Fishing knots

After choosing your combination of rod and reel, fishing line, and fishing hook style and size, you want to connect them all together securely. This should be done with knots that you know will work.

Knot basics

Fishing line is only as strong as the knots tied to it. The entire fishing line is weakened by tying knots. The best knots have little effect on the strength of the line, while the bad ones can cut the strength of the line in half. It is highly recommended to choose knots that are easy to tie because even strong knots will turn out to be weak if not tied properly.

Some commonly used knots

There are many different knots used by fishermen to tie fishing line. Here are four basic knots that every angler can use.

Trilene knot: The Trilene knot is good for tying hooks to fishing line and retains about 90 percent of the line’s strength. Pass the line through the eye of the hook twice from the same side and leave a small loop next to the eye. Wrap the free end of the line around the foot line 5 times and insert the free end through the double loop. Snuggle up with a steady, firm pull on both the line and the hook. Trim the end of the tag.

Dovecote Knot: The Palomar knot is used to tie the hook to the fishing line and retains approximately 85 percent of the line’s force. To tie the Palomar knot, first fold the line against itself to form a double strand and push it through the eye of the hook. In this double strand, tie a single knot and leave a loop large enough for the hook to pass through. Pass the hook through the loop and tighten the knot by pulling the double line with one hand and the hook with the other. Trim the end of the tag.

Improved tree knot: The improved tree knot is used to tie the fishing line to the spool of the fishing reel. This knot will retain approximately 60 percent of the line’s strength. First, wrap the line around the spool and tie a knot around the vertical line to form a loose slip knot. Tie another single knot at the free end and thread it through the first single knot. Tighten the free end knot, then pull firmly on the vertical line to tighten the other knot around the spool.

Blood knot: The blood knot is used to tie fishing line to another fishing line and will retain about 65 percent of the line’s strength. First, overlap the lines so that they point in opposite directions. Twist one of the lines around the other four times and bring the free end back and insert it between the two lines. Twist the other line in the same way and bring it back through the same opening that holds the other line. Tighten with a quick pull. Trim the ends of the label.

Knot tips

One tip to remember when tying fishing knots is to moisten the knot with saliva before tightening it. This will reduce friction and help form a firm, smooth knot. Another tip is to use a gentle, strong pull when tightening the knot. Always test your knot after tying it. It is better for the knot to break or come undone now than when fighting a big fish. Since all the knots will slip a bit, it is best to leave a little more on the end of the tag.

Always remember that use will weaken your knots. The knots should be re-tied and tested frequently on your fishing trip. Doing so will help increase your fishing success.