One of the most important skills in the sport of fishing is knot tying. Depending on what you’re fishing for and where you are fishing, the type of line that you use, the type of lures that will work, and the knots that you need to tie will vary. Knowing the right knot to use and how to tie it well is the key to making sure that the fight of a lifetime doesn’t end in disappointment.
Do knots weaken fishing line? Any knot that you tie in your line is going to be a weak point. Some knots, when tied properly, offer more than 90% of the strength found in the line, but there is no such thing as a 100% knot. When you know the best knot for every type of line and every type of connection, then you’ll be able to set up a rig that will stand up to the big ones.
Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have all of the great innovations in fishing line and tackle. With lots of great options in braided line, monofilament, and fluorocarbon, it’s easy to find an option that will meet your needs for any type of water and any target species. Still, knowing which knots to tie and how to tie them well is a skill that will make all the difference when you hook a trophy.
Different Knots for Different Lines
While it is true that there is no such thing as a 100% knot, there are a lot of options that can deliver over 90% of the breaking strength of the line that they are tied with. To get this kind of performance out of a knot, it needs to be appropriate to the type of line that you are using and the connection that you are making. That means that you need to know which knot to use in a variety of situations.
The first thing that you need to consider in relation to fishing line knots is the type of line that you are using. Fishing line is available in monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided line varieties. Because these line types have different levels of flexibility and different friction characteristics, each one pairs best with particular knots.
In addition to the type of line, it is also important to select a knot that is appropriate for the type of connection that you are making. Some knots are better than others for line-to-line connections. Similarly, some knots are better than others for making line-to-lure connections.
Sometimes the conditions you are fishing in or the species that you’re targeting will be the biggest influences on what kind of rig you decide to fish. For that reason, it’s important to have a range of knot options for every line and connection type. Sometimes it makes sense to sacrifice a small amount of strength to get a slimmer knot and reduced visibility.
Braided Line Knots
Braided line has traditionally been the first choice for saltwater anglers, but it is becoming increasingly popular for other situations due to the improved casting, and lure feel that it provides. When you’re running a braided line as your main-line, you will need to know how to tie braid-to-leader connections and how to connect a braided line to swivels, lures, and hooks.
Braid-to-Leader Connections
When connecting a braided line directly to a leader, which is important if you need a leader longer than 2 or 3 feet, there are a number of knots that fit the bill. The knots listed below all have pros and cons, but with five to choose from, you should be able to find one that suits any purpose:
- Bobbin Knot
- Advantages: Exceptional strength if tied correctly
- Disadvantages: Exceptionally hard to tie – requires tools and time
- FG Knot
- Advantages: Thin knot with an extremely high breaking strength
- Disadvantages: Takes a strong pull to lock the knot in place prior to cutting the tags
- 6 Turn Surgeon’s Knot
- Advantages: Quick knot with high breaking point, works well on line of any size
- Disadvantages: A bulky knot, not as strong as the FG knot
- Doubled-Over Double Uni Knot
- Advantages: Easy to tie, works for all connections
- Disadvantages: Considerably weaker than the FG knot
- Crazy Albert Knot
- Advantages: Low profile, strong breaking strength
- Disadvantages: Considerably weaker than the FG knot
Braid-to-Eyelet Connections
When you’re connecting a braided line to a shorter leader or connecting it directly to a swivel, lure, or hook, there are other knots that you need to have in your bag of tricks. It’s rare that you’ll be connecting a braided line directly to a lure since it is so much more visible to fish than monofilament or fluorocarbon, but the same knots work equally well for any eyelet connection. Here are five that will serve you well:
- Braid Uni Knot
- Advantages: Very strong, easy to tie
- Disadvantages: Takes some time to tie right
- San Diego Jam Knot
- Advantages: Strong, Easy to tie, Quick to tie
- Disadvantages: Not as strong as the Braid Unit Knot
- Palomar Knot
- Advantages: Fast to tie, Easy to tie
- Disadvantages: Stronger on monofilament than braided line
- Orvis Knot
- Advantages: Fast to tie, Easy to tie
- Disadvantages: Stronger on monofilament than braided line
- Improved Cinch Knot
- Advantages: Fast to tie, Easy to tie
- Disadvantages: Prone to slippage on braided line
Monofilament and Fluorocarbon Knots
Almost every rig is going to feature some monofilament line. Even braided line rigs will likely feature a monofilament leader due to the reduced visibility and superior resistance to bites and abrasions. Fluorocarbon is a specific type of monofilament line that offers better strength and visibility.
Mono-to-Mono Knots
When connecting monofilament directly to another piece of monofilament line, there are a number of knots that you should consider. Depending on your specific needs, one of the following knots should take care of you:
- 3 Turn Surgeon’s Knot
- Advantages: Easy to tie, Fast to tie, Very strong
- Disadvantages: Only appropriate for certain applications
- SS Knot
- Advantages: Versatile, Strong
- Disadvantages: Not as fast or strong as the 3 Turn Surgeon’s Knot
- Double Uni Knot
- Advantages: Easy to tie, Works for any connection
- Disadvantages: Not as fast or strong as the 3 Turn Surgeon’s Knot
- Albright Special
- Advantages: Easy to tie
- Disadvantages: Not as fast or strong as the 3 Turn Surgeon’s Knot
- Blood Knot
- Advantages: Easy to tie with lines of near-same size
- Disadvantages: Less effective and harder to tie with lines of different size
Mono-to-Eyelet Knots
With monofilament and fluorocarbon lines, you have the option of tying either a snug knot or a loop knot. A loop knot works well with lures because it allows more motion in the water, but it offers less strength than a snug knot. Snug knots are preferable for line-to-knot connections or any time that you need the additional strength. Consider the following options:
- Rapala Loop Knot
- Advantages: Extremely strong knot
- Disadvantages: Takes time to tie, leaves a tag end that can snag
- Non-Slip Loop Knot
- Advantages: Fast to tie, Easy to tie
- Disadvantages: Weaker than Rapala Knot
- Palomar Knot
- Advantages: Strong, Easy to tie on bare hooks
- Disadvantages: Difficult to tie with larger lures
- Uni Knot
- Advantages: Quick to tie, Versatile
- Disadvantages: Not as strong as the Palomar knot
- Orvis Knot
- Advantages: Fast to tie, Easy to tie, Strong
- Disadvantages: Not as strong as the Palomar knot
Conclusion
There is no 100% knot, but there are a lot of options that can deliver 90+% strength when used for the appropriate type of line and connection. If you take the time to learn all of the knots that we’ve reviewed in this article, you’ll be able to find the right knot for almost any situation you encounter when you’re on the water.