When tying a Palomar knot with fluorocarbon line, have you ever had a problem with your line breaking at the knot? If the answer is yes, then you might be getting it crossed up during the knot-tying process.
Vicious Fishing pro Jeff Reynolds of Oklahoma said that's a common occurrence. It can lead to a lot of losses – lures, for sure, and perhaps even fish.
"Most people don't even think about it, and with (monofilament) it's not a big deal," he said. "But I guarantee you that the average person, eight out of 10 Palomar knots they tie with fluorocarbon will be bad. It's an easy thing to do if you're not paying attention.
"I really don't know how or why (fluorocarbon) does this, but if the lines cross, they'll cut into each other. When you set the hook or put any other pressure on the line, it'll usually break. It breaks very easily – I can do it with my hand."
Stay Parallel
Reynolds said the problem occurs after the line has been doubled and run through the eye of the hook, and the angler is in the process of tying the overhand knot to form the loop.
"When you're pulling the line through, you need to be sure both ends are straight when they're coming through the knot. If they cross over before you've made your loop, that's where the trouble is.
"It just takes a second to look at it and make sure that they're straight. They need to be parallel."
Once you've ensured that the tag end doesn't overlap the main line, then go ahead and pull your bait through the loop.
Palomar Ranks 2nd
In his estimation, the Palomar is the strongest knot in fishing except for the snell knot. That one can be used only on a bare hook (not on a spinnerbait, crankbait, jig, etc,) and involves laying the line along the shank and making wraps around it.
"That one doesn't have any lines crossed anywhere, and it will not break."
