Basic Fishing Knots

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Knowing how to tie good fishing knots is an essential skill for any angler. Many anglers have lost numerous fish due to improper knot tying or forgetting to check the stability of their knots. A knot that is tied improperly can weaken your line up to 50%. Proper knot tying ensures that your equipment is fully secure, allowing you to catch more fish.

There are various kinds of knots used in fishing. A knot is usually indicated for connecting specific parts of your equipment together; make sure you follow these indications. Here are a few fishing knots and their common uses:

1. Arbor knot. This attaches the main line to the reel spool. 2. Albright knot. This attaches the main line to the backing. 3. Bait loop. This attaches the hook to the leader. 4. Blood knot and Surgeon’s knot. This attaches the leader to the tippet. 5. Buffer loop. This attaches the main line to the swivel. 6. Clinch knot, Palomar knot, Trilene knot and Uni knot. These attach the tippet to the fly. 7. Double Uni knot. This attaches the main line to the backing and the leader to the braid. 8. Interlocking loop. This attached the line to another line and the main line to the leader. 9. Nail knot and Dropper loop. These attach the main line to the leader. 10. Rapala knot and Turle knot. This attaches the leader to the fly. 11. Whip fish knot. This attaches the main line to the hook and the head of your fly.

While it may be ideal for you to know how to tie each of these knots, you don’t have to. You only need to know how to tie a handful of knots in order to fish properly. Determine which knot works best for you and your fishing style.

Remember that your fishing line is only as good as its weakest point, which, in most cases is your knot. Don’t forget to retie your knot every time you catch a fish. Trim your knots using a nail clipper. When tying a knot on the hook, make sure that the hook is desiged for that knot. Also, when tying a fishing knot, remember to wet your knot first to make sure that the knot is secure. Pull the knots tight, using even pressure. Test each of your knots again prior to casting.

By knowing how to tie fishing knots, you minimize the risk of losing the catch of your life. Remember, practice makes perfect!

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