How to tie a fishing knot

Tying a fishing knot is an important skill of fishing. A real angler knows how to tie knots correctly and which knot to use in each situation. Different situations require different types of knots. For example, the type of knot needed to tie a fishing line to a hook differs from the knot needed to join two sections of a line. A perfect fishing knot requires several tightly wound turns. Here are a few things you should know about tying a fishing knot:

Lubricate, Tighten and Trim

Pulling a fishing knot before use is important to ensure it is tight. Before pulling the knot, moisten it with water and use saliva or vegetable oil to lubricate it. Lubrication is vital because it prevents heat generation and ensures the knot is tight. Lubricate the wraps or turns of every knot you tie with oil or saliva as you draw them tight. This is highly recommended in monofilament but also helps with knots in braids. Finally, using a nail clipper, carefully trim the fishing line close to the knot, leaving a short tag of approximately 4 mm for safety.

Breaking Strain

Before you embark on your fishing adventure, it is crucial to test your own line because that’s critical for your fishing success. If a fishing knot is going to fail, knowing in advance is better. If a line has a 15 kg breaking strain, exert at least half the pressure as the rated line strength when testing the fishing knot. You can use a spring balance to test the reliability of the knot. Finally, visually examine the not again to ensure it is in perfect shape. Is the line above the knot damaged, flattened, or deformed? Has the knot changed its shape? Is the tag end shortened? If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘YES,’ cut the knot and re-tie again.