Fishing Knots: Which Knot for Which Connection
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Pick the connection first, then the line. A hook, a leader and a reel spool each need a different knot. Braid narrows the list again.
Each knot below has a spec card, turns by line where it matters, what it connects, which lines it suits and 1 diagram per step.
Connection by line type
| Knot | Connects | Mono | Fluoro | Braid | Steps | Learning curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palomar | line to hook or lure | yes | yes | yes | 5 | easy |
| Uni | line to hook or lure | yes | yes | yes, add turns | 5 | easy |
| Improved clinch | line to hook or lure | yes | yes | no, slips | 5 | easy |
| Snell | line to hook shank | yes | yes | with care | 5 | moderate |
| Non-slip loop | line to lure, open loop | yes | yes | yes, 6 turns | 5 | moderate |
| FG | braid to leader | leader | leader | yes | 7 | hard |
| Double uni | line to line | yes | yes | yes, 8 to 10 turns | 5 | easy |
| Albright | line to line, different sizes | yes | yes | yes | 5 | moderate |
| Fisherman's | line to line, similar sizes | yes | yes | not ideal | 3 | easy |
| Arbor | line to reel spool | yes | yes | over backing or tape | 2 | easy |
| Dropper loop | loop in the middle of the line | yes | yes | not ideal | 4 | moderate |
| Bobber stop | sliding stop on the main line | yes | yes | yes, more turns | 5 | easy |
The learning curve is our editorial call. It reflects how many steps a knot has and how much tension or counting it needs.
If you learn 3 knots, make them the Palomar, the uni and the double uni. Those cover line to hook and line to leader on every line type.
All knots by connection
Line to hook or lure
Most of your knots will be here. The Palomar is the easy choice on braid. The uni works everywhere. The improved clinch is a mono and fluoro knot.
- Palomar knotdoubled line, mono · fluoro · braid
- Uni knotturns by line, all line types
- Improved clinch knotmono and fluoro, 5 to 7 turns
- Snell knot7 wraps on the shank, circle and octopus hooks
- Non-slip loop knotfree-swinging lures, Kreh's turns table
Line to line
Braid to a fluoro leader is the most common job. The double uni is fast. The FG is slim but takes practice. The Albright joins lines of very different sizes.
- FG knotbraid to leader, 15 to 20 wraps
- Double uni knot8 to 10 turns on braid, 5 or 6 on the leader
- Albright knotthin line to thick line
- Fisherman's knot2 lines of similar size
Line to reel and special jobs
The arbor knot only needs to grip the spool. Loops and stops cover the rest: hooks above a weight and a depth setting for slip bobbers.
- Arbor knotline to spool, backing for braid
- Dropper loophooks above the weight
- Bobber stop knotset slip bobber depth
- Knots for braided linewhich ones hold, which slip
- Knots for swivelsPalomar, clinch and uni compared
How to choose a knot
Start with what you're tying to.
- A hook, jig or lure? Palomar on braid. Uni or improved clinch on mono and fluoro.
- A lure that needs to swing? Non-slip loop, or a small snap.
- A leader? Double uni if you want fast. FG if you want slim and can hold tension.
- A reel spool? Arbor knot. Put mono backing or tape under braid.
- A second hook above the weight? Dropper loop, or a 3-way swivel in current.
Then check the line. Braid is slick and thin for its test, so it needs doubled line through the eye or a few extra turns to grip. Fluoro is stiff, so wet it and pull slowly. Mono is the forgiving 1.
Turn counts matter on most of these knots. Thin line takes more turns, thick line fewer. 7 turns on 6 lb mono might be 4 on 30 lb. Each knot page gives the count by line test.
Knots by fishing situation
- Bass on braid with a fluoro leader: double uni or FG for the joint, Palomar or uni to the hook. 10 to 15 lb braid, 8 to 12 lb leader for finesse.
- Bass on straight fluoro, 12 to 17 lb: Palomar or improved clinch to the hook, wet well.
- Crappie and bluegill on 4 to 6 lb mono: improved clinch or uni, 7 turns. A dropper loop for a second hook.
- Catfish with circle hooks: a snell on 20 to 30 lb mono, uni to a 3-way swivel.
- Slip bobber for walleye or panfish: a bobber stop knot set to depth, uni to the hook.
- Jerkbaits and topwater: non-slip loop, 5 turns on 8 to 12 lb line.
3 habits for every knot
Wet it. Spit or water before you pull. Dry mono and fluoro heat up and kink as the turns close.
Seat it. Pull the standing line firmly once the turns are in place. A knot that looks right but isn't seated can slip on the first hookset.
Trim it right. About 1/16 in. on mono and fluoro, about 1/8 in. on braid. A tag cut flush can pull back into the knot.
Then do a 2 or 3 second pull test with the hook held in pliers. If anything moves, cut it off and tie it again. A retie costs about 6 to 8 in. of line and a minute of time.
Terminal Tackle / Gear
- Knot tying toolsbobbins, tyers, clippers by job
- Swivels and snapsbarrel, ball-bearing, 3-way and snaps
- Fishing line for bassline type and lb test by technique
Knots tie rigs together. For drop shot, Texas, Carolina and other setups, see fishing rigs.
Sources: turn counts and steps from each linked knot page, with their own sources. Method on our methodology page..