best knot

Question
What knot do you use for braided line?

Answer
ken, I use braided line on two of my rods and reels and I also use a single snap (not swivel) except when using plastic worms and other soft plastics rigged Texas style. The knot I prefer because if tied correctly it will not slip, is the six turn improved clinch.  It is fairly easy to tie and has never failed for me.  To tie this know put the end of the line through the eye of the hook or snap then take that end around the standing part of the line six turns then push the end through the loop at the eye of the hook or snap then back through the loop made by this end making certain that as you pull the knot tight the end does not come back out of the loop.  Pull on both the main line and the end carefully pulling the knot tight.  Clip off any end left to about one eighth of an inch of the eye.
A knot that I like for tying a worm hook on either at the end or on a drop shot rig I like the polymer knot.  Make a loop in the line either at the end or up the line for drop shot.  Push the loop through the hook eye then taking that loop around the main line then push the hook through the loop and pull both ends tight.  This is a strong knot and will not slip if tied correctly and pulled tight.  

I find these two knots the most useful for braided line.  If you use a nylon or some other leader use either of these knots on the leader.   For tying the leader to the main braided line I think the knot sometimes called the blood or barrel knot is good.  Take six turns of the leader around the braided line then take six turns of the braid around the leader now push each of the two ends through the loop made by the six turns with the ends coming out in opposite directions. Pull the leader and the braid slowly making sure the ends do not come out of their loops.  Once tight cut the ends off leaving as little of each as  possible.  Make sure the knot is pulled tight before cutting off the ends or the end of one may slip out and the knot will collapse.

I hope you get a picture from my description of how to tie these knots.  If you cannot follow the directions above find a book of knots and follow the directions. If you practice these three knots so that you can tie them in the dark they will handle almost any situation you will likely find in fresh water fishing.  Salt water fishing takes some special knots for different fish etc. I am not up on this because I do little salt water fishing any more.

Thank you for calling on me to answer your question.  I hope it was helpful.

Jack L. Gaither         (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia.