FireLine, What knots do you use???

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I recently spooled up a couple reels with 4 LB FireLine Crystal.

When I go to tie on a jig head or hook I find that the knots I normally use seem to break real easy. I normally use either a Palomar or the Improved Clinch but these don’t seem to hold up.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[jwhjr]

I've been using a Palomar without any issues for a couple of years now. I haven't had any broken lines with it.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I use the palomar also. Spit on the knot before you tighten it up. That helps keep the line lubed up.

[fishorgolf]

I use the Improved Clinch but I go threw the eye of the hook twice for more strength.

[Farley]

 Originally Posted By: boilerguy

I use the palomar also. Spit on the knot before you tighten it up. That helps keep the line lubed up.

Ill second all of that

[Team Otter]

Palomar, regardles of the line type. Best knot out there.

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

Otter knows best.

Palomar, there is no other knot. It is all you need, most of the time. Occasionally you want to allow a lure some action with a loop but palomar is the only thing I tie on my super lines, braids etc.

Windy

[Wookiee]

I have never had a problem with a palomar and fireline.

[eyepatrol]

Palomar....hands down.

[slipperybob]

Crystal is not quite as strong as Smoke (I have no proof but only personal use)...maybe less dense polyethylene fibers. But Crystal may depend on getting line wet for more lubrication when cinching down the knot.

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

S.D.

Are you seeing a pattern here?

Palomar and forget the rest.

Windy

[Bob/Mn]

I use the improved cinch and have had no knot failures using fireline.

<FYI> North American Fisherman Magazine on Verses has done some extensive knot testing.

I believe the results are on their web site.

[Down Deep]

I think that either knot will work, but I use the polomar knot for the exotics. You might have some bad line. If you had the reels spooled at a bait shop sometimes the help spools way too fast and tight causing the line to heat up and causing weakness.

[eurolarva]

When tying the polymer you need to make sure you go back through the hook then pull on the small part of the line to take up the slack. If you pull on the main part of the line excessive heat and kinking will happen. I tried tying a trilene knot, polymer and uni knot using 6 lb vanish and almost every time the line broke on the knot except on the polymer knot. Even the uni knot which is rated for the super lines does not hold as well. Google animated knots if you are not sure on the correct way to tie it.

[Matt C]

For those that don't know how to tie it, and other useful knots. Here is a step by step guide.

Step By Step

[goblueM]

palomar for fireline directly to hook, uni-to-uni for connecting to mono/fluoro leaders. all you ever need really

[polarsusd81]

I always use an improved clinch. Doesn't really matter what type of line, and in all my years of fishing, I have yet to have the actual knot break or come loose. On occasion on the river, I wish a knot would come loose some times, but never had a problem. When I first started using braid many moons ago, I was using the palomar, and on occasion still do, but very rarely. For me, I just find it easier and faster to tie the clinch, if I were as quick with a palomar, I would probably use that, but no need to fix whats not broken. I always check my knots thoroughly though before the lure takes a dip just to make sure though.

[NCLaker]

Bunt2k - great HSOforum, love the animation and the info each knot. Thanks for the tip!!

[slipperybob]

Problem with tying knots is that individual tying skills affects the quality of the knot. The polomar knot shouldn't be cinched down and slack loop gets pulled. That often causes line to burn rub on itself weakening the line. When loop cinches down onto line at end of knot pull, there's almost no line burn rubbing onto itself.

[TrophyEyes]

Slipperybob, I know exactly what you are talking about. I have not had a knot break in the last ten years until last week down in Florida. I was using 14# mono connected to 30# flouro. I tied a polomar knot connecting the flouro to the hook and it was more difficult to do the knot correctly with 30# and I did exactly what you discribed and sure enough my father in law hooked into a very nice fish and snap. I will never hear the end of that.

Buy the way, with Fireline I always us a Polomar.

[TrophyEyes]

Then again, I can always blame it on the toothy fish down there. Actually someone had caught two 6 1/2 ft hammer heads in that location the day earlier and that 30# flouro would not stand up to those teeth.

[slipperybob]

I've had 20# Fireline snipped by Pikes in Devil's Lake ND....but Floros are supposed to be a lot more abrasion resistant...I'd go with 100#

[TrophyEyes]

We were going for Sea trout, red fish, snook and some other smaller species, so really saw no need for higher # line.

[Swimstein]

I don't think any knot works as well on Fireline as the palomar. I prefer the crawford on mono, but it will not hold on Fireline.

[Swimstein]

I don't think any knot works as well on Fireline as the palomar. I prefer the crawford on mono, but it will not hold on Fireline.