Palomar Knot: How to Tie It, Step by Step
The Palomar is the strongest easy knot for tying a hook, lure or swivel. Four steps, about 90% line strength, and it works on mono, fluoro and braid.
The Palomar knot is a terminal knot: it ties your line to a hook, lure, swivel or snap. It is one of the strongest knots an angler can learn, it takes four steps, and it keeps around 90% of the line's breaking strain when it is tied and seated well. If you only learn one hook knot, make it this one.
When to use the Palomar knot
Hooks, lures, jigs and swivels on the main line or a leader.
Braided line. Braid is slippery and cuts into itself; the Palomar's doubled line grips it better than a Clinch.
Drop-shot rigs. Leave a long tag end and tie the weight to it, so the hook stands off the line.
Pick another knot when the lure is very large (a long plug or a big jig has to pass through the loop) or when you need a loop for lure action — use a non-slip loop knot instead.
Lines it suits
Line | Palomar? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Monofilament | Yes | Wet it before seating. |
Fluorocarbon | Yes | Seat slowly; fluoro is stiff and can kink. |
Braid | Yes, best choice | Add an extra pass through the eye for very thin braid. |
How to tie a Palomar knot
Double the line. Fold about 15 cm (6 in) of line into a loop and push the loop through the hook eye. On a small eye, pass the line through once, then back again.
Tie an overhand knot. Using the doubled line, tie a loose overhand knot with the hook hanging below it. Do not twist the two strands around each other.
Pass the hook through the loop. Bring the end of the loop over the hook (or lure) so the whole hook goes through it.
Wet and seat. Moisten the knot, then pull the standing line and the tag end together so the loop slides above the eye. Trim the tag to about 3 mm.
Common mistakes
Twisted strands. If the two lines cross inside the eye, the knot loses strength. Keep them parallel.
Dry seating. Friction heat weakens mono and fluoro. Always wet the knot first.
Loop too short. With a short loop you cannot pass a lure through it. Start with more line than you think you need.
Tag trimmed flush. Leave a little tag so the knot cannot slip as it tightens under load.
Palomar vs Clinch knot
The Palomar is usually stronger and better on braid. The Clinch knot is faster to tie with big lures because nothing has to pass through a loop. On mono and fluoro both are fine; on braid, choose the Palomar.
Next knots to learn
Uni knot — one knot for hooks, loops and line-to-line joins.
Double uni knot — join braid to a mono or fluoro leader.
The strongest fishing knots — how the common knots compare.
All knot guides live on the fishing knots page.
