I’ve just started using braid, but have a really hard time tying a palomar knot-even with much practice. What other hook knots work well with braid? I use an improved clinch with mono all the time and have good results. 

Through the eye twice 4-6 turn uni knot--- aka FISHnFOOL knot. Its stronger than the palomar anyways.

 

10 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Through the eye twice 4-6 turn uni knot--- aka FISHnFOOL knot. Its stronger than the palomar anyways.

 

That's exactly what I use too,  Never had it fail me and been tying it for years 

You have issues with the palomar? It's about the easiest knot really... not giving you a hard time, don't take that the wrong way. What about it are you having trouble with it? I love tying knots, it's the one aspect of bass fishing I am good at. Lol. Can honestly say I've never had a knot fail me, even when using fluorocarbon. Try the fish 'n fool as had been said before, but be careful how it sets. It it's lopsided or whatnot it can and probably will fail. If you have issues with the palomar this probably isn't the knot for you. I would instead recommend the san diego jam knot which has one pass through the eyelet rather than two. That's one of 3-4 knots that's never failed me. Feel free to pm me any time, maybe I can help.

X3 on the Fish N Fool, works great for everything, been using it for about 8 years.

Pitzen for all lines.

A number of years ago, when I first tried tying Palomar knots, I had a very hard time.... nearly gave up....I couldn't get past step 1 below.... after numerous failures with my fumble fingers....I had an epiphany.... instead of shoving a loop through the eye..."What if I put line through and then double back?!".  Was quite the aha moment...lol

8 hours ago, FishDewd said:

You have issues with the palomar? It's about the easiest knot really... not giving you a hard time, don't take that the wrong way. What about it are you having trouble with it? I love tying knots, it's the one aspect of bass fishing I am good at. Lol. Can honestly say I've never had a knot fail me, even when using fluorocarbon. Try the fish 'n fool as had been said before, but be careful how it sets. It it's lopsided or whatnot it can and probably will fail. If you have issues with the palomar this probably isn't the knot for you. I would instead recommend the san diego jam knot which has one pass through the eyelet rather than two. That's one of 3-4 knots that's never failed me. Feel free to pm me any time, maybe I can help.

My problem is that I can’t keep the overhand part close to the eye of the hook; it ends up above the hook, creating a type of loop. 

51 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

A number of years ago, when I first tried tying Palomar knots, I had a very hard time.... nearly gave up....I couldn't get past step 1 below.... after numerous failures with my fumble fingers....I had an epiphany.... instead of shoving a loop through the eye..."What if I put line through and then double back?!".  Was quite the aha moment...lol

with lighter like 12lb you can easily pass a loop through the eye but up your line to 18lb and you're going to have trouble. The safest Palomar knot is to avoid the loop, unless you're careful enough not to cross the lines over.

6 turn Uni knot holds well with all types of braid I've used.

I typically tie a Palomar for light line setups, an improved clinch with heavy lines, and a Kreh loop for jerkbaits.

 

FG knot for braid to fluoro or mono.  Bimini twist for mono to fluoro.  I do this very rarely.

 

I have been known to tie a Brazillian Slim Beauty Knot with an overhand turn finished with a glob of tobacco spit to get the line to fuse together before I finish it with an Acapulco termination hitch. 

 

 

36 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

with lighter like 12lb you can easily pass a loop through the eye

You grossly overestimate my dexterity....I can barely operate a hammer, much less shove a loop through an eye that I can't even see.

 

All kidding aside, I do, on occasion, have difficulty positioning the loop --- not uncommon for it to catch on lower part of the eye while tightening, though this is a relatively minor concern.  Also, I did try using a palomar the other day with titanium leader and couldn't get the loop cinched down tight.  I'll have to go back to improved clinch or uni for titanium

There's no reason for passing a loop through the eye when tying a Palomar.  Stick the line through the eye and pull some on through, and put that tag end back through the eye.

 

Voila! 

 

Loop.

 

Before I figured that out I used to bite down on the end of my loop and make it a little sharper.  To heck with fighting a loop through an eye.

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

To heck with fighting a loop through an eye.

not only that, a nick in the line on the loop could weaken the knot. Also, pulling too tight on fluoro/mono could weaken the line as well. It ain't just tying knots but doing it properly and being mindful. I wasn't once, and I lost a $20 glidebait not paying close enough attention. It only needs to happen once.

 

I'm scuba diving in a couple of weeks when the water warms up to get that lure back lol

2 hours ago, Maggiesmaster said:

My problem is that I can’t keep the overhand part close to the eye of the hook; it ends up above the hook, creating a type of loop. 

If I read that correctly, sounds like you had it right. The OH knot should be above the eyelet so the hook is sitting below it on two lines which are the remnants of the original loop made through the eyelet. Pull the end of the loop down close to the eyelet and finish it as the diagram posted earlier shows. 

12 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Through the eye twice 4-6 turn uni knot--- aka FISHnFOOL knot. Its stronger than the palomar anyways.

 

It's stronger on fluorocarbon and maybe even mono but I don't believe it's quite as strong with braid because the palomar cinches down very tightly with braid. Still, was going to be the alternative knot I was going to suggest.

 

I do use the uni almost exclusively with mono and fluorocarbon, and sometimes with braid, mainly when the wind is blowing or with a larger bait as it wastes less line then the palomar. It's extremely rare I have issues with my knots breaking regardless which I use. I usually give it 5-7 wraps -- I aim for 5 but occasionally I lose count.

 

There is also the improved cinch knot which is really quick, but certainly not as strong as the uni or palomar.

 

11 hours ago, FishDewd said:

You have issues with the palomar? It's about the easiest knot really... 

I find the uni is actually easier for meto tie if the wind is blowing my line around something awful. Occasionally I will put the bait through the loop on the palomar and the wind will blow it right back which sends me through a mental loop that results in me starting over, where I've gotten tying a uni on a windy down like instinct.

Palomar and uni are the two knots I use for basically everything.  If you're having a tough time with tying knots with braid try using a swivel or quick snap so you only need to tie it once, and use a leader when needed.

In the mid 50’s we used the braid knot, still use it.

The braid knot is a double line clinch knot, double the line like a Palomar knot, then tie  a 5 twist clinch knot, pass the loop end through the opening next to the hook eye and clinch tight. Clip off the loop end and tag end, 3 ends. This knot is stronger then the line.

Tom

Palomar and uni knots are the only two I use. Never had an issue with either. Take your time and do it right. 

try the San Diego Jam knot

 

5 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I find the uni is actually easier for meto tie if the wind is blowing my line around something awful. Occasionally I will put the bait through the loop on the palomar and the wind will blow it right back which sends me through a mental loop that results in me starting over, where I've gotten tying a uni on a windy down like instinct.

Yeah that's fair. Use what works when the situation calls for it! I use the uni occasionally, I've just gotten to where I have confidence in the palomar, especially when I may have to deal with snags. That extra piece of line gives me ease of mind! When windy it is a bit tougher but I just pull extra tag end through the eyelet so the wind can't blow it out as easily. I also hold both lines until my OH knot is complete.

For braid, I always use the Palomar and I always double my line back through the hole instead of pushing the loop through it.  However, for all you young lip-rippers that love the latest techniques and tactics, I did have this shirtless, well-rounded, Redman-chewin', catfish-snaggin' guy from just over the Arkansas border recently show me a fancy new knot that he uses to catch flatheads in the river. I believe he called it the "Dawg-ain't-gettin-loose" knot. It is too complicated to reproduce in writing but it involved 5 minutes worth of loops, pass throughs, wraps, and spitting. He said, "Now I can't get that wad of braid loose so I figure when a flathead bites it, that dawg ain't gettin' loose either!" 

I've been using the uni-knot for all applications - including braid - for over 35 years without any issues.

On 5/22/2018 at 1:42 PM, WRB said:

In the mid 50’s we used the braid knot, still use it.

The braid knot is a double line clinch knot, double the line like a Palomar knot, then tie  a 5 twist clinch knot, pass the loop end through the opening next to the hook eye and clinch tight. Clip off the loop end and tag end, 3 ends. This knot is stronger then the line.

Tom

I believe that's the knot Gerald Swindle details in one of his videos.

"I don't often fish straight braid, but when I do I use a Trilene knot."