Every Fishing Knot You'll Ever Need To Know

Learning to tie fishing knots is a fundamental first step for any aspiring angler. Whether you are joining different lines or tying the backing to the reel, it's vital to determine the right knot for the kind of fishing you have in mind. By selecting the most appropriate knot and tying it well, you can best maintain the strength of whatever type of fishing line you may be using. In addition to their strength, knots vary in their ease of tying and their usefulness. One knot may be ideal for a particular usage but ill-suited to another application. Numerous online resources offer advice on the best techniques to tie each type of knot. One extra benefit of learning online, instead of simply from a book, is the possibility of watching videos or animated images, which can gradually lead you through each step.

Albright Knot - The Albright knot may be used for many purposes, but is most often used for joining two different types of fishing line together, such as larger and smaller lines, braided to wire lines, or monofilament to braided lines. It is also ideal for fishing with fluorocarbon lines. The knot is composed of a loop that wraps around itself and a set of 10 tight loops.

Clinch Knot - The clinch knot is very simple to tie. It involves simply wrapping the line around itself five to six times, and then inserting it back through the "loop" that you have created. The so-called "improved clinch knot" is a variation on this knot, which is also popular among many fishermen and particularly easy for beginners to tie.

Palomar Knot - This knot is moderately easy to learn to tie and offers exceptional strength, especially for lighter gauge lines. It also makes an excellent choice for terminal tackle. In fact, the knot offers 95 percent the strength of standard line, a far improvement over a standard overhand knot, for example. For a neat finish, the conscientious fisherman will lightly moisten the line right after tying. The ease of the knot is another perk, as it can easily be tied in the dark, with just a little practice.

Blood Knot - The blood knot, also known as the barrel knot, has several variations. Generally, these various knots are used to secure the hook to the line, or when sea angling, to tie terminals to the line. The blood or barrel knot is also highly regarded for its ability to join together sections of monofilament nylon line without weakening the connection. It is typically grouped as a moderate-to-strong knot, maintaining 70 percent of the line's strength.

Surgeon's Knot - The surgeon's knot is a classic fly-fishing knot that has seen a resurgence among contemporary anglers, including saltwater fishermen. It is a fairly simple knot to tie, which relies on maintaining the same tension among all four legs of lines that join together in the knot. The knot is also widely praised for its simplicity and reliability, making it ideal to connect multiple sections of line.

Arbor Knot - Considered one of the most fundamental knots to know, this simple knot is used to tie the backing to the reel. It is formed by passing the line around the reel arbor, which is also where the knot gets its name.

In-Line Dropper Loop - This knot is used to create a loop in the middle of a line, so that a hook or rig may be "dropped" from a midpoint. As such, the knot is often used in multi-hook arrangements. The knot is especially useful for saltwater fishing, such as for fishing blackfish, porgy or fluke.

Additional Knots