Fishing Knots

Basic Knots For Fishing
Lines And Leaders

Sailors, riggers, and fishermen use many different kinds of fishing knots. For most fishing needs and for tying leaders, however, only a few basic knots are required, and these are shown here.

Nylon fishing knots have a tendency to slip if not properly tied, so care must be taken when tightening the knot. After the knot is formed it should first be pulled up slowly, and then pulled tight.

After the knot is tied, do not clip the end off too short. For certain knots it is also a good idea to burn this end with a match or cigarette lighter so that the nylon fuses into a tiny ball.

Here's how to tie the four basic fishing knots shown in the illustration above. The blood knot, also called the barrel knot, is used to join lines or leaders.

To tie it, first lap the ends of the lines or leaders. Then twist one end around the line to make three or three and a half turns. Next place the end between the strands and hold them together between your thumb and forefinger.

Now wind the other end around the line for the same number of turns, in the opposite direction, and place it between the strands.

Finally, pull on the two ends to draw the turns closer together. When they bunch up, pull tight on the ends making the knot as small as possible. Then clip off the ends fairly close to the knot.

The perfection loop knot is for tying a loop on the end of your line or leader. Here you take one looping turn around the nylon and hold the lines together between your thumb and forefinger.

Then take a second looping turn around the crossing. Next, take the big loop formed by this second turn, pass it through the loop on top, and pull on this big loop until the knot jams. Then clip off the end.

The double thumb knot is another fishing knot which can be used to tie a loop on the end of a line or leader. Here you merely double your leader for a few inches to form a loop and then form a simple overhand knot twice, as shown.

The improved clinch knot is used for tying a leader to a hook, snap, or lure. To tie it, run about three or four inches of the end of the leader through the eye, then double it back and twist it around the leader for several turns.

Next, put the end through the opening next to the eye, and, for added security, run the end through the big loop formed by the nylon. To tighten, pull on the end and slide the turns toward the eye. To finish, just clip off the end.

Web Make Your Own Fishing Lures

| Back to Top of Fishing Knots |

© 2004 Make-Your-Own-Fishing-Lures.com. All Rights Reserved.