Good knots

[buzzin for bass]

I was wondering if anyone else out there is paranoid about losing that fish of a lifetime because of knot failure. I'm constantly worried that I've tied the knot incorrectly or that it will somehow come undone. As such I had been placing a drop of super glue on the knot after tying but have recently started to wonder if the glue might cause problems by reacting with the line and breaking it down. I'm most worried about my knots for musky fishing with heavy braid as those knots never seem to look very good, which is why I posted in this forum, but would be interested in others' thoughts about use with the superlines, mono and floro that I use for pike and bass. What does everyone else do?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Superlines - don't even bother with anything but a palomar. I tested a bunch of different knots on 80lb Power Pro last year and nothing touched the palomar.

[10,000 Casts]

I completely agree with Ralph, the palomar knot is the best. It is also very easy to tie.

John

[Random guy]

Ralph and I both had a bug to test knots out and I found the same thing. The Polamar was the only way to go.

[VMS]

I have always tied the double improved Clinch knot and have never had a failure. No doubt palomar is a good knot...I just don't like tying it to a straight wire leader very much since you need such a big loop to get the leader through..(personal preference on that one...)

I feel the strength retention comes from the doubling of the line through whatever you are tying to helps tremendously.. A little lubricating water to cinch everything tight and you are all set.

Steve

[RK]

Hiya,

For superlines I've used the Uni-knot, which I've used since the Dacron days. Easy to tie and never had a knot failure.

For mono, which I do use some for muskies as well as for pike, I ALWAYS double the end of the line with a Bimini twist. A Bimini isn't as hard to tie as it looks - a half hour in front of the TV with a spool of line and you'll have it down. But if you can't get a Bimini to work, use a Spider Hitch. Doubling the line obviously gives you a fail safe if one strand gets cut, but it's also easier to grab on to and wrap around your hand when you're landing fish. From the doubled line I tie to my leader with either a 3-turn Uni-knot or a 3 or 4 turn Trilene knot. Either one works.

I don't knot Fluoro leaders. Crimps only for this guy.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[buzzin for bass]

It doesn't sound like anyone uses glue to finish of the knots?

Thanks for the help everyone. The responses have already started to increase my confidence since it seems like the knots I have been using (polomar and uni) are the trusted knots. I'll just have to work at making my knots look better with the big line (I'm guessing better lubrication of the line will probably help this), and I'll have to take a stab at the Bimini Twist for the large mono I've got in the tackle box.

[Capt. Quicksteel]

I always touch up my knots with superglue. Can't hurt and it doesn't harm super braid or any other woven lines. I haven't tried it with mono but never thought it was necessary. Super glue now comes in a little bottle with a brush that's perfect for this application- that is, paranoia reduction!!!

[RK]

Hiya -

I do use a dab of glue on slick fused superlines like Fireline, but that's more a bass or walleye deal when I'm connecting Fireline to a fluorocarbon leader. Never really found a need for it with muskie line that's a braid and not a fused Dyneema line.

But, it can't hurt. Won't affect the line material at all...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[bassNspear]

Quote:

---

Ralph and I both had a bug to test knots out and I found the same thing. The Polamar was the only way to go.

---

Can't agree more. I have tried alot as well, but the Polamar is by far the best.

[Random guy]

With the knots in floro I had a problem with the knot pinching itself off during a backlash. The shock of the lure stopping cold would pull the knot down super tight and pinch off the loops around the eye. Anyone else see this when trying knots in floro?

Could try to not backlash but you know how it is..."just a litte further into that pocket"

[ScoutII]

I second the Uni-Knot choice, it is a knot that does not pull tight on itself. And will never pull through. Works just like a hangman noose, why do you think the hangman uses it?

[delmuts]

i use the polamar as well!( it was a pain taking one of my shoes off ,so i could could on my toes the number of wraps i had around the main line with the other one!)

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

I second the Uni-Knot choice, it is a knot that does not pull tight on itself. And will never pull through. Works just like a hangman noose, why do you think the hangman uses it?

---

I guarantee a uni knot in Power Pro will pull through - a palomar will not.

[Random guy]

Thats what I found on the power pro and spiderwire stealth, the uni would just pull through and come loose with little effort.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Bucher Power knot is the only one I use. Similar to a Palomar, but stronger and still easy to tie.

I have used the uni knot in the past with no troubles also, but I just have more confidence in the Power Knot

[Cooter]

Mojo - how many wraps do you make on the Bucher knot with say either 80 or 100lb braid? I have problems getting that baby to cinch down tight, pulls real hard. Kinda like the palomar that you put more than one wrap in, they also are tough to cinch down. Also, do you tighten both ends at the same time or the tag end or main line one at a time?

Lately I've been using a 4 wrap uni, although I run the line through the leader loop twice - never had a problem and have complete confidence in it. Thanks, later

[buzzin for bass]

Quote:

---

Could try to not backlash but you know how it is..."just a litte further into that pocket"

---

Jon,

At least your backlash comes from pushing just a little too far. I don't get too many backlashes musky fishing, but when it happens it's usually because I forgot to adjust the magnet after switching baits, something about going from a 12 inch chunk of wood to an 8 inch bucktail. Now with my bass rods it's a different story, nearly wide open on those all the time trying for a couple extra feet.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

---

Mojo - how many wraps do you make on the Bucher knot with say either 80 or 100lb braid? I have problems getting that baby to cinch down tight, pulls real hard. Kinda like the palomar that you put more than one wrap in, they also are tough to cinch down. Also, do you tighten both ends at the same time or the tag end or main line one at a time?

Lately I've been using a 4 wrap uni, although I run the line through the leader loop twice - never had a problem and have complete confidence in it. Thanks, later

---

I use about 5-6 wraps, and I never really have trouble with it cinching down. I start by pulling on both pieces, but sometimes you have to pull them one at a time to get it tight. Just pull easy until it is tight. If you pull the tag tight too early, you will never get the know fully tightened.

[Capt. Quicksteel]

RK, I tie flourocarbon to Fireline all the time for bass fishing and some for walleyes too. When you put the glue on, does it still cast smoothly? I use a blood knot for that application. I have to retie about every 4 hours of fishing which is no big deal but maybe with the glue it might last a little longer. I just wouldn't like it if I lost the smoothness of that blood knot......

[Cooter]

Thanks mojo - one a side note, do you guys ever break out the Austin Powers, "I've lost my mojo" during a tough day of fishing?

[ScoutII]

This is what PowerPro recomends, and I have never had a uni-knot pull through. PowerPro believes the Uni-Knot is stronger than the Palomar knot. I have pulled apart split rings without a knot failure. Just pointing out this is not just my opinion. Sorry about the glare but all I could find was a glossy flier from PowerPro.

[Random guy]

I have the same flyer yet I can use the uni-knot, put the split ring in the vice and wrap the line around my hand and pull the knot out. It took me about four tries with the same result and it was the last uni knot I have tied.

I think the coating on the line along with the ability to compress alows the uni to slip free under slow and steady stress. Now a jerk or impact will only cinch the knot tigher on itself, it freaked me out enough to stop using the uni on braids.

[Ralph Wiggum]

ScoutII,

I pointed out the same thing last year. I talke to Jon P. and even did my own experiments--palomar is the way to go with Power Pro.

[ScoutII]

Jon:

I know what you are saying about PowerPro being slippery and that is why I use the Uni-Knot. PowerPro is also a little on the stiff side , the stiffness of the line seems to require a bit more patience while forming the knot and pulling the knot tight. Also with the heavier lines I found that you should reduce the number of wraps to 5 to allow the knot to form properly. When I use the Uni-knot to attach mono to vinyl coated tip up line I can only get the knot to pull up when I only use 3 wraps on the tip up line.I believe the Uni-Knot is a very good knot if tied properly, it is not the easiest knot to tie, if you are in a hurry or are first learning how to tie. My first tries didn't work for me until I realized how to form the knot and how to pull it tight.