Best Fishing Knots Every Angler Should Know

When you’re out on the water in Delacroix, LA, chasing redfish, speckled trout, or flounder, the last thing you want is a weak knot ruining your perfect catch. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, knowing how to tie strong, reliable fishing knots is essential.

At Whiskey Bayou Charters, we’ve spent countless hours fishing in Louisiana’s marshes and bayous, and we know firsthand that the right knot can make all the difference. A good fishing knot keeps your hook, lure, or bait securely attached, prevents break-offs, and ensures that you have the best chance of landing the fish of a lifetime.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best fishing knots every angler should know, when to use them, and tips for tying them correctly. Whether you’re using braid, monofilament, or fluorocarbon line, these knots will help you improve your success on the water.

Why Fishing Knots Matter

Before we dive into specific knots, let’s take a moment to discuss why fishing knots are so important. Many anglers overlook the importance of properly tying knots, but the truth is, a poorly tied knot can lead to frustration, lost fish, and wasted time.

A good fishing knot provides:

• Stronger Hooksets – When you set the hook, you need a knot that won’t slip or weaken under pressure, especially with-hard-fighting fish like redfish.
• Better Lure Action – Some knots allow your lure to move more naturally, which can make a huge difference when targeting finicky fish.
• Line Strength Retention – Knots that reduce stress on your fishing line help prevent break-offs, which means more landed fish.
• Tackle Security – A properly tied knot ensures your hook, lure, or swivel stays in place, even when battling aggressive fish.

Mastering these essential fishing knots will make you a more confident angler and increase your chances of success. Let’s get started!

The 7 Best Fishing Knots Every Angler Should Know

Improved Clinch Knot – The Go-To Basic

Best For: Attaching hooks, swivels, and lures to monofilament and fluorocarbon lines.

The Improved Clinch Knot is one of the most widely used fishing knots in the world, and for good reason. It’s easy to tie, strong when done correctly, and works well for most inshore fishing applications. Whether you're chasing speckled trout, sheepshead, or slot redfish, this knot is a reliable option for securing your hook or lure.

However, it does have one weakness—it’s not ideal for braided line, as the slick texture of braid can cause the knot to slip. If you’re using braid, consider a different knot, such as the Palomar Knot.

How to Tie the Improved Clinch Knot:

1. Thread the line through the eye of the hook, leaving about 6 inches of tag end.
2. Wrap the tag end around the main line 5 to 7 times.
3. Pass the tag end through the small loop near the eye of the hook.
4. Then, pass it back through the larger loop you just created.
5. Moisten the knot with water or saliva to reduce friction, then pull tight.
6. Trim the excess tag end, leaving a small bit to prevent slippage.

Why It Works:

This knot holds up well under pressure and is easy to tie quickly, making it a great option when fish are biting and you need to re-rig fast.

Palomar Knot – Strong & Reliable

Best For: Attaching hooks and lures to braided, monofilament, and fluorocarbon lines.

If you’re looking for a super strong knot that’s easy to tie, the Palomar Knot is the way to go. This knot retains almost 100% of the original line strength, making it one of the most dependable knots in an angler’s arsenal.

The Palomar Knot is especially useful for braided fishing lines, which can be slippery and difficult to secure with other knots. If you're targeting big redfish, black drum, or bull trout, this is one of the best knots you can use.

How to Tie the Palomar Knot:

1. Double up about 6 inches of line and pass the loop through the eye of the hook or lure.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot, keeping the hook or lure dangling.
3. Pass the loop over the entire hook or lure.
4. Moisten the knot and pull both ends to tighten securely.
5. Trim the excess tag end.

Why It Works:

It’s one of the strongest knots available, especially for braid, and it’s quick and easy to tie in low-light conditions or rough waters.

The Loop Knot – For Maximum Lure Action

Best For: Tying on topwater lures, jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

If you’re looking for a super strong knot that’s easy to tie, the Palomar Knot is the way to go. This knot retains almost 100% of the original line strength, making it one of the most dependable knots in an angler’s arsenal.

The Palomar Knot is especially useful for braided fishing lines, which can be slippery and difficult to secure with other knots. If you're targeting big redfish, black drum, or bull trout, this is one of the best knots you can use.

How to Tie the Palomar Knot:

1. Double up about 6 inches of line and pass the loop through the eye of the hook or lure.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot, keeping the hook or lure dangling.
3. Pass the loop over the entire hook or lure.
4. Moisten the knot and pull both ends to tighten securely.
5. Trim the excess tag end.

Why It Works:

It’s one of the strongest knots available, especially for braid, and it’s quick and easy to tie in low-light conditions or rough waters.

The Uni Knot – A Must-Know Versatile Knot

Best For: Attaching hooks, lures, and swivels to mono, fluoro, and braid.

The Uni Knot is a fantastic all-around knot that is strong, easy to tie, and works on all types of fishing lines. Unlike the Clinch Knot, the Uni Knot holds well with braided line, making it a great option for anglers using braid-to-leader setups.

How to Tie the Uni Knot:

1. Thread the line through the eye of the hook and double it back about 6 inches.
2. Create a loop by laying the tag end over the doubled line.
3. Wrap the tag end around both lines 5 to 7 times.
4. Pull the tag end to tighten the wraps.
5. Moisten and pull the main line to secure the knot.
6. Trim the excess tag end.

Why It Works:

It’s reliable and easy to tie, even in windy or low-light conditions.

The FG Knot – The Best Leader-to-Line Connection

Best For: Attaching braid to fluorocarbon or monofilament leader.

If you fish with braided main line and a fluorocarbon leader, the FG Knot is the strongest connection you can make. It’s thin, strong, and passes smoothly through guides, making it perfect for long casts.

How to Tie It:

1. Hold the leader in one hand and the braid in the other.
2. Wrap the braid tightly over the leader 15–20 times in a crisscross pattern.
3. Tighten the braid by pulling both ends.
4. Tie two half-hitch knots at the end to secure it.
5. Moisten and pull tightly to cinch everything down.

Why It Works:

It’s nearly 100% strong, ensuring your leader never fails when fighting big fish.

The Snell Knot – Ideal for Hooks with an Offset Eye

Best For: Tying hooks for live or cut bait.

The Snell Knot is ideal for circle hooks and live bait rigs, as it provides a direct pull from the leader to the hook shank. This helps with better hook penetration, which is especially useful when fishing for redfish and drum.

How to Tie It:

1. Run the leader through the hook eye and leave 6 inches of tag end.
2. Wrap the tag end around the hook shank 5 to 7 times.
3. Pull the main line tight to secure the wraps.
4. Moisten and cinch the knot down firmly.

Why It Works:

It keeps the hook properly aligned, making it perfect for live bait fishing.

The Blood Knot – The Best for Tying Two Lines Together

Best For: Connecting two lines of similar diameter.

The Blood Knot is one of the best for joining two pieces of mono or fluoro together, making it ideal when creating custom leaders.

How to Tie It:

1. Overlap the ends of two lines by 6 inches.
2. Wrap one line around the other 5 to 7 times, then insert the tag end through the middle.
3. Repeat the process with the second line.
4. Moisten and slowly tighten the knot.

Why It Works:

It creates a smooth, strong connection, perfect for leader-to-main line setups.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Tying Fishing Knots

Many anglers, especially beginners, make simple yet costly mistakes when tying their fishing knots. Adding this section will help readers understand what not to do and how to improve their knot-tying skills.

Mistakes to Watch Out For:

• Not Moistening the Knot Before Tightening – Friction can weaken the line and cause it to break more easily. Always moisten before tightening!
• Tying the Wrong Knot for the Line Type – Some knots work better for monofilament, some for fluorocarbon, and some for braid. Knowing the right knot for your setup is crucial.
• Insufficient Wraps or Turns – If you don’t wrap your line enough times, your knot can slip under pressure.
• Over-Tightening Too Quickly – Some knots require gradual tightening to ensure even distribution of tension.
• Leaving Too Much or Too Little Tag End – Too much tag end makes the knot bulky; too little increases the risk of it coming undone.

By avoiding these common mistakes, anglers can increase their hookup rate and reduce lost fish.

How to Choose the Right Fishing Knot for Different Situations

Not all knots are created equal! Each fishing scenario may require a different type of knot. This section will help readers choose the right knot based on their fishing conditions.

Choosing the Right Knot Based on the Situation:

• For Lures That Need Maximum Action → Use the Loop Knot (ideal for jerkbaits, topwater lures, and artificial shrimp).
• For Maximum Line Strength with Braid → Use the Palomar Knot (perfect for securing hooks and lures when using braided line).
• For Heavy-Duty Leader Connections → Use the FG Knot (best for fluorocarbon-to-braid setups when targeting big redfish or black drum).
• For Quick and Easy Hook Tying → Use the Improved Clinch Knot (great for tying mono or fluoro to hooks when fishing live bait).
• For Attaching Two Lines Together → Use the Blood Knot (ideal when creating a leader from two monofilament or fluorocarbon lines).
• For Live or Cut Bait Fishing → Use the Snell Knot (ensures the hook stays in position and gives a better hookup ratio).

Having a quick-reference guide like this helps anglers pick the best knot for their needs.

Best Tools for Tying Fishing Knots Efficiently

Even the best anglers can struggle with tying knots in low-light conditions or when their hands are wet and cold. In this section, you can highlight some useful tools and tips to make knot-tying easier.

Helpful Tools for Knot Tying:

• Fishing Pliers with Line Cutter – Helps cut line cleanly and precisely, making it easier to tie knots.
• Knot Tying Tool – Perfect for anglers who struggle with dexterity or need to tie small hooks efficiently.
• UV Light or Headlamp – Essential for tying knots in low-light or night fishing conditions.
• Fingerless Fishing Gloves – Provides warmth without restricting movement, making it easier to handle braid, mono, or fluoro lines.

Using the right tools can significantly reduce frustration and increase the speed and efficiency of tying knots.

Putting Your Knots to the Test – Join Us on the Water!

Now that you know the seven essential fishing knots, the real test comes when you're out on the water, battling real fish in real conditions. Tying knots in the comfort of your home is one thing, but tying them quickly and correctly in the heat of the action is another.

That’s where experience and repetition come into play. The more you practice, the more natural these knots will feel, allowing you to tie them quickly, even when the bite is hot and the pressure is on.

At Whiskey Bayou Charters, we’re here to help you put your skills to work in some of the best inshore fishing grounds in Louisiana. Whether you’re targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, or black drum, we’ll make sure you’re prepared to handle whatever the day throws at you—including tying strong, reliable knots when it matters most.

If you're ready to experience world-class inshore fishing and put your newfound knot-tying skills to the test, book a trip with Whiskey Bayou Charters today!