| Knot | Use it for | Strength / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arbor | Tying line to the reel spool | Only has to grip the spool, not hold a fish |
| Improved clinch | Hook, lure or fly to mono or fluoro | The everyday knot. Wet it and use 5–7 wraps |
| Palomar | Hook or lure, especially with braid | Among the strongest. Needs room to pass the hook through the loop |
| Double surgeon's | Joining two similar lines, adding tippet | Fast, forgiving, strong |
| Double uni | Braid to mono leader, or mismatched diameters | Use 8 wraps on braid |
| Non-slip loop | Streamers, jigs, crankbaits | Lets the lure swing freely for more action |
Step by step
- Arbor knotWrap the line around the spool. Tie an overhand around the standing line, then a second overhand in the tag end, and pull the standing line to cinch it down.
- Improved clinchThread the eye, wrap the tag around the standing line 5–7 times, pass it through the small loop at the eye and then back through the big loop. Wet it, tighten, trim.
- PalomarDouble 6 inches of line through the eye, tie a loose overhand with the doubled line, pass the hook through the loop, wet it and pull tight.
- Double surgeon'sOverlap the two ends about 6 inches, tie an overhand with both lines together, passing them through twice. Pull all four strands evenly.
- Double uniOverlap the lines. With each tag in turn, make a loop around both lines and wrap through it 5 times (8 for braid). Snug each, then slide the knots together.
- Non-slip loopTie a loose overhand, pass the tag through the eye and back through the overhand, wrap the tag around the standing line 4–5 times, then back through the overhand. Wet and tighten.
Three rules for every knot
Wet it before you tighten, because friction heat weakens monofilament. Pull slowly and steadily. Trim the tag to about 1/8 inch, not flush.
If you only learn two
The improved clinch, to tie things on, and the double surgeon's, to tie lines together. Between them you can rig almost any pond or river setup.
Questions anglers ask
- What is the strongest fishing knot?
- Among easy knots, the Palomar consistently tests near the top, especially with braided line.
- What knot joins two fishing lines?
- A double surgeon's for lines of similar size, or a double uni for braid to mono or very different diameters.
- What knot ties line to a reel?
- The arbor knot.
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