Getting into fishing so you can spend your weekend relaxing and getting some steam off is a deed too valuable to yourself to miss out, seriously. Grabbing a hold of some basic things like tying a fish hook, pick your favourite lure, etc and you are set. We promise that no Sunday is ever wasted with this kind of activity.

What is it about fishing? 

With some proper preparation, you would be ready to experience a trip for that sense of adventure in yours, to any location with a calm, peaceful and close-to-nature scenery (or just simply to that favourite spot of yours in the town with ponds and fish).

Fishing is actually not that heavy-demanding as help is always available. You also get to enjoy the precious stress-free atmosphere nature has to offer. You would love to have a time for your own and not having to deal with anybody’s problem right!

 

Also good news for you: you do not have to be sporty or well-expertised to enjoy the game either. Veterans are (almost) always friendly and welcoming.

You would be hyped to know that they are eager to share cool tips and tricks and their laugh-worthy stories.

Or if you want to be fine-prepared before you get to know the seniors, one of the very first and basic tips to learn is knowing how to tie a fishing knot (a snell knot); and now that you are ready to give this hobby a chance, take a look at our guide through the simplest steps for this.

One of the very basic things 

A fishing knot – also known as dozens of other names (Snell Knot, Fisherman’s Knot, Palomar Knot) is basically a knot that ties the fishing line and the fish hook together at its eye (the small loop part of the hook).

It is extremely easy to grab the skill of tying the knot and you would properly need the easiest technique – one that would most likely to stick to you every time you head to the water, given that there are dozens of ways to do this.

 

 

For this manual, we would introduce you to that simple technique, and also other handy techniques to add into your arsenal (with illustrations and videos to follow).

These seven methods are approved by a wide range of experienced fishermen and fully tested to be highly-efficient as they maintain 92% of the base strength of the line.

 But be informed that you should distinguish the knots that join the fish hook and fishing line, and the knots that join the two sections of two different lines.

 Before we go into the business, here are some field vocabulary for you to catch up. (Not to sweat, these are easy to get used to and would probably have you abuse them every time you go on a fishing trip)

• Lure, swivel, or fly: these are basically the bait to, you know, lure your aquatic trophy.
• Eye: as explained, it is the small hole at one end of the hook.
• Braided or monofilament: the material used to make the line (obviously, there are several other types).

Improved Clinch Knot

The Improved Clinch Knot or the Fisherman’s Knot (the name kind of says it all) is extremely well-known and widely used among fishing folks.

It retains 95% of the line’s original strength. It is flexible to tie not just the fish hooks, but also the lures, clip, swivel, light-weight fly etc.

Fresh-off-the-boat beginners are deemed to fit with this type of knot before any other knots. It’s easy to master and the successful rate for the first try-out is high.

This is how you do it:

• Step One: thread the loose end of the line through the fish hook’s eye (you just need to pass the loose end 6-8 inches through the eye), make a small loop with the loose end and leave a small space between it and the eye.
• Step Two: wrap the loose end 5 to 7 times around the main line (you do it by holding the joint loop at the eye by one hand and the loose end by the other, then twist it)
• Step Three: thread the end back into the small space you make previously.
• Step Four: now that you have second bigger loop you just created at Step Three, pass the end through that loop.
• Step Five: pull the end away from the eye firmly but slowly.
• Step Six: make sure you wet the joint section of the eye and the line before you do this step; then you can pull the main line away from the eye to tighten the knot, and finally strim the excessive part of the loose end.

 

Check out this video for closer look and practice:

Now you have a nicely done beginner knot and can start a bright career in this fishy business.

Palomar Knot

The Palomar Knot is another great starter too. This knot is far too familiar with the experienced.

However, newcomers should only get to this Knot after mastering the Fisherman’s Knot.

This one proved to go well together with the braided line and to most anglers, is the strongest type to hold the hook and offer you a lasting ease practice in any situation.

Let’s look at the steps:

• Step One: fold the loose end to make a tight loop with the main line and thread the loop through the eye.

   

• Step Two: make an overhand knot (you fold the loop end back across the main line, then pass it through the wide loop you just make).
• Step Three: pass the loop end over the hook.

   

• Step Four: dampen the joint section of the line and the eye before you do this step; then you can tighten the knot by pulling the main line and cut off the excessive part.

Here’s a video for you follow the steps more carefully:

Another easy-to-grab knot to handle.

Turtle knot

Turtle knot is the one for smaller fish hook and thinner line, and is really great for fly fishing (an approach of fishing that applies light-weight lure which is called artificial fly to catch fish and requires quite distinct techniques).

Here are the walk-through of the knot:

• Step One: thread the loose end through the fish hook (or fly), then make a loose overhand loop of the main line and the end.
• Step Two: pass the end back through that wide loop.
• Step Three: pass the second loop you just make over the hook.
• Step Four: moisten the joint section of the line and the eye before you do this step; then pull the main line to tighten up the knot. (and of course you trim the excessive part)

 

Versatility is great but make sure you use this knot for the right purpose. 

Uni Knot 

This Knot can also be called Duncan Knot and it’s suitable for braided or monofilament (a type of material) lines.

This one is better known for its reliability in holding strength. It can keep up to 91% of original line’s strength. This knot is good for lines of uneven diameter as well.

Beginners of course should not be afraid to make effort to try this knot but only after handling excellently previous knot methods.

Now getting to know this knot is quite tricky so you need to pay attention closely to the steps: 

• Step One: pass the loose end through the eye, then fold back to the main line in parallel position.
• Step Two: grab the end and fold it back again to make a wide loop (only cross the end with the main line near the eye).
• Step Three: now wrap the end around the double line 5 to 7 times.
• Step Four: at the last wrap, pass the end through the wide loop, tight the wraps by pulling the end away from the eye; at the same time, push the first wrap away from the eye. This way you can make a small tight multiple-coil sub-knot (as seen in the picture).
• Step Five: tighten up the whole knot by pulling the main line away from eye (again, not to forget to wet the section); the sub-knot would just move to the eye itself.

Also take a look at this video to help yourself get used to this knot easier:

Save this one for when you are actually well into the game much later.

Snelling a hook

This knot actually grabs and holds a fish hook, and is not for tying the hook. This approach goes well with any type of fishing techniques. You can also enhance your chance of catching fish with bigger size.

It doesn’t fall behind in term of holding strength and is suited to connect the monofilament line with the hook.

Let’s go through the process of this knot: 

• Step One: thread the end of the line through the fish hook TWO TIMES, creating a large loop along side the hook in the process.
• Step Two: wrap that loop around the hook along with the end 5 to 10 times (depend on your confidence) make sure wraps are tight.
• Step Three: now pull the main line away from the eye while still holding the wraps with your finger firmly; you should pull until the loop gets tucked into the coils.

Now you get yourself another knot ready.

Blood Knot

Apart from the great tools to tie a fish hook we just provide, do not let yourself ignore this and the other useful knots for joining two separate lines.

Why would you use this kind of knot, you may ask?

And the answer is it is nicely fit for extending the length of your fishing line (that is already attached to a hook), or mending a cut off line (that you are too resourceful to just throw it away). 

Now for the technique, let’s look through the steps:

• Step One: pair up the two line’s end parallel together.
• Step Two: wrap the first line around the second 5 to 7 times (you should hold the connected section between the end of the second line and the body of the first for easy operation).
• Step Three: do the same for the second line.
• Step Four: now grab the both ends of the lines and thread them through the hole in the middle.
• Step Five: pull the both lines away from each other until the coils from both side to tighten up the between-hole. (you can leave the both ends for a less than an inch spare).

Take a look at this video for easy practice:

Pair this knot with a hook knot in your skill storage, so you can handle a much wider range of situations in the water.

Surgeon’s Knot 

You could also call this knot Double Surgeon’s Knot, and it is another excellent tool for tying a line to a fish hook.

However, preferably, this one applies to making a strong, reliable loop at the end of a line. 

Let get yourself familiar with this type of knot through the steps:

• Step One: fold back the loose end so you can make a double line.
• Step Two: grab the big loop at the end round it over the main line and make an overhand knot (by threading the end loop into the smaller knot loop).
• Step Three: thread the end loop through the small loop again.
• Step Four: hold the knot and pull the main line to tighten up everything (and you should do this without forgetting to moisten the knot before pulling the line). What you have now is a firm and trustworthy loop of a line for various purpose.

 

This video is a great help for you:

There is nothing as knowing too much, right.

Just go easy with it

Until now, you go through and learn a lot of ways to tie a fish hook which is an important start. This helps you enjoy the hobby without getting into frustration with your hook get mugged by the witty underwater opponents.

It would make the experience poor and discouraging for the first attempts. That being said, do not scare yourself of making mistakes, there is first time for everything. 

In addition, learning to tie a fish hook and get help from your partners/ experienced seniors is a great occasion for making friends and life connections.

Trust us, when you struggle and someone shows up and walks you through the whole things, that would make you feel extremely welcomed.

But not to be afraid, the saying “practice makes perfect” always apply and tying a fish hook seriously does not require a great length of effort.

Just a bit of patience and routines kept frequently and you’re good to conquer a whole new interest. Let’s make this Sunday a pleasant, healthy and satisfied time for yourself.