rigme

Essential knots

Ten knots cover every rig on this site. Learn the Palomar and improved clinch first; add the rest as the rigs call for them. Always wet a knot before cinching it.

Palomar KnotImproved Clinch KnotUni KnotSnell KnotDropper LoopFG KnotDouble Uni KnotSurgeon's KnotNon-Slip Loop KnotBobber Stop Knot

Palomar Knot

Hooks, jigs, swivels — especially with braid. The strongest easy knot.

  1. Double 6 inches of line and pass the loop through the hook eye.
  2. Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, keeping the hook hanging in the middle.
  3. Pass the loop over the entire hook.
  4. Wet the line and pull both the standing line and tag end to seat the knot. Trim.

Improved Clinch Knot

Hooks and lures on mono or fluoro up to about 20 lb. The first knot most people learn.

  1. Pass the tag end through the eye and make 5–7 wraps around the standing line.
  2. Pass the tag end through the small loop just above the eye.
  3. Pass it back through the big loop you just formed.
  4. Wet, pull slowly on the standing line to seat the coils, then trim.

Uni Knot

All-purpose; ties hooks, joins lines (double uni) and works on braid.

  1. Pass the line through the eye and double it back, forming a loop alongside the standing line.
  2. Make 5–6 wraps through the loop, around both lines.
  3. Wet and pull the tag end to snug the coils, then slide the knot down to the eye.

Snell Knot

Octopus and circle hooks for live bait — pulls the hook straight for better hookups.

  1. Pass the line through the eye from the point side and lay it along the shank.
  2. Form a loop and wrap the tag end around the shank and line 6–8 times, working toward the eye.
  3. Hold the wraps and pull the standing line to tighten. Trim.

Dropper Loop

Hi-lo rigs and adding a second hook or fly above a weight.

  1. Form a loop in the line where you want the dropper.
  2. Twist the loop 5–7 times around itself, keeping an opening in the middle of the twists.
  3. Pull the loop through the middle opening.
  4. Wet and pull both ends so the twists tighten evenly. The loop stands out perpendicular.

FG Knot

Braid to fluorocarbon leader; slim enough to pass through guides.

  1. Hold the leader tight and weave the braid over-and-under the leader 20+ times, alternating sides.
  2. Lock the weave with 2–3 half hitches of the braid around the leader and braid.
  3. Trim the leader tag flush, then finish with 5–6 more half hitches and a final locking hitch.

Double Uni Knot

Joining braid to leader or two lines of different diameter — easier than the FG.

  1. Overlap the two lines by 6–8 inches.
  2. Tie a uni knot with one line around the other (5 wraps for mono, 8 for braid).
  3. Repeat with the other line.
  4. Wet and pull the standing lines so the two knots slide together. Trim.

Surgeon's Knot

Adding tippet to a fly leader; fast to tie streamside.

  1. Overlap the leader and tippet by 6 inches.
  2. Tie a loose overhand knot with both lines together.
  3. Pass the same ends through the overhand loop a second time (a third for a triple surgeon's).
  4. Wet and pull all four ends evenly. Trim.

Non-Slip Loop Knot

Jigs, spoons and crankbaits when you want maximum action.

  1. Tie a loose overhand knot 6 inches from the tag end, then pass the tag end through the eye.
  2. Pass the tag back through the overhand knot on the same side it exited.
  3. Wrap the tag end around the standing line 3–5 times.
  4. Pass the tag back through the overhand knot once more, wet and tighten.

Bobber Stop Knot

Slip float rigs — the tiny knot that sets your depth.

  1. Cut 6 inches of Dacron or heavy mono and lay it along the main line, forming a loop.
  2. Wrap the tag end through the loop and around the main line 4–5 times.
  3. Pull both ends to tighten so it grips the line but still slides with a firm push. Trim to 1/4 inch.