Improved Clinch vs. Palomar Knot | Line to Lure Knot Wars | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 629

In this How 2 Tuesday segment, Tom Rowland tests the improved clinch knot against the Palomar knot for line-to-lure connections using 20-pound Daiwa fluorocarbon tied to a three-ought Gamakatsu circle hook with a NexTech force tester. The Palomar knot achieved 18.8 pounds of breaking strength, while the six-turn improved clinch reached 17.34 pounds—a difference of over one pound that could determine whether you land the fish of a lifetime or watch it swim away. If you've been relying on the classic fisherman's knot your grandfather taught you, this test reveals whether you're leaving strength on the table. Tom continues his knot wars series by moving beyond braid-to-fluorocarbon connections to focus on one of fishing's most critical junctions: how you attach your hook or lure to the end of your line.

Moving Beyond Braid-to-Fluorocarbon: The Line-to-Lure Challenge

After establishing that the FG knot dominated the braid-to-fluorocarbon category in previous knot wars episodes, Tom shifts focus to an equally critical connection point that every angler faces on the water. The line-to-lure connection determines whether that trophy fish stays buttoned or breaks off at the worst possible moment. Tom introduces this new testing phase by explaining that he'll examine knots that cinch tight against the hook eye—starting with two of the most commonly used options. The improved clinch, often called the fisherman's knot, is what most people learned as kids from their grandfathers. The Palomar has earned a reputation among bass anglers as a go-to choice for its reliability. But which one actually performs better under measurable force? The testing methodology and setup begins at 0:44.

The Testing Protocol: Six-Turn Improved Clinch vs. Palomar

Tom details his consistent testing approach using 20-pound Daiwa fluorocarbon tied to a three-ought Gamakatsu circle hook. For the improved clinch, he uses six wraps, threads through the eye, then back through the larger loop before lubricating and pulling tight. The Palomar involves doubling the line, tying an overhand, looping back over the hook, and pulling everything snug. Tom emphasizes the importance of wearing protective eyewear during these tests because when a hook breaks under extreme tension, it becomes a projectile that could go anywhere. His NexTech force tester records the maximum breaking strength before failure, providing objective data rather than anecdotal impressions. Watch Tom tie and test the Palomar knot starting at 4:44.

The Results: One Pound That Changes Everything

When Tom pulls the Palomar to failure, the scale records 18.8 pounds—impressive performance on 20-pound test line. After resetting his equipment and donning safety glasses again, he tests the six-turn improved clinch. The hook breaks and the line snaps, but at 17.34 pounds of force. That 1.46-pound difference might seem small in percentage terms, but Tom points out that this exact margin could separate winning a tournament from losing it, or landing a fish of a lifetime versus watching it break off. The Palomar emerges as the stronger connection for this specific application. Tom notes that the improved clinch broke well into the fluorocarbon leader itself, indicating the knot held reasonably well, but the Palomar simply outperformed it. The dramatic test comparisons happen at 5:45 and 7:21.

Controlling the Controllable: Why This Testing Matters

Tom drives home the philosophy that separates great fishermen from average ones: controlling what you can control. You can't control the weather, fish behavior, or water conditions, but you absolutely control how you rig your tackle. The choice between a stronger knot and a weaker one is entirely in your hands. Tom encourages listeners to tie these knots themselves and test them on their own scales, acknowledging that individual tying technique might produce slightly different results. The goal is finding the strongest knot you can tie consistently—not just copying someone else's preference without verification. He mentions his knot course on Waypoint TV, which teaches the Palomar, improved clinch, and over 40 other knots for anglers who want comprehensive instruction. Tom's complete philosophy on preparation and testing starts at 9:01.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This knot wars series has been fantastic, and I really appreciate everyone who's been sending suggestions to the text line or emailing the show. Your input is helping shape which matchups we test next, and I'm working to incorporate as many of your requests as possible. The improved clinch is such a foundational knot—it's what most of us learned first—so seeing it go head-to-head against the Palomar really highlights how much room for improvement exists in our tackle rigging.

That one pound of difference between 17.34 and 18.8 might not sound like much when you're sitting at home, but when you're fighting a fish that's testing every ounce of your setup, that's the margin between success and heartbreak. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: great fishermen control the controllable. You can't control whether the fish are biting, but you can absolutely control whether your knots are as strong as they can be.

If you want to learn how to tie these knots properly, my course on Waypoint TV covers the Palomar, improved clinch, and over 40 other essential knots. But more importantly, get yourself a scale and start testing. Find out what works best with your tying style and your specific gear. This episode is short, focused, and packed with actionable information that could change your rigging strategy. Give it a listen and let me know which knot matchup you want to see next.