The knot strength chart is a comparison of nearly two dozen fishing knots tested on three major types of fishing lines. The data was gathered by North American Fishing over a number of years as part of the Knot War series of videos. It is the most comprehensive dataset on fishing knot strength we’ve come across, and it is the basis for our work here on knot strength.
Methodology
Knot strength testing was done on a custom knot strength machine built by Berkley. The testing for each type of line was performed using:
- Monofilament: 15 pound Trilene monofilament
- Fluorocarbon: 15 pound Berkley Professional Grade 100% fluorocarbon
- Braid: 14 pound Berkley Fireline braid
The efficiency numbers below are based on the breaking point for each knot and line combination, divided by the line test that each line is rated at.
Loop Knots
Loop knots are included alongside standard hitch knots in the knot strength chart. Loop knots are considered to be desirable in certain fishing situations as they offer more degrees of freedom for movement and enhanced lure action. As most loop knots only utilize a single line, the line efficiency data will be skewed in favor of standard hitch knots that utilize double lines. However, the range of freedom for the lure afforded by loop knots should be taken into consideration when choosing a knot.
Data
Here are the knot strength efficiency numbers for all tested knots, ranked by average efficiency across all line types. You can also check out the numbers for specific line types and see data for the strongest monofilament knots, strongest fluorocarbon knots, or strongest braid knots.
| Rank | Knot | Type | Mono | Fluoro | Braid | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkley Braid Knot | Hitch | 132.1% | 131.3% | 124.0% | 129.1% |
| 2 | Fish N Fool Knot | Hitch | 136.9% | 101.4% | 138.9% | 125.7% |
| 3 | Burke Knot | Hitch | 128.8% | 109.9% | 133.0% | 123.9% |
| 4 | Triple Loop Knot | Hitch | 123.3% | 131.6% | 114.8% | 123.2% |
| 5 | Reverse Improved Clinch Knot | Hitch | 117.8% | 109.7% | 135.4% | 121.0% |
| 6 | San Diego Jam Knot | Hitch | 118.4% | 101.7% | 127.4% | 115.8% |
| 7 | Miller Knot | Hitch | 134.2% | 99.6% | 111.9% | 115.2% |
| 8 | Palomar Knot | Hitch | 115.8% | 100.7% | 124.0% | 113.5% |
| 9 | Grinner Knot | Hitch | 114.0% | 99.3% | 125.0% | 112.8% |
| 10 | Porter Knot | Hitch | 132.6% | 125.1% | 77.6% | 111.8% |
| 11 | Cheek Knot | Hitch | 128.5% | 106.5% | 99.6% | 111.5% |
| 12 | Eugene Bend Knot | Hitch | 118.5% | 97.6% | 112.1% | 109.4% |
| 13 | King Sling Knot | Loop | 94.7% | 116.8% | 112.6% | 108.0% |
| 14 | Trilene Knot | Hitch | 117.2% | 99.8% | 102.3% | 106.4% |
| 15 | Gryp Knot | Hitch | 118.7% | 95.3% | 104.9% | 106.3% |
| 16 | Three G Knot | Hitch | 125.5% | 104.9% | 69.4% | 99.9% |
| 17 | McNally Loop | Loop | 102.1% | 84.7% | 100.4% | 95.8% |
| 18 | Compound Loop | Loop | 106.1% | 79.5% | 77.4% | 87.7% |
| 19 | Improved Clinch Knot | Hitch | 107.5% | 93.4% | 51.6% | 84.1% |
| 20 | No-Name Homemade Knot | Hitch | 114.1% | 99.4% | 37.3% | 83.6% |
| 21 | Hangman's Knot | Loop | 101.8% | 99.2% | 35.0% | 78.7% |
| 22 | Homer Rhode Loop Knot | Loop | 88.3% | 70.4% | 56.2% | 71.6% |