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Favorite knots

Posted: August 22nd, 2019, 12:55 pm
by onefishtwofish
I just repaired all rods and put fresh line on every rod I own (too many) and I thought it may be fun and informative to put our favorite knots for certain situations. As a former volunteer firefighter and now vet surgeon, I love knot tying and always am willing to try something new. While fishing though, I like it strong, simple and quick. So I will put the situation and the knots I use. Copy and paste and put yours!

Mono to 20-30 Flouro leader - Double Uni
Mono to Heavy mono or Heavy Flouro (like 60# and up) - Albright knot
Braid to Flouro leader 20-30 - Double Uni
Braid to heavy mono or Flouro - 60# and up - FG/Sebile preferred, but on the boat I tend to re-tie with an Albright knot

Mono to spool - Arbor knot I use mono backing on all my braid rigs
Mono backing to braid - Double Uni

Terminal knots:
Mono/Flouro to jig, hook, swivel, barrel - Palomar
Braid to swivel, hook - Palomar
Heavy Flouro/Mono leader to hook or barrel - Uni
Mono to topwater - non-slip Loop Knot

For popping cork (which I do not use often) - Double Uni from line (mono or braid) to short Flouro leader-Palomor for Flouro leader to cork - Palomar(Uni if heavy leader) to Cork from terminal leader - hook or jig to leader with Palomar if thin, Uni if thick. This sounds cumbersome, but it really is not. Tie the lines to the float first, then the leader to line and last the hook. Very fast and the Flouro leader someone on here noted there are fewer tangles and I have found this to be true and worth the little extra bit of time.

Any I have not thought of?

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 22nd, 2019, 1:34 pm
by StMarksAngler
I don't think I've used a knot other than a Uni for fishing in 10+ years. Just so easy, even in crappy conditions, and a Uni-to-Uni takes care of all of the edge cases.

It's the swiss army knot!

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 22nd, 2019, 1:59 pm
by silverking
Good list, Doc. :thumbup:

I use the double uni in line to line connections or the single uni to attach line to reel.

The Albright and No-Name knots, plus a Bimini twist with 21 turns in fly applications.

I'm a big fan of the improved Clinch when tying to a split ring for spoons or plugs. Otherwise I use the Lefty Kreh non-slip loop knot for everything else to impart the most action.

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 22nd, 2019, 6:10 pm
by Juan
You guys amaze me. How the heck do you remember how to tie all those knots? I can't do it. When I learn a new knot, two days later I forget how to tie it. I've been tying a Trilene knot since the early 60's and still tie it today but every now and then I'll tie a Palamar. Other than those two, the Granny knot is all I have in my inventory. :-D

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 22nd, 2019, 7:14 pm
by cotton
I tied the uni to uni for a few years. I prefer the j knot now.

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 22nd, 2019, 8:10 pm
by geofish
Cool, I've never tried the J-knot but I think I will. Lately I've noticed that if I have to break off a line snagged on the bottom, it seems to break at the braid just at or above where the double uni to uni knot was attached to the leader.
Anyone else experience this?

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 23rd, 2019, 8:41 am
by Hit-n-Miss
I just know how to tie knots, but can't remember what they are called. :smt012

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 23rd, 2019, 9:34 am
by silverking
Thanks Cotton. I wasn't familiar with the J knot by name. Looks like a good combo. Going to give it a try.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=th ... &FORM=VIRE

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 26th, 2019, 5:10 am
by rickc
For me fast and simple

Line to leader surgeon knot. Braid to leader 3 wrap surgeon.

Leader to hook trilene. With a heaver leader Palomar.

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 26th, 2019, 9:35 am
by zload
There is a phone app called Animated Knots by Grog that does a nice job of categorizing knots by application i.e. fishing, camping, boating, climbing etc. very nice for learning new knots and finding a knot for something you rarely tie, its stop action animation so you can clearly see how the line is moving in the various steps of the knot. I think they also had knot cards at one time but of course the phone app is always with me and the app contains a bunch of knots and for you dapper gentlemen it even has 6 necktie knots :-D

That said I typically use double uni for braid/leader, uni for tight hook connection and Rapala loop for more action especially on hard baits.

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 26th, 2019, 11:30 am
by leonreno
Mono to Terminal tackle: Clinch knot
Braid to Terminal tackle: Improved Clinch or Palomar Knot
Mono to Braid: Double surgeon knot

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 26th, 2019, 11:43 am
by silverking
Grog's illustrations are very good. His web site is: www.animatedknots.com

I went through a few different ones when I was teaching the Flats Pro Seminars, but the Pro-Knot deck series are the best I've found. Waterproof, compact and comprehensive. Several outlets, including BPS, or you can order on-line.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pro-kno ... &gclsrc=ds

Re: Favorite knots

Posted: August 26th, 2019, 1:16 pm
by Salty Gator
For braid to mono or fluro I like the fg knot ( if it’s a hot bite on the boat of if it is rough, I’ll tie a double uni) . The fg is super slim and works great if you are putting a long top shot for bottom fishing, it will easily go through all eyes and lays nicely on a spool.
For doubling line, I like a spider hitch
Loop knot for plugs, jigs, circle hooks
Clinch knot for swivels
A uni for octopus style hooks, sometimes circles