Fishing knots seem like a tangled mess of loops and lines for beginners. However, mastering a few essential knots can make all the difference in your fishing experience. These knots are not just about securing your hook or lure; they are about ensuring your fishing line’s strength, maximizing your catch rate, and enhancing your connection with the great outdoors.
The average angler should know how to tie at least three knots, yet certain types of fishing such as fly tackle or big-game tackle can require more types. In this guide, we will untangle the knotty confusion with five simple and secure freshwater fishing knots that every novice angler should have in their repertoire. These knots will fasten a successful start to a long and enjoyable fishing adventure for bass, walleye, pike, or other freshwater game.
Types of Fishing Knots
As you may have already discovered, hundreds of different fishing knots are out there to utilize. Each knot has its unique properties, applications, advantages, and disadvantages. Some are relatively easy to learn and tie, while others require more expertise and practice.
We will focus on five simple and essential fishing knots to know below!
Arbor Knot
The Arbor Knot is simple and helpful for attaching your fishing line to a reel’s spool.
Steps to tie an Arbor Knot:
- Wrap the Line Around the Spool
- Take the end of the fishing line and wrap it around the spool of your reel. Ensure that you have enough line to tie the knot comfortably.
- Create an Overhand Knot
- With the tag end of the line, tie a simple overhand knot around the main line, creating a loop around the spool.
- Tie Another Overhand Knot
- Take the tag end (the short end) and tie another overhand knot at the very end of the tag end. This second knot will act as a stopper knot.
- Tighten the Knots
- Moisten the knots (this helps them slide and tighten more easily) and pull on the main line to slide the first knot down to the spool. The stopper knot will keep the line from slipping off the spool.
- Secure the Knots
- Pull both the main line and the tag end to ensure the knots are snug and secure against the spool.
Uni Knot
A highly versatile knot, the Uni Knot is primarily used for tying fishing line to terminal tackle (e.g. hooks, lures, and swivels). Plus, the knot can be substituted for the Arbor Knot. The Uni Knot can also be doubled, called a Double Uni Knot to tie two types of fishing line together.
Let’s start with the basic Uni Knot:
- Thread the Line
- Pass the tag end of the line through the eye of the hook, lure, or swivel, and pull several inches of line through.
- Form a Loop
- Create a loop by bringing the tag end back towards the main line, forming a circle.
- Wrap the Tag End
- Take the tag end and wrap it around the double line (both the main line and the tag end) inside the loop. Make about 5-7 wraps.
- Tighten the Knot
- Moisten the knot to reduce friction. Then, pull the tag end to partially tighten the coils around the main line.
- Slide the Knot
- Pull on the main line to slide the knot down to the eye of the hook, lure, or swivel. Ensure the coils are snug and tight.
- Trim the Tag End
- Once the knot is secure, trim the excess tag end, leaving a small amount of line to ensure the knot doesn’t slip.
Tying a Double Uni Knot (for joining two fishing lines):
- Overlap the Lines
- Take the ends of the two lines you wish to join and overlap them by several inches.
- Form the First Uni Knot
- With one line, create a loop and wrap the tag end around both lines (including the other line) about 5-7 times. Pull the tag end to partially tighten the knot, but don’t fasten it.
- Form the Second Uni Knot
- Repeat the process with the other line: create a loop, wrap the tag end around both lines 5-7 times, and pull the tag end to partially tighten the knot.
- Tighten the Knots
- Moisten both knots and pull the standing lines (the main parts of both lines) to slide the knots together. They should snug up against each other.
- Secure and Trim
- Pull both lines firmly to ensure the knots are secure, and trim the tag ends closely to the knots.
Improved Clinch Knot
The Improved Clinch Knot is an easy alternative to the Uni Knot. It is just as reliable and as strong of a knot for securing hooks, lures, or swivels to your fishing line. It has an additional step to the original Clinch Knot that gives the Improved Clinch Knot extra strength and makes it more secure when fastening the knot.
How to Tie an Improved Clinch Knot:
- Thread the Line
- Pass the tag end of the fishing line through the eye of the hook, lure, or swivel.
- Wrap the Tag End
- Wrap the tag end around the standing line (the main line) 5-7 times. The number of wraps can vary depending on the thickness of the line; thinner lines may require more wraps.
- Create a Loop
- After wrapping, pass the tag end through the small loop created near the eye of the hook (the one closest to the eye).
- Pass-Through the Large Loop
- Then, pass the tag end through the large loop made in the previous step.
- Tighten the Knot
- Moisten the knot with water or saliva to reduce friction, then slowly pull the tag end and the standing line simultaneously to tighten the knot. Make sure the coils are snug neatly.
- Trim the Tag End
- Once the knot is secure and tight, trim the excess tag end, leaving a short bit of fishing line to ensure the knot does not slip.
Trilene Knot
A variation of the Clinch Knot, the Trilene Knot is another easy fishing knot to tie. Drawing it tight can be tough with a 12lb line test or heavier. It can be harder to tie with small hooks (size 18 and smaller) because the line has to be threaded through the eye of the hook twice.
How to tie a Trilene Knot:
- Double the Line
- Pass the tag end of the line through the eye of the hook, lure, or swivel, then pass it through again, creating a loop.
- Wrap the Tag End
- Wrap the tag end around the standing line 5-6 times. The number of wraps can vary depending on the line’s thickness.
- Pass Through the Loop
- Take the tag end and pass it through the loop formed near the eye of the hook (the loop you created when you passed the line through the eye twice).
- Pass Back Through the Larger Loop
- Then, pass the tag end through the larger loop created by the previous step.
- Tighten the Knot
- Moisten the knot with a bit of water or saliva to reduce friction, and then slowly pull both the standing line and the tag end to tighten the knot. Make sure the coils are neatly snug.
- Trim the Tag End
- Once the knot is secure and tight, trim the excess tag end, leaving a small bit to ensure the knot doesn’t slip.
Snell Knot
The Snell Knot is an old-fashioned knot from the days before modern fishing hooks implemented an open loop (eye). Old fishing hooks that might be rattling around your grandfather’s tackle box had a flat solid paddle-like end where anglers had to tire their lines directly to their hooks.
Yet, the Snell Knot can still be used with modern fishing hooks and is sometimes used in certain fly-fishing knots as it is still a strong knot.
How to Tie a Snelling Knot:
- Pass the Line through the Hook Eye
- Start by threading the tag end of the line through the eye of the hook from the back (pointing away from the hook’s point) and pull several inches of line through.
- Create a Loop
- Bring the tag end backwards to the main line and create a loop along the hook’s shank.
- Wrap the Tag End
- Hold the loop against the shank of the hook with your thumb and finger, then wrap the tag end around the shank and the main line, moving towards the eye of the hook. Make about 5-7 wraps.
- Secure the Wraps
- After the wrapping, pass the tag end through the loop you created in the second step.
- Tighten the Knot
- Moisten the wraps to reduce friction, then pull the main line to tighten the wraps around the hook shank. The wraps should snug down neatly and securely.
- Trim the Tag End
- Once the knot is secure, trim the excess tag end. Leave a short section of line to ensure the knot will not slip.
Ready to Reel in the Big Ones?
Congratulations! You now have a handy toolkit of essential fishing knots that beginners should master. Whether fishing for bass, walleye, pike or any other freshwater game, these knots will keep you fastened for action. Remember, these are not the only knots, but they are simple, versatile, and practical for exploring your preferences.
Before you head out on your fishing adventure, here are a few quick tips:
- Practice Makes Perfect: Spend time practicing these knots at home until it is second nature for you.
- Keep It Simple: Stick to these basic knots until you are comfortable. Before gradually exploring more advanced knots as you gain experience.
- Stay Patient: Fishing is as much about patience and relaxation as it is about catching fish. Enjoy the process!
Lastly, if you want another alternative to your knotty problem, check out the Palomar Knot for another easy and strong knot to tie!
Article by Joe Barefoot, M.B., Outdoor Writer and Nationally Published Author & Photographer. A member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
Sources:
Sosin, M., Kreh, L., & Walinchus, R. (1991). Practical Fishing Knots II. Lyons & Burford, Publishers.
Healy, J. B. (2017). The Pocket Guide to Fishing Knots: A Step-By-Step Guide To The Most Important Knots For Fresh And Salt Water. Skyhorse Publishing.