Fishing is among the best pastimes ever. Nothing compares to chilling along the water’s edge, throwing the line out, and hearing the sound of a little splash as the lure hits the water. And before you know it, the line tugs, and in a few minutes of struggle, you’re reeling in a 20-pound lake trout out of the water.
If you want that lure to last through the work, you must know how to tile a good knot. You don't want the thrill to stop as the knot breaks and your fish escapes. But don’t worry because we will show you how to tie a lure or hook to a fishing line so you can land a fish and secure a catch.
Clinch Knot
Using the Clinch Knot
This is probably the most common fishing knot ever. And that’s because they are easy to tie, memorize and secure. You can use the clinching line as an everyday fishing knot. These are sturdy knots that would hold their weight firmly.
1. Inserting the line. Thread the fishing line’s end into the hook’s eye.
2. Wrapping the line. Wrap the line’s end around the line four to six times. Go back to the reel to do this.
3. Making the knot. Pass the line’s end through the loop you made in the first step.
You can modify the clinch knot by filling the line into the loop which was made in the second step. This is what’s called the "improved clinch knot.
4. Pulling it tight. A bit of moisture can help a lot. Wet it inside your mouth to give some lubrication.
5. Trim off the extra line over the knot. Allow only at least 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) or so.
Orvis Knot
This is one of the best knots you can use in a trout fishing and tying your tippet to your leader. This knot is strong and easy to do.
Using the Knot as an Easy and Strong Alternative to the Clinch Knot
1. Threading the hook. Insert the line into the hook’s eye from underneath it.
2. Structure an eight-figure by passing the standing line and binding the end back into the first loop that is formed.
3. Feed the tag’s end into the top and second loop, and then do the step again for a send press into the loop.
4. Finishing the knot. Slick the line and pull the tag end tightly into a close knot. Cut the tag’s end.
Palomar Knot
You can use the Palomar knot if you have a braided fishing line. The Palomar may be a little tricky, but once you become familiar with it, you would have an almost perfect knot. You should be able to master either in no time.
1. Get a double six inches line and insert the doubled line into the hook’s eye.
2. Make a simple overhand knot using the doubled line. Ensure that the hook hangs beneath the line.
3. Slip the double line underneath the hook and back up, just above the hook’s eye.
4. Tighten it by pulling on both the tag end and the standing line. Clip off the tag’s end.
Davy Knot
The Davy knot is useful for small flies. The Davy knot is usually common among fishermen who want fast, simple, unrestrained knot on a small flow. The Davy knot will give you the speed need in getting back into fishing once you break a line.
1. Bind the line into the fly hook’s eye.
2. Structure a loose overhand knot with the line’s end.
3. Bring the line’s end back up and into the overhand knot and hook.
4. Secure the knot tightly by pulling on the line’s end.
Speaking of small flies, I bumped into an awesome book about fly fishing from Dummies.com. With clear pictures and good advice, Fly Fishing For Dummies is a fantastic resource on the essentials of fly fishing.
Baja Knot
The Baja knot is useful for heavier mono lines. It can be handy for loop-to-loop connections, tying hooks and other tackle to the line. This knot must be firmly set after being tied. It won’t slip after that.
1. Making the first loop. Make a simple loop at least 2 inches from the line’s end.
2. Slip a hook into the loop’s base, and let it drop freely while tying the rest of the knot.
3. Making the second loop. Put the line’s end beyond the front of the first loop, at the running line’s rear. Pull the line until the loop is a little smaller compared to the first.
4. Making the third loop by repeating the last step. Adjust it until it is set in the middle of the small loop and large loop.
5. Slip the hook into the tip of the first loop. Pass it on the mid loop and back over beneath the top loop. Tighten the knot a little.
6. Finishing the knot. Tighten the hook with pliers and drag the line hard to secure the entire rig.
Pitzen Knot
The Pitzen knot is great for superb strength. This knot is also known as the 16-20 Knot or Eugene Bend and known to secure 95% of the line’s strength. It can be a bit challenging but worth the effort.
1. Bind the line into the hook’s eye.
2. Curl the tagline back beneath the standing line.
3. Clasp the line around the finger using your index finger as a stopper.
4. Truss the line back through the paralleled lines four times.
5. Set the tag end back into the small loop formed by your finger.
6. Secure the knot by slipping it down towards the hook’s eye. Perform this step using your fingers, not by dragging the standing line.
Additional Tips
- Sometimes, it would help to use a snap-swivel in tying a fish knot. This is a terminal tackle that you can connect to your bait or lure and attach to your line. It provides better mobility to your bait and prevents troublesome twisting of the line.
- Fingernail clippers can work great in clipping the line.
- Always bring a knife with you in case you need to cut the fishing line.
- Reading glasses may be a useful tool in your tackle box.
Warnings
- It is important to bring your license with you while fishing. That way, you don’t get into trouble with the watchers and park rangers.
- The hooks are quite sharp, and it is crucial that you avoid drawing it close to your skin or eyes, or other body parts for that matter.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tie the fish knot can mean the difference between catching a fish and losing a fish. From Clinch Knot, Orvis Knot, Palomar Knot, Davy Knot, Baja Knot, Pitzen Knot, knowing how to tie a good knot will increase your chances of success in fishing.
You’ve also learned that different knots apply to different situations. The knots required for tying the fish line to the hook are different from those that are applicable for joining two segments of line together. Be ready to deal with these situations before you go out fishing.
And again, for good advice Fly Fishing For Dummies is a fantastic resource on the essentials of fly fishing.
We hope you learned a lot from this post. Don’t hesitate to add some of your thoughts in the comments section. We would love to hear from you. Share the post to your friends if you think they will find it useful.
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