Braided fishing lines have gained a lot of popularity in the fishing community since its introduction, but there are some differences than “normal” line. Here we will run through some of the best braided line knots to use.
With braided line becoming more and more popular, it is good to know which knots work with it and which don’t. These lines seem to be more efficient at allowing anglers to feel bites, reel out heavy fish and use stronger hook sets.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the best knots to use and whether or not braided lines are worth the trouble.
To Braid or Not to Braid?
People like braided lines because, despite having a small diameter, the synthetic materials give them great strength in comparison to the monofilament fishing lines.
Also, they have less stretch, which helps increase the lines sensitivity and makes casting much easier. If properly maintained, braided lines can have a remarkably long life on the reel.
However, there are some disadvantages to using braided lines. As we mentioned before, they are sturdy, which isn’t much of a help if your hook gets snagged. The sturdiness makes it harder to cut the line and get rid of the caught hook.
Like most new technologies, braided lines are also quite expensive. Don’t let that turn you off though, as they do last longer so still have good “bang for buck.”
What Makes a Good Braided Line Knot?
In order to determine the best knots to use with braided lines, we need to define what makes a good and bad knot.
Simply put, a bad knot is any knot that unravels or slips under heavy tension or weight. On the other hand, a good knot is a knot that does not unravel and will break before it slips.
What are the best braided line knots?
Clinch Knot – The Knot Not to Tie
The clinch knot is one of the easiest and strongest knot to use. Also known as the fisherman’s knot, is the first knot a new angler is taught.
Unfortunately, it’s actually one of the knots that does not work for a braided line. With a hefty pull, the knot almost immediately comes undone, which is why it cannot be used.
Palomar Knot
You can use the palomar knot for both braided and monofilament lines. This is a pretty standard knot for fishing, so if you’re an experienced fisherman, it’s probably already in your arsenal. It’s one of the strongest knots and is applicable to many fishing situations.
How to Tie a Palomar Knot
First, double roughly six inches of line. Thereafter, pass it through the hook’s eye.
Let the hook hang loose and then tie an overhand knot in the line you’ve doubled. Beware not to twist the lines.
Next, pull down the end of the loop, allowing it to pass over the hook.
Finally, pull both ends in order to draw up the knot, then trim any excess line.
Uni Knot – the best braided line knot
Another popular knot to use for both braided and mono lines is the uni knot. It’s quick, easy, and similar to the clinch knot. However, unlike the clinch knot, it doesn’t slip as easily. This is one of the best braided line knots that you can learn.
How to Tie a Uni Knot
First, run the line through the eye of the hook and pull until the line has doubled back and is in a parallel position to the standing line.
Make a loop by laying the tag over the doubled line. Thereafter, make six turns with the tag end around the double line, and then through the loop.
Finally, pull the tag end to make the turns snug and slide the knot down to the eye.
Double Uni Knot
The double uni is similar to the uni knot, but you will simply double the line. It’s a good choice for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
How to Tie a Double Uni Knot
Grab a couple of lines, then overlap their ends to be joined together.
Next, from the left-hand side, you want to take the end of the line and double back, making four wraps around each line
From there, push it through the loop you’ve made and then pull the tag end to tighten.
Repeat the previous steps with the other line. Make sure that the number of wraps is double what was used in the last step.
Finally, you want to pull each of the standing lines in their opposite directions.
San Diego Jam Knot
This is a knot that’s extremely effective but also difficult to master without a lot of practice. It’s one of the more time-consuming options when it comes to knots that can be used for braided lines.
How to Tie a San Diego Jam Knot
First, pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook and hold the hook in place using your pinkie and palm.
Next, loop the end over your index finger and wrap it around the line 7 times until you reach the eye of the hook.
Then, feed the tag through the lines of the last wrap. Bring the tag back towards the loop (that has been made by your index finger).
Finally, grab the line, run it through the loop, remove your finger, and then pull the tag tightly. Slide the knot to the eye of the hook and cut the excess line.
FG Knot
The FG knot (fine grip knot) is actually a series of knots. It’s an extremely thin knot that also has a high break strength.
This know is not easy to tie and a poorly executed FG knot will fail when put under pressure. Once you get the hang of the FG knot, it’s a great knot to know and use.
How to Tie an FG Knot
First, wrap the line around your pinky a few times to keep tension in the line as you complete the following steps.
Then, while maintaining the tension, place a lead on the braid and wrap it over and around the braid until you have made approximately 20 wraps.
After making the wraps, tie two half-hitch knots. This should keep your coil in place.
To finish, apply tension to the knot so that the braid can be allowed to dig into the leader and cut the tags at the end of the leader.
Best Braided Lines Today
With so many options available, choosing the right braided line for your fishing experience can be quite challenging. That said, below we cover the two of our favourite braided lines options that we’ve come across.
Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided Fishing Line
This line uses “Enhanced Body Technology,” which makes it rounder, smoother, and more sensitive than other braided lines.
This line also has an extremely impressive casting distance. It’s very durable, and so you won’t need to change it often.
It comes in a variety of colours. One of these is hi-vis, which enables you to see the line move in murky water in response to smaller bites that otherwise might have gone unnoticed.
The Power Pro Spectra line can be used when targeting a large variety of fish and fishing conditions.
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
This braided line is a more cost-effective option, for those of you who want the advantages of a braided line without a hefty price tag.
One of the things we like about this line is that it comes in a range of colours. This helps the line to be camouflaged. It is also available from 10 to 150 pounds tests. This line is very sensitive and has an excellent strength-to-diameter ratio.
The KastKing SuperPower has the added benefit of never suffering from line memory. Line memory occurs when a line sits on a coil too long and develops curls. This reduces the casting distance and increases the number of tangles the line is susceptible to.
In Conclusion… Which are the best braided line knots?
In summary, using a braided line has many advantages. They’re sturdy, durable, and can be used for larger fish.
However, it’s not possible to use all of the same knots used for a monofilament line, especially the clinch knot. It is good to know which are the best braided line knots to use for the type of fishing you are doing.
Some of the best knots to use are the palomar knot, uni knot, double uni knot, FG knot, and San Diego jam knot. Finding the best knot to use comes down to the application, as well as your skill level. Master just two of these knots and you will be fine.
The knots we mentioned here do require a lot of practice to be mastered. If it’s your first time using any of these knots, we recommend that you spend some time practicing at home before going on your fishing expedition.
The best way to do this is to practice on some rope at home. The bigger diameter will help you mast the knot, then you can take this skill over to your fishing line.