Fishing knots join line to hooks, lures, and leaders, and each one must grip monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braid without weakening the line. For everyday freshwater and spin fishing, the most essential fishing knot is the Clinch Knot (Improved), which ties the line to a hook, swivel, or lure, while the stronger Palomar Knot holds especially well in braided line. Fly fishing depends on a chain of connections from reel to fly. The Arbor Knot fixes the backing to the spool, and the Nail Knot joins the leader to the fly line so it slides through the rod guides. From there, a Blood Knot links tapered sections of leader and tippet down to the fly. Saltwater fishing puts more strain on the tackle, so anglers use the Albright Special or the slim, strong FG Knot to connect thin braided line to a heavy monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. The top fishing knots listed below share one golden rule. Whatever the water, experienced anglers wet each knot before tightening it, since friction heat from a dry pull can weaken the line.
Alberto Knot
Connect fishing line of different diameters.
Albright Special
Join fishing line of different materials or diameters.
Arbor Knot
Secure fishing line to a reel
Blood Knot
Join fishing lines of similar size.
Clinch Knot (Improved)
Attach fishing line to a hook or swivel.
Davy Knot
Simple, quick way to attach fishing line to a hook or fly.
Double Davy
Stronger version of the Davy Knot for securing fishing line to hooks.
Dropper Loop
A perpendicular loop in fishing line for attaching additional hooks.
FG Knot
Slim, strong knot for connecting braided line to a mono or fluoro leader.
Fish-N-Fool
Versatile fishing knot for attaching braided line to reels, lures, and flies.
Fisherman's Eye
Secure loop in the middle of a rope.
Fisherman's Knot
Join two ropes or fishing lines.
Kreh Loop
Connect a leader to a fly or lure.
Nail Knot
Join fishing line of different diameters.
Orvis Knot
Small, strong knot for attaching fishing line or tippet to a hook.
Ossel Hitch
Secure small lines to larger ropes.
Palomar Knot
Reliable knot for securing line to lures, hooks or swivels.
Perfection Loop
Small secure, fixed loop in rope or fishing line.
Pitzen Knot
Securely attach line to hooks, lures and flies.
Poacher's Knot
General purpose noose used in climbing, fishing, and snares.
Rapala Knot
Terminal loop knot for tying a lure or fly with natural movement.
San Diego Jam
Strong terminal knot for securely attaching a lure, hook, or fly.
Snell Knot
Securely attach an eyed hook to a leader for straight-line pull.
Surgeon's Knot (Fishing)
Used in fly fishing to join two lines.
Surgeon's Loop
Strong, easily tied fixed loop often used with fishing line.
Trilene Knot
Strong, reliable knot for tying monofilament line to hooks, swivels, or lures.
Turle Knot
Fishing knot for attaching offset hooks or flies to a leader.
Uni Knot
Versatile fishing knot for attaching line to reels, lures, and flies.
Uni-to-Uni Knot
Join fishing line of similar or different diameters.
Yucatan Knot
Strong fishing knot for joining light line to heavier shock leader.
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