Knots for Braid.

[skkbomb]

What knots are the best for tying braid directly to big topwater baits and the best knot for tying braid to a flourocarbon leader? I'm currently using a palomer knot and an albright for braid to floro.

Thanks,
Scott

[supermat]

It seems like everyone has a different answer to this one but I've been very happy with a blood knot for my connection knot and a Double palomar for my braid to lure connection. Everyone is different but these knots just don't fail me.

[skkbomb]

Thanks Matt, I broke off a Lunker Punker on a nice one today. I enjoy the educatonal videos on your website. I cut gills on all my hudds now.

[bayscotter]

I use uni to uni for braid to flouro. I use the fishn' fool knot for braid to lure/hook.
Many opinions here. Test several knots for breaking stregnth at home. Pracice them so you can tie them easily and trust them.

[hmongfisherman]

i use the improved clinch knot for my braid to lure connection, but I make at least 12-15 turns before I pull the line through. Braid has a tendency to slip at the knot especially for me. As for line to line connection use an albright knot especialy if you're using micro guide rods.

[supermat]

I'm sorry to hear about the punker. However, you have to be getting bit to lose one to a fish. Maybe you're on a pattern that will pay in the end. Hang in there, that one will hurt for a while but learning from it will relieve some of the sting.
I'm glad you're enjoying the website. I don't know it all (heck, there's a lot I know nothing about) but I try to share what I do know. As long as guys like you are learning and enjoying it I'll keep going.

Going back to that connection knot, I don't believe the blood knot is the strongest option out there. The reason I use it is that its easy to tie, its consistant, and is extremely resistant to wear and tear from repetative motion.

Matt

[jimmy87]

braid to lures triline knot.
braid to mono and floro albright knot.

test the braid to mono/floro knots by tying the competed set up to your truck bumper, fence post ect. and lean back into it with you rod and reel.

The knot can be a tough one to get right for alot of us. If its not exact the knot will fail. when its right the mono or floro will snap and the knot will remain unharmed. (lean back enough for it to snap and find out where it breaks)

different braid to differt mono/floro weights will give differt results.

I find 65 pound powerpro and 15-20 pound green maximia to be a very solid connection for flippin.

30 power pro and 10 green max is a good connection as well

others I have tried failed my line lean back test time and time again.
I am sure there are many other good combonations. Just play around with your favorite lines till you are happy. and most of all have fun

[Oldschool]

Take a look at WB magazine video in Hi's tackleBoxShop page 41, April issue on line.
If knot strength wasn't an issue with FC line everyone would simply use a knot they have cofidence in tying like the Palomar. The truth is FC line is very difficult to tie knots with that doesn't reduce the knot strength significantly. 85% knot strength with FC line is about as good as it gets, unless you are an extremely skilled knot tier.
Tom

[Cooch]

I use that Palamor for just about everything, with the exception of a crankbait with a snap or a buzzer and/or Spinnerbait. I have heard and seen a lot of guys over the year who've had issues with a Palomar and braid. That Palomar, has been tested over and over, year after year, with many line types, and always comes out testing as the strongest knott. The key with the Palomar, it tying it properly. If tied properly, there is no better knott. Yet if it's tied incorrectly and ya introduce a twist, or the tag loop pulls down behind yer two line tie loops, it will fail ya every time! The other thing to think about is the braid itself, if yer using a flat braid, that's more likely yer problem, not the knot itself. Round braid is far superior to flat braids, it just amazes me that there is still such a following after all these years, for those companies who make a flat braid, it's inferior to round braid.

As for attaching FC to a braided line, I personally don't do this, as I don't believe there is a satisfactory reason to use braided line, where ya can use straight FC and not have ta deal with a knot in the middle presenting the fish with the oppurtunity to win the battle. You will loose all sensativity betweeen you and yer bait, any time yer fishing braid with a slack line.

I do though, on the other hand recognize a situation where this is indeed benificial. As a guide, I have many clients get in the boat with me, that are not comfortable using a baitcasting rig, yet very comfortable and capable of using a spinning rod. Putting FC on a spinning rod, can spell disaster for most inexperienced anglers. It can be a night mare for the guide and angler fighting this through out the day, that FC line just wants to jump off a spinning reel. To alleviate this and make it more user friendly for my clients, I have several spinning rigs spooled up with braided line, I'll then attach a FC leader for dropshotting, senko or T-rig fishing. When doing this, the Albright has worked best for me. One thing ya must do, is assure yer using that braid as the "stronger" line as depicted in most tying diagrams. You should use the FC line to apply the wrap arounds(like a barrel type knot) and cinch it to the braid. I have never had it break when tying it this way. Yet when I first began doing this, it was definately easier to tie, wrapping the braid around the FC, yet we experienced way too many breaks at the knot on a shock hook set doing it this way.

There are a lot of excellent knots out there. All of them, require that you tie it properly, every single time for it to perform as it is designed too. The two you mentioned, are definately top notch knots.

[jimmy87]

please explain the big push for floro carbon. I have tried a few brands and have to say I prefer mono any day of the week.

[swordfish]

the palomar with braid topped off with a couple of half hitches and a surgeons loop for braid to floro. Some use super glue with braid to to hook and the palomar.

[Oldschool]

please explain the big push for floro carbon. I have tried a few brands and have to say I prefer mono any day of the week.

The perception that FC line out performs mono is enough to make anglers change.
The fact is largemouth bass are not line shy fish the vast majority of the time. If the line doesn't affect the lure performance (or live bait if that is your choice) the type line isn't going to have a major impact on your fishing success.
However...IF you believe FC line gives you an advantage, it will help you concentrate and be more aware and that is a big advantage.
FC line is heavier than water so it tends to sink and has less drag in the water and that can improve feed back from the lure or weight; shorter distance between the rod tip and the lure can be an advantage.
The less stretch claims are just that claims. Premium mono and FC line stretch about the same amount. Mono aborbs water, has less memory then FC line. FC line doesn't absorb water and has a lower refraction of light than mono.
In other words mono and FC line are different and perform nearly the same in regards to bass fishing.
Tom

[mark poulson]

I've found that fluorcarbon is harder and more abrasion resistent than mono. It also transmits light tick pickups better than mono, even on a slack line. Maybe it's because it's harder, so it doesn't absorb the tick, but sends it right on up the line.
I know Tom says it stretches as much as mono. I can't say if that's true or not, but I feel like I get better hooksets with fluoro. Fluoro feels stiffer to me, so maybe it just takes more force to stretch than with mono.
I prestretch my fluoro, tieing it off to a tree and letting out two casts worth, and then stretching it until it won't stretch any more without breaking. It doesn't stay completely stretched when I release the tension after five seconds or so, but all of the memory is gone, and it casts better for a while.
I do that once a month or so, more often on reels that I throw a lot. Plus I can feel for bad spots as I reel it back on through my fingers, and stop and hand test those spots before I bury them on my reel, just waiting to break on a hookset, or as a fish surges.

[ugly stick]

I absolutely HATE the palomar knot. the lines can cross way too easy.

Braid to lure-9 turn SD jam knot
Braid to leader-Blood knot or alberto

Never broke these knots and i trust em.