I have been reading these posts and wondering why we are so concerned with "knot strength" for crappie fishing? Most of our target fish are under 2lbs and they don't "fight" like a Redfish, Snook, Trout, etc. I am far more concerned when fishing for hard fighting, heavy fish in deep cover. But I can honestly say I have never had a crappie break my line or a knot slip when crappie fishing. Now I had a real nice muskie swim away with a 20.00 crank bait still in his mouth a few years ago when my knot slipped. I switched knots on the spot. IMHO any knot will work for catching crappie as far as strength is concerned but some work better for different presentations(i.e. loops for jigs). What are y'all's thoughts on it? Am I off base or do we sometimes over think our great passion?
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I don't think I've ever had a knot break in freshwater, but I've always used the palomar knot. I also use lighter line than most people...I caught my 10 1/2 bass on 6 pound test. Just don't like big heavy stuff. I used to not pay any attention to it but after getting into surf/salt water fishing I pay more attention to it. There's tons of knots used from tying leaders, line to hook/lure, your main line to a 10+ foot shock leader (heavy mono), ect.
I worry more about my $1 jigs in the brush more than the fish, but then again thats when a 4lb fish would break me off
Last edited by fishing buddy; 03-13-2008 at 08:25 PM.
I want a strong knot so that I can straighten out a gold jig hook when needed. I use braid for most of my jigging poles, but when slip-bobbering, I prefer the slick mono. When I get hung up, I want a slow steady pull to straighten out the hook so I can re-bend it and get back into action. Plus- the type of knot can play a role in keeping your jig horzontal and not vertical.
It doesn't matter whether I am jig or shiner fishing... I use the loop knot almost exclusively for Crappie fishing and have never had an issue with the know breaking or coming undone, and I use 4# almost exclusively as well.
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I don't think it's as much about a fish breaking my knot as it is me breaking my knot. I can't remember a fish ever doing that, but if I'm using a 100% knot compared to a 50% knot, and I get hung up in brush, then I know why I stay away from the weaker knots.
Last edited by Guy Skinner; 03-14-2008 at 06:15 AM.
I just use the palomar knot. It has served my needs for 62 years and counting.
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For crappie fishing, knot strength is important to me for the same reason TwainGang brought up. I hate leaving my tackle on underwater hangups. When I was a teenager, I used to go snorkeling around all the spots where I knew folks got hung up - kept my tackle box stocked full. Most of those lures were broken at the knot.