How to Tie the Palomar Knot

Fisherman Bible · 2026-10-06

Double about 6 inches of line through the hook eye, tie a loose overhand knot in that doubled section, pass the hook through the open loop, wet the knot, and pull both ends tight. The Palomar knot tests at 95 to near-100 percent of line strength and takes under 20 seconds once you know the motion. It is a great, simple connection for everyday fishing.

What you need

Fishing line
Hook or swivel

Steps

Feed roughly 6 inches of line through the hook eye to create a clean, doubled loop.
Wrap the doubled line around itself to form a loose overhand knot, keeping the loop fully open.
Slide the entire hook or lure barrel through the open loop.
Moisten the knot to cut down on friction, then pull both line ends firmly to seat it.
Snip the excess line close to the knot once it is fully tightened.

Why it works

Strength and reliability

This knot retains almost 100 percent of the original line strength, which makes it a solid choice for heavy pulls. It is also almost impossible to get loose and offers a non-jamming release.

Versatility on the water

People who do this say it works great across tackle for drop shot rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and species ranging from bass to tuna. It handles braided backing to swivels nicely as well.

Mixed source notes

Some research highlights its use on braid, while other notes point to strong results on mono and fluorocarbon when wetted and seated correctly. The sources are mixed on backing applications, but the concrete reason is clear: proper wetting and seating make it reliable across line types.