Knots
The overall success of any fishing experience will eventually be determined by the strength of a knot. A securely tied knot is often the difference between catching a fish or losing it. There are many different types of knots, however you can get by in most fishing situations by knowing the following few knots. Practise them until you can tie them without referring to the instructions!
Locked Half Blood Knot
A simple yet strong knot that can be used to tie all connections to hooks, swivels etc.
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| 1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook and wind the tag end of the line around the main line four or five times or more. | 2. Next pass the tag end through the loop that has formed at the hook. |
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| 3. Now bring the tag end up and pass it through the large loop that has been formed. | 4. Tighten the knot by pulling slowly and firmly on the main line. |
Clinch Knot
This is another very useful knot that is perhaps stronger than the first. Again most connections can be made using this knot.
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| 1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook twice so that a loop is formed. | 2. Holding the loop in one hand wrap the tag end of the line around the main line four or five times. |
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| 3. Now pass the end of the tag through the double loop that has formed at the hook. | 4. Tighten the knot by pulling on both the mainline and the tag at the same time. |
Figure of Eight (Dropper Loop)
This knot can be used to make a loop in the mainline above a sinker. Using the same knot, a loop can then be made at the end of a short leader and attached to the loop in the mainline.
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| 1. Bend the line to form a loop at the place where you intend the loop to be. | 2. Working with the double line bend the loop back and pass it under, and then over the double line. |
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| 3. Bring the end of the loop down and pass it through the bottom section of the “eight”. | 4. Close the knot tight and trim off any excess line. |
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| 5. You can now make a short trace with a loop at one end and a tied hook at the other end. To connect the trace pass the hook through the loop on the mainline and then through the loop on the trace. Tighten it and you have a dropper. |
Double Blood Knot (for joining lines)
This knot is used to join two similar lines together. It is often used when the line on your reel is low and you need to add extra line on.
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| 1. Cross one line over the other. | 2. Wrap the two lines over each other nine times. |
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| 3. Next pass the ends of the two lines through the middle twist, making sure that the two lines are passed through in opposite directions. | 4. Tighten the knot slowly by pulling on the two lines. When the knot is formed trim off the excess ends. |
