Fishing Tips - Tie the Right Knot

Choosing the right knot is critical to a successful fishing trip. A strong, reliable knot ensures your line doesn't break when you hook a big fish or when casting a heavy lure. This guide outlines three of the most essential knots every angler should know.

The Improved Clinch Knot

The Improved Clinch Knot is perhaps the most widely used knot for tying a line to a hook, swivel, or lure. It is known for its reliability and is an excellent choice for monofilament and fluorocarbon lines.

When to Use It

• Attaching terminal tackle (hooks, swivels, lures) to the fishing line.
• It is particularly strong for lines up to about 20 pounds test.

Step	Action
1	Pass the line through the eye of the hook or lure.
2	Wrap the tag end around the standing line five to seven times.
3	Thread the tag end back through the first loop created closest to the eye.
4	Thread the tag end through the larger, secondary loop just formed.
5	Moisten the knot, then pull the standing line and tag end to tighten.
6	Trim the excess tag end.

The Palomar Knot

The Palomar Knot is considered one of the strongest and simplest knots to tie, especially suitable for braided lines and for attaching a line to a fishing reel. Its strength is derived from the fact that the line is doubled through the hook eye.

When to Use It

• Ideal for braided fishing lines.
• Excellent for use with large-eye hooks or when you need maximum knot strength.

Knot Tying Procedure

1. Double the line and pass the loop through the eye of the hook.
2. Tie a standard overhand knot with the loop, making sure the hook hangs loose.
3. Pass the loop over the hook, swivel, or lure.
4. Moisten the line and pull the standing line and tag end to set the knot firmly against the eye.
5. Trim the tag end.

The Surgeon's Loop

The Surgeon's Loop is a simple, strong, and reliable knot used to create a non-slip loop at the end of a line. This loop can be used to connect lines via a loop-to-loop connection or to attach a lure that needs more freedom of movement.

When to Use It

• Creating a quick loop for a line-to-line or loop-to-loop connection.
• Providing a non-binding connection for lures, which enhances action.

Steps to Tie the Loop

1. Form a simple loop at the end of your line.
2. Pass the tag end and the standing line through the loop twice, essentially tying a double overhand knot.
3. Moisten the knot.
4. Pull all three lines (the tag end, the standing line, and the loop itself) simultaneously to tighten the knot.
5. Trim the excess tag end.

Quick Reference Comparison

Here is a quick summary of the strengths and primary uses for these three essential fishing knots.

Knot Name	Primary Line Type	Best Use Case	Knot Strength Rating
Improved Clinch Knot	Monofilament, Fluorocarbon	Attaching to hooks/lures	Very Good
Palomar Knot	Braided, Monofilament	Attaching to hooks/lures	Excellent
Surgeon's Loop	All Line Types	Creating an end-of-line loop	Good