Fishing Knots

Palomar Knot The Palomar Knot is regarded by many as the strongest knot known. To tie the Palomar knot: Double about 6 inches of line, and pass through the eye. Tie a simple Overhand Knot in the doubled line, letting the hook hang loose. Avoid twisting the lines. Pull the end of loop down, passing it completely over the hook. Pull both ends of the line to draw up the knot.

Albright Knot To stop line abrasion on 20 pound monofilament when using a downrigger clip, I use the Albright knot to attach a 3 foot piece of 80 pound monofilament line to a 70 foot piece of sea green monofilament line then again when attaching the other end of the 80 pound monofilament to the spooled line. Once you master this knot you will find other uses for it. Follow the fishing and boating knot links to the right for more clear pictures, directions and some animations on how to tie several popular fishing and boating knots.

Dropper Loop A popular method of forming a loop, or loops, in the line above the sinker is to use the Dropper Loop. This draws into a knot that stands out at right angles to the line. If desired, the loops can be made long enough to have a hook set on them for use as a home made mackerel, cod or haddock rig. To tie a Dropper Loop: Form a loop in the line. Take hold of one side of the loop, and make 6 or more turns around the line itself. This is the tricky part - keep open the point where the turns or twists are being made. Take hold of the other side of the loop, and pull it through the center opening, use a finger in this loop so that it is not lost. Hold this loop between your teeth.  Pull gently on both ends of the line, making the turns gather and pack down on either side of the loop. Draw up the knot by pulling the lines as tightly as possible.  The turns will make the loop stand at right angles to the line.

Snelling A Hook When snelling a hook, restrict it to lines with a breaking strength of less than 50 pounds. To snell a hook: Pass the tag end of the line through the eye twice, leaving a loop hanging below the hook. Hold both lines along the shank of the hook. Use the loop to wind tight coils around the shank and both lines, from the eye upwards.  Use from 5 to 10 turns. Use your fingers to hold these tight coils in place.  Pull the line (extending from the eye) until the whole loop has passed under these tight coils. With coils drawn up, use pliers to pull up the tag end of the line.