Thoughts on the good "which knot" question....

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?
Fred out..............:D

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Originally Posted by Fred in Ky

I have been reading these posts and wondering why we are so concerned with "knot strength" for crappie fishing?

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Beats the heck out of me. They ain't tuna.

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Originally Posted by Fred in Ky

But I can honestly say I have never had a crappie break my line or a knot slip when crappie fishing.

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Me neither -- not in over 30 years of crappie fishing using 4# line and the relatively weak improved clinch knot.

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Originally Posted by Fred in Ky

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).

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I agree completely.

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:)

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.

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.

I just use the palomar knot. It has served my needs for 62 years and counting.

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.

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Originally Posted by joejv4

I hate leaving my tackle on underwater hangups.

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Good point. Since I typically use my own jigs or just a hook with bait, this is not that big a deal. If I were using $20 plugs, it'd be a different story.