You don’t need to be able to tie dozens of knots to be an effective fisherman. In fact probably the complete opposite is true. If you can become proficient at tying a few of the strongest knots you’ll be able to cover most fishing situations and make sure that big one doesn’t get away because of poor knot selection or handy work.

In these pictures we have used large diameter yellow cord and an over sized eyelet which represents a hook or a swivel, to make it easier to see how the knots are tied.

For the sake of not making these descriptions too long, each knot has a starting position shown in fig a. At the end of tying each knot the tag end of the line will need to be shortened to an appropriate length.

Uni-knot

Step 1.

Make a loop with the tag end.

Step 2.

With the tag end, go around the back of the loop, over the main line and back through the loop.

Step 3.

Repeat this process in step 2 at least two or three times.

Step 4.

Pull the tag end and the main line in one direction while pulling the eye of the hook/swivel in the opposite direction creating the knot.

Step 5.

Slide the knot down to the base of the eye of the hook/swivel.

Step 6.

Once in position, tighten the knot by pulling tight the main line then the tag end while holding the hook/swivel.

Nail Knot

Step 1.

Using the tag end make a loop around the main line.

Step 2.

Repeat step 1. between two and four times creating that number of loops.

Step 3.

Insert the tag end through the centre of the loops pulling it out the other end.

Step 4.

Pull the tag, main line and the hook/swivel tight creating the basic shape of the knot.

Step 5.

Slide the knot down to the eye of the hook/swivel and tighten by pulling the tag end then the main line.

Snell Knot (variation)

Step 1.

Create a large loop and position it to one side of the main line.

Step 2.

Wrap the loop around the main line passing the hook/swivel through the centre of the loop.

Step 3.

Wrap the loop around the main line and the hook/swivel 4-5 times.

Step 4.

Pull the main line down to create the basic shape of the knot.

Step 5.

Slide the knot into place.

Step 6.

Tighten the knot once in place by pulling down on the main line and the tag end.