5 Fishing Knots Every Angler Should Know
A weak knot loses the fish of the day. These five cover tying on hooks and lures, joining two lines, and making a loop. Practice each at home with old line until you can tie it without looking.
Tie on a hook or lure
- Improved clinch knot. Pass the line through the hook eye, wrap the tag end around the main line 5–7 times, then thread it back through the small loop next to the eye and through the big loop you just made. Wet it, pull tight, and trim. It's the classic hook knot for monofilament.
- Palomar knot. Double about 6 inches of line and push the loop through the hook eye. Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, pass the hook through the loop, then wet it and pull both strands tight. Simple and very strong, and the best choice for braided line.
- Uni knot. Run the line through the eye and lay the tag end back alongside the main line to form a loop. Wrap the tag end around both strands, through the loop, 5–6 times. Wet it, pull the tag to snug the wraps, then slide the knot down to the eye. It works with almost any line.
Join two lines
- Double uni knot. Overlap the two line ends by about 8 inches. Tie a uni knot with one tag end around the other line, then tie a second uni knot with the other tag end facing the opposite way. Pull the main lines so the two knots slide together, then trim. Use it to add leader or join braid to mono.
Make a loop
- Surgeon's loop. Double the end of the line and tie an overhand knot with the doubled section, then pass the loop through once more, making a double overhand. Wet it and pull tight. It makes a quick, strong loop for attaching leaders or sinkers.
Three rules for every knot
1) Wet the knot with water before tightening, because friction heat weakens line. 2) Pull it tight slowly and firmly; a loose knot slips. 3) Leave a short tag end (about 1/8 inch) and test the knot with a hard pull before you cast.
Quick answer
The five fishing knots to learn are the improved clinch and Palomar for tying on hooks, the uni knot for any line, the double uni for joining lines, and the surgeon's loop for making a loop. Start with the Palomar: it's the easiest strong knot.