Palomar Knot
Double the line, pass the loop through the hook eye, tie a loose overhand with it, then pass the loop over the entire hook and snug down. Doubled line all the way through.
How to tie the Palomar Knot
- Double a section of line to form a bight and pass that doubled section through the hook or swivel eye. If the eye is too small, pass the single end through and then back through to create the bight.
- Tie a loose Overhand Knot with the doubled line, keeping the hook or swivel below the knot.
- Pass the entire hook, lure, or swivel through the large bight.
- Slide the bight fully over the object so it surrounds the standing line and tag end above the eye.
- Moisten as appropriate, pull the standing line and tag end together to seat the knot against the eye, and trim only after inspection.
How to inspect it
The doubled line should pass cleanly through the eye, and the bight should lie above the eye after surrounding the entire terminal object. No strand should cross or nick another where the knot seats.
Common mistakes
Twisting the doubled line, allowing strands to cross in the eye, or failing to pass the entire lure through the bight can prevent the knot from seating correctly. Large lures can also make the tying process impractical.
Rope and material notes
The Palomar is commonly used with monofilament and many braided lines, but eye size, line stiffness, and doubled-line bulk affect the result. Check the recommendations for the specific line, hook, and application.
Safety note: These steps support practice and recognition. Climbing, rescue, lifting, towing, and other critical systems require qualified instruction and equipment-specific procedures.
Which knot should you choose?
Choose the Palomar when the doubled line fits through the eye and the terminal object can pass through the bight. Choose the Improved Clinch, Trilene, or another manufacturer-recommended knot when the lure is too large or the eye cannot accept doubled line.
Why it earns its place
Regularly tests as one of the strongest terminal knots there is, and it's one of the few that truly holds on slippery braided line. Simple enough to tie in the dark.
Where it fails
The loop must clear the whole hook or lure — awkward with big crankbaits. Keep the doubled strands parallel as you tighten; crossed strands cut into each other.
Quick facts
| Type | Terminal knot |
| Line | Braid, mono, fluoro |
| Strength | ~95%+ when dressed |
| Best for | Hooks and jigs, especially braid |
External reference
KnotStyle provides the selection advice, written practice sequence, inspection points, and cautions above. Use this independent animation as an additional visual reference.
View external animation ↗Source and editorial notes
Reference: Animated Knots by Grog: Palomar Knot. Source checked 2026-09-30. Selection advice and difficulty ratings are editorial judgments, not strength tests. How this guide is prepared.