Knot Guide

Step-by-step fishing knots. Start with reviewed ties. Some pages are written steps only until a unique drawing is checked. This is a practice reference, not a guarantee on the water.

All knots

Difficulty

Best for

Showing 15 of 15

Start here

Written steps reviewed against public knot references. Drawings are line sketches, not photos.

Palomar Knot

Beginner

Tying braid or mono to hooks, swivels, and lures — high strength with few wraps

4 steps →

Uni Knot

Beginner

Versatile terminal knot for hooks and swivels; also the building block of the Double Uni

4 steps →

Double Uni Knot

Intermediate

Joining braid to fluoro/mono leaders, or connecting two lines of similar or different diameters

4 steps →

Albright Knot

Intermediate

Connecting thin braid or mono to a much heavier mono/fluoro leader or wire

5 steps →

Blood Knot

Intermediate

Joining two mono or fluoro lines of similar diameter into a slim, strong splice

5 steps →

Snell Knot

Intermediate

Attaching bait hooks so the pull is aligned with the hook shank — classic for circle and bait hooks

4 steps →

Nail Knot

Advanced

Attaching fly line to leader (or backing) with a slim, smooth knot — traditionally tied over a nail or tube

4 steps →

Written steps only

These ties share a generic sketch with other knots. Use the words, or a trusted outdoor how-to page, until a unique drawing is reviewed.

Improved Clinch Knot

Beginner

Mono or fluoro to hooks and swivels when you want a classic, compact terminal knot

5 steps →

Surgeon’s Knot

Beginner

Quickly joining tippet to leader or two lines when diameters differ — fast and reliable

4 steps →

Surgeon’s Loop

Beginner

A strong fixed loop at the end of a leader or tippet for loop-to-loop connections

4 steps →

Trilene Knot

Beginner

Mono to hardware with a double pass through the eye for extra grip on slippery line

4 steps →

Perfection Loop

Intermediate

A compact, in-line fixed loop at the end of a leader — sits straight for flies and leaders

4 steps →

Dropper Loop

Intermediate

Creating a standing loop mid-line for dropper flies, multiple hooks, or bait droppers

4 steps →

San Diego Jam Knot

Intermediate

Heavy tackle and big-game terminal connections — high breaking strength with many wraps

5 steps →

Non-Slip Mono Loop

Intermediate

A strong fixed loop that lets lures swing freely — popular for mono and fluoro to plugs and jigs

4 steps →

How to use this guide

Open a knot and go one step at a time. Instruction and sketch sit together. Moisten line before cinching. If a page says the drawing is shared, trust the written steps or an official how-to, not the sketch.