Which knot for braid?

Braid has many strengths: it is thin, strong and barely stretches, which gives direct contact and feel. It is also slipperier than monofilament, and that puts a demand on the knot. A knot that holds perfectly on nylon can slip and let go on braid, so the choice of knot matters extra here. Luckily it is enough to know a couple of the right ones.

Best to hook and swivel

To hook, lure and swivel the palomar knot is first choice on braid. It is strong, simple to tie and known for gripping braid well, because the line is doubled through the knot. The uni knot is at least as good, and has the advantage that it is the same knot you can use on every line type. Add an extra turn compared with how you tie it on nylon, and it sits even safer.

Join braid to a leader

Many fish braid as the main line and a short fluorocarbon leader next to the lure, to get both feel and invisibility. To join the two you most simply use a double uni (uni to uni): a uni knot with each line end around the other line, which you then draw together. It is easy to learn and fully strong enough for put and take. If you want the slimmest possible join there is the FG knot, but it is more advanced and seldom necessary here.

Avoid the usual mistakes

Two things sink most braid knots. The first is not wetting, which is even more important on braid because it burns easily. The second is tightening too fast or with a jerk, so the turns do not seat and the knot slips. Tighten slowly and evenly, and always check the knot with a firm pull before you start fishing. If it holds the test pull it holds the fish.

The right line for the fishing

Which line you choose also affects the knot, and braid does not suit every fishing equally well. More on the differences between braid, nylon and fluorocarbon is under lines and leaders, and an overview of every knot you need under all fishing knots.