Two knots cover most lure fishing: the Palomar and the improved clinch. Both tie line to a hook, lure or swivel eye, and both need only a few seconds once you have done them a few times. Wet the knot before you pull it tight, and trim the tag end close.
How do you tie a Palomar knot?
Double about 15 cm of line and pass the loop through the hook eye. Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, leaving the hook hanging below it. Pass the loop over the whole hook or lure, wet it, then pull the standing line and the tag end together until it seats. Trim the tag. The Palomar is widely used with braided line.
How do you tie an improved clinch knot?
Thread the line through the eye and wrap the tag end around the standing line five to seven times. Pass the tag end through the small loop beside the eye, then back through the big loop you just made. Wet it, pull the standing line to cinch the wraps down, and trim. It suits monofilament and fluorocarbon.
Which line do I tie these with?
Both knots work on the lines we sell: 4-strand braided line, nylon monofilament and fluorocarbon-coated line. Thicker line needs fewer wraps on a clinch, and slippery braid is why many anglers choose the Palomar.
What tools make knots easier?
A hook tying tool holds a small hook steady while you tie. Our hook tying tool is ABS plastic, about 14 cm long. The fly fishing knot tool is a stainless steel 4-in-1 with a zinger retractor, and the line cutter and folding scissors trim the tag end without damaging the knot.
Compare what we sell
| Product | What the listing says | In the box | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook tying tool, manual, 14 cm | Length: About 14 cmWeight: About 18.5 gMaterial: ABS | Hook tying tool: 1 | $9.99 |
| 4-in-1 nail knot tool with retractor | Functions: 4 in 1Material: Stainless steelIncludes: Zinger retractor | Knot tool with retractor: 1 (or 2) | $10.99 |
| Fishing line cutter and retractable tool | Material: Stainless steel and plasticStyles: Scissors and combinationsLanyard: Retractable | Line tool: 1 | $10.99 |
| Folding fishing scissors and line cutter | Blades: High-carbon steelHandle: Aluminium alloy or ABSFolds: Yes | Folding scissors: 1 | $7.99 |
| Braided fishing line, 4 strand PE, 300 m | Length: 300 m (also 100 m)Strands: 4Sizes: 0.4 to 4.0 | Spool of braided line: 1 | $9.99 |
| Monofilament fishing line, nylon, 100 m | Length: 100 mMaterial: NylonSizes: 0.8 to 4 | Spool of line: 1 | $9.99 |
| Fluorocarbon-coated fishing line, 100 m | Length: 100 mDiameters: 0.2 to 0.5 mmType: Sinking | Spool of line: 1 | $9.99 |
Questions people ask
What is the strongest fishing knot?
Our listings do not give knot strength, so we do not rank them. The Palomar and the improved clinch are the two most widely used for tying line to a hook or lure.
Why wet the knot?
Wetting the line lets the wraps slide and seat without heat from friction, which can weaken the line.
How short should I trim the tag end?
Close, leaving about a millimetre or two, so it does not catch weed or snag a guide.
