Braid And Knots For Topwater Baits 2025
airborne_angler reply :
I've heard that braid is best for topwater baits as the line floats,which gives the topwater better buoyancy. Braid also helps cut through vegetation.
I've gotten into throwing Popper recently,and was wondering if 65# braid is too much,too thick or too heavy for a bait like a Rebel POP-R.
What's a good knot to tie on this bait with braid. I think the knot I'm using(Double San Diego Jam) may be too bulky and causing a decrease in the "POP"
Can anyone suggest a good strong knot with the braid that wont slip and isn't too bulky.
MarkH024 reply :
Palomar knot with braid on all applications. 65lb is fine. You could drop to 20 to 40 and still be fine.
fishking247 reply :
palomar knot. the only knot i trust
airborne_angler reply :
I have heard the Palomar can slip with braid...any truth to this?
KevO reply :
I've never had a palomar knot slip with braid.
MarkH024 reply :
No. I think your knots are mixed up. Clinch or improved clinch will slip. Palomar not will never fail with braid if tied correctly.
Bass Junkie reply :
On 8/27/2012 at 3:15 AM, MarkH024 said:No. I think your knots are mixed up. Clinch or improved clinch will slip. Palomar not will never fail with braid if tied correctly.
Neither will a properly tied Improved Clinch.
Mike L reply :
Agreed, Palomar will not slip if done right. Few suggestions based on what I do...
1] When you thread threw the eye of the hook be sure the lines are not crossed before you make the overhand.
2] When done and ready to cinch down pull the main line till snug after wetting, being sure there is not a small loop when done.
3] Pull tag end to cinch tight.
Mike
MarkH024 reply :
On 8/27/2012 at 3:46 AM, Bass Junkie said:Neither will a properly tied Improved Clinch.
with braid? I have had much different experience then.
Fishingelbow reply :
Take an extra 2 seconds and tie a double Palomar:
Don't forget to wet your line before you tighten the knot!
Bass Junkie reply :
Tie an improved clinch not, wrapping 7 turns, and leave a normal tag end..... I have never had this pull through 
J Francho reply :
QuoteI've gotten into throwing Popper recently,and was wondering if 65# braid is too much,too thick or too heavy for a bait like a Rebel POP-R.
Yes, it is probably too heavy. The modern Pop-R weighs in at 1/4 oz. I would throw that bait on a spinning rod, like a 7' med/fast. If I was going to use braid, it would be 20# size. Now, if you're going to spend the coin on the larger, discontinued P70 Pop-r, then medium power baitcasting gear and 40# braid would be fine.
Busy reply :
On 8/27/2012 at 1:42 AM, airborne_angler said:I have heard the Palomar can slip with braid...any truth to this?
Never had a problem with it. I use 20# braid.
J Francho reply :
A Palomar might not be the easiest to tie correctly on a topwater with two treble hooks. I've never had any issue with a Uni knot slipping, getting in the way of the "plop," and it's easy to tie quickly.
SirSnookalot reply :
My improved clinch knots never slip and it's much simpler to tie than a palomar especially with a larger lure. I personally will always use a leader with braid, if for no other reason than the occasional foul hooking of the front trebles, a leader is much easier to unravel than braided line. Using a leader I tie an ordinary clinch to a top lure, other lures it's a loop knot, both knots hold like iron, regardless of fish size and weight of vegetation I'm dragging in.
Sherlock 60 reply :
On 8/27/2012 at 1:42 AM, airborne_angler said:I have heard the Palomar can slip with braid...any truth to this?
Nope. None at all.
tennsopher reply :
I second J Francho on the uni knot. I use a snap when throwing the popr,but if you don't like snaps,try the Homer Rhode loop knot very simple to tie.
loodkop reply :
How many turns do you make on the Uni knot if using braid? A club member told me to use at least 17 but that seems a bit much to me.
SirSnookalot reply :
Depends on diameter, thinner lines 7 or 8 , thicker 5 or 6, per side.
BassHunter_Hunt reply :
What are you fishing for with #65lb line?
J Francho reply :
On 8/29/2012 at 7:29 PM, loodkop said:How many turns do you make on the Uni knot if using braid? A club member told me to use at least 17 but that seems a bit much to me.
5-6 turns is plenty.
Dingah reply :
x2 my knot for braidOn 8/27/2012 at 1:37 AM, fishking247 said:palomar knot. the only knot i trust
rockchalk06 reply :
I loose to much braid when I use the palomar knot. I really really like the improved clinch knot for braid. After I tie and before I cut the tag line, I wrap the line around my hand 3-4 times and pull like a sumbuck. It will cinch down some. I cut the tag with a 1/4" left and have no problems.
I got hung up a few times on a lake yesterday pitching into some ugly nasty cover. Each time i straightened the hook and was able to save my jigs. I did retie each time cause common sense told me to, but the tag was still 1/4" long.
fishking247 reply :
On 8/30/2012 at 3:08 PM, rockchalk06 said:I loose to much braid when I use the palomar knot. I really really like the improved clinch knot for braid. After I tie and before I cut the tag line, I wrap the line around my hand 3-4 times and pull like a sumbuck. It will cinch down some. I cut the tag with a 1/4" left and have no problems.
I got hung up a few times on a lake yesterday pitching into some ugly nasty cover. Each time i straightened the hook and was able to save my jigs. I did retie each time cause common sense told me to, but the tag was still 1/4" long.
i do agree that the palomar does eat up a lot of line if tying direct especially on large hardbait and spinnerbaits. i use the palomar as i do not retie often. i usually fish with multiple rods and the only time i retie is if i break off which is very rare. most guys complain that when they tie direct with braid and break off they lose too much line which is why they use leaders a lot of the time. with a spinning reel i palm the spool and pull straight break and my line always breaks at the knot using 10-30lb braid with a palomar knot. if your line is breaking elsewhere my guess is your line has weak points in it
airborne_angler reply :
On 8/29/2012 at 9:01 PM, BassHunter_Hunt said:What are you fishing for with #65lb line?
The lake I fish has really really thick matted beds of Milfoil. I'm using 65# because if they get in there I wanna be able to get em out...
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/30/2012 at 9:04 PM, fishking247 said:i do agree that the palomar does eat up a lot of line if tying direct especially on large hardbait and spinnerbaits. i use the palomar as i do not retie often. i usually fish with multiple rods and the only time i retie is if i break off which is very rare. most guys complain that when they tie direct with braid and break off they lose too much line which is why they use leaders a lot of the time. with a spinning reel i palm the spool and pull straight break and my line always breaks at the knot using 10-30lb braid with a palomar knot. if your line is breaking elsewhere my guess is your line has weak points in it
Not always. If your line doesn't break at the knot, it may be the knot was stronger than the line
fishking247 reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 4:48 PM, rockchalk06 said:Not always. If your line doesn't break at the knot, it may be the knot was stronger than the line
I have never had that happen unless you wrap the line around your spool/handle which creates a weak link. i can't see how the knot could possibly be stronger then the mainline. i use the palomar knot as well which definitely holds a higher knot strength then most other knots out there.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
rockchalk06 reply :
When I do have break off its usually before the knot about 1-2 feet. I mark my line with a marker 1-2 feet up from the knot and the broken line is marked. I use the improved clinch for my braid.
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