Monday Top 5 - Fishing Knots

This entry was posted on 26th August, 2018

There’s nothing more important than the knots you choose to ensure that, after all the effort of getting that bite, your tackle holds and your intended target hits the back of your net. Here are our top 5 most reliable knots:

The Grinner Knot

Probably the most used knot for everything from hooks, swivels, and even used back to back to join mainline and shockleader, this is a majorly strong knot that has stood the test of time. Simply pass your chosen line through the eye/swivel and then double it back before forming a loop with the tag. Then pass the tag end through the loop and both lines up to 6 times (more times the thinner the material you are tying), then pull the tag end so the knot tightens, grip the hook/swivel, and then pull the knot down snug to the eye or your hook/swivel and trim. Don’t forget to moisten all your knots before tying them.

The Blood Knot

The most simple of knots and brilliant for speed and ease. Pass the line through your hook eye and whip your tag end around your mainline up to 7 times before passing the tag end through the last loop near the hook eye. Then wet the knot, pull the tag, and pull the hook to slide the knot flush to your hook before trimming.



The Knotless Knot

This knot is perfect for the infamous and so readily used hair rig. Simply tie a loop in the end of your chosen material and then mount your bait. Then pass your line through the back of the hook eye. Line up the bait so it’s almost touching the bend of the hook. Then double the line and whip seven times down the shank of the hook, trapping the line before passing your line back through the back of the hook eye, so that your line is leaving the eye facing the point of the hook. Then wet and pull it tight.



The Four Turn Water Knot

Perfect for forming paternoster rigs, or joining two materials. Simply have each line side by side and form a loop with both. Pass both materials through the loop four times, moisten, and tighten before trimming. You will find both materials are now joined securely. Great for fly fishing droppers too.



The Figure 8 Loop Knot

This is a must know knot for all you match anglers and carp anglers. Simply double over your line, then take the head of the loop back over both the lines and pass it through the loop created at the front. Then moisten, tighten, and trim the tag end.

These are the most readily used and effective knots I use in my angling for a whole host of species. Remember, practice makes perfect in terms of tying them.