Without a doubt the best fishing knot you can take on your next fishing vacation is the Palomar Fishing Knot. People always ask me what I think is the best all around fishing knot for freshwater and saltwater fishing. There are definitely specific knots that work better for different types of fishing and in particular situations. However, if pinned down to give you one knot that will work for about anything and is probably the strongest fishing knot it’s the Palomar knot.
I learned to tie the Palomar Knot about fifteen years ago while night fishing. I was struggling to tie my normal knot and the friend I was fishing with stopped his fishing after about ten minutes of turning his head back and forth from the front of the boat watching me while I tried to get a lure on my line. I know you’ve seen that look before from your fishing partners at some point. He came to the back of the boat and said, “Watch this”. In about 15 seconds the knot was tied and I was fishing again, I have been a believer in this fishing knot ever since.
The Palomar Knot is not only one of the easiest knots to tie, it is also one of the strongest knots you can use to attach your line to the hook with monofiliment fishing line under about 25lb test and braided lines in even higher tests. I have used it on as much as 50lb leader, but have to admit that it is a pretty bulky knot at this pound test and I question its strength with lines that thick.
How strong is the Palomar knot? I tested it on a knot/line testing machine at the ICAST fishing industry show several years ago and found it to be about a 99% knot if tied correctly. Every time I tested it the line would break long before the knot. The key is making sure the line is wet when tightening it down so you do not weaken the line when you are pulling it tight. There are really only four (4) steps to tying the Palomar Knot and you can do it blindfolded if you practice a few times.
Step By Step Instructions on how to tie the Palomar Knot:
Step 1. Double about 4″ to 5″ of line and pass loop through eye.
Step 2. Let hook hang loose and tie overhand knot in doubled line. Avoid twisting the lines and don’t tighten knot.
Step 3. Pull loop of line far enough to pass it over hook, swivel or lure. Make sure loop passes completely over this attachment.
Step 4.Pull both tag end and standing line to tighten. Clip about 1/8″.
Give the Palomar knot a try on your next fishing trip, it will not let you down.
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