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Best Knot for Fluorocarbon? 2025


fishing user avatarAlec McMillan reply : 

I just spooled up my new shimano reel with 15 pound Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon. This is my first time using fluoro, I have always been a braid man. I was wondering what is the best knot for fluorocarbon and any tips or info I should know. I have used the palomar knot for braid and it has been perfect for me, but I don't know if it will work for fluoro. I would also appreciate some info/tips on using fluorocarbon.


fishing user avatarRuss E reply : 

If I am using straight flourocarbon, I use Zonas shark knot. It has been the most reliable for me.

 

 

If I am using a flourocarbon coated copoly, I use a standard trilene Knot or palomar knot.

 


fishing user avatarJig Man reply : 

I use the pitzen knot for all lines.


fishing user avatarTyler. reply : 

What about the Jimmy Houston knot? Looks almost like that shark knot with a little more hassle. I’m going to try that shark knot. Looks simple


fishing user avatarEGbassing reply : 

Stick with the palomar. It's a great flouro knot and it's easy to tie.


fishing user avatarRuss E reply : 

here is a good thread about flourocarbon knots.

 


fishing user avatarshootermcbob reply : 

I like this one...for anything but braid. 

 

 


fishing user avatarBluebasser86 reply : 

I tie a San Diego Jam with fluoro. It's easy and been the strongest knot I've found for it. Type of knot isn't nearly as important as tying it properly though. 


fishing user avatarBassWhole! reply : 

The best fluoro knot is fluoro not...


fishing user avatarMike L reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 1:38 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I tie a San Diego Jam with fluoro. It's easy and been the strongest knot I've found for it. Type of knot isn't nearly as important as tying it properly though. 

Ditto 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike


fishing user avatarBrad Reid reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 1:38 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I tie a San Diego Jam with fluoro. It's easy and been the strongest knot I've found for it. Type of knot isn't nearly as important as tying it properly though. 

Good advice here regarding the tying of knots trumps the knot chosen.

 

Denser fluorocarbon lines are just harder to cinch down into a tightly formed knot and the wraps don't embed themselves into underlying line (the part of the line wrapped over) as readily as softer monofilaments. Maybe a decent analogy is trying to tie a simple overhand knot in a thin gauged length of copper wire. Yes, you can do it, but it is hard to pull down to close it all the way.

 

This is, by the way, why it is more important to lubricate a fluorocarbon knot more so than a mono knot: it helps it slide into a tighter formed knot. It has absolutely nothing to do with the line being more subjected to "burning" than mono. It is actually the opposite. *For braid, lubricating a knot makes no difference much at all. When I do it, it is out of habit.

 

Brad 


fishing user avatarJig Man reply : 

You San Diego Jam guys should take a look at the Pitzen.  It is the Jam with one step left out.  The strength is not effected and it is quicker and easier to tie.


fishing user avatarMike L reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 9:00 PM, Jig Man said:

You San Diego Jam guys should take a look at the Pitzen.  It is the Jam with one step left out.  The strength is not effected and it is quicker and easier to tie.

I used the Pitzen years ago and never had an issue. 

But that one extra step for the SDJ is nothing compared to the confidence that the first "locking"  step gives. 

Which btw is what makes it a good knot to use with braid.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

Mike


fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 10:34 AM, Russ E said:

If I am using straight flourocarbon, I use Zonas shark knot. It has been the most reliable for me.

 

 

If I am using a flourocarbon coated copoly, I use a standard trilene Knot or palomar knot.

 

That is the original braid knot or also known as a double line clinch knot, been around longer then Zona! No knot can resolve knot failures with FC line and the reason so many knots have been introduced. The San Deigo jam knot is easy to tie and as reliable as any knot for FC line.

Tom


fishing user avatarBassWhole! reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 11:30 PM, WRB said:

That is the original braid knot or also known as a double line clinch knot, been around longer then Zona!

Tom

Isn't he just doubling the line and tying an unimproved clinch? 

I don't know about "gets stronger as you pull on it" but we use this in the salt, and it's been around nameless (kinda like the modified albright) for a long time. I don't like it cause it's ugly, but it works well, the only down side is it tends to collect junk if you are around funky veg.


fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 11:37 PM, reason said:

Isn't he just doubling the line and tying an unimproved clinch? 

I don't know about "gets stronger as you pull on it" but we use this in the salt, and it's been around nameless (kinda like the modified albright) for a long time. I don't like it cause it's ugly, but it works well, the only down side is it tends to collect junk if you are around funky veg.

When I first started fishing forums was BASS Insider over a decade ago and listed a link to fishing knots illustrating the "braid knot" because it was the knot I used back in the 50's and still use it for braid. I have referred to this knot as the braid knot on this site.

It's a clinch knot or what called the fisherman's knot, using doubled line, not the improved clinch knot. Most anglers don't like the 3 tag ends. 

Whatever knot you tie do it correctly without overlapping wraps and deforming the line. Wetting FC is critical and using a line dressing is critical. 

Tom

 


fishing user avatarRuss E reply : 
  On 11/26/2018 at 11:30 PM, WRB said:

That is the original braid knot or also known as a double line clinch knot, been around longer then Zona! No knot can resolve knot failures with FC line and the reason so many knots have been introduced. The San Deigo jam knot is easy to tie and as reliable as any knot for FC line.

Tom

There are several variations of the knot. Shaw grigsby had a version. So does Gerald Swindle. 

The knot zona uses, seems to be the easiest to tie.

He admits he did not invent the knot. He is just the first person I saw use that variation.


fishing user avatarTyler. reply : 

So this Jimmy Houston knot is the same as that shark knot only backwards. Well... kinda.

 

 

 


fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  On 11/27/2018 at 12:35 AM, Captain Hooked said:

So this Jimmy Houston knot is the same as that shark knot only backwards. Well... kinda.

 

 

 

That is a double San Diego jam knot and it's been around a few decades.

Why the pros feel the need to have a knot named after them is the question, none will solve FC line failures. Anyone can see the need to improve knot strength and the numbers of knots suggested for FC line clearly indicates a knot strength problem exists.

Monofilament line is easy to achieve 100% knot strength using standard fishing line knots, not with FC line. 

Palomar knot works with FC when tied without twisting the loop crossing the line. 

Tom


fishing user avatarTyler. reply : 

right I understand that. The most appealing part of FC is that is invisible in the water. If mono had that ability I believe more people would use it.

 

What about using braid to FC leader... that knot binding them together is a hassle as well. I tried the FG knot and while it works good I still fear breakage when going through the guides.


fishing user avatarWRB reply : 

Bass are not line shy fish. Line stiffness or diameter can and does affect how some lures perform, that is a the factor consider. My catch rate or strike rate per man hour fishing bass fishing didn't improve the 20+ years using FC line instead of premium mono line.

My lost big bass from line failure increased dramatically over that time period and that is the reason I no longer trust FC line.

The only advantage I can add for FC line is it's lower coefficient of drag going through water and heavier weight allowing the line sink in water. The advertised lower refraction of light then mono is true and a advantage for line shy fish like trout, doesn't affect bass. I like FC line for bottom contact lures, but it's like handling a rattlesnake, it will bite you.

Tom

 


fishing user avatarTyler. reply : 

What is your recommendation for mono line then? what is the cheapest line you would get and maybe a middle of the road line? preferable something that can be bought at wal-mart or academy sports. Everyone always talks about Berkley Trilene XL. Any good?

  On 11/27/2018 at 1:21 AM, WRB said:

Bass are not line shy fish. Line stiffness or diameter can and does affect how some lures perform, that is a the factor consider. My catch rate or strike rate per man hour fishing bass fishing didn't improve the 20+ years using FC line instead of premium mono line.

My lost big bass from line failure increased dramatically over that time period and that is the reason I no longer trust FC line.

The only advantage I can add for FC line is it's lower coefficient of drag going through water and heavier weight allowing the line sink in water. The advertised lower refraction of light then mono is true and a advantage for line shy fish like trout, doesn't affect bass. I like FC line for bottom contact lures, but it's like handling a rattlesnake, it will bite you.

Tom

 

 


fishing user avatarWRB reply : 

Berkly Big Game, green is inexpensive and available everywhere snd was the mono I used for decades.

Premium FC line is expensive and has better quality control essential for FC line.

Tom


fishing user avatarMike L reply : 

Every few months this topic comes up, and every few months we get into a discussion about how mono will cure all the ills of world and how flouro is the bane of our existence..

 

Use a quality product and experiment for yourself..I did and use Flouro for all technique's except 2 and do not have the problems many above seem to have. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 


fishing user avatarTeam9nine reply : 

Palomar - now, then and always...braid, mono, fluoro.

 

Best fluoro tip: become a better caster. It will solve most fluoro "issues."


fishing user avatar12poundbass reply : 
  On 11/27/2018 at 1:06 AM, Captain Hooked said:

 

right I understand that. The most appealing part of FC is that is invisible in the water. If mono had that ability I believe more people would use it

 

This was my thought forever until a co-worker said "casting nets have been catching fish for hundreds (if not thousands) of years." Not 100% the same but it made re-think my approach. Now I'm 90% braid 10% fluorocarbon.


fishing user avatarTyler. reply : 
  On 11/27/2018 at 3:34 AM, 12poundbass said:

This was my thought forever until a co-worker said "casting nets have been catching fish for hundreds (if not thousands) of years." Not 100% the same but it made re-think my approach. Now I'm 90% braid 10% fluorocarbon.

sooo with braid do you use a leader at all? if so what knot you tying the leader and braid together with? I kinda liked this knot. It's small profile helps go between the guides. I just don't like having to tie a new one on every now and then.

 

 


fishing user avatar12poundbass reply : 
  On 11/27/2018 at 3:21 AM, Team9nine said:

Palomar - now, then and always...braid, mono, fluoro.

 

Best fluoro tip: become a better caster. It will solve most fluoro "issues."

I always used the Palomar knot and would have an issue here and there. I now use the 'shark' knot and have zero issues. That being said I'm willing to bet all of my issues were from me. 

 

As far as casting goes you're right! It's almost always user error which is why I almost always use braid, because I suck at casting! ????

  On 11/27/2018 at 3:36 AM, Captain Hooked said:

sooo with braid do you use a leader at all? if so what knot you tying the leader and braid together with? I kinda liked this knot. It's small profile helps go between the guides. I just don't like having to tie a new one on every now and then.

 

 

I don't use a leader, I haven't taken the time to learn how to tie the proper knot for leaders. 

 

To be honest if/when I learn to tie the proper leader knot I'll probably only use it for finesse fish. That's not even a guarantee I'll use it then.

Edited by 12poundbass
Stupid autocorrect

fishing user avatarRuss E reply : 
  On 11/27/2018 at 3:36 AM, Captain Hooked said:

sooo with braid do you use a leader at all? if so what knot you tying the leader and braid together with? I kinda liked this knot. It's small profile helps go between the guides. I just don't like having to tie a new one on every now and then.

 

 

my spinning setups are nearly all braid with a copoly leader. I use the Alberto knot to tie them together. 

its easy to tie, goes through rod guides, and strong if you tie it right.

the FG is a good knot, but a pain to tie while you are in the boat.


fishing user avatarstratoliner92 reply : 

  Trilene Knot has worked well for me over many years and no trouble. Whatever knot you use wet well and tighten up slowly is key with fluorocarbon.

  I started with Red Label then Invizx and ended up with Sunline Sniper but that's another thread????

 


fishing user avatarLonnieP reply : 

Trilene knot works for me. Don’t have problems at all with it.


fishing user avatarwaymont reply : 

This is a good explanation of the Palomar knot issue and how to avoid it with flourocarbon line>

 

 


fishing user avatarChoporoz reply : 

I use palomar for braid and San Diego jam for all others


fishing user avatarPitch'nCypress reply : 

I tie the knot that swindle uses. It's very strong and very easy to tie. Double the line like a palomar then wrap the doubled side up the line 3-5 times depending on line size then run it through the loop at the bottom. Wet and cinch down. There will be 3 tag ends. In my tests this knot outperformed the shaw grigsby knot more than once.


fishing user avatarSteveo-1969 reply : 

I use the Trilene Knot for every line type.




3625

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