All you need to know about basic fishing line knots
The boatsales.com.au guide to the only fishing knots that the average angler will ever need to knowYou don't need to know a lot of knots to make a decent fist of fishing. Learn how to tie these ones, and you'll be well on the way to landing the first of many fish.
Recreational fishers can complicate things. They muddle our heads with times, tides, moon phases, currents, wind and seasons before finally committing to fishing.
They even complicate fishing when we are fishing, with a litany of knots available to us being the perfect example – there are knots for lures, knots to connect lines together, knots for connecting lines to the spool on the reel, and knots to create loops.
While names like the Orvis twist, the San Diego Jam and Double Davey might sound fancy, all they are going to do is tie you, and not the line, in knots.
All you really need are three main connections: line to a hook, line to a lure, or joining braid to a mono or fluorocarbon leader. Let's start with the terminal connection.
Terminal (line to hook) connections
Of all the knots to attach a hook to the end of your line, the easiest is the uni knot, a fantastic all-rounder with applications for connecting terminal tackle such as hooks. You can even snell a hook with it.
Despite being simple, the uni knot will retain about 80 per cent of the line's breaking strength.
To tie a uni knot, run the tag end of the line through the hook's eye, and then double back so it forms a circle with the tag end crossing the mainline.
Once a circle is formed, wrap the tag end around the double line with five to six turns and then take it through the loop. Moisten the line – this step is crucial as heat from friction as you tighten the knot can weaken the line – and pull it tight. Pull the mainline again to slide the knot down to the eye of the hook.
The uni knot can also join two lines, such as braid and mono, forming a double uni knot.
This knot is not as strong as a connection to a hook, but it is a useful estuary knot for line-to-line connections where the lines are of a similar diameter.
It follows the same process as above, but you are tying two opposing uni knots that come together.
Lure connections
For lure anglers, a loop knot is a must-have. Fast and easy to tie, it has good knot strength and, importantly, enables a lure to have more action.
By leaving a non-slip loop on the end of the line, a lure is allowed to move freely in the knot and perform at its best.
To tie a loop knot, first make an overhand loop, or a granny knot, in the mainline.
The tag end then goes through the eye of the lure you are using. This will bring your overhand loop towards the lure.
Pinch it with your fingers and wrap the tag end around the mainline twice.
Grab the tag end and pull it back through the overhand knot. Pull tight, but do not close the knot. Moisten the knot and pull the mainline to close it.
Braid to mono connections
The double uni knot works for lines of similar thickness, it is not as strong, nor as good as the FG knot.
The FG is reliable in all line classes and, once mastered, can be tied relatively quickly.
The beauty of the FG Knot is that it is slim and unlikely to catch on your guides as you cast. It is also stronger and works like a Chinese finger trap, so for that reason you need to focus on tension. A lack of tension will be the main reason that this knot fails.
There are many ways to tie this knot, and you can buy apparatus that will make it easier, but first, simply pull your mainline taut.
To do this, leave your rod in a holder and hold the mainline in your mouth, keeping both of your hands free, then wrap the leader and rest it over the mainline.
Keeping the leader at 90 degrees to the mainline, wrap the lead line under and around the mainline and pull tight to form the first coil.
Next, wrap the leader around the mainline again, but this time over and around the side of the knot closest to you.
Pull to tighten the second coil. Now you should have a coil over and under the mainline. Repeat this process until you have wrapped 20 to 22 times around the mainline.
Make sure you pull the leader after each wrap to keep it tight. To lock it off, do about six half hitches up the mainline and leader with the tag end of the braid. Then pull hard in opposite directions with the mainline and leader to lock it all in.
Finally, trim the excess.
Handy hints
- Knot tying doesn't need to be like studying for a physics exam. Use a couple of good knots and forget the rest. A secure knot is more likely to land that fish of a lifetime than a fancy knot you can't tie properly.
- Practice as often as you can. Being able to tie knots in all conditions quickly will mean you have your line in the water, more often.
- Always lubricate your knots with water or saliva before you close them. This reduces friction, keeping the line in top condition.
- Pull your knots tight before casting. This reduces slippage and will show up potential problems before they become one.
- And remember, if you are that person who jumps on a boat and can't tie his own knots, it may be the reason you're never invited back.
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