Knowing how to tie a knot for fishing is only as useful as knowing what to use it for, as there are pros and cons to each.
As such, here are the best fishing line knots that every angler must know, ranked from the easiest to the hardest to tie, along with a video showing how to tie each knot.
1. Improved Clinch Knot
This is my personal favourite because it’s not only the easiest to tie, but incredibly useful and quite strong. This makes it perfect for you if you’re a beginner or a recreational angler.
It may not be the strongest, but it can already cover a wide range of applications. It’s very suitable for pan fishing since it’s easy to tie, but still more than strong enough to handle the panfish.
2. Snell Knot
Next up, the Snell Knot is also among the easy fishing knots to learn. It’s the best knot for flipping and pitching. It also allows hooks to hook inwards of the fish’s lips more so than normal knots.
Note that you shouldn’t use the Snell knot for fish with sharp teeth. As the line wraps around the hook shank, it can be easily grazed and cut by their teeth, losing you your catch.
3. Palomar Knot
The Palomar knot is fairly easy to pick up. However, despite being easy to tie, the Palomar Knot is one of the strongest knots. As such, it’s often used for big game fish.
4. Trilene Knot
Here’s where it starts to get slightly harder. The Trilene Knot is the strongest knot, which makes it worth the extra effort to tie. Moreover, there is a double loop in the eye. This makes it more resistant to abrasion and slippage than other knots.
The Trilene Knot is of course ideal for big game fish. It also excels for monofilament and fluorocarbon lines, but you can’t use it with braided lines.
5. Surgeon’s Knot
The Surgeon’s Knot is harder to tie but is a must-have for any angler. The Surgeon’s Knot can join lines of both equal and unequal diameters. As such, it is the go-to when joining lines of different diameters together.
6. Blood Knot
Once again, despite being one of the hardest to tie, the Blood Knot is a necessity. Although it can only join lines of equal diameter, it is also the only knot that Monofilament Nylon lines can use. Using other knots may cause a considerable loss of strength in the fishing line.
The Blood Knot is also stronger than the Surgeon’s Knot. This makes it a better choice for connecting lines that are similar in diameter.
7. Turle Knot
As the hardest knot to tie, the Turle Knot must, of course, have a very important purpose – it is second to none for connecting a hook or fly to a leader. This is why the Turle Knot is almost always used for fly fishing.
Extra Tips
Lubricate the knot before tightening to avoid burns or cuts on the knot, which will weaken the knot. Now that you know my 7 favorite and strongest fishing knots for every occasion, and how to tie them, you’re all set. What’s next? Find out the best time to go fishing with our guide!
