Best Knots for Braid: Knots You Can Rely on for Every Situation

The unique characteristics of braided line make it the preferred choice for thousands of anglers, in freshwater and saltwater.

You can fit a lot braid onto a reel. They are extremely strong for their diameter. This allows you to increase the test of your line while still spooling the same length, or decrease the length drastically while using the same test in mono or fluorocarbon. Sometimes, you can do both.

Braid also retains very little or no memory and is extremely limp. It casts beautifully, especially in heavy tests when mono and fluorocarbon begin to become stiffened and coil.

It has almost no stretch which allows for definitive hooksets, even with a lot of line between your fish and you. This lack of stretch provides unbeatable sensitivity. In conjunction with small guides, your Senko will feel every twitch.

The bottom line is that braid fans are on the right track.

Braid has been discussed before. We have analysed its advantages and drawbacks using science and facts rather than myths and advertising. You can read more about it in our article:

The Best Fishing Lines with Braided Tie: More Strength, Longer Casts, and Sensitivity

Braid is prone to slipping when it comes down to knots. We’ve already noted that braid has a tendency to be weak when it comes to knots.TestedThe braid strength is approximately49 percentThis means that braids 40 pounds in weight will fail to knot when they are loaded with 20 pounds of material.

This is far less impressive than monocarbon or fluorocarbon compared head-to-head. The reason may surprise you.

Why are Braid Form Weak Knots

A combination of materials and construction is the secret to braid’s extraordinary strength.

Braid can be woven from Dyneema and Spectra fibers. These ultra-strong materials are simply superior to nylon and fluorocarbon in terms of load bearing.

They are incredibly smooth, with what engineers and scientists call a low coefficient of friction. This means they don’t bite too hard against themselves, which can be a problem when thinking about knots.

Knots are held by friction and pressure. The lower the coefficient of friction, the more load the knot can withstand before it slips.

This issue can be overcome by designing or improving knots to increase pressure. Typically, this is done by adding loops or turns.

The good news is that you can find plenty of braid-ready, ready-to-use knots for every application.

The Best Braid Knots

The San Diego Jam Knot: Best Snug Knot to Braid to Big Lure Connection

The San Diego Jam braid is a great choice. It combines the following strengths:

• Strong –It is not possible to find braid-to-lure connections capable of providing 100% of your line’s test strength. The San Diego Jam pulls 95% of the time, which is just amazing.
• Quick –Although it is not as fast as the Modified Uni’s, the San Diego Jam can still be tied in seconds. This allows you to go back to fishing when you have the time.
• Simple –The San Diego Jam is a simple tie that combines speed and simplicity.

1. You can pass your line through the hook’s eye, and you will have plenty of tag end.
2. Grab the main lines and tag about 4 inches away from your lure. Then, turn the tag end toward the eye.
3. Wrap the tag end around the lines 5-7 times and run back towards the eye.
4. Pass the end of the tag through the loop closest the eye.
5. Next, pass the tag end through the loop that you have been holding.
6. You will need to wet the knot and secure it with a cinch.
7. Trimm the tag at the end.

The Improved Palomar Knot — Strongest Braid to Hook Knot

As a way of connecting a hook and braid, the Improved Palomar Knot is unrivaled.

This knot is designed to exert incredible pressure so you know it won’t let go. This knot is not only why we love it.

• StrongA good knot is more than strength. The Palomar is a great example of this.It will, however,All line types are acceptedIt is extremely versatile. It’s almost impossible to “pull out” because of its versatility. This makes it the best choice for bare hooks or swivels who are going to be subject to extreme strain.
• Easy-to-tie –Poorly tied knots are weak. Even though the Bimini Twist is stronger than others, they can be much more difficult to tie. The beauty of Palomar is its simplicity and difficulty.
• Quick –Have you ever needed to retire your line while the action was on? It felt like every second was an eternity.

Palomar is all about a strong, fast, and easy to tie knot.

1. Double-over your line, and then pass it through the eye. Double-over 6-8 inches of your line to ensure that the loop is long enough to pass over any lure, swivel or hook.
   *To tie the Improved palomar for braid, wrap your eye twice with the doubled line and continue as normal.
2. Doubled Tag End: Bring it back to the main.
3. Simply tie a simple overhand by passing the doubled tag through the doubled main.
4. Pass the doubled tag line above the whole lure or hook.
5. You can wet your knot and then gently tie it.

Make sure your lines are parallel. They shouldn’t cross each other!

The Kreh, or Non-Slip Loop Knot — Best Loop Knot For Lures

You want to get the best from your lures. A connection that allows them to move but still holds like a gorilla is essential. This application is ideal for the Kreh knot, which creates a nonslip loop that allows your lures to show off their talents.

The following are reasons we recommend the Kreh Knot:

• Amazing actionThe Kreh knot makes a loop that will not slip and allows your lure to breathe. This allows expensive crankbaits, torpedos, and jerkbaits to really jibe, increasing vibration and improving action.
• Strong –You won’t be able to chase 100% knots using fluorocarbon. The Kreh will give you 83% of the line’s test strength. That’s plenty.
• Quick –It’s possible to be strong and take forever to tie a knot until you feel the pressure. I prefer knots I can tie in the heat, right now, as that is when you will need to tie another one 9 out of 10.
• Simple –The Kreh loop knot is a simple, fast and easy to tie.

1. Tie a simple loop overhand at six to seven inches from your tag line.
2. Reduce it a little, but leave plenty of space.
3. The tag end should be run through the eye of the lure.
4. Then, run the tag end through the loop in the overhand.It should be on the same side as it left the overhand tie. This is crucial!
5. You can use most of the slack at the tag end to pull the overhand knot tighter.But don’t tighten it!
6. You will need to hold the tag end and overhand knot between your thumb and finger. Loop the tag end around 5 times.
7. Return the tag end through the loop in the overhand.Keep the same orientation as before This is crucial!
8. Get married.
9. Pull the tag and stand ends together to secure it.

The Bimini Twist Knot is the Strongest Knot For Saltwater Trolling

You need a strong connection between braid and leader when you are trolling for large tuna, tough-fighting marlin or heart-stopping mako. Many of the best options will require a looped mainline.

The Bimini Twist is the best way to create that loop, and I don’t know any pelagic anglers who wouldn’t love this knot for it’s unyielding integrity.

• StrengthThe Bimini Twist distributes loads over a large area and has a doubled mainline. It is almost unbelieveable how strong it is. It has been tested to 100% of its test strength when tied in undamaged braid.

1. 20-30 times.You should aim for at least 6 inches of loop. Some anglers prefer 6 feet or more.
2. Keep the twists in place.Your feetTurn the loop around and pull it up to the outside of your knees. This will allow to properly tension the knot.
3. Spread the mainlines and tag to make the twists more pronounced
4. Gently spread your knees to increase tension and feed the tag end over the twists. The twists should be wrapped in a second layer.
5. Secure these wraps once your tag ends reach the bottom by attaching them with a simple half-hitch to one end of the loop.
6. Attach a second half-hitch to the opposite leg.
7. To make the loop narrower, remove one leg.
8. Attach a third half-hitch to both legs.
9. Tie aModified half-hitchPass the tag end through the hitch and wrap it around both legsThree times.
10. Trimm the tag at the end.

The Double-Uni – A Strong, Fast and Easy Knot for Leader Connection

The Uni knot is well-known for its versatility in angling. It has gained a reputation for being strong and easy to tie.

The Double Uni knot is a great choice for connecting braids to leaders.

It is why we love it.

• StrongThe Double Uni is strong and can withstand sudden shock when tied properly. This is a great feature for fishing braided lines, since it doesn’t give much when fish make sudden surges.
• Simple –The Double Uni is much easier than the excellent FG. It’s easy to tie and learn. You will be proficient in no time at all with just a few practice sessions
• Quick –The Double Uni is the best choice for braid-to-leader connections when you want to be back in action quickly.
• Tolerating diameters that are not the sameFor most knots, mainline to leader must have the same diameter lines in order to be held. Braid is a difficult task. Typically, your mainline is larger than your leader. The good news? The Double Uni doesn’t care!

The “right-hand knot”:

1. You can make a simple loop on each of the lines you want to join. Give yourself enough tag lines.
2. Make a loop, and then bring the tag end back along the main and tag lines.
3. Wrap the tag end around the main lines and tag at least five to seven more times.
4. Get married!
5. To get the knot in shape, gently tug at it.But don’t tighten it.

The ‘left-hand tie’:

1. Make a loop on the other line, and then bring the tag end back along the main and tag lines.
2. Wrap the tag end around the main lines and tag at least five to seven more times.
3. Get married!
4. To get the knot in shape, gently tug at it.But don’t tighten it.
5. Secure both knots. They will move towards each other and then join in the middle.
6. If necessary, trim the ends of the tag.