The Five Basic Fishing Knots Every Angler Needs to Know

When it comes to saltwater fishing, knowing which knot to use can be just as important as choosing the right bait or rod. But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—different situations call for different knots. No single knot will suffice for all situations, but if you master the following five, you may find they will be all you’ll ever need. 

Bimini Twist— Creates a doubled line. Too many people fear this knot because they feel it’s too difficult to learn, but with practice, you’ll be whipping them out in no time. The Bimini creates a section of doubled line at the end of you main fishing line, to which you will attach either a hook or lure, or more commonly, a section of leader material. The Bimini adds strength and shock absorption to your terminal tackle and should be used on all your rigs for maximum effect. 

Improved Clinch Knot — For attaching a hook or lure. This most basic knot yields close to a 100 percent breaking strength and is super easy to tie. As with all knots, moisten it after you’ve tied it and make sure it pulls down snugly. 

Back-to-Back Uni Knot — For tying two types of line together. This is what’s known as a “jam” knot, basically two knots that work by jamming against each other. It’s used to tie a length of leader material to your Bimini Twist, or to a single strand of line. It works great with either monofilament or braid. 

No-Slip Loop Knot — Used to tie leader to a lure that you want to have freedom to move, or “swim.” The loop doesn’t restrict the lure’s motion like a tight knot might.

Dropper Loop — Dropper Loops are often tied into the upper section of a long leader while bottom fishing. By attaching one or more lead weights suspended on a piece of mono and tied to a snap swivel to the loop, you can drop your rig to the bottom. But you can then remove the leads when a fish is on, thereby allowing you to wind the leader, loop and all, onto the reel. This makes landing the fish a breeze.

Learn these five useful knots and you’re bound to become better at catching a wider variety of fish!