In regard to links throughout this
Site, you may see a word that is underlined but NOT highlighted blue
like a link, It IS a link and these are words that can be found in
our Dictionary. In case you're unfamiliar with some of the
fishing lingo.
There
are many different skills associated with being successful at
fishing. One of them is the art of tying good knots. Monofilament
fishing line stretches and is kind of slippery, so using the proper
knot is important if you want to keep your bait, lure, or fish on the line.
This section
will show you how to tie all of the knots needed to properly assemble
your gear. In order to tie effective knots, you must realize that
neatness counts. If a knot slips, it will probably break. Therefore,
it is essential you completely tighten all knots. This is
accomplished by lubricating the knot before you tighten it down. You
can use water, saliva, or silicone fly floatant. One
word of caution should be exercised here. You
should never put any part of your line into your mouth to wet the
knot. Many Streams and lakes contain bacteria that can be harmful to you.
If you use saliva, drip or spit it
on the knot instead.
When you tighten the knot, do so
very slowly. What you are trying to do is tighten the knot without
building up too much heat. If you tighten the knot quickly, friction
will cause excessive heat, which in turn weakens the line. A smooth
slow draw is best.
Here
are a couple of knots worth learning:
The
one and most important knot to know is The
Clinch Knot orFisherman's
Knot
This
knot is used for that most important place-where the hook (or the
swivel or the lure) meets the line.
A
reliable knot here will save you lots of lost lures and fish!
Use
the Albright Knot for tying backing to fly line.
Form a loop in one line (in the thicker line if unequal (gold shown)).
Pass the end of the other (thinner line (blue shown)) line
through the loop
Wrap it neatly around itself and the loop
wrap it 10 times . . .
Then pass the end back through the loop next to itself.
Pull the knot tight!
Trim the ends.
Bimini Twist Knot
1. Measure a little more than twice the footage you'll want for the
double-line leader. Bring end back to standing line and hold
together. Rotate end of loop 20 times, putting twists in it.
2. Spread loop to force twists together about 10" below tag end.
Step both feet through loop and bring it up around knees so pressure
can be placed on column of twists by spreading knees apart.
3. With twists forced tightly together, hold standing line in one
hand with tension just slightly off the vertical position. With other
hand, move tag end to position at right angle to twists. Keeping
tension on loop with knees, gradually ease tension of tag end so it
will roll over the column of twists, beginning just below the upper twist.
4. Spread legs apart slowly to maintain pressure on loop. Steer tag
end into a tight spiral coil as it continues to roll over the twisted line.
5. When spiral of tag end has rolled over column of twists, continue
keeping knee pressure on loop and move hand which has held standing
line down to grasp knot. Place finger in crotch of line where loop
joins knot to prevent slippage of last turn. Take half-hitch with tag
end around nearest leg of loop and pull up tight.
6. With half-hitch holding knot, release knee pressure but keep loop
stretched out tight. Using remaining tag end, take half-hitch around
both legs of loop, but do not pull tight.
7. Make two more turns with the tag end around both legs of the loop,
winding inside the bend of line formed by the loose half-hitch and
toward the main knot. Pull tag end slowly, forcing the three loops to
gather in a spiral.
8. When loops are pulled up neatly against main knot, tighten to lock
knot in place. Trim tag end about 1/4" from knot.
Blood Knot or
Barrel Knot
This is a high strength knot to join two similar
thicknesses of line. It's main advantage is it's low profile enabling
it to run smoothly through rod line guides.
Clinch
/ Cinch
Knot (Fisherman's
Knot)
This
knot is used for that most important place-where the hook (or the
swivel or the lure) meets the line. A reliable knot here will save
you lots of lost lures and fish!
1) Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or
lure. Double back and make five turns around the standing line.
2) Holding the coils in place, thread the tag end of the first
loop above the eye, then through the big loop
3) Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the
coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping
each other. Slide against the eye.
4) Clip the tag end.
Needle Knot
This knot can be used to attach permanently a thick
length of nylon to the end of the fly line, to which, in turn, the
leader is attached.
Description: This is a good knot to use to
attach the end of the backing to the fly line or a thick nylon leader
butt. It can be tied with a nail or, more easily, with either a tube
or a needle.
Tying:
1.
To tie this knot you will need a strong needle with an
eye large enough to take the backing
or nylon that you are using.
2.
Push the needle into the center of the core of the fly
line and out through the side wall, about 5mm from the end of the line.
3.
Thread the end of the backing or nylon through
the eye of the needle and use the needle to pull about 100mm of
backing or nylon through the fly line, out through the side.
4.
Now lay the needle against the fly line with the
eye in line with the end of the line. Make three turns of the backing
or nylon around the line and needle, working toward the eye of the
needle. Thread the backing or nylon through the eye and withdraw the
needle and nylon.
5.
Remove the needle and carefully tighten the
turns, taking care that they do not overlap. Do not over-tighten the
knot as this can cause a dog-leg in the fly line.
6.
Trim off the tag end of the backing or nylon
close to the line.
Palomar Knot
A knot that is easy to tie and has a good breaking strength of over 90%.
1. Start with plenty of line.
2. Double the line and pass the end through the hook's eye.
It can be difficult passing the line twice through the hook eye, you
can pass the tag end though one way first and then back.
3. Tie an overhand knot (like you were tying your shoe strings) but do not pull it tight yet.
4. Pass the hook through the loop.
5. Pull the loose end of the line to tighten the knot.
Trim the end.
Leave at least 1/8 inch of your line at the knot.
The Perfection Loop knot is the perfect knot for the
leader butt section
when attaching fly lines to leaders with a loop
to loop connection.
Although the illustrations seem complicated, the
knot is a breeze to tie.
Step 1
With the standing end in your left hand and the tag
end in your right form a loop. Make sure the tag end is behind the
standing end. Hold the lines in place by pinching with your thumb and
index finger.
Step 2
With the lines pinched in your left hand make a loop
in front of the first loop with the tag end. Again, make sure the tag
end exits behind both loops.
Step 3
Pass the tag end between the 2 loops, continuing to
pinch all lines with the left hand.
Step 4
Pass the loop closest to you over the tag end and
through the rear loop.
Step 5
As with all knots, lubricate before tightening. Pull
the loop (the one passed through the rear loop) and the standing end
in opposite directions and tighten down firmly.
HOW TO TIE A STOP KNOT
Whenever you want to use a sliding float you will need to tie a stop
knot on your line that will grip the line without damaging it.
Step 1
Twist a piece of line 2 to 3 times around the main line, at the
chosen point
Step 2
Bring both ends around to form a Surgeon's Knot.
Step 3
Tighten into shape bringing the coils close together.
Triple
Surgeons Knot
Turle Knot
Also known as the
Turtle Knot, and Major Turle's Knot, it is simplicity itself to tie,
but is one of the weakest knots.
It should never be
used for light lines, and there are better knots for use with heavy ones.
1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook.
2. Make a simple loop.
3. Carry the end of the line on to make a Simple
Overhand Knot upon the loop.
4. Pass the loop over the hook.
5. Draw up into shape.
Before applying the final pull to tying knots, moisten the knot with
saliva so as to lubricate it and make easier the final coiling of the
line. Always make sure you do gradual pulls, rather than fast, jerky
pulls, as this may lead to line degradation.
It is important that people who
fish follow all fishing rules and regulations.
These rules help conserve fish
populations and also help anglers be successful.
Regulations may limit the size of,
number of, and season that a type of fish may be caught, and may
require a license to fish. In some cases, only “catch and
release” fishing is allowed, which means the fish must be let
go. Some bait is illegal in certain areas.
Contact your state wildlife agency
by visiting Our Rules
and RegulationsPage.
If
you have
any hints, suggestions, techniques or anything that you would like to share
or
have me put onto this web page, please feel
free to Email
me
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