The San Diego Jam has worked for me. No issues with it. It's easy to tie and works on just about everything. 

 

For leader I use the Carrot knot.  It can be a pain to retie in the wind but not impossible.  I use regular fluorocarbon leader material,  either Seaguar Gold Label,  Seaguar Grand Max or Seaguar Grand Max FX.

Palomar or Trilene depending on line type. Oh and Alberto for joining line to leader.

 

Caveat to add - the “best” knot is subjective really. YOUR “best” knot is the one you can tie most competently. 

 

For me, it was the palomar, and to an extent, still is. As stated above, a palomar is a pain to try and get over even an 8” bait. BUT, once I started tying a SDJ, I’ve realized that it’s much easier for ME to tie that. Not that a palomar is hard to tie at all, but for me, the SDJ just seems like an easier knot. 
 

However, I will say this. Depending on the number of wraps with braid when tying a SDJ, the “loops” that you make are very lazy since braid doesn’t hold memory. What I mean by that is that you have to “hunt” to get the loops. With flouro/mono, since there is memory, and honestly a completely different profile makeup, the loops are much easier to find.

44 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Caveat to add - the “best” knot is subjective really. YOUR “best” knot is the one you can tie most competently and have the most faith in.

Had to repeat this as I don't use the Palomar for anything. My knot of choice for terminal is the MK, with a FG or Alberto for mainline-leader joining.

 

Add in the Double-Uni for backing to mainline and an Arbor knot and you've got all the knots I used.

There a good knot download to put onto your phone by SUNLINE. Covers a lot of knots. Great graphics. 

I've been tying the FG knot this year for the first time and it just scares the hell out of me using it.

 

I need to fill a reel for jig/worm fishing and I'm debating going straight fluoro or braid with a leader.

 

The hard hook sets needed? IDK, just scares me.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

 My knot of choice for terminal is the MK

 

 

Haven't had all my coffee yet, what's the MK knot?

16 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Haven't had all my coffee yet, what's the MK knot?