Just how do the Palomar Knot and the Improved Clinch Knot stack up against each other? Here are the knot strength efficiency numbers for each knot as tested on monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided fishing lines.
| Line Type | Palomar Knot Efficiency | Improved Clinch Knot Efficiency | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monofilament | 115.8% | 107.5% | Palomar Knot |
| Fluorocarbon | 100.7% | 93.4% | Palomar Knot |
| Braid | 124.0% | 51.6% | Palomar Knot |
| Average | 113.5% | 84.1% | Palomar Knot |
This is a battle of two most commonly used terminal fishing knots in existence. The Palomar Knot is vastly superior for braided line and generally maintains 100% or more of the original strength. However, the Palomar Knot requires passing a loop over the entire lure, which gives the edge to the Improved Clinch Knot in situations that call for tying on massive, treble-hooked lures where a loop is too cumbersome.
For a comprehensive comparison of fishing knots, check out the Fishing Knot Strength Chart to see how the Palomar Knot and the Improved Clinch Knot fare against all other knots.