what is the best type of knot to use for tying a hook onto a leader. I know the basic ones like uni and palomar, but I was wondering if there are any stronger knots to use for fishing bigger ones.

Ken,

I like the San Diego knot and I have never had one slip of fail when tied right.

Thanks socal angler,

I'll have to google that and practice that one. Has anyone heard of the Joe Miller knot. I can't find the right one on the internet anywhere. This guy told me that is the strongest knot around. I am not sure if that is true or not.

Centuri, San Diego, Uni and Erwin (Wilson) in that order.

Centuri Knot

I've used the palomar and also the Sandiego knot and neither have failed me . We use both on our leader spools .

I like the palomar up to 40 lb. Easy to tie-even in the dark!

We tried many and have settled on the San Diego w/o a single slip. It was also recommended by the crew of the RR III.


Tom

Ken,
Here is a U-Tube link for the Joe Miller Knot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVnbsE__GXg

Have tested a ton of knots and all the old stand bys test well. I particularly like the Palomar, Trilene and San Diego Knot. IGFA claims that the Polomar Knot is the best for line under 40 pounds. But you have to be careful tying it. Always make sure that the lines ALWAYS stay parallel and do not put a twist in the line when making the over hand knot. There is a tendency to flip the loop over putting a twist in the loop. Make sure you do not do this as it is death for this knot. And also when tightening down the knot be sure the loop tightens against the knot and not against the standing line.

Keta reccomends the Centuri and the Video likes the Joe Miller Knot. I have not tested either of these knots so I have no OBJECTIVE information on them, but you can be sure I will do some testing.

At this point I would like to say that if your knots are breaking you are tying really bad knots. I know that sounds harsh but look at it this way. Good 30lb mono breaks at 50lbs. If your drags are set at 30% of "rated" line strength thats 9 lb of drag. Lets say hydrolic line resistance is an additional 5 lbs of drag so that would mean your knot is breaking at 14 lbs. The line breaks at 50 lbs., so you would be tying a 28% efficient knot. You need at least 80% or a knot breaking point of 40+ pounds.

There are certinally extenuating circumstances causing a knot to break but if you find yourself looking at little curliques a couple of times a trip you may want to revaluate your knots.
A couple of simple but not frequently done reminders, always re-tie after every other fish under 25lbs, re-tie after every fish 30lb and over and when you feel "ANY" sight abraision in you line by the hook. Always strip "AT LEAST" 6 feet of line off when you re-tie . This stripping 6 feet of line seems excessive but a lot of broken knots are a result of just cutting back a foot or two. The first 6 ft takes a beating and there can be weak spots in the line that cannot be felt or seen. So a knot can be inadvertantly tied in one of thoes undetectable areas. Eliminate that pitfall by using the 6 foot rule.

Sorry , I got long winded on this one. My .37 cents got inflated to .67 cents. As always, my thoughts for your consideration.

Walt

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Walt,

Walt-in my opinion your advice is worth far more than you think it is!

That is a lot of information. I can't remember these newer one's (for me) when I get out on the water. I have a few remembered but I like to try different ones as well. If they are better, well they are worth learning. Thanks for the entertainment / education.

Walt,

Thanks for all of your knowledge and input. I will take all of your advice to heart and try to stick to the 6ft feet rule.

Thanks once again. I look forward to hearing your opinions and thoughts from your tests.

Tommy,
The Centari was showed to me by Julio on the RRIII. I still use the San Diego, Erwin and uni too.

I've "tuna tested" all 4 of thes knots and have pulled over 45lb of drag on the San Diego and Centari without failure.

CV,
I have (had, most is gone now) a spool of 400 lb mono that I practice knots with. I figure if I can tie a good knot in 400lb 130lb-200lb is easy. Lots of people crimp heavy line and it works.

Walt,
YUP!
One of the biggest causes for knot failure is line crossing over and cutting it's self in the knot.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Keta,

Ok, I had some time and did some destructive tests on knots. I tied a San Diego on one side of a heavy swivel and a Centari on the other with 400lb mono, total mono length was 3'. Then I attached the ends to my truck and my ATV and pulled slowly. The mono stretched about 18" before the centari blew apart. The San Diego appeared to be usable but I didn't retest it. When I have time I'll do this test with 130lb.

What I want to know is what knot you used to attach the swivel to your truck and ATV. LOL !

That 400 pound test just looks like mono, its really boat steering cable with the plastic coating around a steel cable.

Ya Keta, test some 130 please, I have run plum out of 400 myself.

Thankx
Walt

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Walt,

I'm short on 130lb but I tied some up with 120lb SoftSteel Ultra and got some odd results.
I left a 1/8" tag end on both knots, did a 5 turn SD and a 4 turn Centuri, spit on both and carefully pulled them tight. I'm trying to find something out, not prove anything.
Well....the SD broke first, I re tested using new mono and carefully tying both knots to eliminate variables. 4 tests came up with the same results. The tag end on the Centari almost pulled through every time but the SD broke first.

These results might not be the same with Izor or any other harder mono.

I just tried it with 40lb Big Game with different results, the SD was stronger.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Keta,