If you’re new to fishing, you may not know the importance of fishing knots. But the knot is one of the most important parts of fishing – it’s the link between the angler and the fish. Not all knots can be used in all scenarios though. We have created a list of some of the best knots for different fishing scenarios and have explained how to make these knots so you have an easy time learning them. Even if you’re an advanced angler, you may learn a new knot that can help you catch fish.

Basic Fishing Knots

The Six-Turn San Diego Jam knot is a mouthful to say, but it’s a great knot to use when tying on a lure or a fly. The knot uses wraps around the tag end and the standing line allowing it to cushion itself. It’s also stronger than clinch knots, a more popular and traditional choice for lure and fly knots, because they only wrap one strand.

To do the Six-Turn San Diego Jam you’ll need to:

1. Thread the line. Make sure to do it through the hook’s eye, carefully, and then double it back around 10 inches.
2.  Wrap the tag end over itself. After you do that, wrap it around the standing line. Do this seven times, slowly moving towards the hook.
3. You will then need to pass the tag end through the first open loop at the hook eye (the opposite end of the hook). You may need to use a finger to make it easier for yourself. Then you’ll need to thread the tag end through the open loop.
4. Lastly, you’ll pull the tag end tight, making sure the wraps don’t overlap.

The J knot is a great knot to use when you need to tie the leader to the line.

To use this knot you’ll need to:

1. Lay the leader and the line over top each other for several inches.

   

2. You’ll then form a loop by tying an overhand knot. Make sure that the leader line is pulled through the loop.
3. Run the end of the line and the leader through the backside of the loop.
4. Repeat all of this, from the top to the bottom.
5. Moisten the lines with water and pull.

The Rapala knot is a great knot for tying on a lure. It can be also used for fly fishing, if you need your fly to be of a freer movement. The wraps that are used in the Rapala knot relieve stress where the standing line enters, and the standing line is cushioned by the overhand knot.

To use a Rapala knot:

1. You’ll need to tie an overhand knot above the tag end of your line.
2. Thread the tag end through the lure and then again through the overhand knot.
3. Make around three wraps around the standing line then pass the tag end through the loop that was formed.
4. Moisten the line and tighten it.

The Uni knot is a great, dependable knot. It’s really useful for when you need to tie monofilament and/or fluorocarbon lines to lures.

It’s also very simple, you only need to do three things to complete it:

1. First, you’ll need to run the line through the hook eye to form a loop.
2. Turn that line five times around in the loop.
3. Moisten the line and pull it tight.

The Blood knot is a great knot for fly fishing. It’s mostly used when you need to join two lines of a similar size.

To do a blood knot:

1. You’ll need to overlap the two lines. Twist them around each other seven times.
2. Repeat the above step, but do it the other way, the same amount of times.
3. Finally, pull the lines in opposite directions (slowly). The knot will gather together.

Lastly, the Bimini Twist, which is also known as the Albright knot, is a great, versatile, reliable knot that is great to use when you need to tie two different types of lines together. It can also be used if the lines are of the same type but just different diameters.

You’ll need to start the knot by:

1. Making a loop in the heavier line. Run the lighter line through it.
2. Wrap the light line about ten times over itself and the heavier line’s loop.
3. The tag end should be fed through the loop.
4. Slide the wraps on the heavy line to the end of the loop and tighten the line.

Every fisherman has his favorite knots, and I’m sure you can learn plenty more knots if you come out with us on the Kona Fishing Charters boat when you come out to fish with us. Who knows, we might even learn some new knots from you. At Kona Fishing Charters, you will have tons of fun fishing with us. Call us at (808) 960-1424 to learn more about Kona fishing charters!