A chain is as strong as its weakest link the saying goes, and this is very true when angling. No matter how good our lines are, if there is an incorrect or badly tied knot, this can lose you fish and cause great disappointment and frustration.
Here we lay out the best knots you need for each type of fishing and how to tie them. Remember to practice knots until you can tie them perfectly every time.

Five Top Knot Tips

Always moisten your knots before tightening and tighten slowly and firmly.

High-tech lines do not respond very well to some knots. Always check, and if you are not happy with your knot, change it. The 'Xtreme' Knot is particularly good for high-tech knots.

Knots must look right. A bad looking knot usually is a bad knot. Cut it off and start again.

Don't learn too many knots. The Double Overhand Loop, Xtreme Knot, Bloodknot and the Half Bloodknot will cover most of your needs.

Never bite knots after tying. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors, or clippers, to trim them.

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Bimini Twist

This knot is not the most difficult knot to tie but it is easy to learn. Ask any committed sea angler and this is the one knot they always use. A well tied Bimini Twist is the strongest loop of all, and will give 100% knot strength.


1. Make a loop in the line and give it 20 complete twists.


2. Sit down and put the loop around your knees applying outward pressure to hold in position. Pull the two ends upwards to draw the twists tight.


3. Still holding the long end under tension and slightly to one side as in Fig 2b, move the tag end so it is at right angles as in Fig 3a. Slightly ease off the tension and allow the tag end to begin to wrap itself downwards over the twisted section.


4. Let the tag end continue to spiral down over the existing twist (Fig 4) until it reaches the bottom of the twisted section.


5. Make a half hitch round one of the strands of the loop and pull tight.


6. Make a further half hitch with the tag end round both strands of the loop (Fig 6), but this time, before pulling tight make another two turns around both strands of the loop and then put the tag end through the gap in the untightened half hitch (Fig 6b).


7. Draw the whole knot tight remembering to lubricate it while doing so. Trim the excess from the tag end (Fig 7).