Fishing Knots

24 March 2011 For The Angler

Tying the proper fishing knot may be the most important step when preparing to catch a trophy fish.

General Fishing Knot Tips

Wet The Line
To help the line slide smoothly, wet it with your spit or a drop of water before pulling it tight.

Pull The Line Tight
When tying a fishing knot be sure the knot is pulled tight and the wraps are clean and flush.  Otherwise, the line may break.

Trim The Extra Line
Always trim the loose end with nail clippers or a knife to keep it from interfering with the bait or lure.  Don’t use your teeth!

Inspecting The Fishing Line
When fishing in areas with a lot of rocks, stumps or other abrasive structure, it is best to take a moment every ten casts to run your finger along the line to look for nicks. Any part of the line that has been damaged reduces the strength significantly. When you detect a weak point, cut the line above the damaged spot and re-tie the hook, lure or leader.

Inspect the last six feet of your line after every fishing trip to check for nicks and abrasions that you might have missed.  Cut off the line and re-tie your leaders if you notice a rough spot anywhere in the line. It is always a good idea to do this before you put the gear away.

Fishing Knot Guide
These Knot Cards are great additions to any angler’s tackle box. The cards are waterproof and are easily stored in the boat for easy reference when you want to tie a new fishing knot or rope knot.

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Tying The Line To A Hook, Swivel, Leader Or Lure

The knot you need to tie depends on the type of line, the lure or bait you are using, and whether you are attaching the line to another line or a leader.

The Improved Clinch Knot is used for tying mono-filament line.

The Palomar Knot is easy to tie and is recommended for braided line.

The Arbor Knot is used for attaching new line to the reel.

Tying A Loop to Attach A Weight Or Leader

Using a loop knot is an effective way to attach the line to a sinker or a leader.

The Surgeon’s End Loop is easy for making a loop at the end of the line.

The Rapala Knot is used to make a loop rather than a tight knot to connect to a lure. The loop allows the lure to move more freely which should attract more fish.

The Dropper Loop is used to make a loop at any point in the line.  This is useful for attaching extra leaders.

Tying Two Lines Together

Sometimes you need to attach two lines together when setting up your tackle.

The Surgeon’s Knot is the easiest knot for tying two lines that are the same diameter.

The Albright Knot is the best knot for tying lines of different diameter or different material together.

Go to the Beginner Fishing Tips page.

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