5 Fishing Knots Every Angler Should Know

A lost fish is heartbreaking, and more often than not it's a knot that failed, not the line. The good news: you only need about five knots to handle almost everything, and they're all quick to learn. Master these and you'll never blame the tackle again.

The five worth knowing

1. Improved Clinch Knot — your everyday knot for tying line to a hook or lure. Quick, strong, reliable.
2. Palomar Knot — arguably the strongest simple knot for hooks and swivels, and very hard to tie wrong. Great with braid.
3. Uni Knot (Grinner) — a versatile all-rounder for hooks, and doubled up (Double Uni) it joins two lines together.
4. Loop Knot — gives a lure free movement for a more natural action; a favorite for plugs and jigs.
5. Blood Knot — the classic for joining two lines of similar diameter, handy for leaders.

The mistake that costs fish

Always wet the knot — with water or saliva — before you pull it tight. A dry knot generates friction heat as it cinches, which weakens the line right at the knot, exactly where it'll fail under a big fish. Wet it, snug it down slowly, and trim the tag end close.

Land more of what you hook, then log it: photograph the catch in CastLog and it names the species, estimates the size and saves it to your journal with the conditions.

Fishing for carp specifically? The knots above cover general tackle, but carp rigs work differently — see our guide to carp fishing knots for the hair rig and knotless knot.