There are many different fishing knots to choose from, all of which have
their strengths and weaknesses and each used for different situations. There are knots to attach your lure to your line, knots to attach monofilament to monofilament and knots to attach braid to monofilament. It can be hard to wade though all the knot options and know which ones to use. If you learn the following three knots it will cover most of your needs. These three are also the primary knots that I use for a majority of my fishing.
Palomar Knot
This is my “go to” knot for attaching lures to my line.
1. Double about 4″ to 5″ of line and pass loop through eye.
2. Let hook hang loose and tie overhand knot in doubled line. Avoid twisting the lines and don’t tighten knot.
3. Pull loop of line far enough to pass it over hook, swivel or lure. Make sure loop passes completely over this attachment.
4. Pull both tag end and standing lineto tighten. Clip about 1/8″.
Uni Knot
You can use this knot to attach braid to monofilament or monofilament to monofilament by using a uni knot on each side, referred to as a uni to uni knot. You can also use it to attach your line to your lure and is stronger then your common clinch knot.
1. Run line through eye of hook, swivel or lure at least 6″ and fold to make two parallel lines. Bring end of line back in a circle toward hook or lure.
2. Make six turns with tag around the double line and through the circle. Hold double line at point where it passes through eye and pull tag to snug up turns.
3. Now pull standing line to slide knot up against eye.
4. Continue pulling until knot is tight. Trim tag end flush with coils of knot. Uni-knot will not slip.
Blood Knot
A very good knot used to join two lines of about the same diameter.
1. Lay the lines parallel and facing in opposite directions and cross the end of one over the other. Wrap this line three or four times around the other and place the end of this line in the crotch or the V formed by the two lines.
2. Form a loop where the two lines meet, with the overhand knot in the loop. Pull one side of the loop down and begin taking turns with it around the standing line. Keep point where turns are made open so turns gather equally on each side.
3. After eight to ten turns, reach through center opening and pull remaining loop (and overhand knot) through. Keep finger in this loop so it will not spring back. Hold loop with teeth and pull both ends of line, making turns gather on either side of loop.
4. Set knot by pulling lines tightly as possible. Tightening coils will make loop stand out perpendicular to line. Then clip off the excess line.
Give these knots some practice and we will be in business to talk about lures in the next part of the series. A special thanks to Ande Fishing Line for the illustrations.
The Light Tackle Fishing for Striped Bass Series
Part 1 - Introduction to Light Tackle Fishing for Striped Bass
Part 2 - Light Tackle Fishing Rods
Part 3 - Light Tackle Spinning Reels
Part 4 - Light Tackle Baitcasting Reels
Part 5 - Fishing Line
Part 6 - Fishing Knots
Part 7 - Lures: Plastics and Jigs/Bucktails
Part 8- Lures: Topwater Poppers
Part 9 - Lures: Crank Baits
Part 10 - Lures: Spoons
Part 11 - Putting it all Together: Where to look for Striped Bass
Part 12 - Boats: Reviewing the Best Light Tackle Boats
Part 13 - Boats: Rigging your Boat for Light Tackle Fishing
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