Essential Knots

Three knots for 8 lb line and your First Cast kit. Wet every knot before you pull it tight, then trim the tag to about 3 mm (1/8 in).

Print the Field Knots card. Print at 100% (Actual size), then trim.

Download the Field Knots card (PDF)

Palomar Knot ★ Start here

  1. 1doubled line

    1. Double about 15 cm (6 in) of line into a loop and push the loop through the hook eye.

  2. 2loose overhand

    2. With the doubled line, tie a loose overhand knot. Leave the hook hanging below.

  3. 3loop over hook

    3. Pass the whole hook through the end of the loop.

  4. 4wet✂ trim 3 mm

    4. Wet it, pull both ends to cinch snug on the eye, trim the tag to about 3 mm (1/8 in).

Improved Clinch Knot

  1. 1tag end

    1. Pass about 15 cm (6 in) of tag end through the hook eye.

  2. 25–7 wraps

    2. Wrap the tag around the main line 5 to 7 times (5 is fine for 8 lb).

  3. 3small loop, then big loop

    3. Push the tag through the small loop by the eye, then back through the big loop it just made.

  4. 4wet✂ trim 3 mm

    4. Wet it, pull the main line so the wraps slide down tight, trim the tag to 3 mm (1/8 in).

Non-Slip Mono Loop

  1. 1loose overhand

    1. Tie a loose overhand knot about 25 cm (10 in) up the line. Pass the tag through the hook eye.

  2. 2same side in

    2. Bring the tag back through the overhand the same way it went out. Set the loop size now.

  3. 35 turns

    3. Wrap the tag around the main line 5 times for 8 lb line.

  4. 4wet✂ trim 3 mm

    4. Tuck the tag back through the overhand the same way. Wet, pull tag, then loop and line apart. Trim to 3 mm (1/8 in).

Line key: solid navy = main line to the reel · white with navy outline = tag end · gray = hook.