Knots 

As far as I am concerned, there are only two knots you need for bass fishing. The palomar knot to tie your hooks and lures  and the uni to uni knot for when you need to join two different lines together . Yeah, I know, there are other knots you prefer and your opinion may be different, but this is MY opinion.

I have added a few others found at various sites offering knots tying tips. Credits for them are listed below.

First, the Palomar knot. At Bassmaster University®, Denny Brauer said this is the strongest knot you can tie. It is the only knot that once tied, retains 100% of the line's original strength. Other knots actually reduce the strength of line at the knot, which is why you tend to lose a lot of lures and hooks when the line breaks at the knot. The only thing I can add to what Berkley says in their instructions is to make sure you wet the line before you tighten it, heat will build while tightening the knot and potentially weaken the line. This is also the best knot to use for down shot rigging.

All of this information and knot graphics was derived from Berkley's website. I claim no ownership of it and give them full credit/blame for the information.

For best results, be sure to wind line tightly on the reel.

1. Double the line and form a loop three to four inches long. Pass the end of the loop through the hook's eye.

2. Holding the standing line between thumb and finger, grasp the loop with free hand and form a simple overhand knot.

3. Pass hook through loop and draw line while guiding line over top of eyelet.

4. Pull tag end of line to tighten knot snugly and trim tag end to about 1/4".

Now we get to the Uni to Uni knot. When using a braided line, like Fireline, put some Mono on your spool first as a backing. Fill the spool about half full, then tie the mono line to the fireline with the Uni to Uni knot. You can now finish filling your spool. If you want a less visible line tied to your hook or lure, you can tie a four or five foot leader of Vanish or some other flourocarbon line to the fire line. 

How to tie the UNI to UNI knot:

1. Loop tag end of the shock leader back to the left and make 5 -6 wraps around both lines.

2. Wet lines, then pull slowly on the tag end until the loop disappears.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with other tag end. Tighten both knots.

4. Wet lines, then pull on the standing part of both lines to draw the knots together.

5. On the final knot, trim tag ends leaving about 1/4".

The following knots are from: http://www.activeangler.com/articles/how-to/articles/knots/arbor.asp

How to Tie The Arbor Knot

Tying the Arbor knot is very easy to learn. The Arbor knot is a simple knot to tie yet very useful. The Arbor knot is one of the easiest ways to attach your line around the reel spool.

Instructions for tying the Arbor Knot

1. Thread the line around reel arbor.
2. Tie an overhand knot around the line itself. Then just tie a second overhand knot in the tag end. This second knot keeps line from slipping through the first.
3. Grab on either side of the knots and pull tight. Cut off the excess. Then slide the first overhand knot down the line to snug it around the reel arbor.
4. Tying the Arbor Knot is complete.

Directions for tying the Arbor knot:

How to Tie the Clinch Knot
and the Double Clinch Knot

Tying the clinch knot is simple and is probably the most popular fishing knot used today. When tied properly the clinch knot, and the double clinch knot are very strong and don't slip. They are the perfect knots to choose for lures.

Instructions for tying the Improved Clinch Knot

1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook, or swivel.
2. Double back. make five turns around the line.
3. Pass the end of the line through the first loop, above the eye, and then through the large loop.
4. Pass the end of the line through the first loop by the eye of the hook.
5. Draw the knot into shape.
6. Slide the coils down tight against the eye.
7. Tying the Double or Improved Clinch Knot is complete

Directions for tying the Clinch Knot:

How to Tie The Double Surgeon's Knot

The Double Surgeon's Knot is a quick, easy way to tie a loop in the end of a leader. The Surgeon's knot can also be used to form a quick loop to attach a lure or hook. (Special note by me - this is a good not to use on cranbaits if you do not have a split ring on the line tie of the bait.)

Instructions for tying the Surgeon's Knot

1. Double the line over to form a loop. Make a single overhand knot in the doubled-over line making sure to not tighten the knot down yet.
2. Then, bring the loop end around and through the overhand knot hole.
3. Holding the loop in one hand, and the tag end and standing line in the other hand, gently pull to snug the knot down.
4. Moistening the knot with water first will help tio lubricate the line. Then the line will slide more easily and form a tighter knot.
5. Trim tag end to 1/8 inch.
6. Tying the Surgeon's Knot is complete.

Directions for tying the Double Surgeon's Knot: