Fishing knots: 7 essential knots to know

Best for : The best all-around knot for braid with hooks and lures — strong and simple.

How to tie it

1. 1.Double about 15 cm of line and pass the loop through the hook eye.
2. 2.Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, keeping the hook hanging.
3. 3.Pass the loop completely over the hook or lure.
4. 4.Wet the knot, then pull both the standing line and tag end to seat it.
5. 5.Trim the tag end close.

Best for : Mono or fluorocarbon tied to a hook, lure or swivel — a trusted classic.

How to tie it

1. 1.Pass the line through the eye and make 5 to 7 wraps around the standing line.
2. 2.Pass the tag end through the small loop just above the eye.
3. 3.Then pass it back through the big loop you just created.
4. 4.Wet the knot and pull slowly on the standing line to draw the coils tight.
5. 5.Trim the tag end close.

Best for : A versatile terminal knot — and doubled up as a Double-Uni it joins two lines together.

How to tie it

1. 1.Run the line through the eye and fold it back parallel to the standing line.
2. 2.Form a loop and make 5 to 6 wraps through the loop and around both lines.
3. 3.Wet the knot and pull the tag end to snug the coils together.
4. 4.Slide the knot down to the eye and tighten against it.
5. 5.For a line-to-line join, tie a Uni in each line facing the other and pull them together.

Best for : Tying line directly to a bait hook with an up-eye or down-eye for powerful, straight hooksets.

How to tie it

1. 1.Pass the line through the hook eye and run it down along the shank.
2. 2.Form a loop along the shank, holding the line against the hook.
3. 3.Wrap the tag end 6 to 8 times around the shank and through the loop.
4. 4.Wet the knot, then pull the standing line to tighten the wraps down the shank.
5. 5.Make sure the line exits the front of the eye and trim the tag.

Best for : A fast, strong end loop for attaching a leader or a quick loop-to-loop connection.

How to tie it

1. 1.Double the end of the line to form a loop of the size you want.
2. 2.Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line.
3. 3.Pass the loop through the overhand knot a second time (double overhand).
4. 4.Wet the knot and pull all four strands evenly to seat it.
5. 5.Trim the tag end close.

Best for : Joining a braided main line to a fluorocarbon or mono leader of a different diameter.

How to tie it

1. 1.Form a loop in the heavier line (the leader) and pinch it.
2. 2.Insert the lighter line through the loop and wrap it 10 times back over both strands of the loop.
3. 3.Feed the tag end back out through the loop the same side it entered.
4. 4.Wet the knot, hold the wraps, and pull slowly to slide them tight against the loop.
5. 5.Trim both tag ends close.

Best for : Joining two lines of similar diameter — ideal for building tapered leaders.

How to tie it

1. 1.Overlap the two line ends side by side, pointing in opposite directions.
2. 2.Wrap one tag end 5 to 6 times around the other line, then bring it back to the centre gap.
3. 3.Repeat with the second tag end, wrapping in the opposite direction.
4. 4.Pass both tag ends through the centre gap in opposite directions.
5. 5.Wet the knot and pull both standing lines to draw the coils together, then trim.