Makeaway / Outside / Fishing
A quick field guide to a few basic fishing knots worth knowing before you head outside.
A fishing knot is the small detail that decides whether your line holds or fails. These are quick notes for three useful knots: the improved clinch knot, the Palomar knot, and the blood knot.
Hook / Lure Knot
A common knot for tying fishing line to a hook, lure, or swivel. Run the line through the eye, wrap the tag end around the main line, pass it back through the loop near the eye, then tighten and trim.
Strong Simple Knot
A strong, simple knot often used with braided or monofilament line. Double the line, pass it through the hook eye, tie an overhand knot, pass the hook through the loop, then pull both ends tight.
Line-to-Line Knot
A blood knot joins two pieces of fishing line together. Overlap the lines, wrap each tag end around the opposite line, pass both tag ends back through the center, then pull tight.
A little moisture helps the knot cinch down smoother and reduces heat from friction.
Tug the line after tying. If the knot slips, curls strangely, or looks weak, cut it and tie it again.
Leave enough tag end so the knot does not slip, but trim the extra line so it does not catch weeds or guides.