How to Tie a Palomar Knot

beginner

Tying a hook or swivel directly to your main line or leader

Reach for the Palomar over the improved clinch whenever the hook or swivel eye is large enough for a doubled loop to pass through cleanly. It tests stronger in most line-strength comparisons and, once you've tied it a few dozen times, it's faster to tie in the dark or with cold hands than a clinch knot's multiple wraps.

Steps

1. 1.Double about 6in of line and pass the loop through the hook eye.
2. 2.Tie an overhand knot with the doubled line, leaving the hook hanging loose, don't tighten yet.
3. 3.Pass the loop over the entire hook and pull to slide the loop down over the top.
4. 4.Wet the knot and pull both the tag end and standing line to cinch it down tight against the eye, then trim the tag.

Common Mistakes

• •Twisting the doubled line instead of keeping the two strands flat and parallel through the overhand knot, a twisted pair loses strength
• •Tightening the overhand knot before passing the loop over the hook, once it's cinched you can't get the loop over the point anymore
• •Skipping the wet-line step before the final pull, dry nylon or fluoro heats up from friction and can lose 10-20% of its rated strength right at the knot
• •Trimming the tag flush against the knot, leave roughly 1/8in so the knot can't slip under a hard hookset