Got to thinking about knots

[Rodney P]

I have had a couple line failures in the knot with fluorocarbon. While both were my fault, I am looking for a knot that at least helps compensate for my stupidity Currently I use the Palomar knot and I have only had it break twice in a year, but those two times were big fish and would have cost me money if I was in a tourny. In one case I am not sure it was the knot, but I think any equal line would have failed too. Also on the same note I pulled in a 55lb catfish on fluoro using a Palomar knot while bass fishing.

I just seen a seminar with Peter T and he said he used the improved clinch on his fluorocarbon knots. I got to looking at the improved clinch and then at the Trilene knot. They are very similar, but my question is does anyone tie a Trilene knot then finish it off like an improved clinch knot? I am not sure if there would be any benefit or not. Opinions or thoughts?

[Tom I]

Try the san diego knot, I have started it a few months ago and it is quick and easy to tie and I haven't had any failures (yet)

http://www.marlinnut.com/knots/sandiego.shtml

[teelman]

I use a palomar knot when TX rigging, because of the way the tag end sits. I use a Trilene knot otherwise.

In all the siminars I've listened to in the boat and fishing shows here, they all said NOT to use the palomar knot, but instead improved clinch or something else.

I've not had any problems (knock on wood) with a palomar knot and my floro (12lb Stren floro). But, it is VERY IMPORTANT TO CINCH THE KNOT DOWN PROPERLY.

It took me some time to figure out what the heck I was doing wrong when cinching the knot down. But, I got it figured out and I've never had any problems, no matter what knot I use.

[DinkyDonker]

i have never heard someone say not to use a palomer knot, i agree that fluro is a little different, and i have broke a couple of shaky head set up palomer knot and i feel that was because i like that big ol jig and i was in a learning curve. i believe we are trying to make this too hard, i feel if i break its my fault not the particular knot i tied or the lline i was using. read an article on Boyd Duckett he talked about the importance of retying, i must agree i am over aggressive when it comes to retying, which i feels plays a major role in not breaking fish off

think about it if you had broke those fish off with the trilene knot what would you be thinkin, alot of variables out there when we brake fish off,

[ChadASX]

I was having a lot of problems breaking fish off with fluoro and the polomar knot. The polomar has always worked great for me with crankbaits and spinnerbaits, any moving bait while using fluoro, but when I'm pitching and flipping I'd run into some problems. I've never broke a fish off with the polomar knot while cranking or anything like that, just during the hard hooksets of pitching and flipping. A friend of mine showed me a knot called the California knot, its different from the Sandiego, and its solved my problems so far. Its a weird knot, but easy to tie. My buddy said a rep with Shimano showed it to him and demonstrated how much stronger of a knot it was. Its worked for me tho.

[fastman151]

Try this site to learn some new knots.....

http://www.animatedknots.com/i...s.com

[jm35475]

palomar knot all the way, be sure to wet it before cinching down

[Adam H.]

I use an Improved Clinch Knot when fishing flouro.

[JR19]

I just recently purchase my first spool of Seguar Invesx 20 lb test. For years I have used nothing but Trilene Big Game. I will still continue to use big game on certain applications. So far I have only been out one time since I changed my pitchin reels over to fluorocarbon. For cold water applications fluorocarbon is much softer with less memory and cast better than mono.

I have heard/read that fluorocarbon line is prone to knot failure. I was told to use the Improved Clinch Knot...however if you go to the animated knot web site and read the info on the improved clinch knot you will see that it states not to use that knot on line heavier than 12lb.

After reading the replies on this thread I am undecided on what knot to tie. Palmor, Improved Clinch or Trilene Knot. I have tied the Palmor Knot so many times that I am sure I could do it blindfolded. I guess until it fails me that it what I will tie