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The practice of fishing was invented by humans around 40,000 years ago. Fishing back then was quite primitive and mainly involved spears and nets. Today, we have fishing rods and many fishing knots to take advantage of.

Learning how to tie a hook on a fishing line can seem daunting at first. There are so many knots to consider. Which knot is the best one for your fishing line?

Keep reading and learn more about the different types of fishing knots below.

1. The Palomar Knot

The Palomar knot is one of the most commonly used knots among fishermen. This is because this knot is easy to do and also very durable. It is one of the strongest knots you can use when tying a hook on a fishing line.

It is a very good type of knot to use if you plan on catching large and heavy fish. You first need to double up your fishing line around the top of the hook. Doing this will create a loop with the line.

Push the loop through the hook’s eye. This can be difficult if you’ve never done it before since the eye is small. After some practice, it will become like second nature for you.

Create an overhand knot after the first step. This knot should be loose so that it is easier to work with. Take the loop and string it around the barbed end of the hook.

Pulling on the fishing line will tighten the loop around the hook and secure it in place. You will likely have a bit of loose fishing line when you’re done. If so, trim it away.

You should then be left with a very clean Palomar knot. This is one of the most useful fishing knots around. It is a good idea to master this knot if you plan on doing a lot of fishing in the future.

As long as you know how to tie this knot, you can catch almost anything.

2. The Improved Clinch Knot

This is yet another knot that involves tying the fishing line to the hook. You can also use it to tie a lure to your line. This is another very popular knot.

It is great for both freshwater and saltwater fish. It works for both monofilament and braided lines too. Monofilament lines are less visible underwater.

This makes your bait more appealing to fish. Start by putting the line through the hook’s eye. Wrap the line around itself about five times.

Do this loosely so that there is space to work with. This will create a loop near the hook’s eye. Put the remaining line through that loop and pull the line tight.

Pulling the line from both ends will provide a cleaner and more secure result. This will create a very useful knot. Trim away any excess fishing line, if there is any.

This is one of the easiest knots you can tie. It is usually the first type that most people learn.

3. The Loop Knot

If you prefer to use artificial plugs when fishing, this knot may be the best option for you. This knot will cause the plug to move around more in the water. This will help attract more fish.

This knot is unique because it is not securely tied around the hook or plug. Its loop is what is hooked around the hook’s eye. Make an overhand loop to begin.

Put the loose end of the line through the lure’s eye. Use the loose end to thread the eye of the overhand loop, specifically the lower end. Using the tag end of the line, wrap the line around itself a few times.

Bring the loose end of the line back through the loop. Pull both ends of the line taught. If there is any extra fishing line, snip it away.

You should then have a very secure loop knot.

4. The Turtle Knot

The turtle knot is used more often for small hooks. It is also ideal for thin fishing lines and for catching small fish. It is a very simple knot.

Many beginner fishermen learn this knot along with the improved clinch knot. Take your fishing line and put it through the hook’s eye. Create an overhand knot, but don’t tighten it.

Keep the knot loose and bring it over the entire hook before pulling it tight. This will create a very small and tight look around the hook’s eye. Monofilament lines are usually best for this type of knot.

5. The Blood Knot

This is a knot that ties two individual fishing lines together. While it has a threatening name and is somewhat complicated, it isn’t as difficult as you might think. Take two ends of your fishing lines and line them up together.

They should overlap by several inches. Take one end and wrap it around the other line several times. Wrapping it more than five times is ideal.

Do the same thing with the end of the other line, wrapping it around five times or more. After wrapping the lines, the ends should be facing each other. Pull each end tight.

This will secure the entire knot and make sure both lines are connected. This is an important knot to know if you need to connect two pieces of fishing line.

6. The Double Surgeon’s Loop

This knot is popular among those who need very strong lines and knots. This knot does not involve connecting the line to a hook or lure. It instead involves creating a loop in the line.

Create a double line by folding it over. Tie an overhand knot and leave it loose. Use the loop to thread the overhand knot.

This can get messy if you’re not paying attention, so keep track of what you’re doing.

The final step is to add a bit of moisture to the line and tighten it. This should create a distinct loop at the very end of the fishing line. It is ideal for double-line leaders.

You won’t have to worry about the knot snapping either since it is so strong.

7. The Uniknot

This is one of the simplest knots you can tie. It is also one of the most popular. Both beginner and advanced anglers use this knot regularly.

It is great for securing hooks, lures, and more. It is best to use this knot with a thicker type of fishing line such as a braided line. Take the line and put it through the hook’s eye before doubling over the line.

Create a loose loop and then swing the line around the loop about six times. Make sure the line is moist before you pull it tight. As you tighten it, you can slide the loop along the length of the line to where you want it.

It should sit securely against the eye of the hook or lure. This is a bulkier type of knot and it should look like a little knob at the end of the line. This knot improves the strength at the end of the line and around the hook’s eye.

It is a good knot to know for basic fishing.

8. The Double Uniknot

This knot is very similar to the regular uniknot but even stronger. It is best for fishermen looking to catch very heavy fish. If you plan on catching anything heavier than 100 pounds, this is the knot you should use.

You can use either a monofilament line or a braided line for this knot. Braided lines may be the better option since they will provide more strength. This is also a bulky knot but it is easy to tie and widely used around the world.

Take your main fishing line and another length of line and overlap them. Take one line and wrap it around the other line a few times through a loop. Then do the same thing with the other line.

This should create a uniknot on both sides of the line. Pulling on the line will bring the two knots together. This is a very secure knot.

You will be hard-pressed to find a fish that can break through this knot.

How to Tie a Hook on a Fishing Line

Learning how to tie a hook on a fishing line isn’t as hard as you might think. There are many types of useful fishing knots you can use. Knowing how and when to use these knots will make you a much better fisherman.

To learn more about fishing tips and tricks, explore the rest of the content on our website.