5 Fishing Knots Every Angler Should Know (Step by Step)

A great fish is only as safe as your weakest knot. Learn these five and you are covered for hooks, lures, leaders and line-to-line connections.

1. Improved Clinch Knot

Use it for: tying hooks, lures and swivels to mono or fluorocarbon.

1. Pass the tag end through the eye and pull about 6 inches through.
2. Wrap the tag end around the standing line 5 to 7 times.
3. Bring the tag through the small loop just above the eye, then through the big loop you just made.
4. Wet the knot and pull the standing line to cinch it tight. Trim.

2. Palomar Knot

Use it for: braid and fluorocarbon to hooks and lures. One of the strongest simple knots.

1. Double 6 inches of line and pass the loop through the eye.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line.
3. Pass the loop over the hook or lure.
4. Wet and pull both ends to tighten. Trim.

3. Uni Knot

Use it for: terminal tackle and tying line to your reel spool.

1. Run the line through the eye and double back alongside the standing line.
2. Form a loop and wrap the tag through it 5 to 6 times.
3. Pull the tag to snug the wraps, then slide the knot to the eye. Trim.

4. Double Uni Knot

Use it for: joining braid to a fluorocarbon or mono leader.

1. Overlap the two lines by about 8 inches.
2. Tie a uni knot with each tag around the other line (use more wraps on braid).
3. Pull each knot snug, then pull the standing lines to slide them together. Trim.

5. Non-Slip Loop Knot

Use it for: jerkbaits, topwater lures and jigs that need to swing freely.

1. Tie a loose overhand knot about 8 inches from the end.
2. Pass the tag through the lure eye and back through the overhand knot.
3. Wrap the standing line 4 to 5 times, then pass the tag back through the overhand knot.
4. Wet, tighten and trim.

Practice on the water

Our interactive step-by-step knot guide walks you through each knot on your phone, one step at a time. Always wet knots before cinching; friction heat weakens line.