Best Fishing Knots: 8 Knots Every Angler Should Know

The best fishing knots to learn first are the Palomar and the improved clinch for tying on hooks and lures, the uni knot for almost everything, and the double uni or FG knot for joining braid to a leader. With those four or five knots, you can rig for nearly any freshwater or inshore fishing.

This guide explains when to use each knot and walks through the steps. Practice at home with heavy line first, then with your fishing line. For the line itself, see our monofilament and braided line guides, and the terminal tackle section.

Three Rules for Every Knot

1. Wet the knot before tightening. Saliva or water reduces friction, which can heat and weaken monofilament and fluorocarbon.
2. Tighten slowly and firmly. Pull the main line and tag end steadily until the knot seats.
3. Trim the tag end, but not flush. Leave a short tag so the knot cannot slip open.

1. Palomar Knot

Use it for: tying hooks, lures, and swivels to braid, mono, or fluorocarbon. It is simple and holds well, and many anglers use it as their main terminal knot, especially with braid.

1. Double about 6 inches of line to make a loop and pass the loop through the hook eye.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, leaving the hook hanging in the middle.
3. Pass the loop over the entire hook or lure.
4. Wet and pull both the main line and tag end to tighten. Trim the tag.

Watch out for: large lures with treble hooks, which are awkward to pass through the loop.

2. Improved Clinch Knot

Use it for: tying hooks and lures to monofilament and fluorocarbon. It is one of the most widely taught knots and is quick to tie.

1. Pass the line through the hook eye and pull through about 6 inches.
2. Wrap the tag end around the main line five to seven times (fewer wraps for heavier line).
3. Pass the tag end through the small loop next to the eye.
4. Then pass it back through the big loop you just formed.
5. Wet, pull the main line to tighten, and trim.

Watch out for: braid. Slick braided line can slip in a clinch knot. Use a Palomar or uni knot instead.

3. Uni Knot

Use it for: hooks, lures, swivels, and tying line to the reel spool. It works with every line type and is the base of the double uni.

1. Pass the line through the eye and lay the tag end back along the main line, forming a loop.
2. Wrap the tag end around both lines and through the loop five to seven times.
3. Wet and pull the tag end to snug the wraps.
4. Pull the main line to slide the knot down to the eye. Trim.

Tip: Stop before the knot reaches the eye to leave a small loop. A loop lets lures like jerkbaits and topwaters move more freely.

4. Double Uni Knot

Use it for: joining two lines, such as braid to a fluorocarbon leader, or mono to mono. It is easier to learn than the FG knot.

1. Overlap the two line ends by about 8 inches.
2. Tie a uni knot with one tag end around the other line. Use more wraps with braid, often eight to ten.
3. Tie a second uni knot with the other tag end around the first line.
4. Wet and snug each knot, then pull the main lines apart so the knots slide together. Trim both tags.

Watch out for: the knot’s bulk. It can catch on rod guides during long casts with a long leader.

5. FG Knot

Use it for: joining braid to a fluorocarbon or mono leader when you want a slim connection that passes smoothly through guides. Many saltwater and finesse anglers use it.

1. Hold the braid tight (some anglers clamp it in their teeth or around a rod butt).
2. Lay the leader across the braid and weave the braid around the leader, alternating over and under, for about 15 to 20 wraps.
3. Pull tight so the braid grips the leader.
4. Lock it with several half hitches of braid around the leader, trim the leader tag, then finish with more half hitches around the braid. Trim.

Watch out for: loose wraps. If the braid is not kept tight while you weave, the knot can slip.

6. Albright Knot

Use it for: joining lines of very different diameters, such as light braid to a heavy leader, or line to wire.

1. Bend the heavier line back on itself to make a loop.
2. Pass the lighter line through the loop and wrap it tightly back over all three strands about 10 times, working toward the loop’s end.
3. Pass the lighter line back out through the loop the way it came in.
4. Wet, pull both ends of the light line, then pull the main lines. Trim.

7. Surgeon’s Loop

Use it for: making a fixed loop at the end of a line, such as for attaching a leader loop-to-loop or for a drop-shot sinker.

1. Double the end of the line to form a loop.
2. Tie an overhand knot with the doubled line.
3. Pass the loop through the overhand knot a second time.
4. Wet and pull the loop and the main line in opposite directions. Trim.

8. Snell Knot

Use it for: attaching a hook so the line pulls straight down the shank, which many catfish, salmon, and bait anglers prefer, especially with circle hooks.

1. Pass the line through the hook eye from the front, leaving a long tag.
2. Hold the line along the shank, forming a loop below it.
3. Wrap the loop around the shank and the line six to eight times, working from the eye toward the bend.
4. Hold the wraps and pull the main line to tighten. Trim.

Which Knot Should You Use?

Common Mistakes

• Tightening dry. Friction heat weakens mono and fluorocarbon.
• Too few wraps with braid. Braid is slick and needs more wraps.
• Crossed wraps. Wraps should lie neatly side by side.
• Not retying. Retie after catching a good fish, after snags, or if the line looks rough near the knot.
• Trimming too short. Leave a small tag.

Tips

• Learn one knot well before moving to the next. The Palomar and uni cover most situations.
• Give each knot a firm pull before you cast.
• Practice the FG knot at home; it is hard to learn on a boat.
• Use the right hook for your knot and rig; see our fishing hooks guide.

Related Guides

• Best Fluorocarbon Line
• Best Braided Fishing Line for Spinning Reels
• What Is a Fishing Swivel? Types, Uses, and When to Skip One
• Best Fishing Hooks

See more in our Fishing Knots & Rigs section.

FAQ

What is the strongest fishing knot?

Strength depends on the line type, how well the knot is tied, and how it is tightened. The Palomar, uni, and FG knots are widely trusted when tied correctly. A well-tied basic knot beats a poorly tied “strong” one.

What knot should a beginner learn first?

The Palomar knot. It is easy, works with every line type, and holds well.

What knot is best for braid?

The Palomar or uni for tying to hooks and lures, and the FG or double uni for attaching a leader.

Do I need a leader?

Many anglers add a fluorocarbon leader to braid for lower visibility and abrasion resistance. See our fluorocarbon line section.

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