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ESSENTIAL KNOTS

A strong knot is the only connection between you and your fish. Master these essential knots and you'll never lose a fish to knot failure again.

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GOLDEN RULES FOR ALL KNOTS

1.Always moisten - Wet the knot before tightening to reduce friction heat
2.Pull slowly - Steady pressure seats knots properly
3.Test before fishing - Give a firm tug after tying
4.Trim tag ends - But leave 1/16" to prevent slippage
01

Palomar Knot

Easy95-100% line strength

One of the strongest and most reliable fishing knots. It maintains nearly 100% of line strength and works exceptionally well with braided line.

Palomar Knot

Best For

HooksLuresSwivelsBraided line connections

Works With

BraidedMonofilamentFluorocarbon

HOW TO TIE THE PALOMAR KNOT

  1. Double 6 inches of line and pass the loop through the hook eye
  2. Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line (hook hangs below)
  3. Pass the loop over the entire hook or lure
  4. Moisten the knot with saliva or water
  5. Pull both the standing line and tag end to tighten
  6. Trim the tag end close to the knot

Pro Tips

  • Best knot for braided line
  • Ensure loop draws tight at the eye, not below it
  • Can be tricky with large treble hook lures
  • Always wet the knot before cinching tight
02

Improved Clinch Knot

Easy85-95% line strength

The classic go-to knot for connecting monofilament or fluorocarbon to hooks and lures. Simple, quick, and reliable - the first knot many anglers learn.

Improved Clinch Knot

Best For

General purposeMono/Fluoro connectionsQuick rigging

Works With

MonofilamentFluorocarbon

HOW TO TIE THE IMPROVED CLINCH KNOT

  1. Pass line through the hook eye, leaving 6-10 inches of tag end
  2. Wrap the tag end around the main line 5-7 times
  3. Thread tag end through the small loop above the eye
  4. Pass tag end through the large loop you just created
  5. Moisten the knot
  6. Pull main line slowly to tighten - coils should stack neatly
  7. Trim tag end, leaving 1/16 inch

Pro Tips

  • More wraps for lighter line, fewer for heavy
  • The "improved" part is passing through the big loop
  • Works best with mono and fluoro (not ideal for braid)
  • Moisten knot to prevent friction damage
03

Uni Knot

Easy90-95% line strength

A versatile knot that can be used for hooks, lures, joining lines, and more. Also called the "Duncan Loop" or "Grinner Knot." Easy to learn and very strong.

Uni Knot

Best For

Versatile applicationsEasy to tieJoining two lines (double uni)

Works With

MonofilamentFluorocarbonBraided (with more wraps)

HOW TO TIE THE UNI KNOT

  1. Pass line through the eye, then double back parallel to mainline
  2. Create a loop by laying tag end over the doubled line
  3. Wrap tag end through the loop and around both lines 5-6 times
  4. Moisten the knot
  5. Pull the tag end to snug up the wraps
  6. Pull the main line to slide knot down to the eye
  7. Trim the tag end

Pro Tips

  • Use 6-8 wraps for braided line
  • Double Uni can join two different line types
  • Can be left as a loop knot for lure action
  • Very consistent once you've practiced it
04

Surgeon's Knot

Easy85-90% line strength

A quick and easy knot for joining two lines together, such as attaching a leader to your mainline. Works well even when lines are different diameters.

Surgeon's Knot

Best For

Leader connectionsJoining line to leaderQuick rigging

Works With

MonofilamentFluorocarbonWorks with different diameters

HOW TO TIE THE SURGEON'S KNOT

  1. Overlap the mainline and leader by 6-8 inches
  2. Form a simple loop with both lines together
  3. Pass both tag ends through the loop twice (double overhand)
  4. Optionally pass through a third time for added strength
  5. Moisten and pull all four ends to tighten
  6. Trim both tag ends close to the knot

Pro Tips

  • Great for fluorocarbon leaders on braided mainline
  • Triple Surgeon's (3 passes) is even stronger
  • Quick to tie on the water
  • Tag ends will stick out at angle - normal
05

Blood Knot

Moderate85-90% line strength

The classic knot for joining two lines of similar diameter, especially in fly fishing for building tapered leaders. Creates a slim, strong connection.

Blood Knot

Best For

Fly leadersJoining similar diameter linesSlim profile needed

Works With

MonofilamentFluorocarbon

HOW TO TIE THE BLOOD KNOT

  1. Overlap the two line ends by 6 inches
  2. Wrap one tag end around the other line 5 times, then bring back through the center
  3. Repeat with the other tag end, wrapping in the opposite direction
  4. Both tag ends should exit the center in opposite directions
  5. Moisten and pull both standing lines to tighten
  6. Trim tag ends close

Pro Tips

  • Lines should be similar diameter (within 0.003" for best results)
  • Hold the center junction while making wraps
  • Used extensively in fly fishing for leader construction
  • Takes practice but creates clean, slim connection
06

Non-Slip Loop Knot

Moderate85-95% line strength

Creates a fixed loop that allows lures and flies to move freely for more natural action. Essential for serious finesse anglers and fly fishers.

Non-Slip Loop Knot

Best For

Lure actionJerkbaitsFly fishingTopwater

Works With

MonofilamentFluorocarbon

HOW TO TIE THE NON-SLIP LOOP KNOT

  1. Tie a loose overhand knot in the line, 10 inches from end
  2. Pass tag end through hook eye, then back through overhand knot
  3. Wrap tag end around standing line 4-5 times
  4. Pass tag end back through the overhand knot (same side you exited)
  5. Moisten and pull tag end to snug wraps
  6. Pull standing line to seat the knot at desired loop size
  7. Trim tag end

Pro Tips

  • Loop size affects lure action - experiment
  • Perfect for jerkbaits, crankbaits, and topwater
  • Smaller loops for smaller lures
  • Also known as Kreh Loop or Rapala Knot
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