Knots

Non Slip Mono-Loop Knot

1) This is one of the few knots where you begin the knot before you insert the line in the hook's eye. Make a simple overhand knot. Bring the tag end through the eye and back through the overhand knot. You must return the tag end through the overhand knot the same way you entered it.

2) Make the recommended number of turns with the tag end around the standing line.

For 6-8 lb test use 7 turns

For 8-12 lb test use 5 turns

For 15-40 lb test use 4 turns

For 50-60 lb test use 3 turns

For 60 lb plus test use 2 turns

3) Return the tag end through the overhand knot the same way you exited the knot.

4) Draw on the tag end until the knot forms together. Then pull on the standing line to close the knot well. Finally, pull on both the tag end and standing line to assure the connection is as tight as possible.

Sizing the Loop

1) The smaller the overhand knot, the smaller the loop. For small loops, try to make the overhand knot no more than 3/16 inch in diameter (about the size of a large split shot.

2) Once the tag end has been inserted through the hook eye and back through the overhand knot, hold the overhand knot lightly, and pull on the tag end. This will carry the overhand knot down near the hook eye.

3) When finally closing the knot, pull out as much slack as possible between the tag end and standing line.

Two-Turn Cinch Knot

1) Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure two times to form a small double loop.

2) Finish the loop between your thumb and forefinger, and make five turns around the standing line. Insert the tag end through the double loop.

3) Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other. Slide against the eye. Clip the tag end.

Clinch Knot

1) Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure. Double back and make five turns around the standing line.

2) Holding the coils in place, thread the tag end of the first loop above the eye, then through the big loop.

3) Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other. Slide against the eye. Clip the tag end.

Palomar Knot

A general purpose connection used in joining fishing line to swivels, snaps, hooks and artificial lures.

1) Double about four inches of line and pass the loop through the eye.

2) Let the lure or hook hang loose and tie and overhand knot in the doubled line. Avoid twisting the line and don't over tighten.

3) Pull the loop of line far enough to pass it over the lure or hook. Make sure the loop passes completely over this attachment.

4) To tighten, pull the tag end while holding the standing line. Clip the tag end.

The Bobber Stop

Bobber fisherman use a running bobber for casting and general handiness, and stop the bobber from running up the line by using the Bobber Stop. The stops moves readily over the rod guides, but grips the monofilament line so tightly that it will not slide over the line. It should be made with about 5 inches of nylon, usually the same diameter as the line itself.

1) Take 2 or 3 turns around the main line at the chosen point.

2) Bring both ends around to form a Surgeon's Knot.

3) Tighten into shape bringing the coils close together.

Arbor Knot

A quick easy connection for attaching line to the reel spool.

1) Pass line around reel arbor.

2) Tie and overhand knot around the standing line. Then tie a second overhand knot in the tag end.

3) Pull tight and snip off excess. Snug down first overhand knot on the reel arbor.

King Sling Knot

An easy to tie end loop knot which is used primarily as a connection for crank baits.

1) Insert tag end of line through artificial bait so that it extends eight to ten inches.

2) Hold the tag end and the standing line in your left hand, and form a loop.

3) With the bait in your right hand make four turns around the tag end and the standing line above the loop.

4) Bring bait down and through the loop.

5) To tighten, hold line above the loop length and pull the tag end and the standing line at the same time. Trim tag end.

Braid Knot

Best if used with new braided line.

1) Run double loop through eye at hook or lure.

2) Loop around end of line and standing part of braided line 8 times. Thread double loop back between the eye and coils.

3) Tighten knot with a steady even motion without hesitation. Trim double loop and end of braided line leaving about 1/4".

Trilene Knot

Used in joining line to swivels, snaps, hooks and artificial lures.

1) Run end of line through eye of hook or lure and double back through the eye a second time.

2) Loop around standing part of line 5 or 6 times. Thread tag end back between the eye and the coils.

3) Tighten knot with a steady even motion without hesitation. Trim tag end leaving about 1/4".

Wedge Knot

A general purpose connection used in joining fishing line to a leader with a loop.

1) Tie a knot in the end of fly line.

2) Pass the fly line and knot through the leader loop and back around to form a simple knot. Pull both ends to cinch up tight.

Nail Knot

Used to attach fly line to fly line backing, or to attach a leader to the line.

1) Hold nail or needle, tip of fly line and backing material between thumb and forefinger. Wrap backing 6 to 7 turns. Wind carefully for a tight, smooth knot. Stick end of backing between nail and fly line.

2) Remove nail. Holding coils carefully between thumb and forefinger, alternately pull both ends of backing with free hand to tighten.

3) Snip off excess backing and end of fly line.

Specialist Fly Knot

Used to attach the fly to leader.

1) Place leader through fly eyelet and slide fly up the leader out of the way before beginning knot.

2) Make an oval loop and hold each end while wrapping the leader around the loop center 3 or 4 times.

3) Stick end of leader through loop closet to fly and cinch knot snug.

4) Trim tag and then place the fly through the loop and pull snug.

Surgeon's Knot

1) Lay the line and leader alongside each other, overlapping six to eight inches.

2) Treating the two like a single line, tie an overhand knot, pulling the entire leader through the loop.

3) Leaving the loop of the overhand knot open, pull the tag ends of both the line and leader through again.

4) Hold both lines and both ends to pull the knot tight. Clip ends close to avoid foul-ups in the rod guides.

Surgeon's Loop

A quick easy way to tie a loop in the end of a leader.

1) Double the end of the line to form a loop, and then tie an overhand knot at the base of the double line.

2) Leaving the loop open, bring the double line through once more.

3) Hold the standing line and tag end, and pull the loop to tighten the knot. You can adjust the loop size by shifting the loose knot before tightening. Clip the tag end.

Blood Knot

Used for tying two pieces of monofilament together of equal diameters.

1) Lie the ends of the two lines against each other, overlapping about 6 inches.

2) Take 5 turns around one line with the end of the other, and bring the end back where it's held between the two lines.

3) Repeat by taking 5 turns around the other line, bringing the end back between the two lines. These two ends should then project in opposite directions.

4) Work the knot up into loops, taking care that the two ends do not slip out of position. Draw the knot up tightly.

Albright Knot

Commonly used for joining monofilament lines of unequal diameters, for creating shock leaders and when Bimini Twist is tied in the end of lighter casting line. Also used to connect monofilament to wire.

1) Bend a loop in the tag end of the heavier line and hold between thumb and forefinger of left hand. Insert the tag end of the lighter line through loop from the top.

2) Slip tag end of lighter line under left thumb and pinch it tightly against the heavier strands of the loop. Wrap the first turn of the lighter line over itself and continue wrapping toward the round end of the loop. Take at least 12 turns with the lighter line around all three strands.

3) Insert tag end of the lighter line through end of loop from the bottom. It must enter and leave the loop on the same side.

4) With the thumb and forefinger of left hand, slide the coils of lighter line towards end of loop, stop 1/8" from end of loop. Using pliers, pull tag end of lighter line tight to keep coils from slipping off loop.

5) With your left hand still holding the heavier line pull on the standing part of the lighter line. Pull the tag end of the lighter line and the standing part a second time. Pull the standing part of the heavy mono and the standing part of the light line.

6) Trim both tag ends.

The Uni-Knot

Attaching the line to the spool of the reel.

1) Run at least six inches of line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure, and fold to make two parallel lines. Bring the tag end of the line back in a circle toward the hook or lure.

2) Make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the circle.

3) Hold the double line at the point where it passes through the eye, and pull the tag end to snug up the turns.

4) To create a loop connection: Adjust the loop size by sliding the knot up or down the standing line. Then pull the tag end with pliers to maximize tightness.

5) To create a snug knot: Pull the standing line to slide the knot up against the eye. Then continue pulling until the knot is tight. Trim the tag end flush with the closest coil on the knot.

The Uni-Knot

Using the Uni-Knot to Join Two Lines

1) Overlap about 12 inches of the ends of two lines. Form a Uni-Knot circle with the tag end of line "A."

2) Wrap line "A" five times to form a Uni-Knot around line "B."

3) Snug the knot by gently pulling on both ends of line "A" with enough tension to close the wraps, but not so tight that it actually grips line "B."

4) Form a new Uni-Knot circle with the tag end of line "B" and wrap line "B" five times to form a Uni-Knot around line "A." (Use only four turns for 60-, 80-, or 100-pound-test monofilament.)

The Snell Knot

Using the Uni-Knot to Snell a Hook

Provides a strong connection when fishing with bait and using a separate length of leader. You can only use a snell with a leader.

1) Thread six inches of line through the eye of the hook.

2) Hold the line against the hook's shank, and form a Uni-Knot circle.

3) Make five to seven turns through the loop and around the standing line and hook's shank.

4) Tighten by pulling the standing line in one direction and the tag end in the other.