I recently purchased a few 3-4 oz glidebaits and was wondering what knot everyone is tying their large (and expensive) baits with. 
 

For most fluorocarbon applications, I use the improved clinch knot and have not had any issues. I thought about using the double clinch instead for the glidebaits to give the line an extra wrap.

 

I know the San Diego Jam knot is also popular and considered to be very strong. I don’t know how to tie it, but if this is the one I should use, I’ll take the time to learn it. 
 

What are your thoughts?
 

 

Tying a Bimini Twist is a bit impractical, but a much less complex knot to tie would be the Double San Diego Jam, which is essentially doubling the line over and using the doubled line to tie a San Diego Jam knot.

 

When you get it cinched, you'll have three tag ends to clip. YT has videos to watch to learn how to tie it. I tie the regular SDJ with crankbaits, and then the double with A-Rigs and big swimbaits.

I use the SDJ knot from Neds to my biggest swimbaits and see no reason to change.

i use the sdj knot for everything as well

2 hours ago, wolfe_ohara said:

i use the sdj knot for everything as well

Same here. I have never had it come untied.

I tie the double SDJ for heavy jigs and baits that weigh more than 2 oz and the single SDJ for everything else.  Palomar with braid.

 

The double SDJ is annoying to tie somewhat but when you get it right it’s 120% strength.

Many years ago, after WRB suggested SDJ, I committed to it.  One winter evening I sat practicing for an hour or so while watching tv.  From that day on, I can tie it in the dark or in rolling swells.  It has never failed me for any application including swimbaits, a-rigs, c-rigs, etc.

The San Diego Jam knot is what I use for both mono and FC. I haven't had a big bait snap off yet. I have also tried the double SD Jam knot (at least that's what I think its called) and works as well but the regular has been my go to.

For mono I use a Uni knot.

For FC I use the Pitzen, which is a great knot—simple, strong, and reliable.

With a little experience it can be tied with virtually no waste of line.

Most importantly - it's logical and once you know it, many other knots like SDJ

(which I do use as well) become easier to learn.

Side note, IMO just as important as being able to tie any knot correctly,

is knowing (or having a pretty good idea at least)

just how much pressure can be applied to the gear before the knot may be in danger of failing.

I never hear of anyone ever doing this.

Most find out what that tolerance is the hard way,

when they lose a big fish.

Admittedly there are a lot of dynamic forces in play here,

especially when we consider the movement of a boat and even the wind.

But I look at my tackle as an entire system, not just the knot.

The rod, the line, the terminal tackle, and of course, the hook.

Sometimes we have to 'lean' on a fish to land it.

If we have no idea what our tackle can tolerate, I suppose we are both guessing & hoping.

Neither are good strategies in my book.

Not when it comes to the bass of a lifetime.

So I say, test your gear. 

And not with a scale.

Unless you're going to attach one to your tackle while fighting a bass,

it's just a starting point.

I need to be able to know by feel when I'm OK or getting close to heartbreak.

Clearly this is not an exact science.

But it surely helps me err on the side of safe, meaning I land more than I lose.

Good Luck & Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

 

I use the Pitzen for all lines.  It’s basically the sdj with the final step left out.

Whatever knot you are confident in tying. I’ve used a palomar for baits up to 9oz without issue. Make sure you are cinching slowly and not burning the line. 

Double San Diego is my jam

I use the Eugene knot. When you tie it correctly, you can hear and feel it lock into place. If this doesn’t happen cut it off and retie. I have t had any failures with this knot. YMMV

21 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

Double San Diego is my jam

I see what you did there…  Double SDJ as suggested by Tom years ago. 
 

However, strongest is really subjective. IMHO, the strongest knot is the one you tie the most confidently and can tie the easiest/quickest without error. 

On 12/28/2025 at 9:12 PM, 5by3 said:

For most fluorocarbon applications

 

Double pitzen for this guy.

3 hours ago, Smirak said:

I see what you did there…  Double SDJ as suggested by Tom years ago. 
 

However, strongest is really subjective. IMHO, the strongest knot is the one you tie the most confidently and can tie the easiest/quickest without error. 

There is a Youtube video floating around that in that guy's particular experiment he did the double sdj was the strongest of all the various knots tested.

Whatever you use, just make sure to cut and re-tie a few times throughout the trip.  The casting of the bait alone can beat up the line and begin to weaken it at the knot.  

I use a Palomar or SDJ, either works fine. 

On 12/29/2025 at 3:23 AM, Pat Brown said:

I tie the double SDJ for heavy jigs and baits that weigh more than 2 oz and the single SDJ for everything else.  Palomar with braid.

 

The double SDJ is annoying to tie somewhat but when you get it right it’s 120% strength.

Yup! Better safe than sorry

Pro tip: contrary to popular ancient wisdom to lubricate your knots - don’t - it absolutely weakens your knots tremendously.  Seen way too many YouTube videos and had enough big fish break me off to say never again for lubricating my knot.  Just get it lined up and slowly cinch it down snug - that seems to yield the most consistent knots that dont fail many pounds early.

 

I know - sounds crazy but trust me - don’t lubricate your knots!

I'm new to swimbaits as well.

 

I have been tying them to my gear with a Loop-Knot.  I want it to swing all sexy like.