| There are numerous knots available to the angler, | | | | very light lines unless you are using an eyeless |
| and if you are just starting out in the game, the | | | | hook. |
| choices available can numb the brain a little. In my | | | | - Uni-Knot - I use this for attaching my superline |
| experience only a small handful of those knots | | | | to the monofilament backing on the spool. I double |
| need be used. I use the following knots as the | | | | the superline for about 6" to tie this knot. |
| occasion suits: | | | | - Perfection Loop - This is the knot I use to tie |
| - Improved Clinch Knot - the clinch knot was the | | | | my main line or leader to a lure. The loop |
| first and only knot that I learned to use when I | | | | attached to the lure ensures that the lure is not |
| started out fishing. I soon learnt that taking the | | | | hindered by the line in any way in its movement. |
| end of the line and putting it through just one | | | | Although I will sometimes attach my main line |
| more loop locked the knot and stopped any | | | | directly to the lure via the Perfection Loop, for |
| slippage. Great for tying line to sinker or hook. | | | | larger fish I will tie a Bimini Twist in the main line |
| Very easy knot to learn. Hard to manage in | | | | and attach a strong leader line to this with an |
| monofilament above 30lb or so. Don't use with | | | | Improved Albright Knot. The lure is then tied to |
| super lines. Retains approximately 85%1 of | | | | the end of the leader line with a Perfection Loop. |
| breaking strain of line. | | | | If fishing for mackerel and the like, however, I will |
| - Palomar Knot - I use this knot to tie all line | | | | occasionally use about 6" of wire in front of the |
| types to a hook or swivel. Really simple to learn. | | | | lure to avoid losing the larger predators. No |
| Considered by the some to be the strongest | | | | Perfection Loop in this case. |
| knot available. Retains approximately 90%1 of | | | | - Dropper Loop - I don't use dropper loops all that |
| breaking strain of line. Some prefer to use the | | | | much with my fishing, but use it occasionally on |
| Double or Triple Palomar - not worth the effort in | | | | light lines to catch live bait. Sometimes used for |
| my opinion. | | | | bait fishing in deeper ocean waters. All of the |
| - Bimini Twist - It depends on the fishing | | | | foregoing knots work extremely well, but of |
| application, but I regularly use a Bimini Twist at | | | | course they are not the only ones that can do |
| the end of my main line, whether mono or braid. | | | | the job. Practice tying your knots and then use |
| It adds that extra cushion of strength between | | | | the ones you are comfortable with. Just make |
| my main line and my leader. Very easy to tie | | | | sure you don't use knots that slip under fighting |
| once you have the knack, just by using your | | | | conditions. |
| hands and your knee or foot. | | | | There are plenty of resources including videos on |
| - Improved Albright Knot - I use this knot | | | | the web to show you exactly how to tie the |
| exclusively to tie my leader line to my Bimini | | | | foregoing knots. So go look for them now. |
| Twist. Same as an Albright Knot, except the | | | | 1. Treat with some skepticism the breaking |
| wraps are done in both directions. | | | | percentages indicated above. There are so many |
| - Snell - When I use a hook with an offset eye, I | | | | factors to take into account when testing the |
| normally tie the hook with a snell knot. It makes | | | | knots and no two testers are likely to use the |
| the hook hang very nicely and I think this assists | | | | exact same testing methods. |
| in setting the hook during a strike. Don't use with | | | | |