Knots.

I'm not noted for my drawing skills, so this was the part of the site I dreaded doing the most.  All I can say is tying knots is a lot easier than drawing  them! 

In my fishing I mainly use 5 knots.  The "Knotless Knot" for tying hair rigs, which I've devoted a page on it's own to.  The "Grinner", the "Palomar", the "Water"  and the loop knot.  I sometimes use the "Blood Knot" to tie 2 pieces of line together, but when attaching a hook length I prefer the "Two Loops" method.

Tying The Knot.

A very simple knot to tie and has a few uses.  Amongst others it can be used to form the loop on the hair of a hair rig, making loops to secure hook lengths to the main line and is used in a variety of rigs to tie swimfeeders on etc.

1. Double the line as shown in "A" above.
   
   
2. Fold  the line back on it's self to make a circle or loop.
   
   
3. Pass the end of the loop around the top half of the circle or inner loop 2 times.
   
   
4. Moisten and pull tight
   

You can of coarse make the loop what size you want, it's just a case of practise.  For very small loops you may consider buying a "loop tier", see the hair rig page for details.

Using Loops to Join 2 Pieces of Line.

1. Make a loop in the main line and your hook length, as in "A" above.
   
   
2. Pass the loop of the hook length over the loop of the main line.
   
   
3. Pass the end of the hook length through the loop of the main line.
   
   
4. Pull the loops together.
   

Because you need to pass the end of the hook length through the loop on the main line, it is not very good for attaching very long pieces of line to the main line.

It's great advantage is that you can change hook lengths quite easily.  Simply push the 2 loops apart, or if they are stuck, cut the loop on the hook length.  You then still have the loop on the main line to attach to again.

A knot used to tie 2 pieces of line together, can be used for hook lengths and droppers.  It's a very easy knot to tie.

Tying The Knot.

1. Place the hook length and reel lines alongside each other, so they overlap by about 8 inches.
   
   
2. Make a loop or circle with the doubled line.
   
   
3. Pass the loose end of the doubled line through the loop a few times.  Opinions on how many times you pass it through varies.  Most people use 4 turns, some use 3 or even 2.  If you are joining lines of similar diameter you could get away with 2, if not use more.  If in doubt use 3 or 4, it's a case of experimenting and find out what suits you for different circumstances.
   
   
4. Moisten the knot and tighten..
   

The grinner knot is ideal for tying line to hooks, swivels, bait bands and bait screws etc.  The benefit of the Grinner Knot is that it comes away from the hook etc., at a 90 degree right angle, so the hook, swivel, bait screw etc., sit perfectly on the line.

Tying The Knot.

Again a simple knot, which if you look at it is similar to the loop knot.  The differences are you don't double the line over and you twist the loop around the two lines that come away from the bait screw (or what ever) 4 or 5 times, instead of once or twice.

To tighten moisten with a bit of spit, pull the loose end fairly tight, pull the main line to pull the knot down to whatever your tying on and then give the loose end a final pull to tighten fully.  Take care when tying on meat screws as you can pull the line through the plastic, as they are delicate.

Video Showing How Tie a Grinner Knot

A good knot which can be used for eyed hooks, swivels, bait bands, bait screws etc..

A little bit more complicated than some, but a very good knot.  Because the line is doubled over, I think it has that little bit more strength.  This I think makes it excellent for use with ordinary fishing line and florocarbon.

It has another advantage in that it enables you to exactly make a hook length the length you want it.  Say you have just tied a hook on to some line and you want to tie this hook length to a swivel.  Where you double the line over to start the knot (as in "A" below), is where your hook will finish up once the knot is tied.  So if you want your swivel 12 inches from your hook, double the line 12 inches away.

Tying The Knot.

1. Double the line as shown in "A" above, then place the swivel or whatever onto the doubled line..
   
   
2. Make a loop with the doubled line.
   
   
3. Pass the end of the doubled line through the loop.  Then pass the end of the doubled line over the hook or swivel.
   
   
4. You need to be very careful when tightening this not.  Make sure the line is well moistened and pull both lines (loose end and main line) together.  Do it slowly and keep an eye open that the knot is closing evenly.  If one of the loops is getting smaller than the other, stop.  Pull the loose end and the main line to see which one controls that loop.  Just pull that line so the loops are equal in size and then pull both evenly again.
   

Video Showing How To Tie a Palomar Knot.

It looks complicated at first, but you soon master it.

Coming soon - Blood Knots.