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Reliable Knots for Monofilament Fishing Line

C

coote

Joined
Apr 3, 2006
Messages
1,465
Monofilament line needs to be tied with knots suited to the purpose. Common knots that you might use in rope may slip undone or cause the monofilament to break easily. And it seems that most knots tied in monofilament will weaken it to some degree (say 5% to 55%).

I have tested various monofilament knots. Not by pulling with a spring balance, but by tying two knots in the same line and seeing which one breaks first. The one that doesn't break is the winner.

I have been surprised at the results at times. I've also been surprised to have knots that have generally been very successful fail unexpectedly. Perhaps there was a weak point in the line, or perhaps various knots suit some brands of monofilament better than others.

And although we are often told to wet the knot before snugging it tight, I've found that sometimes a knot seems to be stronger when it wasn't wet (although I pull it tight slowly to help avoid friction).

I'd be interested to hear the views of people who are experienced with tying fishing line.... what knot is best for terminal tackle... and especially what knot is best for joining monofilament line.

The knot that joins any line should be the strongest knot possible. If you get a break in the line at all it is best that it breaks at the hook. That way the fish has a chance of surviving without dragging around a heap of line. The hook may rust out eventually (at least that is how I comfort myself). There is far too much rubbish in the environment without fishermen adding random lengths of monofilament because a joining knot broke.

Sometimes I will cut and re-join a line many feet from the end of the line. I will do this if I think it is necessary to cut out a tangle or a weak spot.

So.... what is the strongest knot you know of for joining monofilament fishing line?

Thanks in advance..... Coote
 
I'm not sure what the "strongest" is, but I like the uni-knot. I've never had it fail on me, and it is very versitile, use it to attach your line to hook or lure, snelling, and you can also use it to attach two lines together.

http://www.animatedknots.com/uniknot/index.php

That's the only knot I use other than the overhand loop.
 
stingray4540 said:
I'm not sure what the "strongest" is, but I like the uni-knot. I've never had it fail on me, and it is very versitile, use it to attach your line to hook or lure, snelling, and you can also use it to attach two lines together.

http://www.animatedknots.com/uniknot/index.php

That's the only knot I use other than the overhand loop.
Click to expand...

That is an awesome site! I use the uni-knot when fishing...never knew what it was called though.
 
I used the blood knot (or barrel knot I think some folks call it) for joining line for years. It snugs down into a very tidy little knot, and the tag ends stick out sideways.... which makes it a good knot for not snagging on your rod guides or other line. But in experiments I've been doing lately, a pair of four-turn uni knots as a join has been outperforming my old blood knot for strength. The uni knot tag ends come out parallel with the main line, but you can trim them fairly close so they aren't too much of a problem snagging on things.

For joining on to a hook or a swivel the uni knot is a good one too.

But even a good uni knot can reduce line strength. I guess I have to live with it unless I find a better method.

Thanks for your thoughts. Any further comments are welcome.

Does everybody lubricate their knot with water or spit before pulling it tight?
 
+1 on the uni-knot and its variants for joining two lines.

I lubricate the knot before pulling tight. Particularly with light, soft, lines I find this very important.

Chris
 
Trilene knot for me. I wet the line before pulling it tight. Hasn't untied ever when properly done.

Kev
 
I use the palomar for most applications except flies and attaching two lines together then its trieline for fly and bllod knot for two lines.
 
Blood knot, double and triple surgeons, uni knot and the albright knot for joining two lines together, the albright is very good for lines of differing sizes. Also two perfection loops make a solid loopto loop connection which stays put but is easy to undo, like for changing a leader.

I used the clinch improved clinch, and a knot my father taught me that i dont know the name of for lures, and the Davy knot for small flies.
 
The Palomar is the best knot (in my opinion) for any line. It's super easy to tie and has 100% breaking str.
 
For attachment on buggers, streamers, leeches or lures I like the no-slip loop. For other bugs the 16-20 (or Pitzen knot) is very strong. Also like the Trilene knot and a tweaked Davy's Knot (modified by Bill Nash). Surgeon's knot for joining mono and the Surgeon's loop for loop to loop leader connections. Perfection loop is OK in heavier test mono. I've pretty much stopped using the Imp Clinch or Uni knot since I believe they are simply not as strong as other better knots, especially in light test mono. These knots work great in fluorocarbon also.

John
 
I'm a fan of the palomar knot... It's easy to tie(have tied it in the dark on a couple of occasions), and has 100% knot strength...
 
Interesting thanks.

So... when using the surgeon's knot (or water knot) for joining monofilament, how many times do you generally pass the ends through the knot.... i.e. twice? three times? four times?.... more? Does the number of passes, or wraps, depend on the thickness of the lines you are joining?
 
Mono knots that have stood the test of time for me.
For tying to lure, line weight 30# and under: Trilene
For tying to lure, line weight 40# and over: 4 Turn Clinch
Joining 2 similar diameter lines: Blood
Joining lines of different diameters: Albright

I've used the palomar and have no problems with it.
My fingers are so programmed to the trilene knot, it's what I stick with.

Oh, and all knots are drawn up slowly & get a good wetting as well.
 
I can't say if it's the strongest, but I generally use the half blood knot for attaching terminal tackle and joining mono of similar diameters. I have been using this knot for nearly 40 years and it works well enough for me not to need to look for another method :thumbup:

I generally lubricate the knot with a bit of saliva before tightening.

BTW, with regards to different knots for joining line you might be interested in this web site: http://www.marinews.com/fishing_line/fishing_line_to_line.html

Hope this helps.




Kind regards
Mick
 
Thanks for all the replies, and thanks for that link Mick.... heaps of knots to try. Some I haven't really come across before.
 
mkhop said:
I use the palomar for most applications except flies and attaching two lines together then its trieline for fly and bllod knot for two lines.
Click to expand...


This. Palomar 99.9% of the time i do get to go fishing..tho..it has now been 2 years... boo hoo :(
 
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