There are hundreds of knots one can learn but the knots below are quite adequate for most all fishing situations. Did you know knots are easier to tie when the line is wet?
The Improved Clinch Knot
This is one of the best, and easiest, knots for attaching terminal tackle (hooks, lures, swivels, or snaps) to your line. The “improved” part is the last turn of the line.
- Pass the line through the eye of the hook (or lure, swivel, or snap). Make five turns around the standing part of the line, using the fingers of your other hand to hold the loop formed by the first turn.
- Pass the tag end through the first loop above the eye.
- Pass the tag end through the wide loop just formed.
- Pull the standing line while holding the tag end, so it doesn’t slip back through the loop. The coils should form a neat spiral and not overlap.
- Clip the tag end close to the knot.
The Surgeon’s Knot
This knot is used to tie together lines of greatly different diameter, such as a heavy leader to a standing line.
- Place the two lines parallel, overlapping about 6 inches, with the ends pointing in opposite directions.
- Hold the two lines together and, treating them as one line, tie an overhand knot. Pull the entire leader through the loop. Don’t pull the knot tight.
- Pass the line through the loop a second time, so it looks like the middle portion of the following figure.
- Hold the lines on either end of the knot and pull tight. Clip the tag ends.
The Loop Knot
A loop at the end of your line is useful for attaching swivels or large sinkers. It’s also handy for keeping line on the rod when you put your tackle away temporarily. Simply make the loop, pull the line out of the tip-top guide, place the loop over the rod tip, and reel tight.
- Double the end of the line to form a loop.
- Tie an overhand knot with the doubled section. Don’t pull tight.
- Pass the loop through the knot a second time.
- Hold the standing line and the tag end in one hand and pull the loop with the other. Clip the tag end close to the knot.
The Palomar Knot
A Palomar knot, used for securing a fishing line to the hook (which holds the bait), is strong and easy to tie. When done correctly, it will not loosen. It is useful with all kinds of light fishing lines and is one of the few knots suitable for use on braided line.
- Double your line and passi it through the eye of the hook or split ring.
- Tie a simple over hand knot with the looped end around the main line.
- Pass the loop over the hook or lure and flip the loop up over the main line and tag end.
- Pull the tag end slowly after you’ve wet the line with saliva or water until the knot cinches down.
When you pass the doubled line through the eyelet make sure the main line and tag end are straight and not criss-crossed before you tie your overhand knot. When you tie the overhand knot, don’t snug it down on the eye. Just get it close and then pass the big loop over the lure. Then when you go to cinch the tag end and knot down, you won’t cause so much friction on your line, which can weaken the line and your knot.
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