knot.

I like the double palomar as well. it is pretty easy to tie with cold wet cub fingers like mine.

[Dutch]

I have tried them all. I finally settled on the Alberto's for line to line and the 16/20 for line to bait.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've been working at learning the f & f knot also. The palomar is a good knot, but it use a lot of line and seems to break at odd times.

[Gone Fishing]

I have also had great luck with the palomar. Hard to beat with the ease of tying. For line to line tying I use the blood knot.

[Sam]

I've used the Fish-N-Fool knot for a year now, and I like it a lot. It's easy to tie and I've had no problems with breakage. I use PowerPro braided line, mostly.

For me, the big advantage of the Fish-N-Fool is that you don't have to pass the lure through a loop like with the Palomar knot. Tying the Palomar knot is OK with a single hook, but boy, if a lure has a couple of treble hooks ........

[Fishrman]

The fluoro line I have been tying the last 4 months is the Eugene Bend Knot, its easy to tie and I have not had any breakages yet. If I use mono just tie my regular wrap and bring through a loop over the top.

Have been trying to tie the blood knot to tie lines together, but I have problems with keeping a hole in the middle to run your lines back through. Anyone have a good tactic for keeping an opening easy to use. When I start wrapping the lines they wrap tightly and I cannot find the correct spot to run the lines. I have tried to wrap the lines by placing a pencil in there and removing it when I have wrapped the lines. Just don't want to do this every time.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've used a no name knot for decades to join lines, I'll try to describe it.

Lay your two lines together going opposite directions. Turn a loop, about 1/2" in diameter, with the lines mated. Take one loose end and make three wraps around the two lines in the loop. Take the other loose end and do the same, only wrap it in the opposite direction. Gently pull all four ends up tight.