Ok so I have been basically the same cinch knot that my dad taught me since I was six years old. I have recently found a spot of mine to have some really clear water due to some of the recent rains here in Austin. The clear water has let me see that there is not only two or three big LMB in this spot, but more like 25 big fish, with a group of two or three pushing 24" and the 10 lb mark. I am using Orvis floro 12lb tippet, because the clarity of the the water makes the line really visible. I got one of the big girls to take yesterday, and after a few headshakes and a power run I was left with a leader and a swiftly beating heart. So anyway's what is your preferred knot for big fish on lighter lines? I also think I might be going back with heavier rods this time as both the 2&5wt's have been abused by these fish over the last couple months, but in the end the knot has always been the point of failure.

Thanks,

Derik

San Diego jam knot is the best knot for flouro in my opinion. I switched to it after I was having knot breakage issues when I started using flouro. After several years of using this knot I have no complaints.

San Diego Jam Knot

Hey thanks for that, I am going to give it a shot. I think this may be the answer to my paradox though: "One thing I have learned when tying knots with fluorocarbon is to slowly tighten up the knot. If you tighten the knot to quickly the fluorocarbon will heat up and make your knots very weak". You took me out of a befuddled darkness with that short two sentences. I just need to slow down and make sure the flouro is slick as, well you know.

I like the what Lefty Kreh calls the "Trilene Knot." Twice thru the hook eye, five times around the main line, then back thru both loops just in front of the eye. It's supposed to be 100% knot strength.

That San Diego Jam Knot is a good knot.

That�s a very good knot - been around for years - first time ever heard it called it San Diego Jam Knot

Easier way to tie than shown on video - loop tag end around left hand forefinger and after making turns around standing line, thread tag end through loop made by finger.
Hope that makes sense..

For a good, simple 100% knot, use the Palomar, but it uses quite a bit of tippet in the process.

The Double Davy is very functional and makes no waste.

Both are easy and can be Googled and will not let you down.

Bill

Try the Davy knot, simple- but strong

If you go to google you can look up "grog knots" the website should be something like animatedknots.com or close to it. It has a variety of knots and many many ( no that's not a typo) uses!

Well the San Diego Jam knot is what I went with due to what I was already using. It held, but the fish (or turtle) lip didnt. I hooked into something big enough that I couldn't get it to surface with an eight weight. Thats my problem though. Thanks guys.

Yea the Palomar knot is probably the best for maintaining strength of line class you are using. The only problem is when using it with floro you have to make certain that the line going thru the eye twice is side by side not crossed. If it crosses might as well cut it and start over because floro cuts its self. And no matter the knot you use with floro use a lot of spit to tighten it up.

I fished with Derek up in Taos and learned this knot, easy on the eyes and cold hands:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vELpoiNAHr0&list=FL2E36d79uK9jzwUVKXlhYgQ&index=9

Thanks RTC29! That's one of those that's almost too simple. I'll have to try it.

I generally only need a couple of knots: Non-slip loop knot, improved clinch, double surgon's, needle knot, and palomar.
That's all I really need for any flyfishing situation.

Jimbo