Re: April 99 edition of Sport Fishing magazine - They tested knots for (4) different applications - terminal, double-line, line-to-leader, & line-to-line using 8# & 50# Ande Tournament line. The line strength was assumed as 100% and the breaking strength listed is the percentage of the line rating. For more info, comments, and a listing of good knot books - check out this issue.
KNOT TEST BREAKING STRENGTH
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* * TERMINAL KNOTS * *
Doubled Uni 8 100%
50 80
Uni 8 87
50 85.7
Doubled Improved Clinch 8 98.7
50 89.6
Improved Clinch 8 87
50 79.3
Loop 8 94.8
50 84
Palomar 8 89.6
50 81.6
Clinch (5 turns) 8 63.6
50 80.9
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* * DOUBLE LINES * *
Bimini Twist 8 100%
50 97.3
Spider Hitch 8 94.8
50 90.1
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* * LINE TO LEADER * *
Albright 8 98.7%
50 72.7
Surgeon's 8 92.2
50 71.7
Uni 8 84.4
50 66.5
Yucatan, tested @ 30# line to 80# leader 91.9
==============================================
* * LINE TO LINE * *
Doubled Blood 8 97.4%
Blood 8 80.5
50 68.8
Uni 8 67.5
50 69.6
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My experience: I've been using improved clinched for lines < 20# & Palomar knots for lines > 20# test, all well tied & liberally spit on for lubrication. Never had any breakoffs I'd blame on the knot . . . but based on their tests, I'm going to learn the doubled Uni-Knot & tie the double imp clinch until I learn the fancy Uni-knot.
FWIW I've been using a Bowline in flourocarbon for loop knots and haven't had one fail or break that I can attribute to a poor knot. I plan on testing it using a calibrated scale I have at work.
What's the opinion of the Reel-Time crew? What's your time-tested knot?