Fishing Knots

A chain is as strong as its weakest link the saying goes, and this is very true when angling. No matter how good our lines are, if there is an incorrect or badly tied knot, this can lose you fish and cause great disappointment and frustration.

Here we lay out the best knots you will need and how to tie them. Remember to practice knots until you can tie them perfectly every time.

fishing-line-2

Five Top Knot Tips

Always moisten your knots before tightening and tighten slowly and firmly.
High-tech lines do not respond very well to some knots. Always check, and if you are not happy with your knot, change it. The 'Xtreme' Knot is particularly good for high-tech knots.
Knots must look right. A bad looking knot usually is a bad knot. Cut it off and start again.
Don't learn too many knots. The Double Overhand Loop, Xtreme Knot, Bloodknot and the Half Bloodknot will cover most of your needs.
Never bite knots after tying. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors, or clippers, to trim them.

Freshwater Fishing Knots

Xtreme Knot

The Xtreme Knot has been developed at Ultima to give ultimate performance with Ultima Xtreme or indeed any other line.Simple to tie, it delivers 100% knot strength for absolute reliability. Make exactly eight turns up the line and three turns back.

xtreme-knot

Bloodknot

The Bloodknot is probably the single most important knot in an anglers armoury. It can be used in its various forms to join two lengths of line together, to attach line to a spool or lood, or even for tying a hook. the beauty of it is that the knot produced is streamlined, unobtrusive, and does not weaken the line excessively. the full bloodknot is really two knots in one, and the best knot for joining two lengths of line of similar breaking strain or diameter.


Step 1: Lay both ends of line to be joined beside each other.	Step 2: Twist one free end four times round the body of the other, and tuck it between the two parts.	Step 3: Repeat with the other end, making sure the first turns do not unwind.	Step 4: Moisten and draw the knot tight by pulling on the main parts of the lines (called the standing parts), not the free ends. Trim neatly.

Half Bloodknot

As its name suggests, this knot is simply half a bloodknot. It is used to attach line items such as hooks and swivels, and is reliable and easy to tie. The knot shown here has been tucked, meaning that the free end is passed through the loop which is formed between its coils and the hook or swivel.


Step 1: Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook or swivel, or through the loop of the line to which it is to be joined.	Step 2: Twist the end round the standing part four or five times.	Step 3: Pass the free end through the loop by the eye (if tightened, this is the normal half bloodknot).

Step 4: Pass the free end through the larger loop now formed to produce the tucked half bloodknot.	Step 5: Draw the knot together by moistening and pulling on the standing part.

Domhof or Whipping Knot

Basic knot for attaching spade end hooks to line. make up to 15 turns round the end of the shank and make sure the line comes away from the front of the spade.

Grinner Knot

An extremely reliable knot for attaching eye hooks, swivels etc.

Double Overhand Loop Knot

Tying a loop in monofilament line has to be done with a good deal of care. A single overhand loop knot will slip out in seconds, while other loop knots adequate for string will be sadly lacking when it comes to using them with monofilament. This is a simple method of tying a loop in the end of a line.


Step 1: Pull the end of the line round against itself.	Step 2: Using the loop formed, amke a simple overhand loop.	Step 3: Pull the end of the loop through again.	Step 4: Tighten after moistening. The finished loop can be made as large as you like, by gently moving the knot while tightening.

The Blood Bite Knot

A second, alternative method of tying a loop in monofilament line is the blood bite, which tightens in the form of a figure of eight. It is very easy to tie and the resulting knot will not slip. Good for thicker lines.


Step 1: Pull the end of the line against itself.	Step 2: Wrap the end of the loop twice around the line.	Step 3: Pull the end of the loop behind and through the second loop now formed.	Step 4: Moisten and tighten. It is more difficult to alter the size of this loop while tightening.

Water Knot

Developed for tying leaders or droppers when fly fishing and attaching paternosters when ledgering or feeder fishing. A useful general purpose knot. Make a minimum of four turns.

water-knot

Palomar Knot

A simple and effective way of attaching eyed hooks, swivels etc.

palomar-knot