How to Tie A Hook on a Line: A Guide to 10 Useful Knots

Nothing quite compares to enjoying an early morning by the water's edge. You throw your line out, and a short while later, your line tugs. After a few minutes of work, you struggle to reel in a 20-pound lake trout. For your line to successfully draw that creature out, you need to learn to tie a good knot on a fishing hook. In this guide, we'll teach you 10 easy fishing knots so you never lose a catch!

Beginner-Friendly Fishing Knots

To make a Clinch knot, leave 4 in (10 cm) of tag-end and create a gap above the hook eye. Wrap the line 7 times. Thread the tag end through the gap and pull tight.
Double 6 in (15 cm) of line and thread it through the hook. Tie an overhand knot and pull the loop down, passing it over the hook. Pull to tighten for a Palomar knot.
Make a Snell knot by folding the line down on itself to make a loop. Wrap the tag end around the shank and line. Feed the tag end through the loop and tighten.

Method 1

Method 1 of 10:

Clinch Knot

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1
Choose a clinch knot as your go-to fishing knot. Thread the end of a fishing line through the eye of the hook. Leave 4 in (10 cm) of tag end (excess line) on the right and leave a gap above the hook eye. Use this thread to make 5 to 7 wraps around the line.^{[1]
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- Clinch knots are a popular choice for fishermen. It’s known to be reliable and quick to tie, which means more fishing time!
Thread the tag end through the gap above the hook eye made in Step 1. Pull the knot tight. A little moisture may help. Wet it in your mouth to provide some lubrication. Clip off the excess line above the knot, leaving ¹⁄₈ in (0.3 cm) of line.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 10:

Orvis Knot

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Pass a line through the hook eye from below. Twist the tag end behind the main line to form a loop. Go behind the loop and forward with the tag end to create a figure eight shape.^{[3]
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Feed the tag end through the top of the second loop and repeat this process twice. Then, lubricate the line with your mouth or a dab of water. Pull the tag end tight to close the knot and trim.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 10:

Palomar Knot

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Double 6 in (15 cm) of the line and pass the doubled line through the eye of the hook. Create a simple overhand knot with the doubled line, ensuring the hook is hanging at the bottom of it.^{[5]
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Above the eye of the hook, slide the doubled line under the hook and back up. Tighten the knot by pulling on the standing lines and the tag end. Clip off the tag end once the knot is secured.^{[6]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 10:

Davy Knot

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1
Opt for the Davy knot for small flies. Hold the hook in your left hand in an upright position. Feed the line down through the eye. Bring the tag end overtop and around the running line. Then back and over top of itself. Bring the tag's tip up through the loop and hold it between your thumb and index finger.^{[7]
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- It should look like a modified figure eight.
- The Davy knot is commonly used among fly fishermen who want a quick, simple, unobtrusive knot to tie. It'll get you back fishing if you break a line.
Instead of pointing the tag end rearward and under the eye, point it outward at a 90-degree angle. Adjust the line as you pull the line closed to secure it.^{[8]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 10:

Baja Knot

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1
Use a Baja knot for heavier mono-lines. Place one end of the line right over the left to form a loop. On the tag end, slip the hook through. Circle the tag end around the loop and your thumb once. Then, slip the thread back through between the thumb and forefinger, pinching it with your fingers to keep it in place.^{[9]
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- Baja knots may also be called the Perfection or Mexican loop.
2
Slide the hook through the loop and tighten it. Bring the hook through the loop. Pull down on your running line to make the loop smaller. Then, pull the line hard to tighten the whole ring. If necessary, secure the hook with pliers.^{[10]
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- A baja hook allows the bait to swing freely without worrying about losing it.

Method 6

Method 6 of 10:

Pitzen Knot

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1
Apply the Pitzen knot for its incredible strength. Thread a line through the eye of the hook. Loop the tagline back under the standing line. Using your index finger as a stopper, hook the line around your finger.^{[11]
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- The Pitzen knot is also called the Eugene Bend or 16-20 Knot. It can hold up to 95% of the line's breaking strength, so use it for catching bigger fish. While it may be tricky to tie, it's worth it.
- The name 16-20 Knot refers to a successful catch of a salmon that weighed sixteen pounds using this knot.^{[12]
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Wrap the line 4 times before tightening the knot. Wrap the line back around the paralleled lines four times. Pass the tag end back through the small loop created by your finger. Tighten the knot by sliding it down towards the eye of the book with your fingers.^{[13]
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- Wet the line to make tightening the knot easier.

Method 7

Method 7 of 10:

Uni Knot

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1
Use a Uni knot for fine tippets and small flies or to join lines. Slide a line through the hook. Lay approximately 6 in (15 cm) of tag end over the main line. Pinch the line right above the hook eye. Curve the tag end around to form a loop before the doubled lines.
- Leave the tag end pointing upward.^{[14]
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Twist the tag end around the doubled lines going through the loops in each pass. Wrap it five times. Ensure the wraps go left to right and towards the tag end. Then, pull the tag end to cinch the ends down. Continue pulling until the knot slides the top of the hook.^{[15]
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Method 8

Method 8 of 10:

Snell Knot

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1
Opt for a Snell knot to attach a fishing line to the shank. Pass a line through the eye of the hook. Feed out a nice section and fold it down on itself to form a little loop at the end. With your fingers, pinch the loop off. Then, with the tag end, wrap the shank and the line down towards the eye.^{[16]
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- It usually takes 6 to 10 wraps.
Take the tag end and feed it back through the loop. Pull the tag end and mainline tight to secure the knot. Snip the tag end to remove excess thread.^{[17]
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Method 9

Method 9 of 10:

Turle Knot

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Feed the tag end through the eye of your hook. Make a loop around the back of the standing end. Wrap the line 2 or 3 times around the standing end. Pass the tag end back through the loop closest to your thumb.^{[18]
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Snug the knot down, ensuring it can slide up and down the standing end. Slide the hook towards the knot. Trim the tag end and bring the loop over the back of the hook. Tighten to secure the knot.^{[19]
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Method 10

Method 10 of 10:

Blood Knot

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Overlap 5 in (13 cm) of leader line and main line. Pinch the overlapping point with your fingers. Make 5 to 7 wraps around the leader line with the tag end of the main line. Ensure all the wraps move down the leader line.^{[20]
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Put the tag at the end of the main line through the "V" at the overlap point. Cinch the new point with your hand. Repeat these steps using the tag at the end of the leader line. Lubricate the knot and pull both lines and tag ends tight. Cut the tag ends off.^{[21]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Sometimes fish eat my bait and go. Any tips?

Community Answer

Use smaller hooks as well as thinner line, such as 15-20 lbs. As soon as you feel a bite on your line, drop your hook to give the fish more line, and then give it a yank to set the hook.

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I usually tie a bunch of normal knots. Will that work?

Community Answer

Actually, one of the best knots out there, is the Palomar knot. This knot doubles the line strength at the point of tie off, unlike square knots. It's very easy to do a Palomar knot. There's info on it, online.

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Can I use a knot like I use to tie my shoes?

Community Answer

That wouldn't be ideal. The knot wouldn't be fully secure and since the fishing line is so small, it would make it much more difficult to tie that way. It could also cause the line to snap.

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Tips

Fingernail clippers work great to clip the line.

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Reading glasses are a handy addition to a tackle box.

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Keep a knife around to cut the fishing line.

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If you're looking for a gift for a fisherman, multi-tools are a great addition to keep in a tackle box.
Always place your hooks back into the box, don't leave them laying around.

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Warnings

The hooks are very sharp; avoid contact with your eyes, skin, or body parts.

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When fishing, keep your fishing license with you; if not, you can get in trouble with the park rangers.

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