Hi to all expert knot tyers! In doing some research on how to tie a Palomar knot, I am finding that there are inconsistencies in how people are tying this knot. I know that the main concern is twist but that is not what I am referring to. What I am talking about is the loop end. After the loop goes past the hook, there are 3 ways to finish the knot. 

 

A. The loop can be cinched down below the overhand knot (tighten mainline first)

B. The loop can be cinched down over the overhand knot (tighten mainline and tag end together)

C. The loop can be cinched down above the overhand knot (tighten mainline last)

 

What's the right way/best way to do this? 

When i do it i do method B, usually snug everything up together. 

I’m just going to have to record and post a video. So much confusion and misinformation on Palomar knots, even the *** video is wrong IMO. Works fine with fluoro. Don’t have to wet it if tied properly. 

 

If I’m understanding your descriptions above, you want a combination of B & C; loop above the overhand knot but loop and tag pulled together.

Even if you don't pull everything together at once, it'll still come together by pulling on the end or line going to reel.

 

I only ever use 2 knots....Palomar,Alberto and retie often. 

I now (mostly) only use it for braid and rarely concern myself with how I tighten it.

I learned as @Team9ninedescribed.

I read somewhere on the interwebs that with fluro that you MUST pull the tag to tighten....and most important: DON'T CROSS THE STREAMS.  I was a little more careful when I used it with fluoro, but changed to SDJ before too long anyway

 

Leave your overhand knot loose enough to stick your finger through the doubled line loop between the hook eye and the knot. When you run the hook through the loop pull the loop up to the top with the overhand knot. Stick the tip of your finger in double line loop under the overhand knot loop. The knot and the loop should be above your finger and the hook eye below it. SLOWLY tighten by pulling BOTH lines. Ease the knot and the loop down toward the hook eye by slowly slipping your finger out of the hole while pulling both lines. When you get the knot semi tight you can moisten it. I always do, but have skipped it a few times to test the theory.... Anyway, finish tightening the knot by pulling BOTH lines. Do NOT overtighten. A slow steady pull until your sure it's snug. Snip the tag end and go fishing....  

 

The key to a successful Palomar is pulling the loop up to the overhand knot and easing them down together. This really helps keep all things equal and prevent certain parts of the knot tightening before you're ready to snug it down. The only way to do that is to put your finger in the double line loop under the overhand knot to keep everything in place. It's very simple and takes no longer than any other knot. 

 

I've used the Palomar knot on Flouro and ALL lines for years and never have an issue when it's tied like I just described. 

Just trying to visualize the op's question is difficult.

We are at the stage of clinching the knot tight after snugging up the overhand knot step and placing the hook through the loop or the loop over the hook, right?

C). The tag end is usually pulled slowly so the loop ends up above the hook eye, the double line clearly visible around the hook eye, not covered by the loop, then clinched tight.

Tom

Thanks to everyone for responding. Below are examples of what I mean. You'll notice in the caribiner image, the loop was brought above the overhand knot while in the blue knot image it remained just above to the hook end.

 

Example of A. Blue knot

Example of C. Caribiner

I do it just like big rick above. stick the tip of my finger between hook eye and knot, tighten together to finger, pull finger out, lick it, tighten together to hook eye, clip tag, fish.

I do B.) but I go through the hook eye and wrap it once first then start tying the knot.

this kinda stuff is why love this place and i think i’ll practice this method. i tied the palomar for years with mono with hardly any break offs on the hook set. but with fluoro, it drove me crazy, so i started tying the Shaw Grigsby knot about two years ago. it works but is kinda tricky to tie on a worm hook and with these old eyeballs. i can tie a palomar in my sleep. but i must now pay more attention to detail going forward. fingers crossed.

for mono/co-polymer, I prefer the San Diego Jam and fluoro I'll Palomar that too same as described above.

Except for tying drop shot hooks, I never use the Palomar.  Here is a knot that is shown to be 94% as strong as a Palomar, uses less leader, easier to tie, works with mono and FC (not sure on braid since I don't tie directly to braid), AND, if used as a terminal knot with the FG or double uni as the line to leader knot, the break if snagged will always occur at the terminal.  Which is why the terminal knot should not be as strong as the FG or double uni.  But should be close.

 

 

Another knot to consider is this one...I've actually switched from Palomar to this for all my knots - braid, mono, hybrid. Haven't had one fail yet. Even for this 'one-eyed wonder', it's easy to tie.

 

 

I use 4-5 winds for mono and hybrid, 8-12 winds for braid - heavier braid gets more winds.

8 hours ago, MickD said:

Except for tying drop shot hooks, I never use the Palomar.  Here is a knot that is shown to be 94% as strong as a Palomar, uses less leader, easier to tie, works with mono and FC (not sure on braid since I don't tie directly to braid), AND, if used as a terminal knot with the FG or double uni as the line to leader knot, the break if snagged will always occur at the terminal.  Which is why the terminal knot should not be as strong as the FG or double uni.  But should be close.

 

 

I use the improved clinch knot for just about everything, always have. It's to the point that I have to really think about how to tie anything else. It always holds with mono/fluoro and braid.

23 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Another knot to consider is this one...I've actually switched from Palomar to this for all my knots - braid, mono, hybrid. Haven't had one fail yet. Even for this 'one-eyed wonder', it's easy to tie.

 

 

I use 4-5 winds for mono and hybrid, 8-12 winds for braid - heavier braid gets more winds.

This looks like a good knot. I like the doubled up part at the swivel eyelet. A hedge against wearing at that point.

5 minutes ago, DanielG said:

This looks like a good knot. I like the doubled up part at the swivel eyelet. A hedge against wearing at that point.

I use it for all my knots, only rig that has a swivel is the UL. I don't use leaders, so even braid uses this knot to tie direct to lures.

3 hours ago, DanielG said:

This looks like a good knot. I like the doubled up part at the swivel eyelet. A hedge against wearing at that point.

Yes, it looks like a great knot.  Will try it.