How to Tie a Palomar Knot

 

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.

Recommended Practice Fishing Line:

Tying the Palomar Knot

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

1. 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.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot making sure that the hook is hanging from the bottom.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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 a 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 hooks, swivels, snaps, and lures.
• Uni knot – This fishing knot is perfect for terminal and monofilament tackle connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Palomar knot good for fluorocarbon?

A: Yes, the Palomar is considered to be the best for a fluoro fishing line such as the Berkley Fireline. That’s because it does not slip and maintained 100% of the original strength of the line. 

Q: Why is the Palomar knot good for braided lines?

A: This knot is considered suitable for braided lines because it prevents strain on the sensitive line, thus reducing wear.

Q. Which knot tightens when pulled?

A. The Tautline hitch knot tightens when pulled, and it can be slipped to loosen a line as well.

Q. Which knot is impossible to tie?

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

Q. Which knot is the best for tying two lines together?

A. The blood knot can be used to tie two lines together and is tried and tested by anglers. However, the double Uni knot is considered to be easier to tie in comparison, and the J knot is also deemed reliable.

Q. What is the eye of a fishing hook?

A. The eye of the hook is the loop at the end that is attached to the line.

Q. How can I tie a fishing knot fast?

A. The best way to reduce the time you spend tying these is with practice and plenty of it. Do it before your fishing trips so you can spend more time fishing and less time fiddling with the line. You can lose your pricy line or a fish if the fishing knots are not up to par.