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Home > Learn to Fish & Boat > How To Fish > How to Tie Fishing Knots
Learn how to choose and tie the best knot for fishing with hooks, lures and rigs. Because there are so many variations of these “best knots,” it should come as no surprise there may be more than one “best fishing knot” for the various item of tackle used.
The knots presented below have been tested and proven to offer at least 90 percent of the original line strength when tying tackle (lures, swivels, sinkers, bobbers, etc.) to a line. While most beginning anglers choose the easiest option when learning how to tie fishing knots, don’t be afraid to try more complicated knots as you advance. Not only can learning fishing knot techniques that are more complex be challenging and rewarding, you may also find that it makes certain goals easier to achieve. Start with some of these basic best fishing knots that allow you to simply enjoy your hobby.
Many anglers consider the improved clinch knot to be the best knot for fishing with lures. Not only is this knot versatile enough for securing your line to a lure, swivel, clip, or artificial fly, it retains up to 95% of the original line strength. The key to tying this popular best fishing knot for lures is to make five turns of the tag end around the standing end before running the tag end back through the formed loop.
Some consider the uni knot to be the best fishing knot for tying an eyed hook to a leader. Don't be afraid to cut the end short with this knot. It'll hold. These fishing knots are great to learn because they work well with braided or monofilament fishing line and can be used to tie lines of unequal diameter together.
Non-slip loop knots create a fixed loop so a hook can move freely. It is best with larger lines where a tight knot, such as the Improved Clinch can impede hook, bait or lure movement.
Snelling means tying the knot away from the eye of the hook. These fishing knots work well for any type of fishing to increase strength and improve catch rates with bigger fish.
A spade hook has no eye. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the recommended best knot for fishing with a spade hook is a spade-end knot. To rig, you will have to tie a knot next to the flat, bent end of the hook shank. Spade hooks are small, but don't worry; it will hold.
The spade end version relies on the same method as above, but you don’t have to pass the main line through the loop because there is no loop.
Now that you’ve learned how to tie some of these best fishing knots, you’re ready to build fishing rigs at the end of your line.
The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use.
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