What Is The Best Knot For Braid? [PowerPro vs. J-Braid]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Fishing Knots, Knot Contest, Tackle & Gear, Braid Knots
This knot contest puts 3 of the strongest knots against one another to see which one is best for 2 of the most popular braid lines.
One line is a traditional 4-strand brand while the other has 8-strands so that we can see if knots perform differently across braid types.
Also, this test checked to see if applying saliva to the lines before tightening made a difference… and you’ll likely be surprised to see how much of a difference it actually made.
Here’s the video to see the full results:
Featured Gear:
- 8-Strand Braid: J-Braid 8 Grand – 10 lb
- 4-Strand Braid: PowerPro – 10 lb
- Scissors: Fish Strong Scissors
Conclusion
This test was another example of how important it can be to test knot strengths because even the most popular knots that many people claim is a “100% knot” can actually get beat. handily by another knot.
The Braid Uni Knot was the top-performing knot for both lines as long as saliva is used on it before tightening the knot down. The Palomar Knot slightly outperformed the Toit Knot for both lines.
Another big finding in this test was that the J-Braid 8 Grand braid significantly outperformed the PowerPro in spite of both lines being the same rating and both having a 0.15 mm diameter.
See Full Knot Ranking list from strongest to weakest
Your Feedback Needed
Which knots and/or lines would you like me to test next?
Please leave your knot selection or any questions/comments you have on this test below in the Comment section.
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks for performing the test. We simply don’t have the equipment to give these definitive results.
I hate to armchair quarterback, but why didn’t you use the 8-strand PP so we would have an apples to apples comparison?
Do you recommend using saliva on all uni type knots, based on this test?
Great question! The main purpose of this test was to see which knot works best for braid line. I simply used the most popular of the 4-stand and 8-strand variants of braid to see if the best knot changes base on thread counts.
The fact that the J-braid is stronger than PowerPro was a secondary finding.
Note: I already tested the regular PowerPro vs. the newer 8 strand PowerPro (Super Slick V2), and the 8 strand PowerPro was a slight winner in terms of strength while losing by a higher margin in casting distance tests. The fact that the J-Braid 8 Grand line beat regular PowerPro by a much larger margin in terms of strength while having casting performance that matched it is what made me eventually switch from PowerPro to J-braid. Here’s a link to some of PP 8 vs. 4 strand testing in case you’d like to see details: https://11golfpicks.com/articles/powerpro-super-slick-vs-original/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
As for saliva on the uni knot, I only recommend it for braid based on this test.
Interesting results… thanks for all your hard work! Now not to throw a monkey wrench into the mix, I was wondering (unfortunately wintertime gives you a lot of time to think) … would the results change significantly, if the knots were soaked in water (fresh or salt) for extended period before testing? Comparing the strength of dry/wet is important, but would that matter after the knot has been submerged in water for a period of time. I surf fish and the lines/knots sit in the water for at least 30 minutes at a time before pulling them out the check/replace bait. Would that extended time under water effect a knot, thereby improving or decreasing its strength? Does that make sense? Any thoughts on this?
I did a test on soaked line a while back with both fluoro and mono, and there was not a noticeable change in strength even when the lines were completely submerged for over a week. Here’s a link in case you’d like to see the details: https://11golfpicks.com/fishing-tip/mono-vs-fluoro-soaked-in-water/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I’ve enjoyed all of the knot tests that you have performed over the years but one of the things I’ve noticed in many is something you mentioned in your comment to Rob S regarding the sometimes large variation in breaking strength with the same line and knot. Your feeling was that it was somehow related to how the knots are cinching down. I would agree and think it might have something to do with the way I see the knots being tightened on the videos. I see that in most of the demonstrations the main line is pulled to tighten the knot and cinch the loops down but never the tag end. I’m wondering if not pulling the tag end results in the knot being incompletely tightened. I will usually alternate between primarily pulling the main line but also the tag end, sometimes with pliers if it’s too short to grab with just fingers, until the knot is completely tightened. (except for there FG knot where it’s not possible) For most knots there is a visible difference in how smooth and even the knot coils appear when both main line and tag end are pulled tight. I don’t have the equipment to test but it would be interesting to see whether tightening both ends of the knot would result in more consistent breaking strength results.
Great question Mark. I have been a believer in tightening all strands until it requires strong force at which point I focus on the main lines so they seat based on the order at which the lines will naturally be under pressure. But I haven’t done a specific test on putting more pulling power on the tag ends to see if it makes a difference.
I have to stick to the Palomar knot because it is so quick and easy to tie!
Comparing like products, 8 strand to 8 strand and 4 strand to 4 strand would have been a better test. Bet the power pro 8 strand tests better than the J braid 4 strand.
The main purpose of this test was to see which knot works best for braid line. I simply used the most popular of the 4-stand and 8-strand variants of braid from our online store to see if the best knot changes base on thread counts.
The fact that the J-braid is stronger than PowerPro was a secondary finding (which was consistent with prior tests).
As for 8 strand PowerPro, I already tested the regular PowerPro vs. the newer 8 strand PowerPro (Super Slick V2), and the 8 strand PowerPro was a slight winner in terms of strength while losing by a higher margin in casting distance tests. The fact that the J-Braid 8 Grand line beat regular PowerPro by a much larger margin in terms of strength while having casting performance that matched it is what made me eventually switch from PowerPro to J-braid. Here’s a link to some of PP 8 vs. 4 strand testing in case you’d like to see details: https://11golfpicks.com/articles/powerpro-super-slick-vs-original/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Note: After experiencing noticeably better catching performance in terms of both quantity and quality fish after switching from a 4-strand line to a very smooth 8-strand line, I’ll never go back to a 4-strand even if it tests better for strength and/or casting distance.
Now if J-Braid came in a color I could see as well as PowerPro yellow, we’d have something (I tried chartreuse). Also, I purchased a 1500 yard spool of 10-lb. PP … it’s going to last a moment. Note to self: remember PP dry, J wet for knots. Thanks for the testing!
I’ve loved the Uni Knot and used it since 1982. It’s always been extremely dependable.
Please test the Ande Braid in the future.
Well like I have always said Luke i stick with what works for me and ever since March 11th of 2003 when I first started fishing inshore saltwater I have been using power pro ever since and unless I forget to check my knots my braid included behind the leader and there is a nick significant enough to break my braid under stress from catching a fish power pro has never failed me and because I stick with what works I only use 3 knots an improved Albright for tying leaders to my braid and a loopknot for jigs and plastic shrimp and a Palomar for spinnerbaits and for any hard plug attached via a bill norman speedclip for easy changeouts has worked for me for many years now this March 11th will be 23 years so all I can say is works for me but thanks for the intel and what you do😉👍
Thanks for sharing the line and knots that you’ve been enjoying Steven.
Thanks Luke great information!
Our pleasure Mark!