Palomar for most single hoks

 

16-20 (also known as a Duncan or Pitzen Knot) for lures 

 

San Diego Jam for braid

 

Alberto Knot to join braid to fluoro

 

 

Why not use an arbor knot for everything ? 

isn't that the knot used to spool up a spin reel? I wouldn't trust that one.

isn't that the knot used to spool up a spin reel? I wouldn't trust that one.

I know that's what most people will say... but I've never lost a lure.  there's simply no way for that end knot to slip through the clinch...  in very stiff mono it could come loose I suppose, but in the lines I use it never fails.  Try it...

is this true? and why?

Because knots are just that. They are a knot. The harder you pull or the more you use it the tighter and tighter it gets. It digs into it self more and more and continuously weakens the line. You can use a palomar with braid but I wouldn't recommend it for anything other then that.

I know that's what most people will say... but I've never lost a lure.  there's simply no way for that end knot to slip through the clinch...  in very stiff mono it could come loose I suppose, but in the lines I use it never fails.  Try it...

 

The issue with an arbor knot is that when you tighten the knot, it pulls the tag end back into the actual knot, while under pressure, until you hit the stop knot, which also pulls off the tag end when tightened.  While it may have never been an issue with your line choice, I GUARANTEE it will weaken many others.  That's why hitch and square knots are not used for fishing line, or any knot that pulls from the tag end while cinching down. 

The issue with an arbor knot is that when you tighten the knot, it pulls the tag end back into the actual knot, while under pressure, until you hit the stop knot, which also pulls off the tag end when tightened.  While it may have never been an issue with your line choice, I GUARANTEE it will weaken many others.  That's why hitch and square knots are not used for fishing line, or any knot that pulls from the tag end while cinching down. 

I know... try it on your line and see if you can make it fail..  I couldn't...      a valid criticism would be that the continuous cinching action could weaken the line.... but I change and trim so often it simply never happens...

I can tie a Palomar knot with 6# InvisX that breaks at a little over 8#.  My friend can only get about 3.5# out of the same line.  We've done this exercise at many sportsman shows.  It proves that the knot tier is a big variable in knot strength.  I have no doubt you can tie this knot well, but I don't think you're getting maximum strength out of the line.  Like you say, it's good enough for you, and doesn't cause any issue.  I'd hesitate to recommend the knot, when there's better.

so with slips the line can be weakened by the pressure of the slip crimping the line and with knots the more they're pulled the tighter they get until they break? (with mono)

Yep

wow haha so im guessing knots are better than slips... i'd rather have a knot fight til the end than have a slip get weaker and weaker throughout the fight.

Not really ^^

then whats better? lol

i use both the improoved clinch and palomar but i want to know what's best.

If you cinch the knot tight before you use it, it's not going to cinch much tighter. 

 

The reason he can tie a palomar and have one break easily and another one be strong is all about how you cinch the knot.    A dry cinch can heat up the line and damage it's structure.  If you wet the line with saliva it will cinch down with no friction and not damage the line.

 

I threw out the arbor knot idea because I think people have overthought knots way too much.... especially with the super strong lines we have now.

 

The Davy knot is another quick one that is more than adequate for 99.9% of the events you are likely to encounter on a days fishing trip...  I usually  manage to do that one wrong too many times... so the arbor knot is one that works as well and is quick and brainless to tie..

 

if I have to count wraps and think about bunnies going in an out of holes I'm thinking too much about knots...imo...

 

The reason he can tie a palomar and have one break easily and another one be strong is all about how you cinch the knot.    A dry cinch can heat up the line and damage it's structure.  If you wet the line with saliva it will cinch down with no friction and not damage the line.

 

No, both knots were wetted with saliva before cinching.  Paul just can't tie a good Palomar.

then whats better? lol

Yes

i use both the improoved clinch and palomar but i want to know what's best.

 

Why don't you look in the thread I linked to?  I use a Uni, Palomar, Alberto, Improved Cinch, Arbor, Spider Hitch, Triple Surgeon's, Nail-less, and blood knots for my fishing.  Which one is best?  All of them, in the right spot.  Learn to tie a few knots.  You aren't whipping out a Palomar on a 6" bait with three sets of trebles.  So, use your cinch knot.  Or learn the improved cinch.  Maybe try a Uni knot.  See what holds better for you.

i use the improoved clinch and just recently started using the palomar and they both seem to be fine knots. I'm still in the process of looking at that thread btw. i want to learn the blood knot, seems hard. every time i try i do something wrong.

Learn the Alberto first.  Blood knot is rarely used in bass fishing.  It's best for connecting two lines, same diameter, and same material.

For moving baits (cranks, spinnerbait, vibrating jigs) when using straight mono or copoly I will tie a San Diego Jam. When using braid to a leader my connection knot is the Albright. Depending on whether I am throwing a bottom contact lure or moving lure will determine what knot I tie with braid to leader. For bottom contact I tie the MIller knot (never failed on me to date). For reaction baits I will use the San Diego Jam. If conditions allow for straight braid, I will tie a Uni with the tag end passed twice through the eye of the hook to prevent slips. 

Learn the Alberto first.  Blood knot is rarely used in bass fishing.  It's best for connecting two lines, same diameter, and same material.

will do

so with slips the line can be weakened by the pressure of the slip crimping the line and with knots the more they're pulled the tighter they get until they break? (with mono)

That's impossible to avoid. Every knot is going to weaken over time. Palomar is just not a knot for me anymore. It is a bad knot for shock and lots of my fishing can be that way.

oh okay i get that^ sound like it has less give when pushed to the max

The problem most have with tying good knots is that they cinch the knot from the mainline side.  Properly, you snug the knot from both sides, and cinch the knot from the tag end.

wow thats why my mainline above the knot gets crimped a little^ i'm going to clinch my nots from the tag end from now on haha