How to Tie Common Fishing Knots

If you like to fish, it's important to know how to properly tie fishing knots. If you don't tie a knot properly, you risk losing the fish you've got on the line. Learn three different knot-tying methods so you can reel in the big ones.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing line
• Fishing hook

Instructions

Arbor Knot

1. Thread the line around the reel arbor.

2. Tie an overhand knot around the line itself. Loop the line around once then back through.

3. Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end. This knot should be behind the original knot. It keeps the line from slipping through the first knot.

4. Make sure both knots are pulled tight. Cut off the excess line behind the tag.

5. Slide the first overhand knot down the line to tighten it around the reel arbor.

Clinch Knot

1. Thread the line through the eye of the hook.

2. Double back or loop around the line five times.

3. Pass the end of the line through the first loop. Then pass it through the large loop that you just created when you passed the end of the line through the first loop.

4. Draw the knot into shape gently. Do this after you pass the line back through the first loop. If you do this incorrectly, you will have to start over.

5. Slide the coils down tight against the eye of the hook. The completed knot should like a noose.

Trilene Knot

1. Thread the line through the eye of the hook. Then double back through the eye again.

2. Hold the hook in your left hand and hold the standing line in your right hand.

3. Loop the tag end around the standing line six times.

4. Feed the tag end through the loop you created in Step 1.

5. Tighten the knot gently by pulling the tag end and the standing line. You can moisten the line to help tighten the knot. Cut any excess off the tag end. It should be about 1/8-inch.

Tips & Warnings

• Tying knots takes patience and practice. Go slowly and try not to get frustrated.

• Be very careful with the hooks! Keep a first-aid kit on hand just in case.