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Fishing knots

Four knots that cover most of what you need: tying a hook, lure or swivel to the line, and joining two lines. Each knot comes with drawings and step-by-step instructions.

How to read the drawings

  • The main line, the one that goes to the reel
  • The end you tie with
  • The other line (blood knot)
  • Dark arrow: where you pull
  • Dashed ring: the loop this step is about

Knot 1

Palomar

Hook, lure or swivel to the line

Use

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Double the line and pass the doubled line through the eye of the hook, lure or swivel.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot TyingAll sources on this page

  2. Step 2: Tie a loose overhand knot in the doubled line. The hook hangs loose below.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot TyingAll sources on this page

  3. Step 3: Pass the loop at the end all the way down over the hook, lure or swivel.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot TyingAll sources on this page

  4. Step 4: Moisten the knot and slowly pull both ends of the line to tighten the knot.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot TyingAll sources on this page

  5. Step 5: Trim the end that sticks out.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

Knot 2

Improved clinch

Hook, lure or swivel to the line

Use

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Pass the line through the eye, and wrap the end five to six times around the main line.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  2. Step 2: Pass the end through the small loop closest to the eye.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot Tying3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  3. Step 3: Then pass the end through the big loop that was just formed.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot Tying3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should Know4AuthorityMassachusetts Division of Marine FisheriesAngler Skills: Clinch KnotsAll sources on this page

  4. Step 4: Moisten the knot, hold on to the end and pull the main line until the wraps lie tight against the eye.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot Tying3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  5. Step 5: Trim the end.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFish Texas: Knot Tying3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should Know4AuthorityMassachusetts Division of Marine FisheriesAngler Skills: Clinch KnotsAll sources on this page

Knot 3

Uni knot

Hook, lure, swivel or fly to the line

Use

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Pass the line through the eye and double it back, parallel to the main line. Lay the end over the doubled line so it forms a loop.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  2. Step 2: Wrap the end six times around the doubled line and through the loop.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knot3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  3. Step 3: Moisten the knot and pull the end to tighten it.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knotAll sources on this page

  4. Step 4: Pull the main line to slide the knot down to the eye.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knotAll sources on this page

  5. Step 5: Trim the end.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

Knot 4

Blood knot

Joining two lines

Use

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Lay the ends of the two lines over each other, about 15 cm.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  2. Step 2: Wrap the end of one line five to six times around the other line. Do the same with the other end.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  3. Step 3: Pass both ends through the opening between the two lines, in opposite directions.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  4. Step 4: Pull the ends so the knot starts to tighten. Moisten it and finish tightening.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

  5. Step 5: Trim the ends.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions3AuthorityIowa Department of Natural ResourcesKnots Every Angler Should KnowAll sources on this page

Tips for all the knots

  • Moisten the knot with water or saliva before you pull it tight. The knot then seats properly, and you avoid friction heat that stretches and weakens the line.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knotAll sources on this page
  • Take your time. A knot that is tied properly fails less often than one tied in a hurry.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knotAll sources on this page
  • Practise the knots before you head out. The more you practise, the better and more reliable the knot becomes.SourceFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesLearn to fish: tying the knotAll sources on this page

Sources

The steps are based on guides from American wildlife agencies that manage fishing. The knots are the same wherever you fish. The drawings are our own and show the movement, not exactly how the line lies.

  1. 1
    AuthorityUtah Division of Wildlife Resources
    Learn to fish: tying the knot

    Michael Packer · Published 21 February 2025 · Read 30 September 2026

  2. 2
    AuthorityTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
    Fish Texas: Knot Tying

    Read 30 September 2026

  3. 3
    AuthorityIowa Department of Natural Resources
    Knots Every Angler Should Know

    Published 25 February 2015 · Read 30 September 2026

  4. 4
    AuthorityMassachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
    Angler Skills: Clinch Knots

    Read 30 September 2026