My best fishing advice is to learn how to tie knots. A knot is a simple thing, and you never know when you might need it.
In addition to being handy and efficient, knowing the right knot at the right moment makes you look like a badass when you’re tying a leader to a fly line or securing a kayak to your trailer.
Our goal here is to discuss fishing knots, but the same principle applies as well.
It doesn’t matter if you’re fly fishing, trotting lines, tossing bass lures, or surfing for striper, one of these four knots will come in handy at some point in your fishing career.
They’re going to be useful right away.
On paper, all of these knots seem easy, involving just a few steps.
However, when your hands are numb, the fish are blowing up on top, and the afternoon sun is blinding you, it’s a different story.
You don’t want to be struggling with your line or worse, having a knot fail because you didn’t tie it properly.
Practice these knots from the comfort of your own home and get them down to muscle memory. Your future self will be grateful for it.
It’s time to learn how to tie the four fishing knots you need to be successful on the water.
Thickness and material of the line
Before we move on to the actual knots, let’s discuss line thickness and material.
The number of wraps used to create tension differs with different types and sizes of lines; usually, thicker lines need fewer wraps whilst thinner ones require more. In addition, braided line needs less wraps than either mono or fluorocarbon due to its higher friction.
This is especially applicable with regards to the improved clinch knot and the blood knot that will be presented later in this article.
Eventually, you’ll figure out how many wraps are the right number.
Make sure to give each knot a good pull when tying to test its firmness.
If it becomes loose, then you might want to add an extra loop or two.
It’s best to not go overboard with wrapping material as too much can lead to a bulky and potentially weaker knot.
Reduce them as much as possible; however, still make sure there’s enough friction for it to remain secure.
CLINCH KNOT
Use: Tie a lure or hook to your fishing line
You probably know this knot if you’ve ever picked up a fishing rod. With just a few minutes of practice, you will get it down pat. The improved clinch knot is the great-grandfather of all fishing knots and for good reason. Here’s how to tie it:
- Feed your tag end (loose end) through the eye of the hook
- Wrap the tag end around the standing end (line attached to your rod) four to eight times.
- Pass the tag end through the loop you’ve just created.
- Feed the tag end up back through the other, higher loop, you’ve created.
- While holding the tag end, lubricate your knot with saliva or water, and slow cinch it down to the hook eye.
- Give it a good tug to test and trim your tag end as close to the knot as possible.
PERFECTION LOOP
Use: At the end of your line, create a loop
When spooling up a reel, you’ll want to know how to tie a secure, non-slip loop at the end of your line, primarily to attach leaders and backing. After some practice, the perfection loop is quick and easy to tie. It may seem a bit awkward at first, but it’s a knot that’s worth learning.
- Holding your line, create a loop where your tag end is laying on top of the standing end.
- Pinch at the intersection and create a second loop by passing your tag behind the line intersection and back up on the near side.
- Lay your tag end on top of, and in between, the two loops and pinch all of them together.
- If you’re right handed, you’ll now pass the right loop over your tag end and through the left loop. If you’re left handed, it’s the exact opposite.
- Holding onto the loop that passed through the other loop, gently pull on the standing end to tighten your knot. You may need to gently tighten the tag end as well to seat the knot.
- Trim your tag end.
DOUBLE SURGEON’S KNOT
Use: For securing two sections of line together
Despite its higher effectiveness, the blood knot is a bit more difficult to tie than the double surgeon’s knot. However, the double or triple surgeon’s knot tends to be bulkier and can be prone to getting caught on lines, lures, flies, and guides. I usually opt for this simpler knot when I’m out fishing and need something quickly.
- Lay your two lines parallel to each other, pointing in opposite directions.
- Holding both lines, turn them over to create a loop. Pinch at the intersection.
- Pass the end of your line and the tag end that’s on the same side through your loop to create an overhand knot. Do not tighten.
- Now, repeat the same thing, passing the end of your line and its corresponding tag end through the loop.
- Pull on both tag ends and standing ends to tighten.
- Trim both tag ends as close to the knot as possible.
BLOOD KNOT
Use: The purpose of this device is to secure two sections of line together
Given its complexity, the blood knot is often overlooked in favour of the double or triple surgeon’s knots. Yet, when it comes to fishing situations where there may be frequent passing through guides or for aesthetic reasons, the blood knot is a great choice. It offers a neat and streamlined look, often preferred over other available options like the double surgeon’s knot. While opinions may differ as to the strength of this particular knot, what can’t be denied is that it is an attractive option to consider.
- Lay your two lines parallel to each other, pointing in opposite directions. You’ll want a fair amount of tag end on each side, maybe two to three inches or so.
- On one side, wrap your tag end over the standing end four to six times so it’s coming up on the side closer to you.
- Once wrapped, pass the tag end down and in between the intersection of the bottom of your wraps and the tag end. Pinch to hold.
- Now, repeat the process on the other side, except wrap four to six times in the opposite direction, under the standing end so the line points up on the side farthest from you.
- Once wrapped, pass the tag end down and in the space between the intersection of the bottom of your wraps and the tag end, next to the other tag end. It needs to pass in the opposite direction of the other tag end.
- Pulling on the standing ends, gently tighten your knot and moisten with saliva while doing so. The knots should seat together smoothly.
- Trim both tag ends as close to the knot as possible.
Anglers love to debate why their choice is the best among the many great fishing knots out there. However, what I know for sure is that you can do pretty much anything on the water with these four knots in your arsenal, and that is the most important thing.
Sources: Themeateater
