Master These 11 Essential Fishing Knots Every Angler Needs

Whether you are a seasoned angler or just starting out, mastering essential fishing knots can make the difference between landing the big one and telling a story about the one that got away. A well-tied knot ensures your line, lure, and hook work together seamlessly, giving you the best chance of success on the water.   There are 3 main types of knots that are important for the angler.  These include:

• Attaching Line to Hook or Lure
• Connecting Lines (line to leader or braid to mono)
• Creating Loops

It is best to practice your knot tying as the strength of the knot is often dependent upon the technique and accuracy when tying it.  In this article, we’ll explore each of these types and the top 11 fishing knots that every angler should have in their repertoire.

1. The Palomar Knot

The Palomar knot is renowned for its simplicity and strength, making it ideal for securing hooks, lures, and swivels. It boasts a high knot strength, often exceeding 90% of the line’s breaking strength.  It is almost a “foolproof” knot as it is very easy to tie properly.

Type: Line to Lure

How to Tie: How to Tie a Palomar Knot

1. Double your line and pass the loop through the eye of the hook.
2. Tie an overhand knot with the hook inside the loop.
3. Pass the loop over the hook and pull both tag end and standing line to tighten.

2. The Improved Clinch Knot (Fisherman’s Knot)

A go-to knot for many, the improved clinch knot is versatile and reliable, offering good strength retention when tied correctly.  The Clinch knot can slip when used with braid fishing line, so it would be better to use Palomar or Uni knots.

Type: Line to Lure

How to Tie: How to Tie the Improved Clinch Knot

1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook and wrap it around the standing line 5-7 times.
2. Thread the tag end back through the first loop formed behind the eye, then through the big loop.
3. Moisten the knot and pull the tag end to tighten, trimming excess line.

3. The Blood Knot

When you need to join two lines of similar diameter, the blood knot is your best friend. It provides a strong, low-profile connection for smooth casting.

Type: Line to Line/Leader

How to Tie: How to Tie a Blood Knot

1. Overlap the ends of the two lines and twirl one around the other 5 times.
2. Bring the end back between the two lines.
3. Repeat the process with the second line, wrapping it in the opposite direction.
4. Slowly pull both standing lines to tighten.

4. The Uni Knot

The uni knot is incredibly versatile, used for attaching lines to hooks, lures, or swivels, and even for joining two lines together. It’s known for its strength and reliability.

Type: Line to Lure

How to Tie: How to Tie the Uni Knot

1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook and double back parallel to the standing line.
2. Make 6-7 turns around the double line and through the loop.
3. Moisten and pull the tag end to tighten.

5. The Surgeon’s Knot

For a quick and easy way to tie a dropper or create a loop in your leader, turn to the surgeon’s knot. It’s a simple knot with good strength for its simplicity.

Type: Line to Line/Leader

How to Tie: How to Tie the Surgeon’s Knot

1. Form a loop in your line.
2. Pass the tag end and lure through the loop twice.
3. Moisten the knot and pull both the tag end and standing line to tighten.

6. The Albright Knot

When connecting lines of different diameters, such as your backing to fly line or fly line to leader, the Albright knot shines. It offers a secure connection with minimal bulk.

Type: Line to Line/Leader

How to Tie: How to Tie the Albright Knot

1. Form a loop in the heavier line.
2. Pass the lighter line through the loop.
3. Wrap the lighter line around both sides of the loop 10 times.
4. Pass the lighter line back through the loop.
5. Pull all four ends slowly to tighten.

7. The Snell Knot

The snell knot is perfect for ensuring your hook rides at the correct angle, especially when using live bait. It’s a strong knot that can withstand the pull of a fighting fish.  There are many variations of the snell knot, but this is one of them.

Type: Line to Hook

How to Tie: How to Tie the Snell Knot

1. Lay the hook alongside your leader with the tag end toward the bend.
2. Make 5-6 turns around the hook shank and leader, moving toward the eye.
3. Pass the tag end through the loop formed at the eye and pull to tighten.

8. The FG Knot

For joining braided main line to a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader, the FG knot offers a slim profile that passes through guides easily. This knot involves wrapping the braid around the leader in a series of half hitches, then securing it with several overhand knots.

Type: Line to Line/Leader (Braid/Mono)

How to Tie: How to Tie the FG Knot

9. The Rapala Knot

Named after the famous lure company, the Rapala knot gives lures more action in the water. It’s a strong knot that won’t easily come undone.

Type: Line to Lure (Loop)

How to Tie: How to Tie the Rapala Knot

1. Pass the line through the lure eye and tie a loose overhand knot with the tag end.
2. Pass the tag end back through the lure eye and the overhand knot.
3. Wrap the tag 3 times around the standing line and thread it through the loop above the overhand knot.
4. Moisten and tighten.

10. The Perfection Loop Knot

The Perfection Loop is an excellent choice for creating a secure, strong loop at the end of your line. It’s especially popular among fly anglers for attaching leaders.

Type: Line to Lure (Loop)

How to Tie: Perfection Loop Knot

1. Form a loop in the end of the line.
2. Make a second loop and lay it on top of the first, with the tag end under the standing end.
3. Pass the tag end between the two loops.
4. Pull the top loop through the bottom loop.
5. Lubricate and tighten by pulling on the standing end and the new loop. Trim the end.

11. The Alberto Knot

The Alberto Knot is a great choice for connecting braid to fluorocarbon or monofilament leader, known for its strength and compact size.

Type: Line to Line/Leader (Braid/Mono)

How to Tie: How to Tie an Alberto Knot

1. Create a loop in the leader material.
2. Pass the main line (braid) through the loop and leave about 8-10 inches of tag end.
3. Pinch the loop closed and wrap the tag end of the main line around the doubled leader 7-10 times.
4. Wrap the tag end back towards the loop, overlapping the previous wraps.
5. Pass the tag end back through the loop, exiting in the same direction it entered.
6. Moisten and tighten the knot by pulling on all four strands.

Summary

Mastering these 11 knots will prepare you for almost any fishing situation you encounter. Remember, practice makes perfect – tie these knots repeatedly until you can do them with your eyes closed. Always moisten your knots before tightening to reduce friction and test them before casting out. With these reliable connections in your tackle box, you’ll be well-equipped to handle whatever the fish throw your way. Happy fishing!

There are many articles on Thrillfishing.com that can be very helpful for the angler to learn and become more productive on the water. 

Please send pictures of your fishing success.  You can contact me by email at [email protected].

 

Tight lines …  Captain P.