Tom Rowland | Palomar vs Clinch Knot: Which Beginner Knot Is Stronger? | Ep. 953

Tom Rowland is a professional fishing guide in the Florida Keys and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast who has tested and broken every fishing knot imaginable, compiling the results into a comprehensive knot guide. In this How To Tuesday episode, he puts two of the most popular beginner knots head-to-head: the Palomar knot versus the Clinch knot. These are the knots most anglers learn first, but which one actually performs better under pressure? Tom reveals the exact breaking strength percentages for both knots and demonstrates the critical technique that can make or break your knot strength. If you've ever wondered whether you're tying the right knot or leaving fish on the table because of knot failure, this episode delivers the data you need.

The Classic Clinch Knot: Simple But Effective

The Clinch knot is likely the first knot many anglers ever learned. Tom walks through the exact tying sequence: pass the line through the eye of the hook, switch hands while keeping the loop open, then wrap the tag end five times around the standing line. The critical step comes next—threading the tag end back through that first loop you created. But here's where many anglers make a mistake that costs them knot strength. Tom reveals the proper technique for holding and cinching this knot down, and explains why that specific five-wrap count matters for optimal performance. The Clinch knot achieved an 89% breaking strength in Tom's extensive testing, making it a solid choice for beginners. The complete Clinch knot demonstration begins right at the opening of the episode.

The Palomar Knot: A Doubled-Line Advantage

The Palomar knot starts with a fundamentally different approach—you double the line over before you even pass it through the hook eye. This doubled-line configuration is part of what gives the Palomar its edge in breaking strength. Tom demonstrates the elegant simplicity of this knot: after doubling the line and passing it through the eye, you tie a basic overhand knot, then pass the entire loop over the hook or lure. The knot cinches down right in front of itself when pulled tight with the doubled line. But Tom emphasizes one crucial step that many anglers skip, a technique that's essential for achieving maximum knot strength. The Palomar scored 91.36% in breaking strength tests, making it the winner of this beginner knot battle. Watch Tom tie the complete Palomar knot and reveal the critical lubrication technique in the episode.

The Critical Technique Most Anglers Skip

When Tom ties the Palomar knot in this episode, he mentions a specific step that's essential for achieving maximum knot strength: lubricating the knot before cinching it down. This seemingly small detail can make a significant difference in whether your knot performs at its tested breaking strength or fails prematurely. Tom has broken countless knots in his testing process, and this technique consistently appears in his recommendations for the strongest knots. Whether you're tying a Palomar, Clinch, or any other fishing knot, understanding when and how to properly lubricate can mean the difference between landing your fish and telling a story about the one that got away. Tom explains the lubrication technique and its impact on knot strength throughout the episode.

The Complete Knot Testing Database

This episode represents just one battle in Tom's comprehensive knot testing project. He's systematically tested and broken every fishing knot he can think of, recording the exact breaking strength percentages for each one. The Palomar's 91.36% and the Clinch's 89% are valuable data points, but they're part of a much larger database that includes dozens of other knots. Tom has compiled all of these knot test results into a convenient guide that anglers can download for free. This isn't just a list of knots—it's actual performance data that tells you which knots are the strongest for different applications. The guide is available at tomrowlandpodcast.com and gives you the information you need to choose the right knot for every fishing situation. Tom discusses the complete knot guide and how to access it in this episode.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This battle between the Palomar and the Clinch represents something bigger than just two knots. It's about removing the mystery from your fishing setup and replacing it with actual data. I've spent years testing these knots to failure, and what I've found is that the differences matter—but only if you're tying them correctly.

The 2.36% difference between the Palomar at 91.36% and the Clinch at 89% might not seem huge, but when you're hooked up to the fish of a lifetime, that extra margin can be everything. More importantly, understanding why one knot performs better than another helps you choose the right knot for each situation you face on the water.

Whether you're just learning to tie your first fishing knots or you've been using the same knots for decades, this episode gives you the data to make informed decisions. Download the complete knot guide at tomrowlandpodcast.com and listen to this whole episode to see exactly how to tie both of these essential knots. This is the kind of foundational knowledge that makes you a better angler.