Should You Use Saliva When Cinching Down Fishing Knots? [Experiment]

Saliva will do nothing for low twist knots. I personally use a 5 wrap loop knot. I think you will find that the extra lubrication lowers the line temp at cinch causing less line heat and thinning. Maybe you should try it with the knots with multiple twists? Just a hypothesis.

Luke, I always enjoy the tests that you do on knot strength. A couple of things I noted during this report. As others have mentioned the high degree of variability between knots both dry and wet would indicate that statistically no conclusion could be drawn. My question is why is there so much variability in the first place. Since modern lines are high quality and very consistent that would suggest that the variation might be related to how they are being tied. I know you have probably tied the loop knot a couple of thousand times so there should be a fairly high degree of consistency but I wonder… One of the things I noticed in the test video and also the one for tying the knot is that you never pull the tag end when tightening the knot. Just the running line and the lure. Is it possible that the knot is not being seated consistently? When I tie this knot, it always cinches down tighter when the tag end is tightened against the running line as well. That of course leads to the next question… could over tightening possibly be a cause for weakening the knot. You might want to test this by using the strain gauge to determine how much force you use when tightening the knot and see if pulling harder actually has an effect on knot strength. I’d love to do it but don’t have the necessary toys..

You guys should think about getting some women’s sunglasses and gear there’s a lot of us out here and men’s sizes are most of the time a little to big. 
Just a thought love all the other New stuff 
M. Jenkins

Hi Luke,

What a surprise on the dry/wet knots.
Thanks. 

Now do a video on how the break a 70 year habit.

Keep up the good work.

John Higgins

Don’t laugh Luke but a trick I picked up years ago from the local salmon fishermen in Alaska and still use whether I’m fishing for salmon in Alaska or fishing for inshore species here in Florida, is to put a drop of “personal” lubricant on the knots before cinching them down (works like magic) and then wiping the knot dry and placing a drop of “knot glue” or superglue on the knot to prevent it from coming undone. Maybe it’s been luck but I’ve never had a knot break in all of my years using this method.

since the saliva scent attracts fish, maybe it would be best to spit on knots AFTER they are tied.

Very interesting info Luke, thanks. On your slip knot I see you used 2 turns, would the same knot with 3 turns be stronger? I have always used 3 turns with great results . Thanks

Great video, Luke. The fact that there was even a suspicion of a difference is validation enough for this experiment. Now, next should be the risk of line breakage between the zig-zag fighting of, say, a Jack, as opposed to the steadier pull of a Black Drum! ; )

A more decisive issue is that when on the water, putting a line in your mouth can expose you to water borne infections.

Three issues.
Need to tie knots dry as you would at home, then soak them.
A good gob facilitates pulling up the tag end.
Too much tension here causes the line to cut itself.
Amnesia is very poor in this area.
Fluoro carbons generally prefer less turns and are very easy to overtighten.
For 20lb mono I would wrap 5 turns, loop back and then wrap four more turns under the loop.
This is a Grinner and must be lubricated to snug up. Do not overtighten the tag end.
11lb line 6 and 5. 35lb line 4 and 3.
50lb crimp.
To an eye.
0ne turn if metal thicker than the mono.
Two turns mono thicker than the metal.
When crimping, use a Flemish twist.
Rgds.
Malcolm Hayward.

Please correct me if I’m wrong because I’m no scientist but my understanding is that because you have to apply the pressure yourself this creates a potentially substantial inconsistent variable. For example, if you apply a more rapid pressure then you would end up with a different result than if you slowly apply pressure. This is why the IGFA line testing videos use a machine that fully conducts the tests with the inputs of an employee on a computer. I am all for these tests but I feel like the way that you’re doing this can be misleading because of the one detail of using your arm to apply pressure. Just a thought, would love to hear what you think

Guess I can stop ‘tasting’ my knots!!! LOL

Using saliva (lubricant) allows the knot to be made tighter which would make the knot weaker. Small sampler size can skew the data, Great video.

The video was very interesting. Would like to see your response to the scientist’s points. Keep up the good work.

Just an additional thought regarding saliva Luke, didn’t you recently have some information on fish sense Of smell and I believe saliva was detrimental To the bite. Maybe another reason why saliva should be retired when tying knots?

Hey Luke thank you again. Wasn’t quite the last 2 minutes of a NCAA Sweet 16 playoff but still held my attetion to the end since I actually use both methods. Really do appreciate it.

While a stab in the dark, this might be the article you remember . . . https://flylifemagazine.com/tips-tactics-dont-wet-line-before-seating-a-knot.

I found the variability in the results regardless of whether wet or dry interesting. From watching you diligently tie knots over time and given how many you tie, my guess is your knot strength is better than the occasional fisherman. I think this argues to use the easiest to tie knots unless a more complicated knot is clearly proven to be stronger. Another thought is whether some knots that have many coils such as main line to leader connections might have more friction where a lubricant might be useful.

Your inquisitive mind is a real asset. Keep up the good work!

Thanks Luke, who would have guessed.

I hate to admit this but my first experience with tying leaders was using sections of cat gut tied together with barrel knots. We kept the cat gut and finished leaders soaked in water. When we switched to monofilament, my father started putting saliva on the knot to keep it from melting/softening as he drew the knot up tight. It became habit with all types of knots. I’ve been doing that for almost 70 years. Not anymore.

We’re on the verge of how do you hold your mouth when you cast?

Total nonsense. This “fishing forensics” is out of hand. But reading the comments ,I guess if you cant catch fish you’ll need excuses. If your lines breaking at the knots learn how to tie knots or learn how to adjust a drag or both. No hate just truth.
Great marketing though👍

Good stuff. No more spit. 👍🏼

Amazing! This was really a 2 beer video. As the resident knot expert I would like to know your opinion on the reason that reducing the friction when cinching reduces the strength of the knot. Have you tried slow-mo video to analyze the knot failure? Interesting test results. Thanks!

Probably should do this test with the braid to leader knot also.

Would you please run a test using super glue on the knot vs no super glue. Thanks, Norm

Luke: Very interesting and surprising test. I would not have expected this and will probably tie my knots without saliva. I do wonder if saliva at 98.6 F temperature would make much of a difference. I assume your glass of water might have been relatively cool. Anyway, keep up these tests as they are very informative. Thank you

Another urban legend bites the dust. Great job

very cool vid. I use a lot of polarmar knots. Could you guys do some vids with polarmar knot?

So would it be safe to say that if you are tying braided line for terminal knots to use saliva? Then any mono/fluoro knots do without the lick?