Palomar Knot: How to Tie a Palomar Knot (Review + Video)

Considered to be the single best fishing knot that an angler can know, the Palomar Knot is used to tie a fishing line to a lure, swivel, or snap. It is ideal for almost any application.

The best thing about this knot is that it holds up to more abuse than others in the same category and does not unravel quickly because of the overhand knot incorporated in it.

So if you want to know how to tie a knot that even the most abundant fish will have trouble breaking, the Palomar knot should be on your list. Follow the steps in this guide to learn how to tie this braided knot.

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Tying the Palomar Knot

Time needed: 1 minute.

When tied, this knot will not fail. Here are the steps you need to follow to tie the Palomar knot:

Make a bend in the line
Double about 8 to 12 inches of line to make a loop and make it go through the hook eye, swivel, or the lure you are using. If the eye is small, pass the tag end of the line through it again from the other direction making sure there are about 6 inches of the doubled line outside the eye of the hook.
Tie an overhand knot
Tie a loose overhand knot making sure that the hook is hanging from the bottom.
Pass the hook through
Hold the knot you just made between your forefinger and your thumb and then pass the loop over the hook and slide it above the eye.
Cinch and cut the tag end
Pull the standing, and the tag end in opposite directions on one eye and cut off a few inches off the former to close the knot.

3 Best Fishing Knots You SHOULD Know

Watch this video on YouTube

How to tie a Palomar Knot — Practice your Palomar Knots so you can do it in any situation.

Tips

Make sure that all parts of the Palomar knot cinch up when the lure or the hook is passed through the loop, or it may fall apart.
If the loop goes up against the bottom of the lure or hook, the simple knot will fail.
The Palomar knot is perfect if you are using the ElaZtech bait with a Ned Rig.
You don’t have to retie the Palomar knot if it is adequately tied since it can take on a lot of abuse.
The Palomar knot can work so long as the item that is passed through the loop is small enough to pass through at least twice.

Advantages

The Palomar knot is ideal for use in braided lines.
With enough practice, you can tie this simple fishing knot in the dark, even if your fingers are cold.
The Palomar knot can be used to attach lead core lines to swivels.
This simple fishing knot retains almost 100% of the original strength of the line.
A Palomar knot has a non-jamming release.
This simple but reliable knot is almost impossible to unravel once it is tied. This is why it is considered to be one of the most reliable fishing knots any angler can use.

Disadvantages

Tying the knot while passing the fly or hook through the loop can be challenging at first since these require a larger loop. In other words, practice tying the Palomar knot before heading out, or you will spend more time trying it and less time fishing.
The Palomar knot is not ideal for hair rigs. You should use a knotless knot for that.

Uses

Anglers popularly use the Palomar knot for securing a fishing line to a lure, swivel, or hook.

Alternatives

Double Palomar knot – Also known as the improved Palomar knot, this variation can be created if you use a double rather than a single overhand knot.
Trilene knot – As far as fishing knots go, this one is almost as strong as the Palomar knot. It is typically used to join a mono or fluoro line to fishing hooks, swivels, snaps, and lures.
Uni knot – This fishing knot is perfect for terminal and monofilament tackle connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Palomar knot good for fluorocarbon?

Yes, the Palomar is considered to be the best for a fluorocarbon.

Why is the Palomar knot good for braided lines?

The Palomar knot is good for braided lines when using a double or triple overhand knot to prevent slippage.

Which knot tightens when pulled?

The Figure 8 knot tightens when pulled.

Which knot is impossible to tie?

The doubled fisherman is a knot that is said to be impossible to untie.

Which knot is the best for tying two lines together?

The knot that is best for tying two lines together is the FG knot. An easier variant would be the Alberto, Albright, or Blood Knot.

What is the eye of a fishing hook?

The eye of the hook is the loop at the end of the shank. It’s used as a place to attach fishing line.

How can I tie a fishing knot fast?

You can tie fishing knots fast by practicing. Try tying the same knot hundreds of times while watching TV to simulate being distracted until it becomes second nature.

Jon Stenstrom

Founder & Angler

Jon Stenstrom is a fishing and spearfishing enthusiast. He's been fishing since he was 5 years old in the backcountry of Yosemite for trout and in the surf near his home in SoCal. Over the past 4 years, he's been spearfishing up and down the coast of California. He started Cast and Spear to help inspire others to get outside and chase their dream fish. Notable catches include spearing a 65-pound white sea bass, large grouper, and yellowtail down in Baja. When he's not in the water, he's usually fishing from his Gregor Baja aluminum boat or inflatable Takacat catamaran.