We have decoded the hype surrounding line marketing before. Now it is time to focus on the knots.

Which knot is strongest? Which knot is easiest to tie? Is it possible to tie the same knot for braid and fluorocarbon? What is the best way to join your braided main-line with a fluorocarbon leader?

A well-tied knot will make angling more enjoyable no matter where you fish or what you are after. While it may not be as exciting as a new reel or rod, a well-tied knot can help you land more fish than any other tool.

You have many questions, and I know you want solid, fact-backed answers.

The following list of the top fishing knots was compiled from what I saw in the lives of people who fish for a living. Important to remember is that the Non-Slip Loop, Uni, Palomar, and Uni are all popular for freshwater and saltwater.:

  • The Palomar Knot is the Best Snug Fishing Knot for All Line Types
  • The Uni Knot is the Best All-Around Fishing Knot For Mono and Fluorocarbon
  • Braid Uni Knot: The Best All-Around Fishing Knot
  • The Kreh, or Non-Slip Loop Knot — Best Loop Knot for All Line Types
  • The Double Uni Knot is the best line-to-line connection for Mono to Mono
  • The Snell Knot – Best Line to Hook Knot
  • The FG Knot – Best Fishing Knot to Join Braid to Fluorocarbon Leader
  • San Diego Jam – A Good Snug Knot For All Line Types
  • Rapala Knot – Good-Loop Knot for All Line Types
  • Bimini Twist Knot: Good Knot to Join Braid to Fluoro Leader

Learn the basics of Knot.

All anglers know that knots are crucial to fishing. Knots are essential to what you do on the water. They can be used to secure your line, join the mainline to the leader, or attach a lure or hook.

It can be difficult to choose the right knot, but the wrong one could cause problems. This is particularly true when you consider different line types. A knot that is strong with one type of line can be a disaster with another.

Three types of line dominate angling: braids, nylon monofilaments, and fluorocarbons. We have discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each type of line before. Now we will review all three to identify our top performers.

It is important to know the basics of physics and how it affects the knots that you will tie.

Monofilament nylon (including hybrid or copolymer lines). Monopolymers and co-polymers tie well. It creates friction against itself without causing undue abrasion. It holds knots well and is very unlikely to break under heavy loads.

Braid –Braid is known for having a finicky relationship with knots. Braided lines are slick and surprisingly abrasive. They don’t create much friction against their own bodies and can even bite into themselves, leading to failure. Braids are more likely to fail when they are tied directly to terminal tackle.

It is not surprising that you will need to know some specialized knots to braid your hair. But, with the right knowledge, braid can behave!

FluorocarbonFluorocarbon can be stiffer than mono but generally ties the same. Fluorocarbon is not a good choice for all knots, but it’s generally easier to tie with than braid.

Fluorocarbon is a popular choice as a leader material for freshwater and saltwater applications due to its unique properties. It is crucial to tying the right knot when joining your main line to a fluorocarbon leader.

Lines are what their physics is. It is crucial to choose the right knot for your line and task.

  • The Trilene KnotAttachment of 96% Line StrengthMonoTo lure
  • The Berkley Braid KnotAttachment of 62% line strengthBraidTo lure
  • The Kreh, or Non-Slip Loop KnotAttachment of 83% line strengthFluorocarbonTo lure
  • The Palomar KnotAttachment of 96% Line StrengthBraid to make a mono leader with an intermediate barrel swivel

These tests were done with top-of-the-line equipment and brand-name brands. They reinforce the information I have already given.

Know your line, your knots, and their limits.

What Knots do the Pros Use

There are many great knots out there, but most people and most professionals only use a handful. These are generally strong, simple to tie, and quick. The size of the knot is important, especially when making line-to-line connections. Also, the direction and size of any remaining tags should be considered. Some knots, such as the highly-respected Blood Knot can hook weeds or other debris too easily. This is why the Double Uni is so popular.

The following list was compiled by me after looking at the needs of people who fish for a living. Important to remember is that the Non-Slip Loop, Uni, Palomar, and Uni are all popular for fresh water and saltwater.:

  • Palomar
  • Rapala Knot
  • Double Uni
  • Snell Knot
  • Uni Knot
  • Kreh or Non-Slip Loop Knot
  • San Diego Jam
  • Bimini Twist

Below, I will be reviewing each one.

These Knots: How I Evaluated Them

Even when they are tied correctly, all knots do not have the same strength. Some are stronger than others or more difficult or quicker to tie.

  • strength is easy to see that a weak knot is not a knot at all. However, I will often give up some strength to speed up and make it easier to tie, especially when working in harsh conditions.
  • Speed –Excellent knots such as the FG or Bimini are strong and can be tied on the water with great accuracy. These are the best choices for those with unlimited time. However, in real life, speed is important. Spending too much time tying than fishing, especially when you’re under pressure, can cost you some nice fish. Speed is more important than strength.
  • It’s easy –If you don’t know how to tie a knot, it will fail. Easy-to-tie knots are my preference, even if it results in a slight loss of strength.
  • Utility –Some knots can be used for only one purpose. Some, such as the Uni knot, can be used for many tasks. Even if you only want to be able to tie a few knots, it is best to choose a few that are useful for many different tasks.

These knots will be categorized according to their best use. I will also note when they have multiple applications.

The Best Fishing Knots – Reviewed

These knots have been divided into two groups based on their overall rating.

Note: The awesome has been removed by Bobbin KnotBecause it requires a tool for tying.

The Top Tier

The Palomar Knot is the Best Snug Knot for All Line Types

StrengthExcellent
SpeedExcellent
It’s easy: Very good
Utility: Very good

The Palomar Knot is a strong knot that ties well with all types of lines. This is a significant advantage and very few knots can match it in that regard.

This knot is easy to tie and won’t slip on the braid. It’s a popular choice for all things securing line to hooks, swivels, and any other place where tight connections are desired.

It is also very easy to tie. However, it can be difficult to use lures with it.

The Uni or Braid Uni is my go-to for a tight knot on large lures.

The Uni Knot is the Best All-Around Knot For Mono and Fluorocarbon

StrengthExcellent
SpeedExcellent
It’s easy: Excellent
Utility: Excellent

The Uni is the easiest knot to learn. The Uni is a fast and simple knot that can be tied in a few seconds. It creates a tight connection and can be used to secure a line to your spool or attach a lure.

Although it is not as strong as Palomar, it can hold mono and fluorocarbon well. It is also easier to tie to larger, treble-hooked lures if a tight connection is what you’re looking for.

This is the closest you can get to the “one-knot to rule them all”, and I use it 90% of the time.

Braid Uni Knot: The Best All-Around Knot

StrengthExcellent
SpeedVery good
It’s easy: Excellent
Utility: Excellent

This modification is basically the standard Uni on steroids. It helps to bind the knot on a slick braid.

The Kreh, or Non-Slip Loop Knot — Best Loop Knot for All Line Types

StrengthVery good
SpeedExcellent
It’s easy: Excellent
Utility: Excellent

The Kreh Knot (also known as the Non-Slip Loop) is a great choice for attaching lines on top-water lures or crankbaits that need a little freedom. It is stronger than snug knots such as the Uni and Palomar, but it provides a strong connection.

The Kreh is a great knot to secure fluorocarbon lures and leaders. It’s my favorite choice, no matter if I’m fishing fresh or salt.

The Kreh was my choice over the Rapala Knot for the best loop knot. Although the Rapala is slightly stronger, it’s a little more difficult to tie. While this may not be a big deal if you practice at home, every bit helps!

The Double Uni Knot is the best line-to-line connection for Mono to Mono

StrengthExcellent
SpeedVery good
It’s easy: Excellent
Utility: Excellent

The Double Uni is stronger than the FG Knot, but it has many advantages. It’s easy to tie and quick.

It doesn’t care if the line diameter is small, making it an excellent choice for applications where you might be joining thin mono to fat fluoro.

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