Two Knots You Absolutely Need to Know
Table of contents for Total Noob Beginners Fishing Guide
- The Fishing Rod: Parts & Terms
- The Fishing Reel: Types of Fishing Reels
- Terminal Tackle: All the Stuff on the Other End Your Rod
- Fishing With Live Bait
- Fishing With Prepared Baits
- Types of Fishing Lures
- Fish Anatomy
- Understanding Fish Senses
- Which Rod and Reel Should I Buy? – Your First Fishing Rod & Reel
- Two Knots You Absolutely Need to Know
- How to Assemble a Spinning Reel and Rod
- How to Load Line on a Spinning Reel
- How to Set the Drag on a Spinning Reel
- How to Cast Your Spinning Rod
- How to Find Fish
- How to Play and Land a Fish
- How to Keep and Clean Your Fish
In your fishing career, you will very likely learn many knots. But, you’ll be using these two knots from day one. They are indispensable. Let’s go over some knot tying terminology before we begin.
standing line: the part of the line that is not involved in making the knot; the part of the line that "stands still."
tag end: the very end of of the line; the part of the line that is being used to make the knot.
Arbor Knot
The arbor knot is the knot you use to tie line and backing onto your reel. It’s very simple. (Click on the photos to enlarge them.)
Step 1.
Pass the line around the arbor.
Step 2.
Tie an overhand knot in the standing line.
Step 3.
Tie another overhand knot in the tag end.
Step 4.
Moisten the knots (saliva will do- the lubrication keeps the line from weakening from the friction of tying.) Hold the tag end on either side of the knots and pull tight. Cut off any excess line above the knot in the tag end. Snug the knot down. All done.
Improved Clinch Knot
The improved clinch knot is the most popular knot for attaching hooks, swivels, snaps, lures, flies and sinkers on light line (20lb test or less, click on the photos to enlarge them.)
Step 1.
Pass the line through the eye of the hook and wrap the tag end around the standing line five times.
Step 2.
Bring the tag end back and pass it through the loop you created above the eye.
Step 3.
Now pass the tag end back through the big loop.
Step 4.
Moisten the knot area. Hold the tag end in one hand, the standing line in the other and and pull slowly at the same time. Slide the coils tight with your fingernail. Clip the tag end.
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June 12th, 2009 at 11:53 am
this cite helped me so much with my english homework
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
palmor knot is better
June 11th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Hey, dean, since you know all, what is a palmor knot? Is it realated to the palomar knot?
June 20th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Hi Curtis,
I don’t know it all. I just write about what I’ve learned and what I hope can help someone else.
I’ve never heard of the “palmor” knot until now. After looking for it in some published knot books, I could find no mention of it, only the palomar. It seems that the palomar knot is commonly mistakenly referred to as “palmor,” “polamer,” and “polymer” knot. They are the same knot. But, the official name is palomar knot.
Thanks for question, Curtis.
-Nick
July 27th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Hey Curtis,
Is “realated” related to the word related? I’ve never heard of such a term, I guess I don’t know it all either, jackass.
August 1st, 2010 at 6:42 am
Well I see there is stress amoung fishing experts. As a vet I understand PTSD .
all I know is one knotand put bait on a hook while trying to learn this fishing thing enough to catch a mess regularly. Hopefully before my next birthday.LOL
I will now look up a palomar knot as it seems to be important . At least to know how to spell it.
I will check back for round two.
LOL
September 28th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Hi Nick
I just bought a reel for the first time, my fist question was: “How the hell do I tie the line to the reel. Luckily I came upon your website. This also answered my second question, tying the hooks and stuff.
This was very helpful, thanks.
July 10th, 2011 at 4:58 am
Ncik, tanhks for tkanig the tmie to do tihs for us rkooies. I hvae a lmieted eudaciton but had no pborelm fgiuirjg out waht you weer syanig. Unlike the smart asses who want to show their wit or abilitie at the expenses of others. Don’t worry about the occasional spelling. You write in what’s known as a conversational style and it reads just fine for me. I’m just getting back into fishing and am using your site for a refresher course., Take care and all the best.
Ray……..
July 10th, 2011 at 8:39 am
Hi Ray,
Thank you very much, Ray. I’m really happy that it’s helped you get back into fishing! Keep at it and pass it on.
July 25th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Nick,
I never have been any good at knots. Thank you for showing me the basic ones I need to be able to do and know where they are to be used.
I’ve been having trouble with the arbor knot, and it looks to be so simple.
Now I think I have it. I would describe it as tying an overhand knot in the tag line which captures the standing line, or tying an overhand knot in the tag line around the standing line, then another overhand knot in the tag line.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for taking the time to educate us. I’ve used your insights a number of times, and I am sure I will continue to do so. I am 43 and just now getting into ‘fishing’, primarily ’cause my 10 yr old seems to love it, but now I think its catching. I find I could really like it.
August 31st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Hey Nick
I know absolutely nothing about fishing and am really excited about getting started but I have nobody to show me how. Your site is teaching me all the things that I would feel too stupid to ask about at the fishing shop. Don’t listen to all the sarcastic people on here mocking you. You’ve helped me a lot and I’m sure you’re helping others. Thanks!
September 1st, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Yep ^
Keep it up! Thanks for a great site!!!