Double SDJ on flouro, it is very very good at solving breakoff problems. In my experience the double SDJ is a little harder to tie but substantially better than the single SDJ. Five turns for 17lb+, more for lighter line. 

FishinFool on mono, it's a uni knot with an extra pass through the eye. Easy to tie consistently, and at least one brand of mono I like doesn't play well with the SDJ at all.

FG on braid to leader

6-turn surgeon for "I need a leader right now and I'm not fiddling with the FG"

 

One note about the double SDJ - if you use the loop created by the tag to dress the knot before you cinch it down, it improves how clean the final knot is. It won't bind at any point in the process until the knot is finished. 

On 8/10/2022 at 2:13 AM, Revival said:

San Diego Jam and FG

 

Same here.  Alberto is my leader back up knot for light line floro, I sometimes struggle setting a fg on line below .3mm

 

scott

Has anyone compared knot strength of uni to sdj? I think I’m down to those two. I’m leaning toward uni just for simplicity sake but not sure yet. There’s something to be said for simplicity and poor eye sight ha. As I get into my mid 40’s…those intricate knots aren’t as easy all the time ha 

Braid to leader: Crazy Alberto

braid to lure: Palomar 

fluoro or mono to lure: Trilene knot

 

But I will try the SDJ knot with fluoro and compare, not that I have issues with the Trilene knot.

Improved clinch knot

Palomar knot

It's all I need.

Braid - Fish N Fool

Fluorocarbon - Berkley Braid Knot

Mono - Berkely Trilene Knot

For swivels and drop shot - Palomar

For crankbaits without a swivel or eye ring - Nonslip Loop Knot

For straight hooks - Easy Snell Knot

For leader when at home - FG Knot

For leader when on the water - Double Uni 

 

Over the years, I've ran into lots of knot failures.  These are the ones I rely on because they've proven themselves to me, and I've done a LOT of experimenting to get to this list.  Sometimes, if I'm feeling lazy, I'll substitute the Fish N Fool for one of the others, as it's the most versatile and trusted.  Plus it's easy.  

• Arbor to connect backing (or main) line to the spool
• Double uni for backing to main line (where applicable)
• FG knot for main line to leader if I'm tying it sitting in my office, double uni if I have to do it while I'm out
• Trilene for terminal connections.

 

Uni to baited 

uni to uni splicing mono

FG knot braid to mono leader

On every bait, hook and lure.

 

 

8 hours ago, Motoboss said:

On every bait, hook and lure.

 

 

Also known as the Double Pitzen and also the Grisby knot.  Been experimenting with this knot myself.

Don’t know who started it but I saw JH tie it in the late 80’s/early 90’s when Spectra made the scene. It was the first knot I found for braid that actually worked. I use it because it’s a “feel” knot, can tie by feel in low light or on spinners at night without looking.
Always called it the Jimmy Knot. It flat out works.

 

Also I do use the Palomar with fluro on small bait hooks and the uni for braid to leader.

San Diego Jam on FC and Palomar on braid. 

I use an FJ knot from braid to leader, and otherwise when connecting to lures etc. then mostly a uni knot. 

 

On 8/14/2022 at 10:24 AM, clemsondds said:

Has anyone compared knot strength of uni to sdj? I think I’m down to those two. I’m leaning toward uni just for simplicity sake but not sure yet. There’s something to be said for simplicity and poor eye sight ha. As I get into my mid 40’s…those intricate knots aren’t as easy all the time ha 

SDJ out tests the uni by a smidge, the twice through the eye uni out tests both by a good amount. Any of them tied correctly are more than adequate.

Braid to mono/fluoro - fg knot

Braid to braid - blood knot

Braid to lure - palomar knot

Mono/fluro to lure - uni or loop knot.

Perfection loop for fly fishing lines