I'm not one to change from using my usual time tested favorite knots very often. But I still look at a lot of different knots from time to time to see if there is another good preforming knot that I should be using. My main criteria for a good knot is, it has to be easy to tie and tough as nails.

For a swivel knot I have been using an improved Trilene knot for many, many years with little to no failure. The improved Trilene knot has to be tied correctly though, with no line burn or it will be compromised.

This last year I have been field testing the Fish-n-Fool knot for my swivel knot. So far I have been very impressed with its performance, easy to tie and tough as nails. In the video it recommends five turns, four turns seems plenty. Before tightening this knot make sure you lubricate it heavy with saliva to keep line burn to a minimum. Give it a try, I hope it is as good as a preforming knot for you, as it has for me so far.

http://www.fishingclub.com/ExtraContent/ExtraContentDetail.aspx?id=148176

FnF is the knot I tie in mono for virtually all swivel/snap/hookeye connections.

I can be tied completely burn free.

I also like that the tag lays 90 degrees to the axis of the knot. This helps me to better secure leaders pre-tied with swivels/bead chains onto foam rolls without them coming unraveled.

My second favorite knot for the same purpose is the twice around San Diego Jam. It's a bit easier to tie when your in a hurry (i.e. in the boat when you've run out of leaders or need to re-tie your very last "hot" rig.

fish-n-fool knot is a pretty dumb thing to call a doubled uni

i don't usually tie double looped knots...and i haven't lost a fish to a broken knot in years.

Chum Man,
You are right, no more than a double wrap Uni knot. Still an excellent knot though.

Found another video that shows how to tie it.

http://www.steelheadstalkers.com/knot_fish-n-fool.htm

very similar to the improved trilene knot

There are two distinct ways to tighten the main "barrel" or "hangman's" portion of this knot prior to sliding it down to the eyelet.

The pretty way looks like a gear guy's bobber stop knot or a fly guy's nail knot (same damn knot). This is accomplished by forming the barrel by pulling ONLY on the tag end. FYI, this is the WEAKER way to tighten the barrel. Forming the barrel in this manner with mono over 10-12# requires quite a bit of tension to get the coils to align in a neat barrel shape... enough that the barrel is very snug on the standing part of the line. A lot of friction is created when you go to slide it back down to the eyelet.... enough to burn the standing line, even if you spit on it. The tighter you pull, the more the barrel squeezes and strangles the underlying standing line. As the knot is placed under extreme tension, it will eventually break due to strangulation of the standing portion (think boa constrictor).

Believe it or not, the ugly way to tighten the barrel is actually better and STRONGER. This is accomplished by stacking the coils tight to one another within the return loop as you first tie the knot. Instead of pulling on the tag, simply slide the neatly stacked coils up the standing portion to form the "barrel", consuming the return loop in the process. The barrel will form more loosely around the standing portion, and will easily slide back to the eyelet without friction burn. Also, when the knot is given its final snugging, there is less of a tendency to strangle the standing portion.

Check out the pics below to see the difference:

What test is that fishing line Doc?

mine always come out like the first knot in the image...is that the one that you're saying is stronger?

i'm particularly fond of the uni for fishing jigs. i leave the loop slightly open so the jig can self-right itself. does it make me more successful? who knows...

Doc,
Good description of keeping the barrel portion of the knot loose before the final tightening.

The knot pictured on the top in both views is the STRONGER version.

For those who tie a uni-knot as a loop knot (Duncan Loop) it must be tied to form the barrel portion by pulling ONLY on the tag end. This way enough friction is achieved to maintain the loop without sliding. Under extreme tension the loop WILL slide closed. The Lefty's non-slip loop knot is a much better alternative.

For those who tie the uni-knot tight to the eyelet, it is better to tighten the knot the UGLY way, just like I described for the FnF knot.

That's actually 1/4 inch rope tied to a hand gaff just for demo purposes.

Yep, I have been using it for a long time now and its great on very light line. I have landed hatchery steelhead on 4lb seguar using this knot.

What is the difference here between this knot and the rivers inlet knot? They both look the same.

Rivers Inlet knot is VERY different.

Basically a standard clinch tied with a doubled line.

I've devised a much better way to finish the RI knot to eliminate the unsightly tags ends left behind after trimming.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showpost.php?p=2158718&postcount=5

I'm going to have to play with this one, I've been using the RI knot for years without the slightest hitch. Have you done any knot strength tests?