drop-shot + jig combo: best knot for the d-shot?

This last weekend I experimented with a drop shot rig/jig combination, with a jig hanging off the tag end of the drop shot (instead of a weight).  I tied the drop shot with the basic Palomar knot.  Everything went well at first and the fish were loving it...until I hooked a heavy fish on the jig and the Palomar knot broke.  This tells me the Palomar knot was not meant to be pulled from the tag end.  Any suggestions on a knot that could replicate the Palomar in keeping the hook pointed upright, yet also has good strength when being pulled from the tag end?  The only one I'm familiar with is a dropper loop, but I'm not sure how well that would work with 6 pound line...

Clay I have experienced the same try the VMC spin shot hooks or the Mustad ZTS548 I think Gamakatsu makes one also. I like the mustad's better but hard to find.

Thanks Mick!  Those spin-shot hooks should do the trick.

What are these spin-shot hooks of which you speak?
Sounds very intriguing.

I saw those at the tackle shop on the corner to New Melones on Saturday. Don't ask. Can you say windy? They were Gami's

Spider Hitch?

Uni knot up top for the drop shot hook and double uni on the jig.   

 I usually just use a palomar on my drop shot rigs. Bass to about 7 lbs and not had problem. I use 10-12 lb line though. Could be the difference. I have been using a jig on the tag for about 3 years now.

After tying the palomar did you run the tag end of the palomar knot back through the hook eye from the top? This keeps the hook out straight and ads some strength i think. I have been using this on 6lb mono without issues but the biggest trout landed on the setup has only been about 3 pounds.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.  Lots of good info here!

After tying the palomar did you run the tag end of the palomar knot back through the hook eye from the top? This keeps the hook out straight and ads some strength i think. I have been using this on 6lb mono without issues but the biggest trout landed on the setup has only been about 3 pounds.

Yeah, I ran the tag end back through the top of the hook.  The drop-shot hook itself never broke off--it was the tag end that had the jig on it.  I'd already caught a few nice fish on the jig and drop shot hook, then I hooked a heavy fish on the jig that broke the line way too easily.  I reeled up, and still had my drop shot hook.  But the line at the base of the tag end was gone.  I'll tinker with it more at home, but as things stand right now I don't trust a Palomar for holding a big fish off the tag end.  And that's really the point of the jig on the tag end: to get the big ones  .  It might work for heavier line like Rob can attest, but maybe not 6 pound fluoro?

Thanks for the suggestions guys.  Lots of good info here!

After tying the palomar did you run the tag end of the palomar knot back through the hook eye from the top? This keeps the hook out straight and ads some strength i think. I have been using this on 6lb mono without issues but the biggest trout landed on the setup has only been about 3 pounds.

Yeah, I ran the tag end back through the top of the hook.  The drop-shot hook itself never broke off--it was the tag end that had the jig on it.  I'd already caught a few nice fish on the jig and drop shot hook, then I hooked a heavy fish on the jig that broke the line way too easily.  I reeled up, and still had my drop shot hook.  But the line at the base of the tag end was gone.  I'll tinker with it more at home, but as things stand right now I don't trust a Palomar for holding a big fish off the tag end.  And that's really the point of the jig on the tag end: to get the big ones  .  It might work for heavier line like Rob can attest, but maybe not 6 pound fluoro?

You have to quit hooking such big fish, I was fishing the Sac River yesterday using 6 lb fluoro, hooked a big fat pike minnow 25" range, got him close but where I was standing couldn't grab him or pull him ashore had to use the line to lift him straight up, soon as I did he broke off, straight dead lift was too much for the 6 lb test. Bad part was he took my panther martin with him.

I'm sure you know this Chris, but be careful when tying the Palomar. Make sure that the line does not twist over itself when you tie it. An easy way to know is when you tighten it down it should slide easy all the way to the hook. If you need to pull one side of the line more than the other most likely it is wrapped over itself and will compromise line strength. Hope that made sense.

I'm pretty sure that a standard palomar wont break just because it's being pulled from the tag end.  I've done double hook rigs with just palomar knots for halibut and wsb and have never had a break off when hooked by the lower hook.  It may be the passing back through the eye that is causing the break.  But without it your hook wont stand out straight on a DS.

Granny over granny and seal it with a lighter! #tightlines

I'm pretty sure that a standard palomar wont break just because it's being pulled from the tag end.  I've done double hook rigs with just palomar knots for halibut and wsb and have never had a break off when hooked by the lower hook.  It may be the passing back through the eye that is causing the break.  But without it your hook wont stand out straight on a DS.

I'm pretty sure the standard palomar will break.     BTDT.   I believe the palomar used like this for sure weakens your overall strength, and in Chris' case, using very light line to begin with, it is just much less forgiving.

-Allen