3 Knots to Know for Braided Fishing Line

If a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, fishing lines are only as strong as their knots. In particular, modern braided lines pose challenges.

Made of polyethylene microfibers, some wear factory coatings that make them more prone to slippage, so tying a good knot is critical to staying buttoned to fish.

It might be said that everything old is new again in relation to fishing knots. Most of those associated with braided lines nowadays improve upon the knots used back in the glory days of Dacron polyester or braided nylon brands such as JC Higgins or Berkley Medallion.

That’s why many modern knots for braid include the word "improved" or "double" in their names.

The following steps detail how to tie three specialized knots for braid. Learn them so baits—and fish—stay on your line.

CRAZY ALBERTO KNOT

Applications: Connecting braided line to a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader; connecting a tippet to a leader. How it's tied:

1. Loop about 6 to 8 inches of leader material. Holding it in one hand, take a length of the braided main line and pass the end through the leader’s loop about 6 to 8 inches.
2. Wrap the braid around the leader 6 to 8 turns.
3. Reverse-wrap the braid back toward the starting point with a crisscross diagonal wrap toward the leader loop. Use your off-hand fingers to help control the wrap so that the lines stay pinched together.
4. Finish by passing the tag end through the loop at the end, lubricating the knot with saliva, drawing tight and then trimming off the braided main line and leader tag ends.

Bottom Line: Many anglers prefer to use a short length of fluorocarbon or monofilament leader with braid when fishing clear water. This knot is a good choice because of its small size but takes some practice to tie while on the water.

IMPROVED SAN DIEGO JAM KNOT

Application: Quickly tying on lures. How it's tied:

1. Double the line and pass it through the eye of the lure or hook. There should be about 6 inches of loop.
2. Drape the loop over the index finger of the off-hand. Hold the loop with the other hand and twirl or turn it around itself for 4 to 6 wraps.
3. Pass the end of the loop through the small loop made with the index finger of the off-hand.
4. Use saliva to lubricate the braided line, tighten and trim excess.

Bottom Line: Despite being simple to tie, this knot is rated among the strongest of all the braid-specific knots used to rig up a lure.

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BERKLEY BRAID KNOT

Applications: This knot is particularly well-suited for the most adverse of fishing environments such as thick mats and woody cover for bass. How it's tied:

1. Hold the hook bend-up and pointed toward the tier.
2. Double up the line and pass it through the eye of the lure or hook so a loop of about 6 inches is formed.
3. Starting up the line, make about 8 to 10 wraps with the loop around the main line. Finish by passing the end of the doubled line through the loop made at the hook eye.
4. Use saliva to lubricate the braided line, tighten and trim excess.

Bottom Line: Strength tests have shown the Berkley Braid Knot to be one of the strongest braid knots of all.