Download Article
Give your bait the most secure hold with these fishing hook knots
Download Article
- Clinch Knot |
- Orvis Knot |
- Palomar Knot |
- Davy Knot |
- Baja Knot |
- Pitzen Knot |
- Uni Knot |
- Snell Knot |
- Turle Knot |
- Blood Knot |
- Video |
- Q&A |
- Tips |
- Warnings
Nothing quite compares to enjoying an early morning by the water's edge. You throw your line out, and a short while later, your line tugs. After a few minutes of work, you struggle to reel in a 20-pound lake trout. For your line to successfully draw that creature out, you need to learn to tie a good knot on a fishing hook. In this guide, we'll teach you 10 easy fishing knots so you never lose a catch!
Beginner-Friendly Fishing Knots
- To make a Clinch knot, leave 4 in (10 cm) of tag-end and create a gap above the hook eye. Wrap the line 7 times. Thread the tag end through the gap and pull tight.
- Double 6 in (15 cm) of line and thread it through the hook. Tie an overhand knot and pull the loop down, passing it over the hook. Pull to tighten for a Palomar knot.
- Make a Snell knot by folding the line down on itself to make a loop. Wrap the tag end around the shank and line. Feed the tag end through the loop and tighten.
Steps
-
Choose a clinch knot as your go-to fishing knot. Thread the end of a fishing line through the eye of the hook. Leave 4 in (10 cm) of tag end (excess line) on the right and leave a gap above the hook eye. Use this thread to make 5 to 7 wraps around the line. [1] X Research source- Clinch knots are a popular choice for fishermen. It’s known to be reliable and quick to tie, which means more fishing time!
-
Thread the tag end through the gap to make the knot. Thread the tag end through the gap above the hook eye made in Step 1. Pull the knot tight. A little moisture may help. Wet it in your mouth to provide some lubrication. Clip off the excess line above the knot, leaving 1 ⁄ 8 in (0.3 cm) of line. [2] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Use the Orvis knot as a strong and easy alternative to the clinch knot. Pass a line through the hook eye from below. Twist the tag end behind the main line to form a loop. Go behind the loop and forward with the tag end to create a figure eight shape. [3] X Research source
-
Thread the tag end two times and finish the knot. Feed the tag end through the top of the second loop and repeat this process twice. Then, lubricate the line with your mouth or a dab of water. Pull the tag end tight to close the knot and trim. [4] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Utilize the Palomar knot with braided lines for a strong knot. Double 6 in (15 cm) of the line and pass the doubled line through the eye of the hook. Create a simple overhand knot with the doubled line, ensuring the hook is hanging at the bottom of it. [5] X Research source
-
Slide the doubled line under the hook and tighten it to secure the knot. Above the eye of the hook, slide the doubled line under the hook and back up. Tighten the knot by pulling on the standing lines and the tag end. Clip off the tag end once the knot is secured. [6] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Opt for the Davy knot for small flies. Hold the hook in your left hand in an upright position. Feed the line down through the eye. Bring the tag end overtop and around the running line. Then back and over top of itself. Bring the tag's tip up through the loop and hold it between your thumb and index finger. [7] X Research source
- It should look like a modified figure eight.
- The Davy knot is commonly used among fly fishermen who want a quick, simple, unobtrusive knot to tie. It'll get you back fishing if you break a line.
-
Draw the knot tight by pulling on the end of the line. Instead of pointing the tag end rearward and under the eye, point it outward at a 90-degree angle. Adjust the line as you pull the line closed to secure it. [8] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Use a Baja knot for heavier mono-lines. Place one end of the line right over the left to form a loop. On the tag end, slip the hook through. Circle the tag end around the loop and your thumb once. Then, slip the thread back through between the thumb and forefinger, pinching it with your fingers to keep it in place. [9] X Research source
- Baja knots may also be called the Perfection or Mexican loop.
-
Slide the hook through the loop and tighten it. Bring the hook through the loop. Pull down on your running line to make the loop smaller. Then, pull the line hard to tighten the whole ring. If necessary, secure the hook with pliers. [10] X Research source
- A baja hook allows the bait to swing freely without worrying about losing it.
Advertisement
-
Apply the Pitzen knot for its incredible strength. Thread a line through the eye of the hook. Loop the tagline back under the standing line. Using your index finger as a stopper, hook the line around your finger. [11] X Research source
- The Pitzen knot is also called the Eugene Bend or 16-20 Knot. It can hold up to 95% of the line's breaking strength, so use it for catching bigger fish. While it may be tricky to tie, it's worth it.
- The name 16-20 Knot refers to a successful catch of a salmon that weighed sixteen pounds using this knot. [12] X Research source
-
Wrap the line 4 times before tightening the knot. Wrap the line back around the paralleled lines four times. Pass the tag end back through the small loop created by your finger. Tighten the knot by sliding it down towards the eye of the book with your fingers. [13] X Research source
- Wet the line to make tightening the knot easier.
Advertisement
-
Use a Uni knot for fine tippets and small flies or to join lines. Slide a line through the hook. Lay approximately 6 in (15 cm) of tag end over the main line. Pinch the line right above the hook eye. Curve the tag end around to form a loop before the doubled lines.
- Leave the tag end pointing upward. [14] X Research source
-
Wrap the tag end around the doubled lines and pull tight. Twist the tag end around the doubled lines going through the loops in each pass. Wrap it five times. Ensure the wraps go left to right and towards the tag end. Then, pull the tag end to cinch the ends down. Continue pulling until the knot slides the top of the hook. [15] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Opt for a Snell knot to attach a fishing line to the shank. Pass a line through the eye of the hook. Feed out a nice section and fold it down on itself to form a little loop at the end. With your fingers, pinch the loop off. Then, with the tag end, wrap the shank and the line down towards the eye. [16] X Research source
- It usually takes 6 to 10 wraps.
-
Feed the tag end through the loop and tighten it to secure it. Take the tag end and feed it back through the loop. Pull the tag end and mainline tight to secure the knot. Snip the tag end to remove excess thread. [17] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Choose a turtle knot for flies with small or turn-downed eye hooks. Feed the tag end through the eye of your hook. Make a loop around the back of the standing end. Wrap the line 2 or 3 times around the standing end. Pass the tag end back through the loop closest to your thumb. [18] X Research source
-
Slide the knot and bring the loop over the hook. Snug the knot down, ensuring it can slide up and down the standing end. Slide the hook towards the knot. Trim the tag end and bring the loop over the back of the hook. Tighten to secure the knot. [19] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Use a Blood knot to join similar-sized pieces of leader and tippet. Overlap 5 in (13 cm) of leader line and main line. Pinch the overlapping point with your fingers. Make 5 to 7 wraps around the leader line with the tag end of the main line. Ensure all the wraps move down the leader line. [20] X Research source
-
Wrap the tag end of the leader line and tighten. Put the tag at the end of the main line through the "V" at the overlap point. Cinch the new point with your hand. Repeat these steps using the tag at the end of the leader line. Lubricate the knot and pull both lines and tag ends tight. Cut the tag ends off. [21] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionSometimes fish eat my bait and go. Any tips?Community AnswerUse smaller hooks as well as thinner line, such as 15-20 lbs. As soon as you feel a bite on your line, drop your hook to give the fish more line, and then give it a yank to set the hook.
-
QuestionI usually tie a bunch of normal knots. Will that work?Community AnswerActually, one of the best knots out there, is the Palomar knot. This knot doubles the line strength at the point of tie off, unlike square knots. It's very easy to do a Palomar knot. There's info on it, online.
-
QuestionCan I use a knot like I use to tie my shoes?Community AnswerThat wouldn't be ideal. The knot wouldn't be fully secure and since the fishing line is so small, it would make it much more difficult to tie that way. It could also cause the line to snap.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Fingernail clippers work great to clip the line.Thanks
- Reading glasses are a handy addition to a tackle box.Thanks
- Keep a knife around to cut the fishing line.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If you're looking for a gift for a fisherman, multi-tools are a great addition to keep in a tackle box.
- Always place your hooks back into the box, don't leave them laying around.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- The hooks are very sharp; avoid contact with your eyes, skin, or body parts.Thanks
- When fishing, keep your fishing license with you; if not, you can get in trouble with the park rangers.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/HCjaUcdRDR0?t=19
- ↑ https://youtu.be/HCjaUcdRDR0?t=56
- ↑ http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/orvis-knot/
- ↑ http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/orvis-knot/
- ↑ http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/strongest-palomar-knot/
- ↑ http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/strongest-palomar-knot/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-NTVZAZ0xQA?t=32
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-NTVZAZ0xQA?t=64
- ↑ https://youtu.be/70QcyZc1D10?t=36
- ↑ https://youtu.be/70QcyZc1D10?t=60
- ↑ https://youtu.be/L3769ORvg8U?t=38
- ↑ https://www.epicflyrods.com/blogs/news/the-pitzen-knot-the-best-fly-to-tippet-knot-there-is
- ↑ https://youtu.be/L3769ORvg8U?t=47
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MtCKGnZwOb0?t=38
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MtCKGnZwOb0?t=87
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-_ftAGkewfE?t=3
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-_ftAGkewfE?t=41
- ↑ https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/story/howto/how-to-tie-a-turle-knot/
- ↑ https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/story/howto/how-to-tie-a-turle-knot/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/q06QKib1AEQ?t=50
- ↑ https://youtu.be/q06QKib1AEQ?t=105
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To tie a clinch fishing knot, first thread the end of your fishing line through the eye of a hook and curve it into a loop. Then wrap the end 4-6 times around the rest of the line, going toward the reel but leaving some line free. Next, pass the end of the line that’s still free through the loop and pull it tight to make a knot. Finish the knot by clipping any extra line above it to about 1/8 of an inch. To learn how to tie other fishing knots, like the Palomar or Davy knot, scroll down!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 808,428 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "It's been a long time since I have fished. Widowed and in search of fun, going back to revisit times spent with the love of my life. I was able to re- remember the rig procedures, thanks a million!" ..." more
Advertisement
100%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"It's been a long time since I have fished. Widowed and in search of fun, going back to revisit times spent with the love of my life. I was able to re- remember the rig procedures, thanks a million!"
..."
more
"I am a new fisher, and I almost forgot to look up the article on how to tie a hook to the line! For any novices like me, this article is an essential!"
..."
more
"Searching for ideas for making my own saltwater lures and stumbled upon this site. Contained more information than I could digest in one sitting."
..."
more
"Only tried first and second options, both worked great on my last fishing outing."
"I am a crafter and kite-flyer. I wanted to add fishing line to my skill set."
