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Why Fishing Knots Matter More Than You Think
You can have the best rod, the most expensive line, and the perfect bait, but if your knot fails, none of it matters. A poor knot is the single most common reason anglers lose fish, yet most people just tie whatever their dad showed them 20 years ago and never think about it again.
The good news is you only need to learn about five knots to cover every fishing situation in the UK. Master these five and you will handle everything from tying a hook to joining two lengths of line. Practice them at home with a bit of spare line tied to a chair leg; it is much easier than trying to learn on the bank with cold fingers and a fish waiting.
The Improved Clinch Knot: Your Everyday Hook Knot
If you learn one knot, make it this one. The improved clinch knot is the most widely used hook knot in fishing. It is quick to tie, reliable with both monofilament and fluorocarbon, and retains around 95% of line strength when tied properly. Thread the line through the hook eye, wrap it around the standing line 5-7 times, pass the tag end through the small loop near the eye, then back through the big loop you just created. Wet the knot with saliva and pull tight slowly.
The key mistake most people make is pulling the knot tight too fast, which generates friction heat that weakens monofilament line. Always wet your knots before tightening and pull them down slowly. Trim the tag end to about 2mm. This knot works for hooks, swivels, and any terminal tackle with an eye.
The Palomar Knot: The Strongest Simple Knot
The palomar knot is arguably the strongest hook knot you can tie, retaining up to 98% of line strength. It is also incredibly simple, and many anglers switch to this as their go-to hook knot once they learn it. Double about 15cm of line and pass the loop through the hook eye. Tie an overhand knot with the doubled line (do not tighten yet). Pass the hook through the loop, wet it, and pull tight.
The palomar is particularly good with braided line, where the improved clinch can slip. It is also excellent for tying to swivels and snap links. The only downside is that you need to pass the hook or lure through the loop, which can be awkward with large lures or treble hooks. For 95% of UK coarse and carp fishing situations, the palomar is unbeatable.
The Grinner Knot: Versatile and Reliable
The grinner (also called the uni knot) is the Swiss Army knife of fishing knots. It works as a hook knot, a line-to-line knot (tie two grinners facing each other, called a double grinner), and even as a loop knot if you do not pull it all the way tight. Thread the line through the eye, double it back alongside the standing line, form a loop with the tag end, and wrap it through the loop 4-5 times. Wet and pull tight.
Many sea anglers in the UK swear by the grinner knot because it works exceptionally well with heavier monofilament lines (15lb+) and is easy to tie in the dark or in rough conditions. It retains around 90-95% of line strength. If you fish on the coast at all, the grinner should be in your toolkit.
The Blood Knot: Joining Two Lines Together
The blood knot (sometimes called the barrel knot) is used to join two lengths of line of similar diameter. It is essential when building tapered leaders for fly fishing or joining mainline to a hooklength. Overlap the two tag ends by about 20cm, wrap one tag end around the opposite standing line 5 times, then do the same with the other tag end in the opposite direction. Pass both tag ends through the centre gap in opposite directions, wet, and tighten slowly.
This knot works best when the two lines are of similar diameter. If there is a big difference, use a double grinner or an Albright knot instead. The blood knot sits neatly in-line and passes through rod rings smoothly, making it ideal for fly leaders and light float fishing hooklengths.
The Knotless Knot: Essential for Carp Fishing
If you fish for carp, the knotless knot is non-negotiable. It is how you tie a hair rig, the most effective carp rig ever invented. Thread a boilie stop onto a short length of hooklink material, pass the line through the back of the hook eye, wrap it around the shank 6-8 times (keeping the wraps neat), and pass the line back through the eye from the front. Adjust the hair length so the bait sits about 1cm below the bend of the hook.
The beauty of the knotless knot is that you can adjust the 'hair' length to suit different baits: shorter for smaller pellets, longer for larger boilies. The whipping down the shank also helps the hook turn and catch in the carp's lip. This knot has caught more carp than any other rig, and once you can tie it confidently, you have unlocked serious carp fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The palomar knot is widely regarded as the strongest simple fishing knot, retaining up to 98% of line strength. It works with monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. For joining two lines, the double grinner (uni to uni) is one of the strongest options.
Five knots will cover every fishing situation: the improved clinch (hook knot), palomar (strongest hook knot), grinner/uni (versatile all-rounder), blood knot (joining lines), and knotless knot (carp hair rigs). Master these five and you are sorted.
The most common reason is not wetting the knot before tightening. Dry monofilament generates friction heat when pulled tight, weakening the line at the knot. Always lubricate with saliva, pull tight slowly, and trim tag ends neatly.
The knotless knot is the essential carp fishing knot. It creates a hair rig, which presents the bait just below the hook. For tying to swivels and leads, use a palomar or improved clinch knot.