Palomar Knot/Flourocarbon

[Bonefish]

There has been some discussion on whether one should use a Palomar Knot with flourocarbon line. Breakage problems with this combination starts right before you bring over the loop of the hook or lure. If you do not twist the loop before looping, it will not break. If you twist the loop before bring it over the hook or lure, it will break. Tied right, the Palomar is still one of the strongest knots even on flourocarbon.

[thebassman30]

Another trick that I learned from Shaw "Catch'n Big Ol Pigs" Grigsby at Bass U was to put a finger in between the eye of the hook and the rest of the knot before cinching. Then instead of pull it tight with the base (main line) and tag end, hold them together with one hand and slide the previously mentioned finger upward cinching down the knot. Hint: If you do it right, at this point you have what appears to be a loop knot. Finally, pull with base and tag end to close the knot down to the hook. If tied properly, you don't even need to lube...although I would anyway. Knot strength is then standard palomar results.

[gump]

Here's a chart that was done on Flouro knot strength by tackletour fwiw.


http://www.tackletour.com/images2/chartfcshowdn203.jpg

[Bonefish]

Thanks for the comments.

[elnutsmalljaws]

I have used Flourocarbon religiously for the past year and a half. I have no problems with any breakage or anything else and I Palomar everything, C Rigs and FNF included. Palomar is the only knot I use and the only one I need to know except for the loop knot for topwater. I wet it thoroughly everytime and I retie often, especially after a good size fish or if I get hung up and then get it free. I probably retie 20+ times a day on a good day.

[skeeter11008]

The most critical element in tying the Palomar is to wet the knot before tighting it. The friction caused when tightening the knot will really weaken the line if you don't wet it ( spit works just fine...)