How to Tie Knots for Fishing Hooks

The two most common knots for tying on a fishing hook are the snell knot and the palomar knot. The snell knot requires a separate length of line called a leader and provides a strong connection for fishing with bait. The palomar knot is easy to learn and complete and works with lines with a 20-pound test weight and higher.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing line
• Fishing hook

Instructions

Snell Knot

1. To make the snell knot, according to fish4fun.com, pull one end of the leader through the eye of the hook, pointing away from the barb of the hook, and pull to two inches past the eye. Pull the other end of the leader through the eye, going the opposite direction, toward the barb of the hook. With your left hand, hold the leader ends and the hook with your fingers, allowing the leader to hang down from the hook in a loop.

2. Wrap the part of the loop that is closest to the eye over the hook shank and both ends of the leader. Repeat for seven or eight turns, holding the wrapped line with your left hand.

3. Pull the end of the leader that runs through the eye of the hook slowly, holding the turns to prevent the knot from unraveling. Slide the knot up to the eye of the hook when it is almost tight. Hold the short end of the leader against the hook and pull the other end to tighten the knot completely.

Palomar Knot

1. To make the palomar knot, double the end of your line and pull the loop through the eye of the hook.

2. Cross the loop end over and back through the other end but do not tighten the knot.

3. Take the loop end and hook it over the barbed end of the hook. Pull the opposite end to tighten the knot and pull the loop up past the eye.

References

• Fishing Knots
• Take Me Fishing: Knots You Need to Know
• Fish4Fun: Snell Knot