What are your guys favorite, most reliable knots to use?

I keep it simple ... Improved clinch knot for all lures/hooks. Blood knot for any line to line connections. Works for me. Palomar knot is very popular also. With any knot, it's important to tie it correctly. I have had bad luck with palomar knots but I thin it's because I don't know how to cinch it just right.

Is the improved cinch knot the same as a trilene knot, if not where can I get instructions on how to tie it? thanks

No, trilene knot is something else. I didn't like the trilene knot at all. Just search google.com for "Improved Clinch Knot" I'm sure you can find some diagrams.

Depending on what mood I'm in I'll either tie a san diego knot or an improved clinch knot. I like the san diego knot because it's sort of like a clinch knot, but it doesn't seem to give as much when you pull on it. It's just solid. For line to line connections, I have had the worst luck with the blood knot no matter how perfectly I try to tie it, so I use uni to uni. I've done much better with that one.
-Brian

I use the Trilene knoe on line smaller than 14lb. and the Palomar on 17# and up. I once tied a Trilene knot with 30# Maxima and the knot did more slipping than I thought it should, so nothing but the Palomar for trout lures for me.

I prefer the improved cinch knot when fishing for smaller varieties of fish or when I'm in a hurry.

For the larger models I would recommend the san diego knot. The san diego knot is the best knot in my oppinion but does require a bit more time and effort to get right.

For line to line connections I use a blood knot primarily but at times use a double surgens knot.

Here are a couple links to fishing knot sites:

http://www.fish4fun.com/knots.htm
http://www.ao.net/~nautbob/fishknot.html
http://www.marinews.com/fishing/fk_main.htm

Dave(Outrage)

pick up a copy of the california tide tables at your local bait and tackle. it usually has a page dedicated to knots in the back.also
berkely trilene spool packages have a sheet of paper with knot diagrams inside. Kmart carries a line of fishing info sheets (laminated plastic) that includes assorted knots.
good luck,dbajimbo

i use to use the clinch knot, had some bad luck with it, I love the palomr knot, 95% of the time thats what I use

Line to hook- Improved clinch knot
Line to line- Blood knot
I've done good with these knots and rarley break off a fish. When I get snagged and have to break off, the break never seems to be at the knot. I always wet the knot with saliva before I pull it tight. I think it reduces friction.

I agree that the San Diego knot is best for hooks, swivels. But... it's all in how ya hold the hook & line. I first learned the SD in the 70's but abandoned it because it seemed complicated. JK on the Vagabond showed us how to tie it. He held the hook & loops a little differently than I was originally taught. With a little practice it is quick & easy. It's all I use now.

Most reliable line splice would be to double both lines (Bimini or Aussie braid) and uni to uni. Blood knot is more compact. Lately I've been experimenting with the Bristol knot on lighter lines. I'll get back to ya... :)

Fishslayer

I use the improved cinch knot for line to hook and hardly ever break there.
I use tap water to reduce line weakening from the friction of tightening the knot.
I apply a very small amount of superglue to the knot.

I always use scent (Calico Cocktail, Procure, Smelly Jelly, etc.), so I am not worried about odor from the superglue.

NEVER use superglue on fluorocarbon line. For that matter don't use flourocarbon line unless it is 100% fluorocarbon.

In my opinion, the palomar knot is by far the strongest and most reliable of all the knots. You can see, though, that everybody has their own opinions based on their own trials and experience. So, you should probably take all these suggestions into thought and basically go out, tie a few knots and see which ones work for you. BUT..!! If I were you ( and you're probably very lucky I'm not.. Ha, Ha. ) I would probably tie an improved cinch knot for trout or panfish and a Palomar for the big bass plugs or saltwater excursions. But, that's JMO.

GO BRUINS....GO RAMS....GO FISHING....!!!!

When fishing for bass, to quickly change from one lure to the other i have tied a loop at the end of my line, i pass this loop through the hole of the lure and then over the lure and pull tight. If i need to put on another lure i just have to pull the line back over the lure and pull the line out and put the next lure on.
Is this advisable or should you always tie a knot and then when you want to change the lure, cut the lure off and tie the next lure on with a knot. Waste alot of line?

It is my all-time favourite knot which I use for all purposes in all my fishing, whether I am using braid, mono or fluorocarbon. This versatile, easy to tie and strong knot can also be tied with a double line for strength that must be experienced to be believed. I have used this knot system ever since reading about it in a 1972 copy of a "Field and Stream" Fishing Annual.

For more on this and other knots with diagrams showing how to tie them, go to http://www.landbigfish.com/knots/default.cfm.

Have you guys heard of the "Alberto" (or modified Albright Knot)? This knot is not only easy to tie, but excellent for joining different diameter leaders to mono and/or leader-to-braid line connections. Braid is becoming very popular with a lot of anglers, also trophy Bassers who use braid (spectra fibre, such as Tuff Line Plus or Berkley Whiplash) with a fluorocarbon (Seaguar) or mono leader. Go to www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml to find out more and to see how to tie this knot step-by-step.

Check out the knot on this thread. MUCH quicker & simpler than the uni knot! :7

http://www.floridasportsman.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/005804.html

Fishslayer